DE102008053973A1 - Front spoiler system for e.g. bus, has flow section moved around pivoting section by dynamic pressure provided by air flowing on flow lip, when front spoiler system is switched to operating position - Google Patents

Abstract

The system (1) has a fastening section (11) with an end pointing against a driving direction and connected with an end of a flow section (13) in a pivoting manner. A flow lip (3) pointing in a direction of a driving path is provided at the end of the flow section. The flow section partially rests at the fastening section, when the spoiler system is in a resting position. The flow section is moved around a pivoting section (12) by a dynamic pressure provided by the air flowing on the flow lip, when the front spoiler system is switched to an operating position. The front spoiler system is manufactured from an elastomer.

Description

The The invention relates to a front spoiler system for placement on a Motor vehicle, in particular on a bus.

Out The prior art discloses various spoiler arrangements, the mostly rigidly arranged air baffles on the Front bumper and on the rear of the vehicle for one Downforce at increased speeds for improvement ensure driving stability. Here are the design options of the front spoiler by the minimum distance to be maintained to the floor limited. If this falls below, threaten damage to the Front spoiler, for example, by putting on the road in case of bumps or crests or by bumping on curbs. For large vehicles such as buses and trucks There is also the additional problem that they have when maneuvering need much more space than passenger cars, since the turning circle is often over 20 m. About that In addition, omnibuses in particular have a large front overhang from 2 to 3 m between the front bumper and the front axle, so that may be at full utilization of the available standing asphalted area, that is, the wheels the front axle comes to a halt only at the edge of the road boundary, the overhang contacts the terrain, so that with a sufficient slope angle the ground clearance of the vehicle must be designed such that the vehicle is not seated. Because of this, a rigidly attached front spoiler can for a bus in terms of touchdown as disadvantageous prove. As a front spoiler, however, the drag coefficient favorably influenced and thus advantageously a lesser Fuel consumption is connected, it can not be omitted.

Around To counteract the sitting, are from the prior art already known louvers, depending on a vehicle speed change their inclination.

That's how it describes DE 28 51 639 A1 a device for guiding the wind flow on vehicles, in particular for sports vehicles and fast moving limousines, in which a movable guide body, which is integrated into the vehicle body, by swinging out of the body level causes a change in the flow cross section and / or a deflection of the air flow. For this purpose, the air deflector is actuated via a remote-controlled adjusting device which is operated either by a vehicle driver or controllable in dependence on the vehicle speed and / or the cooling water temperature.

For this are an electric motor and a crank rod needed, to move the baffle. Furthermore, the unfolding must the guide body either manually by the driver after the Discretion or alternatively the guide body by means of a Control device as a function of the vehicle speed and / or the cooling water temperature are actuated, however, the plurality of additional electrical and electronic components the susceptibility to interference elevated.

In the DE 25 49 493 C2 a front spoiler arrangement is described which changes its inclination depending on the wind. This front spoiler assembly extends in the rest position obliquely forward and downwards inclined transversely to the direction of travel across the width of the vehicle, wherein the spoiler is pivotable, so that with increasing airstream, the inclination of the spoiler is variable up to a maximum inclination limited by an elastic stop becomes. The restoring force of the elastic stopper is overcome only by touching the spoiler with an obstacle. The front spoiler arrangement described there also has a forwardly inclined downward position, even in the idle position, or during slow driving, as in city traffic or for maneuvering. Even in its rest position, this spoiler arrangement reduces the distance to the road surface.

outgoing From this prior art, it is desirable to to provide improved front spoiler system that is simple and easy is built reliable and suitable for use on one Motor vehicle with large front overhang and Tropic, especially on a bus, is suitable.

These Task is by a front spoiler system, which can be arranged on the Floor panel of a motor vehicle with front overhang suitable is solved with the features of claim 1. further developments are set forth in the subclaims.

A first embodiment relates to a front spoiler system for a motor vehicle having a front overhang, wherein the front spoiler system extends to a floor structure of the motor vehicle transversely to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle along the width of the motor vehicle and a voltage applied to the floor structure of the motor vehicle mounting portion, a pivot portion and a On the other hand, the inflow portion, which together advantageously form a "pocket" by the mounting portion is pivotally connected at an opposite end facing the direction of travel over the pivot portion with an opposite direction of travel end of the inflow and by pointing at a pointing in the direction of travel end of the inflow in the direction a road-facing inflow lip is attached. When the front spoiler system is in its rest position is located, no wind flows into the bag and the Anströmabschnitt is at least at a point of contact at the attachment portion; the bag is almost closed. In the operating position, however, the pocket is widened, as provided by inflowing air on the Anströmlippe back pressure swivels the Anströmabschnitt to the pivot portion and the Anströmabschnitt is detached from its point of contact. Thus, a passive front spoiler system is advantageously provided, which is not active at low speeds and when maneuvering and so far rests on the floor of the vehicle. This avoids that it can be damaged. When accelerating the spoiler system assumes its operating position and creates the desired output.

