Motor-vehicle provided with an air conveying device arranged within a front trunk covered by the vehicle hood

Abstract

Motor-vehicle, in particular a supercar with a rear engine, comprising: - a front hood (1) configured to be moved from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa, provided with at least one series of louvers (2) to allow airflow passage from the inside to the outside of the hood (1), - a front trunk (3) covered by the hood (1) in the closed position, comprising a bottom wall (4) equipped with at least one opening (5) to allow air flowing from a front underbody part of the vehicle, towards the hood (1), - an air conveying device (6) arranged within the front trunk (3), configured in fluid communication with said at least one opening (5) and said at least one series of louvers (2), in such a way that the airflow flowing along the front underbody part can pass through the front trunk (3) and flow out from the louvers (2), generating a downforce effect in the front area of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] Motor-vehicle provided with an air conveying device arranged within a front trunk covered by the vehicle hood

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a motor-vehicle, in particular a supercar provided with a rear engine, comprising:

[0004] - a front hood configured to be moved from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa, provided with at least one series of louvers to allow the passage of an airflow from the inside to the outside of the hood;

[0005] - a front trunk covered by the hood in the closed position, comprising a bottom wall provided with at least one opening to allow the air flowing from a front underbody area of the motor-vehicle towards the hood;

[0006] - an air conveying device arranged within the front trunk and configured in fluid communication with said at least one opening and said at least one series of louvers, in such a way that the airflow passing below the underbody can pass through the front trunk and exit through the hood louvers, generating an additional downforce effect in the front area of the vehicle.

[0007] Prior art

[0008] In the field of supercars, it is known that aerodynamics plays a crucial role in ensuring stability, control and ground adhesion, especially at high speeds.

[0009] In particular, various technical solutions aim to manage the airflow passing underneath the vehicle (underbody) and convey it through louvers formed on the front hood. This controlled flow generates a downforce effect on the front axle, increasing the vehicle’s stability during motion, reducing undesirable front lift, and improving handling.

[0010] To obtain such an effect, some known solutions provide air ducting systems and specific louver configurations on the hood to direct the airflow optimally. However, these solutions present certain drawbacks: the air channeled from the underbody area may promote the infiltration of undesirable external agents such as water, mud or debris inside the front trunk, compromising functionality and cleanliness of the area where other components, such as the HVAC module air intake, are located. The present invention therefore originates from the desire to improve known solutions for conveying airflow from a front underbody area towards the hood louvers, so as to obtain an optimal downforce effect while minimizing the risk of infiltration of water, mud or other debris inside the front trunk.

[0011] Object of the invention

[0012] It is an object of the present invention providing a motor-vehicle of the above-mentioned type capable of satisfying the aforesaid requirements.

[0013] A further object of the invention is to provide a motor-vehicle according to the above features that can make use of the same hood and trunk already designed for less sporty versions of the same vehicle, without therefore having to redesign the entire front trunk.

[0014] A further object of the invention is to provide a solution advantageous from an industrial investment standpoint, considering the low production volumes typical of supercars.

[0015] Summary of the invention

[0016] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the invention relates to a motor-vehicle, in particular a supercar provided with a rear engine, comprising:

[0017] - a front hood configured to be moved from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa, provided with at least one series of louvers to allow the passage of airflow from the inside to the outside of the hood;

[0018] - a front trunk covered by the hood in the closed position, comprising a bottom wall provided with at least one opening to allow the air flowing from a front underbody part of the motor-vehicle towards the hood;

[0019] - an air conveying device arranged within the front trunk, configured in fluid communication with said at least one opening and said at least one series of louvers, in such a way that the airflow passing along the front underbody part can pass through the front trunk and flow out from the louvers, generating a downforce effect in the front area of the vehicle;

[0020] - wherein said air conveying device comprises:

[0021] - a shaped support structure arranged within the front trunk, comprising at least one hollow air access part housed within said at least one opening; - at least one grille arranged to cover the hollow air access part;

[0022] - said device further comprising at least one upper perimeter sealing gasket coupled on top of the grille, configured to prevent infiltration of undesirable external agents, such as water, snow or mud, inside the front trunk.

[0023] Brief description of the figures

[0024] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0025] - figure 1 is a perspective view of a front portion of a supercar showing a front hood provided with at least one series of louvers to allow the passage of airflow from the inside to the outside of the hood;

[0026] - figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating an air conveying device arranged within a front trunk covered by the hood;

[0027] - figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the air conveying device; and

[0028] - figure 4 is an enlarged-scale view of some parts of the air conveying device.

