System for reducing or increasing air resistance of vehicles

Abstract

(54) System for reducing or increasing air resistance of vehicles (57) The system formed comprises a central duct (1) located centrally along the length of the vehicle and mechanically clamped to the chassis, and two front side ducts (2) located respectively at the two extremities of the front of the vehicle to a section downstream of the front wheels. At the central duct (1), at its rear end, two additional branches are formed representing two rear side ducts (4). Two bi- directional turbines (3) are fitted at each end of the central duct (1) and one bi- directional turbine (3) is fitted in each of the side ducts (2) and (4). Front and rear grilles (1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 and 4.1) are fitted to the front and rear openings of all the ducts (1, 2 and 4) respectively, which are provided with sets of slats (5) with left or right as well as up or down guidance. The system also includes a control module (6) for controlling the bi-directional turbines (3) and the sets of slats (5). 3

Description

[0001] System for reducing or increasing air resistance of vehicles

[0002] Technical field

[0003] This invention relates to a system for reducing or increasing the air resistance of vehicles, which will find application in the automotive industry and transportation technology, and in particular for the implementation of tubes and turbines in a vehicle, to reduce air resistance.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Reducing the air resistance of vehicles is a key aspect of efforts to improve their efficiency and energy performance. High air resistance can lead to increased fuel consumption or energy consumption in electric vehicles. Different strategies are known to reduce air drag, such as: designing the front and rear end of the vehicle avoiding sharp edges and integrating aerodynamic elements to reduce turbulence; wind deflectors, and various aerodynamic accessories that can help in creating a smooth surface and reduce air drag; the use of adjustable aerodynamic elements, such as movable spoilers that can be adjusted according to speed and road conditions; improvements to the underside of the vehicle, such as motor placement and the use of a flat floor, etc.

[0006] Patent document RU2651951C1 discloses an element for improving the aerodynamics of the engine compartment of vehicles, which is a type of duct fixed horizontally, vertically or diagonally under the bonnet of a vehicle. It may be located not only in front of the engine, but also in front of the rear wall and / or other parts of the engine compartment, and is shaped to direct air flows to areas of less air resistance.

[0007] Patent application US2008309121A1 discloses a system for reducing aerodynamic drag of vehicles. The system comprises a series of struts placed on the top side of a truck body, which are covered by a secondary roof. This forms a ducting system that captures the airflow at the front end of the van and directs it to the rear of the van, where a similar set of ducting conveys the airflow down the rear of the truck.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a system for reducing or increasing the air resistance of vehicles that provides both a reduction in frontal aerodynamic air resistance, an increase in vehicle downforce and vehicle stabilization during travel, and improved vehicle braking and control by optimizing air flows.

[0010] The problem is solved by creating a system to reduce or increase vehicle air resistance, including ducts to capture airflow at the front of a vehicle. According to the invention, the system includes a central air duct located centrally along the entire length of the vehicle and mechanically clamped to the chassis, and two front side air ducts located respectively at the two extreme front ends of the vehicle to a section downstream of the front wheels. At the central duct, at its rear end, two additional branches are formed representing two rear side ducts. Two bi-directional turbines are fitted at each end of the central duct and one bidirectional turbine is fitted in each of the side ducts. A front centre grille is fitted to the central duct at its front opening and a rear centre grille is fitted to its rear opening. The side ducts have front side grilles mounted in the front opening and side grilles mounted in the rear opening. Other rear grilles or injectors are mounted in the rear opening of the two rear side ducts. All grilles are fitted with sets of slats with left or right as well as up or down guidance. The system includes a control module to control the bi-directional turbines and the sets of slats, as well as stiffeners located on both sides of the central duct and on the inside of the two front side ducts. The openings of all air ducts, as well as all grilles respectively, are rectangular, round, oval or irregular in shape.

[0011] The bi-directional turbines are multi-stage and are fitted with a disc, electric or other type of brake.

[0012] The advantage of the system is the possibility to reduce the frontal drag by optimizing the air flows. Furthermore, the invention can also be used as a brake, reversing the direction of the turbines and increasing the air resistance of the vehicle face.

[0013] Brief description of the drawing

[0014] This invention is illustrated in the attached Figure 1, which is a schematic in principle of a vehicle air resistance reduction system according to the invention.

