Rear Spoiler Coupling Mechanism for Utility Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear spoiler devices for commercial vehicles are complex to assemble and require expensive adjustment mechanisms, necessitating two adjusting devices for the roof air guide elements, which complicates access to the rear doors.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device that allows the pivotal movement of one roof air guide element to automatically adjust the other, reducing the need for separate adjusting devices and simplifying the adjustment process, using an overlap mechanism with counter-coupling devices formed as U- or S-shaped profiles for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two separate adjusting devices are provided for the two roof air guide elements, then each element can be adjusted independently, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment function for both roof air guide elements into a single adjusting device. The first adjusting device is coupled to the first roof air guide element and, through a coupling mechanism, simultaneously adjusts the second roof air guide element. This merging of adjustment functions reduces the total number of adjusting devices from two to one, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining independent adjustment capability for both elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coupling mechanism as an intermediary between the first and second roof air guide elements. This coupling mechanism transfers the adjustment motion from the first element to the second element, enabling coordinated adjustment without requiring a separate adjusting device for each element. The coupling mechanism acts as a mediator that links the two elements through their respective pivot movements.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex adjustment mechanisms are used for both roof air guide elements, then precise adjustment is achieved, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adjustment mechanisms by making the second adjusting device dependent on the first adjusting device through a coupling mechanism. Instead of providing two independent complex adjustment systems, the invention uses one primary adjusting device that controls both roof air guide elements through the coupling mechanism, thereby reducing assembly complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining adjustment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism enables the second roof air guide element to be adjusted automatically as a result of adjusting the first element. The system uses the adjustment action on the first element to self-adjust the second element through the coupling mechanism, reducing the need for separate complex adjustment mechanisms and simplifying the overall assembly.
3Reliability
If the rear spoiler device is designed to be securely attached, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but access to rear doors becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pivotable and adjustable roof air guide elements that can move between different positions. The elements are attached to the rear doors in a manner that allows them to pivot and adjust, providing secure attachment when needed while permitting easy access to the rear doors when required. The dynamic nature of the attachment allows the system to switch between secured and accessible states.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear spoiler device is divided into separate, modular roof air guide elements that are attached to individual rear doors. This segmentation allows each element to be independently adjusted and detached without affecting the entire system, maintaining secure attachment where needed while facilitating easy access to rear doors by allowing individual elements to be moved or removed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables secure and cost-effective adjustment of the rear spoiler device with minimal effort, maintaining easy access to the rear doors and simplifying the installation process, as only one adjusting device is required for the first roof air guide element, with the second adjusting automatically due to gravity.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling device (15, 17) is provided which allows a coupling of the pivotal movement or folding movement of the roof air guide elements (9, 10)
Implementation Method 2
The second roof air guide can also pivot in the basic position alone due to its gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a rear spoiler device (8) for a utility vehicle (1), wherein the rear spoiler device (8) has: a first roof air-guiding element (9) for attachment to a first rear door (6); a second roof air-guiding element (10) for attachment to a second rear door (7), wherein the two roof air-guiding elements (9, 10) can be adjusted between a folded-in basic position and a driving position for the aerodynamic contour elongation of a roof surface (5); and a, for example manual, adjustment device (13) for adjusting the first roof air-guiding element (9) between the basic position and the drive position, characterised in that a coupling device (15) for coupling the pivot movements of the roof air-guiding elements (9, 10) is provided and entrains the second roof air-guiding element (10), for example by means of an overlapping element, in particular when the first roof air-guiding element (9) is adjusted.