[0029] Detailed description of several embodiments

[0030] In the following description, various specific details are illustrated for the purpose of providing an in-depth understanding of various examples of embodiments according to the description. The embodiments can be obtained without one or more of the specific details, or with other processes, components, materials, etc. In other instances, known structures, materials or operations are not illustrated or described in detail so that various aspects of the embodiments are not obscured. A reference to "an embodiment" or "a solution" within the framework of the present description is intended to indicate that a particular configuration, structure or characteristic described in relation to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment or solution. Phrases such as "in one embodiment" or "in one solution" that may be present in various points of the present description therefore do not necessarily refer to exactly the same embodiment or solutions. Furthermore, particular conformations, structures or characteristics can be combined in any suitable way in one or more embodiments or solutions. The references used herein are provided merely for convenience and therefore do not define the scope of protection or the scope of the embodiments. Furthermore, in the various figures, analogous references are used to indicate analogous parts or elements, without repeating for brevity the relative description for each figure.

[0031] The present description refers to a vehicle, in particular a supercar with a rear engine. The vehicle comprises a front hood 1 configured to be moved from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa, provided with at least one series of louvers 2 to allow airflow passage from the inside to the outside of the hood 1 . The expression "series of louvers" indicates a plurality of louvers obtained along a substantially central area of the hood, spaced in succession along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each louver is substantially formed by a slit obtained on the hood, extending on the hood along a substantially horizontal direction transversal to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Each series of louvers 2 can be formed for example by three spaced louvers. As illustrated in figure 1 , the hood 1 can be provided with two series of louvers 2 arranged symmetrically on a related central part of the hood, with respect to a central symmetry axis of the hood 1. It will therefore be appreciated that the two series of louvers 2 are separated by a central part of the hood - devoid of louvers - where said central symmetry axis passes.

[0032] According to a per se known configuration for vehicles with a rear engine, the vehicle comprises a front trunk 3 covered by the hood 1 in the closed position (typically configured as a storage well in the case of less sporty versions of a vehicle with a rear engine, which do not require the generation of an aerodynamic effect as described below).

[0033] According to further characteristics illustrated in figure 3, the front trunk 3 comprises a bottom wall 4 equipped with at least one opening 5 to allow air flowing from a front underbody part of the vehicle, towards the hood 1 . With reference to the specific embodiment, the bottom wall 4 is equipped with two openings 5 symmetrically spaced on the bottom wall 4, to communicate respectively with a respective series of louvers. Also in this case, if the vehicle provides for a single series of louvers including louvers that extend continuously on the central part of the hood, the bottom wall can be equipped with a single opening.

[0034] According to a further characteristic illustrated in figures 2, 3, the vehicle comprises an air conveying device 6 arranged within the front trunk 3 and configured in fluid communication with said at least one opening 5 and said at least one series of louvers 2, in such a way that the airflow passing through the underbody can pass through the front trunk 3 and flow out from the louvers 2 of the hood 1 , generating an additional downforce effect in the front area of the car.

[0035] In the following, further characteristics of the air conveying device 6 are described in detail.

[0036] Reference numeral 7 indicates as a whole a shaped support structure arranged within the front trunk 3, comprising at least one hollow air access part 8 housed within said at least one opening 5. With reference to the specific illustrated embodiment, the shaped support structure 7 comprises two hollow air access parts 8 respectively housed within a respective opening 5 obtained on the bottom wall 4. Preferably, the shaped support structure 7 is made of a resistant and lightweight plastic material, for example polypropylene. The shaped structure 7 can have overall dimensions such as to cover the entire bottom wall 4 of the trunk 3.

[0037] According to a further feature also described later, around the hollow air access part 8, the shaped structure 7 is configured with a receptacle portion 9 defined by a lowered section of the structure 7 - lowered with respect to the main upper surface of the shaped structure 7 -. The receptacle portion 9 is dimensioned to receive further components of the device 6 -indicated below-, so that these are substantially recessed within the receptacle portion 9.

[0038] According to a further preferred feature, a plurality of centering elements are located on the bottom wall 4 to allow easy assembly of the air conveying device 6 within the front trunk 3. In some embodiments, the air conveying device 6 is only centered inside the front trunk 3, and held in position by contact between the internal surface of the hood 1 and parts of the upper surface of the device. In other embodiments, the air conveying device 6 can be fixed in position by means of one or more fastening elements, for example screws and / or elastic means and / or by interference.

[0039] According to a further feature, the device 6 comprises at least one grille 10 positioned corresponding to said receptacle portion 9, so as to cover the hollow air access part 8. The grille 10 is dimensioned to retain solid objects, such as leaves or debris that could enter inside the trunk 3 from the air access opening 8. Preferably, the grille 10 is fixed in position by means of an adhesive layer 11 interposed between the structure 7 and peripheral parts of the grille 10.

[0040] As indicated previously, the receptacle portion 9 is defined by a lowered section of the structure 7 - lowered with respect to the main upper surface of the shaped structure 7 this characteristic is particularly useful in case water or other residues should eventually enter the trunk 3, as they can thus be accumulated within the lowered conformation of the receptacle portion 9. Advantageously, the receptacle portion 9 can be provided with one or more water conveyance holes to allow said eventual residues to flow outside the trunk 3.

