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WO2018041888A1 - Appareil et procédé pour réduire les salissures sur un véhicule - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé pour réduire les salissures sur un véhicule Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018041888A1
WO2018041888A1 PCT/EP2017/071753 EP2017071753W WO2018041888A1 WO 2018041888 A1 WO2018041888 A1 WO 2018041888A1 EP 2017071753 W EP2017071753 W EP 2017071753W WO 2018041888 A1 WO2018041888 A1 WO 2018041888A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vehicle
airflow
displacement apparatus
underbody
airflow displacement
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2017/071753
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Matthew OSBORNE
Chris Carey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Original Assignee
Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jaguar Land Rover Ltd filed Critical Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Publication of WO2018041888A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018041888A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D35/00—Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
    • B62D35/007—Rear spoilers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D35/00—Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
    • B62D35/02—Streamlining the undersurfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D35/00—Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D37/00—Stabilising vehicle bodies without controlling suspension arrangements
    • B62D37/02—Stabilising vehicle bodies without controlling suspension arrangements by aerodynamic means
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/80—Technologies aiming to reduce greenhouse gasses emissions common to all road transportation technologies
    • Y02T10/82—Elements for improving aerodynamics
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/80—Technologies aiming to reduce greenhouse gasses emissions common to all road transportation technologies
    • Y02T10/88—Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to apparatus and a method for reducing soiling of a vehicle, particularly, but not exclusively, to an airflow displacement apparatus, to a vehicle, to a use of an airflow displacement apparatus and to a method for reducing soiling on the rear of a vehicle.
  • aspects of the invention relate to an airflow displacement apparatus, to a vehicle, to a use of an airflow displacement apparatus and to a method for reducing soiling on the rear of a vehicle.
  • Vehicles driving in wet or dirty conditions are often subject to soiling, particularly on the rear portion of the vehicle. This is because dirt or water is sprayed from vehicle tyres or picked up in the airflow moving around the vehicle. Some dirt particles, particularly smaller dirt particles, or water spray can become entrained into the airflow behind the vehicle as it moves forwards. The dirt or spray is then circulated in a wake behind the vehicle where it can be deposited onto the rear of the vehicle. It will also be appreciated that dirt or spray may be deposited on other surfaces of the vehicle.
  • One way to mitigate against soiling is to provide mud flaps which cover a portion of the wheel to reduce the water or dirt that is thrown directly from the tyres, or thrown up from the ground when the tyres pass through standing water. This however, has little or no effect on the spray or dirt particles that become entrained into the wake.
  • Another way to mitigate against soiling is to shape the body of the vehicle to minimise the size of wake left behind the vehicle.
  • This approach however is often not possible or ineffective owing to other design constraints on body shape, in particular, for sports utility vehicles (SUVs) or other square-backed vehicle body types, which inherently have the highest incidence of soiling.
  • SUVs sports utility vehicles
  • the reduction of the wake size achievable by this approach is often small.
  • Another way to mitigate against soiling is to provide an aerofoil structure under the body of the vehicle.
  • Such devices use increased pressure on the top surface and rear portions of the aerofoil to direct airflow downwards. Airflow over the top of the aerofoil and airflow aver the aerofoil are smoothly combined rearward of the aerofoil, to minimise separation of airflow from the vehicle underbody.
  • the efficacy of these devices may be limited, especially when applied to square-backed vehicle body types. It also requires the apparatus to be relatively large, rigid and to extend substantially along the whole width of the vehicle, in order for it to have a noticeable effect on soiling. It is an object of embodiments of the invention to address one or more of the problems of the prior art.
  • an airflow displacement apparatus for the underbody of a vehicle, the airflow displacement apparatus comprising a body and an attachment portion to attach the airflow displacement apparatus to the underbody of a vehicle to be deployed in an operative configuration.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus in the operative condition being adapted to protrude downward from the underbody, so that when the vehicle is in motion, the airflow transmitted along the centre of the vehicle underbody is altered by the airflow displacement apparatus, so that the airflow that exits from the rear of the vehicle underbody is supressed from forming a vortex proximal to the rear surface of the vehicle, to reduce soiling on the rear of the vehicle by dirt suspended in the airflow, compared to soiling for the vehicle without the airflow displacement apparatus.
  • Spoilers are known apparatus, typically used on the top of vehicles to 'spoil' airflows over the vehicle body. They are predominantly used to increase downforce on a vehicle or to increase a vehicle's grip on the road surface. They are also used on some body types to reduce drag.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus of the present invention alters the airflow exiting from the underbody of the vehicle, and in particular, may alter the airflow moving approximately parallel to the centreline of the vehicle.