This Front spoiler system is advantageous for use on one Bus suitable, with a large front overhang and in which the angle of repose not by attachments may be restricted. The invention Front spoiler system remains at low speeds in the Rest position folded, and the slope angle of the bus remains. The driver can thus a maximum Use the maneuvering area without damaging the front spoiler system is or sits up.

By the design of the front spoiler system with the inflow lip At the same time an air handling system is provided, which is automatically unfolds from a limit speed, so that neither an additional linkage, nor a Electric motor and no remote control or control unit is needed. The speed limit is about the design of the front spoiler system set such that the Anströmabschnitt only from a Speed unfolds, resulting in a reduction in air resistance positively affects fuel consumption.

A another embodiment relates to the fact that the limit speed, in which the front spoiler system from the rest position into the operating position can be transferred is adjustable via a tilt, which is the inflow lip with respect to the upstream section. simultaneously or alternatively, the limit speed is over one Dimensioning of the inflow lip adjustable.

Further sees an embodiment of the front spoiler system at least a restriction member which is in one of the attachment portion and space included in the upstream section and the attachment portion with the upstream portion combines. The limiting element serves to limit the opening angle of the Pocket and stabilizes the arrangement of the elements to each other; it can be a spring element with a restoring force or a Be holding element. The limiting element prevents the inflow section of the front spoiler system over the optimal tendency to distraction the air flow is deflected out. Furthermore, the Limiting element designed such that it over a restoring force folding the Anströmabschnitts in supports the rest position.

In In another embodiment, the front spoiler system comprises a heater such as a heating coil or a number of heating wires. The heater is in the inflow section, the Swivel range or the inflow lip of the front spoiler system arranged and facilitates the mobility of the components to each other and the detachment of ice and snow even with correspondingly worse Weather. Especially if the front spoiler system as after another Embodiment in one piece from an elastic Material is made to maintain elasticity at low temperatures, a heating low.

To Finally, a further embodiment comprises the pivoting section a spring element with a restoring force, so that the front spoiler system is in the rest position, if no force, or no sufficient back pressure on the The inlet lip acts to overcome the restoring force.

figure description

characters and description are provided for a better understanding of the subject matter. Objects or parts of objects in the Essentially the same or similar, can be provided with the same reference numerals. The figures are merely a schematic representation of an embodiment of the Invention.

there demonstrate:

1 a cross-sectional view of the front spoiler system at rest,

2 a perspective top view of the front spoiler system in the rest position

3 a perspective view from below of the arrangement of the front spoiler system on the floor structure of the front overhang at rest,

4 the unfolded front spoiler system in perspective view,

5 a perspective view from below of the front spoiler system in the operating position,

6 a front view of the on the Bo structure arranged front spoiler system in operating position,

7 a perspective view of a bus in front of a slope.

Detailed description

The The device according to the invention relates to a front spoiler system for a motor vehicle with a front overhang, especially for a bus, a truck, an off-road vehicle or a sport Utility Vehicle, under "front overhang" the Distance between the front axle and the front of the vehicle understood becomes. The front spoiler system extends as others do Skilled known front spoiler systems, on a floor structure of the Motor vehicle transverse to the direction of travel along a width of the motor vehicle. The width of the front spoiler system corresponds to Substantially the width of the motor vehicle and can thereby with the Close the side walls of the vehicle exactly. Of course, depending on other constructive Requirements, the system also be slightly wider, so that a lower lateral protrusion is, or slightly narrower, so that the front spoiler system from the sidewalls after inside is offset.

At the floor structure of the motor vehicle is a fixing portion the front spoiler system, further comprising a pivot portion and has a Anströmabschnitt. The attachment section is with the pivoting portion pointing in the direction of the vehicle rear, and an upstream section, forming a "pocket", pivotally connected to the pivot portion; the opening The bag points in the direction of travel and can, if appropriate is flown open. To open to promote and the degree of opening to determine lies at the pointing in the direction of travel end of the inflow section a pointing in the direction of the roadway inflow lip.

The Front spoiler system takes depending on the vehicle speed a rest position when the vehicle speed is below a limit speed and assumes an operating position when the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the limit speed. In the rest position is the front spoiler system, if the Anströmabschnitt at least partially on the attachment portion is in service, when it is in operation incoming air provided on the Anströmlippe Back pressure the Anströmabschnitt about the pivoting section deflects. Since the transfer of the system into the Operating position is a function of the dynamic pressure, in turn, over the inclination of the inflow lip and / or its surface adjustable, spoilers can be of different sizes Face lips or with face lips different Slope operated at different speeds limit.

