Vehicle fender garnish variable structure and control method thereof

Abstract

A variable structure for a fender garnish of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a fender garnish formed to cover a wheel of a vehicle and coupled to an outer edge portion of a wheel guard of a vehicle; a flap member located at the rear portion of the fender garnish and rotatably coupled to the fender garnish; a driving member for rotating the flap member; and a controller for driving the driving member to control whether the flap member rotates.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a variable structure for a vehicle fender garnish and a method for controlling the same, and more specifically, to a variable structure for a vehicle fender garnish and a method for controlling the same that can minimize gap wake by controlling the opening and closing of the flap of the fender garnish according to the driving speed of the vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In the automotive industry, fuel efficiency is becoming increasingly important as exhaust and environmental regulations are tightened. To improve fuel efficiency, research is actively underway to reduce drag by applying aerodynamic design elements, and the aerodynamic impact of high-speed rotating wheels and tires, previously unexplored territory, is also being revealed one after another.

[0003] In particular, as it is known that the gap between the wheel arch (wheel guard) and the tire contributes significantly to vehicle drag, research to reduce this gap is ongoing; however, since it is also very important to effectively discharge the vortices generated by the tire inside the wheelhouse, it is difficult to unconditionally minimize the gap between the wheel arch and the tire.

[0004] Wheel arch shapes are generally designed as circular or square based on design elements, and consequently, there are significant differences in aerodynamic performance. If the wheel arch shape could be variable, it could be changed to a circular or square shape depending on the situation; however, since fenders are typically composed of metal panels and plastic garnishes, their shape is fixed. Therefore, once the shape is determined, there is a limitation in that aerodynamic performance is also determined dependently by it.

[0005] Existing technologies include a method of varying the forward gap according to the situation by using a variable suspension to maximize the damping effect by increasing the bump stroke length at low speeds and reducing the suspension length at high speeds, a method of varying the forward gap by applying a bendable structure to the front of the wheel guard and pneumatically, and a method of varying the forward gap by applying a sliding air guide.

[0006] As such, while existing technologies capable of adjusting the upward and forward gaps between the wheel arch and the tire have been developed, technologies capable of adjusting the rear gap are currently scarce.

[0007] Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle's fender garnish was divided into four sections, and the aerodynamic impact was evaluated by reducing the gap between the wheel arch and the tire. As a result, there was an aerodynamic improvement effect of approximately 6 counts (drag coefficient). Additionally, by removing section C to increase the gap and inducing airflow discharge through this section, it was confirmed that there was an additional aerodynamic improvement effect of approximately 3 counts. Generally, aerodynamics are improved when the gap between the wheel arch and the tire is reduced, but in the case of section C (the rear part of the garnish), it is advantageous to increase the gap to discharge airflow. The problem to be solved

[0008] Accordingly, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a variable fender garnish structure and a control method thereof are provided, which can minimize gap wake by forming a flap on the rear portion of a vehicle's fender garnish and controlling the opening and closing of the flap. means of solving the problem

[0009] A variable structure for a fender garnish of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a fender garnish formed to cover a wheel of a vehicle and coupled to an outer edge portion of a wheel guard of a vehicle; a flap member located at the rear portion of the fender garnish and rotatably coupled to the fender garnish; a driving member for rotating the flap member; and a controller for driving the driving member to control whether the flap member rotates.

[0010] The flap member can be hinge-connected to the fender garnish.

[0011] The flap member may include a first flap provided on the lower side of the fender garnish and a second flap arranged parallel to the first flap and provided on the upper side of the fender garnish.

[0012] The above driving member includes a driving motor and a driving actuator, and the first flap can be rotated by the driving actuator, and the second flap can be rotated by the driving motor.

[0013] The above-described driving actuator includes an actuator body attached to the fender garnish and an actuator shaft that protrudes outward from the actuator body and rotates, and the actuator shaft is fitted into a coupling groove formed in the first flap, and the first flap can be rotated by the rotation of the actuator shaft.

[0014] The above-mentioned drive motor includes a motor body attached to the fender garnish and a motor shaft gear that protrudes outward from the motor body and rotates.

[0015] The motor shaft gear is coupled with a connecting gear formed on the second flap, and the second flap can be rotated by the rotation of the motor shaft gear.

[0016] The above controller determines whether the driving member is normal or faulty, and if it is determined that the driving member is normal, determines the speed of the vehicle and drives the driving member according to the speed of the vehicle to control whether the flap member rotates.

[0017] The above controller can control the driving member so that the first flap and the second flap do not rotate when the speed of the vehicle is less than the first speed.

[0018] The above controller can control the driving member such that when the speed of the vehicle is greater than or equal to the first speed and less than the second speed which is greater than the first speed, the first flap is rotated and the second flap is not rotated.