  • supressing vortices which form close to the road surface which tend to recirculate dirty air may include, for example, displacing the vortices downward or rearward from the rear surfaces of the vehicle, preventing vortices from forming or reducing the diameter, magnitude or the amount of air in the vortex.
  • the soiling on the rear surface of the vehicle may be reduced. This may occur partly because circulation of the airflow containing dirt from the road surface against the rear surface of the vehicle is reduced.
  • an airflow displacement apparatus on the underbody of a vehicle a significant reduction of soiling on the rear of the vehicle may be achieved.
  • the distribution of the soiling pattern is largely affected by the airflow behind the rear of the vehicle.
  • Using an airflow displacement apparatus on the underbody may also rotate the rear wake streamlines to a downward direction into the rear body, i.e. directing more air from the top of the vehicle into the wake proximal to the rear of the vehicle.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be configured so that when the airflow displacement apparatus is in an operative configuration, the airflow displacement apparatus alters or influences the airflow under the underbody of the vehicle.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may alter or influence the airflow by creating a local region of higher pressure in front of the airflow displacement apparatus.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may alter or influence the airflow by creating a region of low airflow velocity immediately rearward of the apparatus.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may alter or influence the airflow by creating a region of high static pressure immediately behind the apparatus.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may direct airflow from in front of the airflow displacement apparatus to beneath the lowermost part of the airflow displacement apparatus.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus is a rectangular planar member
  • the majority of the airflow travelling along the centre line of the vehicle may be directed downwards, to flow over the lowermost edge of the airflow displacement apparatus.
  • This aggressive displacement of airflow may cause the airflow to separate from the vehicle body behind the airflow displacement apparatus.
  • the separation of airflow may supress the formation of vortices behind the vehicle and may encourage more clean air to flow from over the top of the vehicle towards the region behind the airflow displacement apparatus.
  • the airflow is not split so that it flows above and below the airflow displacement apparatus as it may with an aerofoil.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may direct a portion airflow around the lateral sides of the airflow displacement apparatus.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus is a rectangular planar member
  • some of the airflow travelling along the centre line of the vehicle may be directed around the two vertical, lateral sides of the airflow displacement apparatus.
  • This aggressive diversion of airflow may also cause the airflow to separate from the vehicle body behind the airflow displacement apparatus.
  • This lateral diversion of air may also further direct the wakes from the rear wheels of the vehicle outwards, away from the centre line of the vehicle. This may further reduce the airflow (and also spray) entering the wake behind the vehicle.
  • the airflow exiting from along the centre of the vehicle underbody may include any airflow passing under the vehicle underbody between the vehicle wheels.
  • the airflow exiting from along the centre of the vehicle underbody may include any airflow passing under the vehicle underbody between the vehicle wheels that is not part of the wakes around the wheels.
  • the airflow exiting from along the centre of the vehicle underbody may include any airflow attached to the underbody of the vehicle.
  • the airflow exiting from along the centre of the vehicle underbody may include any detached turbulent airflow present along the underbody of the vehicle.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be configured to be deployed in an operative condition on a vehicle underbody, so that it is positioned over the centreline of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the airflow displacement apparatus may be configured to be deployed on a vehicle underbody, so that it is centred over the centreline of the vehicle
  • the body of the airflow displacement apparatus is a planar member.
  • This shape may provide a airflow displacement apparatus with simplified ease of construction, and is a shape that may provide good displacement of airflow for reduction of soiling.
  • the planar member may be rectangular.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus is configured so that when it is deployed in an operative condition on a vehicle underbody, a planar surface of the airflow displacement apparatus is orientated perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle. By orientating the airflow displacement apparatus perpendicular to the air flow or close to perpendicular, a further reduction of soiling may be achieved.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may comprise a planar surface, with sharp edges at the perimeter of the planar surface to induce flow separation.
  • the sharp edges may be edges with a thickness between 1 mm and 15mm.
  • the thickness of the edges may be the thickness of the planar member.
  • the body of the airflow displacement apparatus may be formed from a flexible material with sufficient stiffness to provide from the underbody at high speeds and be deformable to ground contact. This may provide a spoiler with improved resistance to striking from ground objects, for example, if the vehicle is used off-road. This may also further improve resistance to striking if the airflow displacement apparatus protrudes to, or beyond the ground line and/or departure line of the vehicle.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be configured to be releasably or movably attached to the underbody of the vehicle. This may provide a spoiler that can be easily removed or deployed depending on the user's need for reduction of soiling.
  • a spoiler of an aspect of the invention may be used for reducing the soiling of the rear of a vehicle.
  • a vehicle may comprise a spoiler of an aspect of the invention.