Therefore can limit the speed at which the front spoiler system of The rest position can be transferred to the operating position is, about a dimensioning of the Anströmlippe be set vehicle-specific. It can be an inflow of the The inflow lip can be varied by the length of the The inflow lip is changed when the width of the inflow lip is predetermined according to the width of the front spoiler system. It is advantageous if the Anströmlippe not overly extends down from the plane of the floor structure of the motor vehicle.

A for a bus suitable limit speed, for example be set at 60 km / h, so that the spoiler in city traffic and when maneuvering at rest, when driving overland and in the travel business, however, to optimize air resistance, to reduce the fuel consumption occupying the operating position.

The Front spoiler system according to the invention can at least a limiting element that in one of the attachment portion and the leading portion included space the attachment portion connects with the upstream section; it becomes an element under a "delimiter" understood, with the attachment portion and the Anströmabschnitt is connected and that has a maximum opening tendency, the the Anströmabschnitt with respect to the attachment portion takes, limited.

The Limiting element may be a spring element with a restoring force or a rigid holding element whose effect only occurs if the inflow section due to the upcoming dynamic pressure on the Anströmlippe already clearly from the attachment section the front spoiler system is spaced. The fastener may consist of one or more band-shaped, rod-like, rope-like structures or from a broken by recesses consist of flat structure. These can be through suitable material selection have flexibility, for example, be made of elastomers and thus between Attachment section and Anströmabschnitt arranged flexibly be. A rigid material, such as a metal band or rope, which is used alternatively or additionally unfolds its effect when the inflow section so far around the Swivel section was deflected that the tape or rope between the Attached section and the Anströmabschnitt taut is present.

Of the Swiveling section of the device according to the invention may also be a spring element. A spring element with its inherent Restoring force causes an opening of the "bag" and thus we reach an operating position of the spoiler system if the dynamic pressure on the inflow lip is large enough is to overcome the restoring force of the spring element. Accordingly, the restoring force causes the front spoiler system in the rest position, when the vehicle speed is lower than the limit speed is.

The Mobility of the pivot portion can by a plurality be provided by ribs and grooves that run along a width the pivot portion are arranged. Also conceivable is a plurality recesses included in one of the pivoting portion Section and in various forms such as slits, circles or ovals can be configured. Alternatively, the Swing section across its width a zone with reduced Have material thickness, so given agility is and so that, depending on the material, a restoring force can be provided.

The Front spoiler system from the attachment section, the pivoting section, the inflow section and the Anströmlippe can be made in one piece. In this case, at least the pivoting section be flexible, allowing a transfer of the front spoiler system from the rest position to the operating position and vice versa can. Suitably, the one-piece front spoiler system be made of an elastomer; it can also be different Elastomers for the different sections, fixing section, pivoting section, Anströmabschnitt and Anströmlippe to a uniform Element connected; accordingly, two or two several of the sections have different shore hardnesses and / or different ones Have material thicknesses.

Further can at least one of the components inflow section, Anströmlippe or pivoting section a heating device, in particular at least have a heating wire, whereby the melting of snow and Ice is made possible with appropriate weather conditions and the Functioning of the passive front spoiler system too is supported in adverse weather conditions.

The Front spoiler system according to the invention can be simple Way about its attachment portion to the soil structure the motor vehicle are mounted; in addition to suitable screw connections, Welded joints, soldered joints, glued joints or plug connections, the expert knows more ways the attachment.

alternative to the one-piece design, the front spoiler system consist of several parts; one or more of the front spoiler system forming sections can be shaped separately and with the each other sections are connected.

in this connection the material, from the attachment portion, pivoting portion, Anströmabschnitt and Anströmlippe are made, also be a non-elastomer and made of metals, alloys and / or Plastics are selected. In this case, the Pivoting portion to be configured as a hinge member, the may additionally be coupled to a spring element, to provide the bias for the rest position.

1 shows the front spoiler system according to the invention 1 , which is a one-piece elastomeric component 2 , which is in the sections attachment section 11 , Swivel section 12 , Inflow section 13 and inflow lip 3 divided, includes. The longitudinal extent of the inflow lip 3 in the direction of travel, as well as the angle α, the Anströmlippe 3 with the onflow element 13 forms, thereby determining the back pressure, at which the front spoiler system 1 from his rest position (as in 1 shown), wherein the edge Anströmelement-Anströmlippe at the opposite mounting portion 11 is in an operating position (as in 4 and 5 shown) goes over, and the Anströmabschnitt swings out. By the edge Anströmelement-Anströmlippe on the attachment portion 11 is applied, the opening of the bag is in the closed position.