[0019] The above controller can control the driving member such that when the speed of the vehicle is greater than or equal to the second speed and less than the third speed which is greater than the second speed, the second flap is rotated and the first flap is not rotated.

[0020] If the speed of the vehicle is greater than or equal to the third speed, the driving member can be controlled so that the first flap and the second flap rotate.

[0021] Meanwhile, a control method for a variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the step of determining, by the controller, whether the driving member is normal or faulty after the vehicle is started; the step of determining the speed of the vehicle by the controller if the driving member is determined to be normal; and the step of controlling whether the flap member rotates by driving the driving member according to the speed of the vehicle by the controller.

[0022] A control method for a variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include the step of displaying a warning light on the instrument panel of the vehicle by the controller when the driving member is determined to be faulty.

[0023] If the speed of the vehicle is determined to be less than the first speed, the driving member can be controlled by the controller so that the first flap and the second flap do not rotate.

[0024] If the speed of the vehicle is determined to be greater than or equal to a first speed and less than a second speed greater than the first speed, the driving member can be controlled by the controller so that the first flap is rotated and the second flap is not rotated.

[0025] If the speed of the vehicle is determined to be greater than or equal to a second speed and less than a third speed greater than or equal to the second speed, the driving member can be controlled by the controller so that the second flap is rotated and the first flap is not rotated.

[0026] If the speed of the vehicle is determined to be greater than or equal to the third speed, the driving member may be controlled by the controller so that the first flap and the second flap are rotated. Effects of the invention

[0027] As described above, according to the present invention, a flap is installed on the fender garnish of a vehicle and the opening and closing of the flap are controlled according to the driving speed of the vehicle to minimize gap wake and obtain an optimal aerodynamic (lift / drag) improvement effect. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0028] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the results of evaluating the aerodynamic impact by reducing the gap between the wheel guard and the tire of a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a state in which a variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed on a wheel guard. FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a variable structure of a fender garnish of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is an exploded view showing an enlarged view of section 'A' of Figure 3. FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a first flap of a flap member in a variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of section 'B' of Figure 5. FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a second flap of a flap member in a variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is an enlarged view of section 'C' of Figure 7. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the state in which a controller of a variable structure of a fender garnish of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention controls whether a flap member rotates according to the vehicle speed. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a variable structure of a fender garnish of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0030] In addition, in various embodiments, components having the same configuration are described using the same reference numerals, and in one representative embodiment, only configurations different from one embodiment are described.

[0031] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale. The relative dimensions and proportions of parts in the drawings are exaggerated or reduced in size for clarity and convenience in the drawings, and any dimensions are merely illustrative and not limiting. Additionally, the same reference numeral is used to denote similar features for the same structure, element, or part appearing in two or more drawings. Where one part is referred to as being "on" or "on" another part, it may be directly on top of the other part or may enclose other parts in between.

[0032] The embodiments of the present invention specifically illustrate one embodiment of the present invention. As a result, various variations of the illustration are expected. Accordingly, the embodiments are not limited to the specific form of the illustrated area and include, for example, variations in form resulting from manufacturing.

[0033] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, a variable structure for a vehicle fender garnish according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention installed on a wheel guard, FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing an enlarged view of part 'A' of FIG. 3.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, a fender garnish (10) of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention is formed in a shape that is coupled to the outer edge portion of a wheel guard (5) of a vehicle and covers the wheel of the vehicle together with the wheel guard (5).

[0036] A flap member (20) is provided at the rear portion of the fender garnish (10). The flap member (20) is provided at the rear portion of the fender garnish (10), that is, at the rear side of the vehicle, and is hinge-connected so that it can be rotated to open and close. The flap member (20) includes a first flap (22) and a second flap (24), the first flap (22) is located at the lower side of the fender garnish (10), and the second flap (24) is arranged vertically parallel to the first flap (22) and is located at the upper side of the fender garnish (10).

[0037] When the flap member (20) is closed rather than open, the surface of the flap member (20) naturally aligns with the surface of the fender garnish (10), so that the gap between the wheel guard (5) and the tire is uniform across the entire area of ​​the fender garnish (10). However, when the flap member (20) is rotated and opened, the gap between the wheel guard (5) and the tire increases only in the open flap (22, 24) area, so that air discharge can be induced in this area. Therefore, by increasing the rear gap in a specific area, an additional aerodynamic improvement effect can be expected.