  • a spoiler of the invention may deployed in an operative condition on a vehicle underbody.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may protrude from the underbody between 5 and 80mm, or between 10 and 60 mm, or between 20 and 40mm, or a range with any combination of the aforesaid values. A protrusion of this amount may provide the improved reduction of soiling.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be positioned to be deployed over the centreline to extend laterally into to the wakes produced by the rear wheels and/or the front wheels.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be configured so as to re-direct the wakes of the rear wheels towards the lateral sides of the vehicle. This position may cause an increase of airflow velocity in between the airflow displacement apparatus and wheels and an increase of static pressure behind the airflow displacement apparatus which may push the wheel wakes further outboard.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be deployed on a vehicle underbody to protrude beyond the ground line, wherein the ground line is a line or plane parallel to the road surface and coincident with the lowest rigid component of the underbody.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be deployed on a vehicle underbody, to protrude beyond the departure line, wherein the departure line is a line or plane from the points where the rear tyres contact the road to the rearmost portion of the vehicle.
  • the angle the departure line forms with a horizontal line is known as the departure angle.
  • the departure angle is the maximum angle a vehicle can achieve when moving from horizontal ground, over an obstacle or up an incline, without the rear of the vehicle contacting the ground.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be positioned over the centreline of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the airflow displacement apparatus may be centred over the centreline of the vehicle. This position may further reduce soiling.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be deployed between the rear wheels, of a vehicle or rearward thereof.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be positioned or deployed between 0 cm and the rear most point of the vehicle underbody, or between 0 cm and 100 cm rearward of the rear axle, or between 20 cm and 80 cm rearward of the rear axle, or between 40 cm and 60 cm rearward of the rear axle, or between any combinations of the aforesaid end points. Any of these positions may direct airflow to pass between the wheels and the airflow displacement apparatus, which may also cause an increase the airflow parallel to and rearward of the wheels and may also direct the wheel wakes outward, which may further lower spray from the wheels.
  • a vehicle may comprise an airflow displacement apparatus wherein, the airflow displacement apparatus is incorporated into or formed by the shape of another a component of the underbody of the vehicle. This may provide a lower cost way of providing a vehicle with an underbody spoiler or an easier method of manufacturing a vehicle with an underbody spoiler.
  • a vehicle may comprise an airflow displacement apparatus wherein, the airflow displacement apparatus is deployed on a battery box of the underbody of a vehicle.
  • the battery box may provide a straightforward location for attaching the airflow displacement apparatus to the underbody, and may also be a location which may which provide further improved reduction of soiling.
  • a vehicle may comprise an airflow displacement apparatus wherein, the vehicle also comprises a spoiler mounted on the top line of the vehicle, wherein the spoiler mounted on the top line is configured to promote airflow over the rear window of the vehicle. This combination of spoilers increase airflow locally over the rear window of the vehicle from the top of the vehicle; and may provide additional reduction of soiling by further lowering the position of the wake behind the vehicle.
  • a vehicle may comprise an airflow displacement wherein, the vehicle comprises a rear window with a rake angle between 40° and 90°, or between 45° and 80 °, or between 50° and 65°, or a range of any combination of the aforesaid angles.
  • Use of an airflow displacement apparatus of the invention with a vehicle having an aforementioned rake angle may provide further improved reduction of soiling.
  • the rake angle for a window may be considered to be the angle a rear window makes with the horizontal. In general terms it may be considered to be the angle between the rear-most point of the body at the roof to the rear most point at the base of the car below the rear window, when measured to the horizontal.
  • the vehicle may have an SUV or estate body type.
  • Use of an airflow displacement apparatus of the invention with a vehicle with this body type may provide significantly improved reduction of soiling.
  • a method of reducing soiling on the rear of a vehicle comprising altering the airflow transmitted along the centre of the vehicle underbody, to cause a reduction of soiling on the rear of the vehicle by dirt entrained in the airflow.
  • the method may comprise deploying an airflow displacement apparatus to a vehicle underbody (6) to protrude downward from the vehicle underbody; and wherein the airflow displacement apparatus alters the airflow transmitted along the centre of the vehicle underbody.
  • the method may comprise deploying an airflow displacement apparatus where the airflow displacement apparatus alters the airflow transmitted along the centre of the vehicle underbody so that airflow that exiting from the rear of the vehicle underbody is supressed from forming a vortex proximal to the rear surface of the vehicle, to reduce soiling on the rear of the vehicle by dirt suspended in the airflow, compared to soiling for the vehicle without the airflow displacement apparatus.
  • soiling on the rear surfaces of the vehicle may be reduced. This may be achieved, for example, by deploying an airflow displacement apparatus to protrude downward from the underbody of the vehicle to alter the airflow or by inducing flow detachment near the rear of the vehicle.