[0015] Description of embodiment of the invention

[0016] The system designed to reduce or increase the air resistance of vehicles comprises a central air duct 1 centrally located along the entire length of the vehicle and mechanically clamped to the chassis, and two front side air ducts 2 located respectively at the two extreme front ends of the vehicle to a section downstream of the front wheels. On the central air duct 1, at its rear end, two additional branches are formed, constituting two rear side air ducts 4. Two bidirectional turbines 3 are installed at each end of the central duct 1 and one bidirectional turbine 3 is installed in each of the side ducts 2 and 4. At the central duct 1 , a front central grille 1.1 is mounted in its front opening and a rear central grille 1.2 is mounted in its rear opening. On the side air ducts 2, front side grilles 2.1 are mounted in the front opening and side grilles 2.2 are mounted in the rear opening. Other rear grilles 4.1 are fitted in the rear opening of the two rear side air ducts 4. The grilles 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 and 4.1 are all provided with sets of slats 5 with left or right as well as up or down guidance. The system includes a control module 6 for controlling the bi-directional turbines 3 and the sets of slats 5. The system also includes stiffeners 7 located on either side of the central duct 1 and on the inside of the two front side ducts 2. The stiffeners 7 are composed of metal sheets with a thickness of 0,8 to 5 mm.

[0017] The openings of ducts 1, 2 and 4 and all grilles 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 and 4.1 respectively shall be rectangular, circular, oval or irregular in shape.

[0018] The bi-directional turbines 3 are multi-stage and are provided with a disc, electric or other type of brake.

[0019] The essence of the invention lies in removing, as far as possible, the volume of air from the area of oncoming air flow in road vehicles, and in the space between the bottom of the vehicle and the road surface in proportion to the speed of the vehicle, so as to reduce air drag. For this purpose, ducts 1, 2 and 4 are provided with turbines 3 mounted in them, which further 'puli' the oncoming airflow and direct it away from the rear end of the vehicle. For example, to reduce air resistance while driving, the turbines 3 will engage when a preset speed (above 55 km / h) or other programmable value is reached. When the accelerator pedal pressure is removed or any other type of forward command is given, Turbines 3 will stop moving.

[0020] The invention can also serve as a brake, reversing the direction of the turbines 3 and increasing the frontal air resistance of the vehicle. When the brake pedal of the vehicle is depressed, all the turbines 3 will be driven in the opposite direction to generate additional air resistance and assist the braking of the vehicle.

[0021] The designed system can also be used to assist in directional control by using only one part of the orifices with a directional air stream that creates resistance. This is achieved by controlling the speed of the turbines 3 and by using the sets of slats 5 which are fitted in all grilles 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 and 4.1. The control module 6 controls the direction and speed of the turbines 3, and the movement to the left or right, and up or down of the sets of slats 5, as required and as commanded by the vehicle pedals, the electronic stabilisation program and the steering wheel, so that there is synergy between them and the speed of each turbine is increased or decreased individually depending on the command received.

[0022] For example, when turning to the right and after a quarter turn or other programmable amount of steering wheel rotation, the turbine 3 in the left front side duct 2 and the turbine 3 in the right rear side duct 4 will come to rest. Similarly, the opposite turbines 3 in the right front side duct 2 and in the left rear side duct 4 will be at rest when turning to the left.

Claims

CLAIMS1. System for reducing or increasing air resistance of vehicles comprising ducts for capturing airflow at the front of a vehicle, characterised in that the system comprises a central duct (1) located centrally along the entire length of the vehicle and mechanically clamped to the chassis, and two front side ducts (2) located respectively at the two extreme front ends of the vehicle to a section downstream of the front wheels, wherein the central air duct (1) is further formed at its rear end by two branches forming two rear side air ducts (4), whereby two bi-directional turbines (3) are mounted at each end of the central air duct (1) and one bi-directional turbine (3) is mounted in each of the side air ducts (2) and (4), whereby a front central grille (1) is mounted at the front opening of the central air duct (1.1) and a rear central grille (1.2) is mounted in its rear opening, front side grilles (2.1), and side grilles (2.2) are mounted in the rear opening, and other rear grilles (4.1) are mounted in the rear opening of the two rear side air ducts (4), whereby all grilles (1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 and 4. 1) are provided with sets of slats (5) with left or right as well as up or down guidance, the system including a control module (6) for controlling the bi-directional turbines (3) and the sets of slats (5) as well as stiffeners (7) located on both sides of the central duct (1) and on the inside of the two front side ducts (2).

2. System for reducing or increasing air resistance of vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that the openings of the ducts (1, 2 and 4) as well as all the grilles (1.1 , 1.2, 2.1 , 2.2 and 4.1, respectively) are rectangular, circular, oval or irregular in shape.

3. System for reducing or increasing air resistance of vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that the bi-directional turbines (3) are multi-stage and are equipped with a disc, electric or other type of brake.

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