[0038] The flap member (20) can be rotated by a driving member (30). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first flap (22) can be rotated by a driving actuator (32), and the second flap (24) can be rotated by a driving motor (34). Although not illustrated, and not limited to the above, the first flap (22) may be configured to be rotated by the driving motor (34) and the second flap (24) by the driving actuator (32). Additionally, the first and second flaps (22, 24) may be configured to be rotated by both the driving motor (34) or both by the driving actuator (32).

[0039] The drive actuator (32) and the drive motor (34) can be operated by a controller. The controller can control whether the first flap (22) and the second flap (24) rotate (open or closed) by applying a control signal to the drive actuator (32) and the drive motor (34), respectively.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a first flap of a flap member in a variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an enlarged view of part 'B' of FIG. 5.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first flap (22) may be provided on the lower side of the fender garnish (10) and may be rotated by a driving actuator (32). The driving actuator (32) may be mounted on the fender garnish (10).

[0042] The driving actuator (32) may include an actuator body (32-1) attached to the fender garnish (10) and an actuator shaft (32-2) that protrudes outward from the actuator body (32-1) and rotates. Additionally, a coupling groove (23) is integrally formed with the first flap (22) at a position corresponding to the actuator shaft (32-2), so that the actuator shaft (32-2) can be fitted into the coupling groove (23). The actuator shaft (32-2) can be coupled to the coupling groove (23) and rotate together without slipping against each other. As the actuator shaft (32-2) rotates, the first flap (22) can rotate together. The rotation angle of the driving actuator (32) may be adjusted by a controller.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a second flap of a flap member in a variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an enlarged view of part 'C' of FIG. 7.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the second flap (24) may be provided on the upper side of the fender garnish (10) and may be arranged vertically alongside the first flap (22). Additionally, the second flap (24) may be formed to have a larger area than the first flap (22). The second flap (24) may be rotated by a drive motor (34), and the drive motor (34) may be mounted on the fender garnish (10).

[0045] The drive motor (34) may include a motor body (34-1) and a motor shaft gear (34-2) that protrudes outward from the motor body (34-1) and rotates. Additionally, a connecting gear (25) may be integrally formed on the second flap (24) at a position corresponding to the motor shaft gear (34-2). The motor shaft gear (34-2) is coupled to the connecting gear (25) in a male-female manner, and the second flap (24) can be rotated by the rotation of the motor shaft gear (34-2). The rotation angle of the drive motor (34) may be adjusted by a controller.

[0046] The controller determines whether the driving member (30) is normal or malfunctioning, and if it is determined that the driving member (30) is normal, it determines the vehicle speed and drives the driving member (30) according to the vehicle speed to control whether the flap member (20) rotates. At this time, the controller may be implemented as one or more processors that operate according to a set program, and the set program may be programmed to perform each step of the control method of the variable structure of the fender garnish of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the state in which a controller of a variable structure of a fender garnish of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention controls whether a flap member rotates according to the vehicle speed.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 9, when the driving member (30) is determined to be normal by the controller and the vehicle is in a slow state with a speed of less than about 30 kph (km / hr), the driving actuator (32) and the driving motor (34) are controlled so that the first flap (22) and the second flap (24) do not rotate (a). Additionally, when the vehicle is in a low state with a speed of more than about 30 kph and less than about 60 kph, the driving actuator (32) is controlled by the controller so that the first flap (22) rotates, and the driving motor (34) is controlled so that the second flap (24) does not rotate (b). Additionally, when the vehicle is in a medium state with a speed of more than about 60 kph and less than about 120 kph, the driving motor (34) is controlled by the controller so that the second flap (24) rotates, and the driving actuator (32) is controlled so that the first flap (22) does not rotate (c). In addition, when the vehicle speed is at a high speed of about 120 kph or more, the drive actuator (32) and the drive motor (34) are controlled by the controller so that the first flap (22) and the second flap (24) rotate (d).

[0049] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a variable structure of a fender garnish of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 10, a control method for a variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the vehicle is turned ON (S101), a controller determines whether a driving member is normal or faulty (S102). If the driving member is determined to be faulty, a warning light is displayed on the instrument panel of the vehicle by the controller (S110).

[0051] If it is determined that the driving member is normal, the vehicle speed is determined by the controller (S103, S105, S107). Then, according to the vehicle speed, the controller drives the driving member to control whether the flap member rotates.

[0052] At this time, if it is determined that the vehicle speed is less than approximately 30 kph (S103), the controller controls the driving member so that the first flap and the second flap do not rotate (S104). Additionally, if it is determined that the vehicle speed is more than approximately 30 kph and less than approximately 60 kph (S105), the controller controls the driving member so that the first flap rotates and the second flap does not rotate (S106). Additionally, if it is determined that the vehicle speed is more than approximately 60 kph and less than approximately 120 kph (S107), the controller controls the driving member so that the second flap rotates and the first flap does not rotate (S108). Additionally, if it is determined that the vehicle speed is more than approximately 120 kph, the controller controls the driving member so that the first flap and the second flap rotate (S109).