  • the airflow may be altered so that the airflow exiting from the vehicle underbody is supressed from forming vortices proximal to or against the rear surfaces of the vehicle body. Suppression may include, for example, displacing the vortices rearward away from the rear surfaces of the vehicle or preventing the airflow from forming of vortices or reducing the amount of air in the vortex.
  • the soiling on the rear surface of the vehicle may be reduced.
  • an airflow displacement apparatus that protrudes downward from the vehicle underbody or that induces flow separation towards the rear of the vehicle, the formation of vortices proximal to or against the rear surfaces of the vehicle body may be supressed.
  • Figure 1 shows a representation of an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a representation of a vehicle without and a vehicle with an airflow displacement apparatus of the invention
  • Figure 3 shows a representation of an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 4 shows a representation of a vehicle without and a vehicle with an airflow displacement apparatus of the invention
  • Figure 5 shows a representation of a vehicle without and a vehicle with an airflow displacement apparatus of the invention
  • Figure 6 shows a representation of a vehicle without and a vehicle with an airflow displacement apparatus of the invention.
  • the term “rearward” refers to the direction opposite to the normal forward direction of travel of the vehicle, i.e. away from the rear surface of the vehicle.
  • “rear” refers to the tail end of the vehicle, which is the end facing the rearward direction.
  • the term “rear surfaces” refers to the surfaces of the body of the vehicle at the rear of the vehicle which are facing the rearward direction.
  • the term "spoiler” includes any apparatus on an external surface of a vehicle to alter or 'spoil' the airflow near to the spoiler.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may alter airflow by providing an obstacle that causes the airflow to change path, and thus may be considered a spoiler.
  • airflow displacement apparatus may include any apparatus on an external surface of a vehicle that displaces or diverts airflow so that it is prevented from rejoining its original path.
  • baffles or airflow dams mounted to a vehicle to obstruct airflow may be considered airflow displacement apparatus.
  • aerofoil type spoilers which split airflow then restore it to its original path do not permanently displace airflow away from its original path and thus are not considered airflow displacement apparatus.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be characterised by inducing flow separation immediately after the apparatus.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be characterised by low or zero airflow velocity immediately behind the apparatus.
  • underbody refers to the surface beneath the vehicle facing the road.
  • the term “protrudes” refers to the distance from the immediate surroundings of the underbody that the airflow displacement apparatus extends into the airflow beneath the underbody.
  • the term “deployed” in reference to an airflow displacement apparatus includes positioning the airflow displacement apparatus in the airflow under the vehicle underbody. Deployed may include deploying by attaching an airflow displacement apparatus and/or by moving the airflow displacement apparatus in to a position or operative configuration to alter the airflow, from a position where it does not alter the airflow.
  • the term "retracted" in reference to an airflow displacement apparatus includes but is not limited to moving an airflow displacement apparatus out of the airflow under the vehicle underbody, and/or at least partially reducing the amount a spoiler protrudes into the airflow.
  • motion refers to the forward direction of the vehicle. Motion may also specifically refer to the condition where the forward direction is greater than 20 km/h or 30 km/h or 40 km/h or 50 km/h or 60 km/h or 70 km/h or 80 km/h or 90 km/h or 100 km/h or 1 10 km/h or 120 km/h.
  • the term “centre of vehicle underbody” includes but is not limited to the region on the vehicle underbody excluding the wheels. "Centre of vehicle underbody” may be considered to be the region between the suspension arms on the underbody of the vehicle. “Centre of vehicle underbody” may be considered to be the region of the vehicle underbody within 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 70 cm or 80 cm either side of the centreline.
  • airflow transmitted along the centre of the vehicle underbody includes airflow that passes underneath at least a portion of the centre of the vehicle underbody. This may include only airflow that flows within 15 cm, 10 cm, 5 cm or 2 cm beneath the centre of the vehicle underbody. This may include only airflow that is not part of the wakes from the wheels.
  • airflow that exits from the rear of vehicle underbody includes but is not limited to airflow that has travelled under at least part of the centre of the vehicle underbody and has passed rearward out from under the centre of vehicle underbody.
  • the term "supress” includes but is not limited to reducing the magnitude or diameter of a vortex, lowering the height of a vortex, moving a vortex rearward, and/or preventing the formation of a vortex.
  • the term “vortex” refers to a region of airflow that rotates about a central axis.
  • the term “centre of vehicle underbody” includes but is not limited to the region on the vehicle underbody excluding the wheels. "Centre of vehicle underbody” may be considered to be the region between the suspension arms on the underbody of the vehicle. “Centre of vehicle underbody” may be considered to be the region of the vehicle underbody within 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 70 cm or 80 cm either side of the centreline.