Furthermore, the arrangement of a designed as a leaf spring element limiting element 4 at the attachment portion 11 and the upstream section 13 shown. To maintain the functionality of the system in ice and snow are in the inflow area 4 heating wires 5 arranged for melting in the bag, which is between the delimiting element 4 and the attachment portion 11 formed, frozen frozen can be actuated.

Also at rest is in 2 in perspective, a section of the one-piece elastomeric component 2 with the attachment section 11 , the pivoting section 12 , the inflow section 13 and the onrun lip 3 shown. According to arrow a is the Anströmabschnitt 13 with the inflow lip 3 from the attachment section 11 pivoted away.

In 3 is a section of a vehicle with front spoiler system 1 on the soil structure 7 below the vehicle front 6 shown in perspective; the front spoiler system 1 is at rest. The inflow lip 3 points in the direction of a roadway; So down.

4 to 6 show the front spoiler system 1 in the operating state. In 4 is the dynamic pressure that is on the inflow lip 3 acts, so great that he the inflow section 13 from the attachment section 11 spaced apart until the boundary elements 4 are stretched and a further deflection of the inflow section 13 is prevented by the delimiting elements, which are strained wires here. In the swung-out front spoiler system 1 is here therefore the maximum opening angle β achieved.

5 shows the arrangement on the soil structure 7 under the vehicle front 6 in a perspective view, and 6 illustrates the system in a front view. 8th shows the problem of marshalling with buses, the front of a large overhang 8th usually located between two and three meters, when maneuvering the road boundary or an embankment 14 is reached.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 2851639 A1 [0004]
• - DE 2549493 C2 [0006]

Claims (12)

Front spoiler system ( 1 ) for a motor vehicle with a front overhang ( 8th ), whereby the front spoiler system ( 1 ) on a soil structure ( 7 ) of the motor vehicle extends transversely to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle along a width of the motor vehicle and one on the floor structure ( 7 ) of the motor vehicle adjacent mounting portion ( 11 ), a pivoting section ( 12 ) and an inflow section ( 13 ), wherein the front spoiler system ( 1 ) depending on a vehicle speed - assumes a rest position at a vehicle speed which is below a limit speed, and, - occupies at least one operating position at a vehicle speed which is equal to or greater than the limit speed, characterized in that the attachment portion ( 11 ) at an end facing the direction of travel over the pivoting portion ( 12 ) with an opposite to the direction of travel facing end of the inflow section ( 13 ) is pivotally connected, and being at a pointing in the direction of travel end of the inflow section ( 13 ) a pointing in the direction of a roadway inflow lip ( 3 ), and wherein - the front spoiler system ( 1 ) is in its rest position when the upstream section ( 13 ) at least partially on the attachment portion ( 11 ) is applied, - the front spoiler system is in its operating position, if an air infiltrated by the inflow lip ( 3 ) provided back pressure the inflow section ( 13 ) around the pivoting section ( 12 ) deflects. Front spoiler system ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor vehicle is a bus, a truck, an off-road vehicle or a sport utility vehicle. Front spoiler system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the limit speed at which the front spoiler system ( 1 ) is transferable from the rest position into the operating position, is adjustable via a slope which the inflow lip ( 3 ) with respect to the upstream section ( 13 ) having. Front spoiler system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the limit speed at which the front spoiler system ( 1 ) can be transferred from the rest position into the operating position, via a dimensioning of the inflow lip ( 3 ) is adjustable. Front spoiler system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in one of the mounting portion ( 11 ) and the upstream section ( 13 ) included at least one space the attachment portion ( 11 ) with the inflow section ( 13 ) connecting boundary element ( 4 ) is arranged. Front spoiler system ( 1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the limiting element ( 4 ) is a spring element with a restoring force or a holding element. Front spoiler system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pivoting section ( 12 ) comprises a spring element with a restoring force. Front spoiler system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the fastening section ( 11 ), the pivoting section ( 12 ), the inflow section ( 13 ) and the inflow lip ( 3 ) are made in one piece. Front spoiler system ( 1 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the one-piece front spoiler system ( 1 ) is made of an elastomer. Front spoiler system ( 1 ) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that at least two of the sections attachment portion ( 11 ), Pivoting section ( 12 ), Inflow section ( 13 ) and inflow lip ( 3 ), which provide the one-piece elastomeric spoiler system, have different shore hardnesses and / or different material thicknesses. Front spoiler system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one of the sections upstream section ( 13 ), Inflow lip ( 3 ) or swivel section ( 12 ) a heating device, in particular at least one heating wire ( 5 ) exhibit. Front spoiler system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the fastening section ( 11 ) on the soil structure ( 7 ) of the motor vehicle is fastened by a fastening means, in particular by a screw connection, a welded connection, a solder connection, an adhesive connection or a plug connection.