[0041] According to a further feature, the device 6 further comprises at least one upper perimeter sealing gasket 12 coupled superiorly to the grille 10, configured for preventing the infiltration of unwanted external agents, such as water, snow, mud, inside the front trunk 3, which could compromise the functionality and cleanliness of the under-hood area, where other components such as the HVAC module air intake, and electronic control units are present. The upper perimeter sealing gasket 12 comprises a lower surface fixed to the grille 10 and an upper surface that is in contact with the hood in the closed position. According to further characteristics, the upper perimeter sealing gasket 12 has a substantially annular shape dimensioned to cover the perimeter edge of the grille 10, so as to allow air to flow from the hollow air access part 8 (which passes through the grille 10) towards the louvers 2. Preferably, the upper perimeter sealing gasket 12 is fixed in position by means of an adhesive layer 13 interposed between peripheral parts of the upper surface of the grille 10 and the lower surface of the upper perimeter sealing gasket 12. The upper perimeter sealing gasket 12 therefore acts as a barrier against infiltrations of water, snow and residues in general, and can be made of different materials, such as expanded PVC, rubber, neoprene, polyurethane, etc.

[0042] According to a further feature, the receptacle portion 9 has a foursided shape with rounded edges, so as to substantially define a drop shape, which is more pronounced than the hollow air access part 8. This characteristic is useful when water comes from the hood and penetrates into the trunk, for example following heavy rainfall, so that it does not infiltrate, as said shape of the receptacle portion 9 favors the accumulation and eventual outflow of the water towards the outside, for example through drainage holes associated with the receptacle portion 9.

[0043] Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the details of construction and the embodiments may widely vary with respect to what has been described and illustrated by way of example only, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Motor-vehicle, in particular a supercar provided with a rear engine, comprising:- a front hood (1 ) configured to be moved from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa, provided with at least one series of louvers(2) to allow airflow passage from the inside to the outside of the bonnet (1 ) during vehicle motion,- a front trunk (3) covered by the hood (1 ) in the closed position, comprising a bottom wall (4) equipped with at least one opening (5) to allow air flowing from a front underbody part of the motor-vehicle, towards the hood (1 ),- an air conveying device (6) arranged within the front trunk (3), configured in fluid communication with said at least one opening (5) and said at least one series of louvers (2), in such a way that the air flowing along the front underbody part can pass through the front trunk (3) and flow out from the louvers (2), so as to generate a downforce effect in a front area of the vehicle,- wherein said air conveying device (6) comprises:- a shaped support structure (7) arranged within the front trunk (3), comprising at least one hollow air access part (8) housed within said at least one opening (5),- at least one grille (10) arranged to cover the hollow air access part (8),- said device (6) also comprising at least one upper perimeter sealing gasket (12) coupled to the grille (10), configured for preventing infiltration of unwanted external agents, such as water, snow, mud, inside the front trunk(3).

2. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the upper perimeter sealing gasket (12) includes a lower surface fixed to the grille (10) and an upper surface in contact with the hood (1 ) in the closed position.

3. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the upper perimeter sealing gasket (12) has a substantially annular shape sized to cover a perimeter edge of the grille (10), so as to allow air flowing from the hollow air access part (8) towards the louvers (2).

4. Motor-vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the upper perimeter sealing gasket (12) is fixed in position by means of an adhesive layer (13) interposed between peripheral parts of the upper surface of the grille (10) and the lower surface of the upper perimeter sealing gasket (12).

5. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the support structure (7) is shaped with a receptacle portion (9) defined by a lowered section of the structure (7), sized to receive the grille (10) and to accumulate any aqueous residues that may have entered in the trunk (3).

6. Motor-vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the receptacle portion (9) includes one or more conveyance water holes to allow any aqueous residues to flow outside the trunk (3).

7. Motor-vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the receptacle portion (9) has a four-sided shape with rounded edges, so as to substantially define a drop shape, which is more prominent than the hollow air access part (8).

8. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the grille (10) is fixed in position by means of an adhesive layer (11 ) interposed between the structure (7) and peripheral parts of the grille (10).

9. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall (4) includes a plurality of centering elements configured to allow easy assembly of the air conveying device (6) within the front trunk (3).

10. Motor-vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the air conveying device (6) is only centered inside the front trunk (3), and held in position by contact between the internal surface of the hood (1 ) and parts of the upper surface of the device (6).

11. Motor-vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one series of louvers (2) comprises a plurality of louvers obtained along a substantially central area of the hood (1 ), spaced in succession along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, each louver being substantially formed by a slit obtained on the hood, extending along a substantially horizontal direction transversal to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

12. Motor-vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the hood (1 ) includes two series of louvers (2) arranged symmetrically on a related part of the hood, with respect to a central symmetry axis of the hood (1 ).

13. Motor-vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the trunk (3) includes two openings (5) symmetrically spaced on the bottom wall (4), thedevice (6) including related pairs of hollow air access parts (8), grilles (10) and upper perimeter sealing gaskets (12).

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