  • airflow transmitted along the centre of the vehicle underbody includes airflow that passes underneath at least a portion of the centre of the vehicle underbody. This may include only airflow that flows within 15 cm, 10 cm, 5 cm or 2 cm beneath the centre of the vehicle underbody. This may include only airflow that is not part of the wakes from the wheels.
  • airflow that exits from the rear of vehicle underbody includes but is not limited to airflow that has travelled under at least part of the centre of the vehicle underbody and has passed rearward out from under the centre of vehicle underbody.
  • the term “supress” includes but is not limited to reducing the magnitude or diameter of a vortex, lowering the height of a vortex, moving a vortex rearward, and/or preventing the formation of a vortex.
  • proximal in reference to vortices at the rear surface refers to vortices with airflow rotating against or near the rear surface of the vehicle. This may include vortices with a central axis of rotation within 2 m, 1 .75 m, 1 .5 m, 1 .25 m, 1 m, 0.75 m, 0.5 m or 0.25 m from the rear surface of the vehicle in the rearward direction. This may include vortices with a central axis of rotation within 2 m, 1 .75 m, 1 .5 m, 1 .25 m, 1 m, 0.75 m, or 0.5 m from the ground.
  • the term “soiling” includes any deposition of a dirt on the vehicle.
  • the term “dirt” includes any unwanted substance that may be deposited on the vehicle. This may include but is not limited to water, mud or fine particulates. The dirt may be carried in air, in water carried in the air, in droplet or aerosol form, for example.
  • the term “releasably” includes any non-permanent attachment. This may include but is not limited to means that allow attachment by hand or with tools, for example using screws, clips or other known non-permanent fastening means.
  • the term “movably” includes an attachment that permits motion of the body of the airflow displacement apparatus. This may include but is not limited to rotation or sliding of the body.
  • the term “rear stagnation point” may be considered as the point behind the vehicle where the airflow reaches zero velocity when averaged over time. The rear stagnation point is in the centre of the region of high pressure created when the recirculating air in the wake behind the vehicle is directed to the rear surface of the vehicle.
  • a vehicle 4 may comprise a body having a rear 8, and an underbody 6.
  • the rear of the vehicle body is a region of the vehicle susceptible to spoiling by dirt entrained in the wake behind the vehicle 4 when it moves.
  • the rear of the vehicle 4 may comprise a rear window and body panelling.
  • a vehicle underbody 6 may comprise an irregular surface formed from exposed components of the vehicle, or may comprise a panel, covering the underbody components of the vehicle.
  • a vehicle typically comprises a reference line or plane called the ground line.
  • the ground line is a line, or plane, parallel to the road surface and coincident with the lowest permissible rigid part of the underbody.
  • the height of the ground line may also define the ground clearance height of the vehicle.
  • a vehicle typically comprises a reference line or plane called the departure line.
  • the departure line is a line, or plane, from the points in which the rear tyres contact the road to the rearmost portion of the vehicle.
  • the angle between departure line and ground, known as the departure angle is the maximum angle the vehicle can achieve when driving over obstacles or transitioning to steep ground.
  • a vehicle refers to any land vehicle.
  • a vehicle 4 may include amongst others, any automobile, for example, cars, vans, lorries or other goods vehicles.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus 2 may be deployed on a vehicle with any known body type.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may provide a significant reduction of soiling when fitted to a vehicle with a square back, hatchback or SUV body type.
  • a square back body type is one with a vertical rear end.
  • a square back body type may include for example, estates and vans amongst others.
  • Sports utility vehicle (SUV) and hatchback body types may have a near- vertical rear window.
  • the spoiler of the invention may provide a further reduction of soiling when deployed on a vehicle with a rear window rake angle between 40 ° and 90 ° to the horizontal , or between 45° and 80 °, or between 50 ° and 65°, or between any combination of the aforesaid angles.
  • the airflow passing under the vehicle underbody may be generally described as attached airflow, except close to within the wake of the wheels, where separated airflow may be present.
  • the attached airflow passing under the vehicle underbody may comprise a turbulent boundary layer from the front valance panel rearward.
  • the generally described attached under the vehicle underbody airflow may include local separations and reattachment points along the underbody, depending upon the underbody surface share. For example, on most vehicles, typically the suspension arms or rear axle are the lowest points on the underbody and are usually uncovered, the turbulent boundary layer may separate from the body behind the suspension arms especially if the rear underbody rises from the rear axle.