[0053] The control unit may also control the rotation angles of the first flap and the second flap. In addition, the controller may continuously determine the speed of the vehicle while driving and control the driving member as described above according to the speed of the vehicle.

[0054] In this way, according to the present invention, a flap is installed on the fender garnish of a vehicle and the opening and closing of the flap are controlled according to the driving speed of the vehicle to minimize gap wake and obtain an optimal aerodynamic (lift / drag) improvement effect.

[0055] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and includes all modifications within the scope recognized as equivalent that can be easily made by those skilled in the art from the embodiments of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0056] 5: Wheel guard 10: Fender garnish 20: Flap absence 22: First flap 23: Connecting groove 24: Second flap 25: Connecting gear 30: Driving member 32: Driving actuator 32-1: Actuator body 32-2: Actuator shaft 34: Drive motor 34-1: Motor body 34-2: Motor shaft gear

Claims

Claim 1 A fender garnish formed to be coupled to the outer edge portion of a wheel guard of a vehicle and having a shape that covers the wheel of the vehicle; a flap member located at the rear portion of the fender garnish and rotatably coupled to the fender garnish; and a driving member for rotating the flap member; The invention includes a controller that drives the driving member to control whether the flap member rotates, wherein the flap member comprises a first flap provided on the lower side of the fender garnish and a second flap arranged parallel to the first flap and provided on the upper side of the fender garnish, and the controller determines whether the driving member is normal or malfunctioning, and if the driving member is determined to be normal, determines the speed of the vehicle, drives the driving member according to the speed of the vehicle to control whether the flap member rotates, and if the speed of the vehicle is less than a first speed, controls the driving member so that the first flap and the second flap do not rotate, and if the speed of the vehicle is greater than the first speed but less than a second speed greater than the first speed, controls the driving member so that the first flap rotates and the second flap does not rotate, and if the speed of the vehicle is greater than the second speed but less than a third speed greater than the second speed, controls the driving member so that the second flap rotates and the first flap does not rotate. A variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle that controls the driving member so that the first flap and the second flap rotate when the speed of the vehicle is greater than or equal to the third speed. Claim 2 In claim 1, the flap member is a variable structure of a vehicle's fender garnish hinged to the fender garnish. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 In claim 2, the driving member includes a driving motor and a driving actuator, and the first flap is rotated by the driving actuator and the second flap is rotated by the driving motor, a variable structure for a vehicle fender garnish. Claim 5 In claim 4, the driving actuator comprises an actuator body attached to the fender garnish and an actuator shaft protruding outwardly from the actuator body and rotating, the actuator shaft is fitted into a coupling groove formed in the first flap, and the first flap is rotated by the rotation of the actuator shaft, thereby forming a variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle. Claim 6 In claim 4, the driving motor comprises a motor body attached to the fender garnish and a motor shaft gear protruding outwardly from the motor body and rotating, the motor shaft gear is male and female coupled to a connecting gear formed in the second flap, and the second flap is rotated by the rotation of the motor shaft gear, thereby forming a variable structure for a vehicle's fender garnish. Claim 7 delete Claim 8 delete Claim 9 delete Claim 10 delete Claim 11 delete Claim 12 A method for controlling a variable structure of a fender garnish of a vehicle according to claim 1, comprising: a step of determining, by the controller, whether the driving member is normal or faulty after the vehicle is started; and a step of determining the speed of the vehicle by the controller if it is determined that the driving member is normal. A method for controlling a variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle, comprising the step of driving a driving member by means of a controller according to the speed of the vehicle to control whether the flap member rotates, wherein if the speed of the vehicle is determined to be less than a first speed, the driving member is controlled by the controller so that the first flap and the second flap do not rotate; if the speed of the vehicle is determined to be greater than or equal to a first speed and less than a second speed greater than the first speed, the driving member is controlled by the controller so that the first flap rotates and the second flap does not rotate; if the speed of the vehicle is determined to be greater than or equal to a second speed greater than the second speed and less than a third speed, the driving member is controlled by the controller so that the second flap rotates and the first flap does not rotate; and if the speed of the vehicle is determined to be greater than or equal to the third speed, the driving member is controlled by the controller so that the first flap and the second flap rotate. Claim 13 A method for controlling a variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle, further comprising the step of displaying a warning light on the instrument panel of the vehicle by the controller when the driving member is determined to be faulty in claim 12. Claim 14 delete Claim 15 delete Claim 16 delete Claim 17 delete

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