  • a wake is a region of recirculating airflow. Wakes occur amongst others behind the wheels and behind the vehicle (the rear wake) when it is motion.
  • attached airflow is airflow that has not separated from the object it is travelling over. Attached airflow may be laminar or turbulent airflow.
  • separated airflow is where high velocity air moving along the vehicle underbody is replaced with lower velocity recirculating air. Flow separation occurs when the flow encounters an adverse pressure gradient along a surface and the flow slows down at the surface or reverses in direction separating the higher velocity flow away from the surface. The separation contains recirculating air, airflow at lower velocities and typically lower pressures.
  • the airflow transmitted along the centre of the vehicle underbody may be considered to be any airflow passing under the vehicle underbody between the vehicle wheels.
  • the airflow passing along the centre of the vehicle underbody may include an airflow passing under the vehicle underbody between either the front pair or rear pair of wheels that is not part of the wakes around the wheels.
  • the airflow passing along the centre of the vehicle underbody may include airflow moving approximately parallel to the centreline of the vehicle.
  • an airflow displacement apparatus 2 is shown attached to the underbody 6, of a vehicle 4.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus comprises a body and an attachment means (not shown).
  • the attachment means is for attaching the airflow displacement apparatus to on the vehicle.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus is shown deployed behind the rear axis 10 and is centred over the centreline of the vehicle.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus 2 is shown positioned rearward of the rear axis 10 by approximately 500 mm.
  • the rearward distance of the airflow displacement apparatus may be calculated by measuring the horizontal separation (i.e. distance parallel to the ground or ground line) between the centre of the rear axis and the spoiler, as illustrated in figure 1 , numeral 1 1 .
  • the airflow displacement apparatus shown in figure 1 comprises a body formed as a planar member, positioned so that it extends close to the ground line 12 and the departure line 14 of the vehicle.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus 2 is positioned so a planar face of the spoiler is orthogonal to the air direction when the vehicle is moving forward, i.e. perpendicular to the forward direction of the vehicle 4.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus is shown mounted to the underbody by attaching the airflow displacement apparatus 2 to the lowermost surface of the battery box 20 of the vehicle underbody.
  • 'Deployed' in the context of the invention includes the airflow displacement apparatus being attached integrated or mounted to the underbody. 'Deployed' also includes the airflow displacement apparatus being moved from a position where it does not spoil the airflow (for example, with the airflow displacement apparatus body parallel to the air flow) to one where it can spoil airflow (for example, with the airflow displacement apparatus body perpendicular to the airflow).
  • Figure 2 shows a vehicle 3 without an airflow displacement apparatus fitted, in side view A and rear view B, and a vehicle 4 with an airflow displacement apparatus 2 fitted, in side view C and rear view D.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus 2 is shown as the white rectangular region for which the longest dimension is the width and the shortest is the protrusion of the airflow displacement apparatus.
  • Stream lines are drawn on side views A and C to illustrate the air flow that passes above and underneath the vehicle 3, 4 when it is moving forwards. As can be seen by a comparison of the stream lines between A and C, the effect of the airflow displacement apparatus 2 is to alter airflow in rear wake.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may achieve this by, creating a higher static air pressure in the airflow moving along the underbody of the vehicle, directly behind the airflow displacement apparatus and increasing acceleration of air to the sides and below the airflow displacement apparatus. This may supress the airflow exiting from along the centre of the vehicle underbody from forming a vortex proximal to or against the rear surface of the vehicle. This may move the vortex rearwards from the vehicle, lower is its axis or rotation, velocity of rotation or amount or airflow circulating, or prevent vortex formation. Suppression of a vortex may reduce entrained dirt in the airflow from reaching the rear of the vehicle, or may lower the height at which entrained dirt is deposited.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may also separate the wakes formed behind the wheels from the rear wake.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may also cause increased airflow from the top of the vehicle proximal to the rear surface of the vehicle.
  • the change in wake behind the vehicle may reduce entrainment of road spray in the wake and increases the amount of airflow from over the top or around the car that is circulated in the wake. This may further reduce the airflow from underneath the vehicle rising into the rear wake, thereby further reducing the amount of road spray entrained into the rear wake.
  • An airflow displacement apparatus of the invention may protrude down into the higher velocity air flowing beneath the largely separated and low velocity airflow regions, which result from turbulent interactions with the underbody of the vehicle.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus 2 may be flexible, as illustrated in figure 1 .
  • the hatched lines 22, illustrate deflection of the airflow displacement apparatus, which may deflect if, for example, the vehicle drives over a high object. Because air flow speed increases the faster a vehicle is driven, a flexible airflow displacement apparatus may need to have sufficient rigidity to resist higher air speeds to maintain its position, but still be sufficiently flexible to deform when in contact with an object.
  • a flexible airflow displacement apparatus may be achieved for example, by using an inherently flexible material, such as a rubber or other flexible polymer. Flexibility can be varied by using different thickness or by cutting grooves or other points of weakness into the material.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may also comprise a rigid material such as a metal or polymer.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be hinged to the underbody or comprise multiple hinges along its length, each hinge may act against a biasing means such as a spring to retain it in a deployed position.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may protrude from the underbody, this may include but is not limited to protruding between 5 and 80 mm, or between 10 and 60 mm or between 20 and 40 mm, or any combination of the aforesaid values.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may also protrude to the ground line, or protrude beyond the ground line.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may also protrude to the departure line, or protrude beyond the departure line.
  • the width of the airflow displacement apparatus may be between 100 mm and the width of the vehicle, or between 200 mm and 1000 mm, or between 500 mm and 300 mm, or a range of any combination of the aforesaid values.
  • "width" in reference to an airflow displacement apparatus includes the total span of the body of the airflow displacement apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle and parallel to the ground. Specifically, this may refer to the largest overall dimension of the airflow displacement apparatus body in some embodiments.
  • the body of the airflow displacement apparatus may comprise any shape capable of displacing the airflow. This may include planar members, boxes, channels or hollow members, or any combination of these.
  • the body of the airflow displacement apparatus may additionally comprise ridges, grooves or channels to direct airflow.
  • a planar member provides a shape that can be retracted easily to lie flat against the underbody, it can also easily be made to be flexible.
  • the body of the airflow displacement apparatus refers to the main portion of the airflow displacement apparatus that is exposed to airflow, i.e. excluding a portion for attaching the airflow displacement apparatus to a vehicle.
  • Portions of the airflow displacement apparatus may be orientated, shaped or arranged differently to the rest of the body of the airflow displacement apparatus to direct airflow, for example, the airflow displacement apparatus may be configured so that a portion of the airflow is directed around the sides of the airflow displacement apparatus or towards the lateral edges of the vehicle.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be positioned anywhere on the underbody of the vehicle.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be positioned between the front wheels or rear wheels, or rearward thereof. This position may permit air to pass between the wheels and the airflow displacement apparatus which may cause an increase of airflow parallel to and rearward of the wheels to direct the wheel wakes outward which may further reduce soiling.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be positioned so as not to interact with turbulent airflow coming from the wheels, in particular, the rear wheels.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be centred over the centreline of the vehicle or positioned laterally.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be positioned between the rear axle and the rear edge of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle may comprise one airflow displacement apparatus or more than one.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus attachment portion may be attached to the vehicle using any known fastening method that provides a sufficiently secure connection.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus attachment portion may comprise fasteners or mounting points to facilitate attachment to the vehicle.
  • Fasteners may include screws, clips, quick release systems and other known fastening systems.
  • the vehicle may comprise a mounting point on the underbody. Mounting points may include pins, holes (for example, for screws) or any shape that may be aligned with a corresponding shape on the airflow displacement apparatus.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be attached to the vehicle permanently, or releasably so that the airflow displacement apparatus can be detached from the vehicle.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may also be movably attached to the vehicle underbody.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be incorporated into a component on the underbody, for example, a battery box may be shaped so that it includes a planar member that extends below the vehicle underbody.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be configured so that it can be deployed in a position where it spoils airflow to reduce soiling, and to a portion where it does not spoil airflow.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may comprise an attachment portion to attach the airflow displacement apparatus to an attachment point on the vehicle.
  • the attachment portion may enable attachment of the airflow displacement apparatus in any of the aforementioned positions.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be connected to the vehicle underbody with a hinge.
  • the hinge may permit the airflow displacement apparatus to move between a position where it extends into airflow under the vehicle underbody and one where it is retracted to lie flat against the vehicle underbody.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus or vehicle may comprise clips or any other locking mechanisms which secure the airflow displacement apparatus in either of these positions. This may improve usability allowing the airflow displacement apparatus to be deployed when reduction of soiling is required (e.g. wet road conditions), and retracted when not required, (e.g. dry conditions, or when maximum ground clearance is needed).
  • the airflow displacement apparatus may be configured to be positioned in multiple positions between one of maximum protrusion into the airflow beneath the vehicle underbody, and one of minimum protrusion thereto.
  • the vehicle may comprise an additional spoiler mounted on the top line of the vehicle.
  • the additional spoiler may be shaped to promote airflow over the rear window of the vehicle.
  • This in combination with an airflow displacement apparatus herein described may provide a significant reduction of soiling by further lowering the height of the wake behind the rear of the vehicle and thereby further lowering the amount of dirt deposited on the rear of the vehicle.
  • Figure 3 shows an additional spoiler 302 mounted to the rearmost-top portion of a vehicle 300.
  • the airflow displacement apparatus is shaped and positioned so that channels 301 are formed between the vehicle body and the forward facing edge of the airflow displacement apparatus. These channels direct airflow from over the top of the vehicle downward over the rear window of the vehicle. When used in combination with an airflow displacement apparatus on the underbody of the vehicle it may provide an increase of recirculation of clean air around the upper rear surfaces of the vehicle, and a further suppression of the lower vortex.
  • a SUV was subjected to rear soiling testing in a climatic wind tunnel, whereby water containing a UV tracer is sprayed onto the rear wheels or just in front of the rear wheels on a dynomometer.
  • the test was conducted to simulate a vehicle speed of 80 km/h. In the test, water gets picked up by the wheels and generates a spray of water thrown from the tyre face that becomes entrained in the airflow passing under the vehicle.
  • the test was run for a predetermined time after which the extent of soiling can be measured quantitatively by taking images of the rear of the vehicle under a UV source and measuring the intensity of fluorescence of the UV tracer.
  • the intensity of the UV corresponds to an increase in depth of the water film or size of droplets.
  • the intensity and percentage area of contamination is calculated using image processing software for specific regions of interest on the rear of the car.
  • the test was repeated under identical conditions with the addition of an airflow displacement apparatus formed from a 400 mm by 40 mm aluminium plate attached to the battery box on the underbody of the vehicle. The plate was orientated so a flat face of the plate was perpendicular to the underbody airflow.
  • Figure 4 demonstrates the difference in soiling between a vehicle without an airflow displacement apparatus of the invention fitted to the underbody in image A and a vehicle with an airflow displacement apparatus of the invention fitted in image B.
  • Image B clearly shows a significant reduction of soiling compared to image A demonstrated by the lighter regions present in A.
  • Image C and D are the images of A and B but with regions 35 and 36 to illustrate the distribution of soiling for the vehicle without the airflow displacement apparatus and the vehicle with respectively. Comparison of these regions shows that with an airflow displacement apparatus fitted, the distribution of soiling is smaller in size and lower down the rear of the vehicle, below the rear window. Furthermore, within region 36 the intensity of soiling is less compared to region 35.
  • Figure 5 shows a computational fluid dynamic analysis of a vehicle with a SUV body type.
  • Image A is of a vehicle with no spoiler 3
  • image B is the same vehicle 4 with a 400 mm by 60 mm spoiler 2 and with otherwise identical conditions to image A.
  • a CFD analysis simulated the airflow around the vehicle when it is in motion.
  • the CFD analysis simulated a vehicle motion of 100 km/h.
  • Image A shows underbody air flow velocity (41 is an example of a high velocity region and 42 is an example of a low velocity region).
  • the rear wheel wakes shown as region 43 on simplified image C
  • region 45 on simplified image C are being drawn in towards the centreline behind the vehicle, promoting interaction with the rear wake (shown as region 45 on simplified image C).
  • FIG. 6 shows CFD images from the same CFD model taken from the centreline of the vehicles.
  • image A shows a vehicle without an airflow displacement apparatus fitted 3
  • image B shows a vehicle 4 with the airflow displacement apparatus fitted 2.
  • the lines represent velocity distributions and flow paths along the centreline of the vehicle.
  • 53 is an example of a high velocity region and 54 is an example of a low velocity region.
  • 51 shows a vortex in the rear wake behind the vehicle.
  • FIG. 52 shows the edge of a vortex in the rear wake behind the vehicle with an airflow displacement apparatus fitted.
  • images A and B the position of the vortex has been displaced rearward and reducing its diameter.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

Selon des modes de réalisation, la présente invention concerne un appareil de déplacement de flux d'air, un véhicule et un procédé qui permettent de réduire les salissures sur un véhicule. Des modes de réalisation de l'invention comprennent un appareil de déplacement de flux d'air conçu pour être déployé sur un soubassement de carrosserie de véhicule, l'appareil de déplacement de flux d'air faisant saillie vers le bas à partir du soubassement de carrosserie de sorte que, lorsque le véhicule est en mouvement, le flux d'air sortant du soubassement de carrosserie de véhicule est modifié par l'appareil de déplacement de flux d'air afin de réduire les salissures sur l'arrière du véhicule qui sont provoquées par la saleté entraînée dans le flux d'air par comparaison avec les salissures d'un véhicule ne comprenant pas d'appareil de déplacement de flux d'air.
PCT/EP2017/071753 2016-09-05 2017-08-30 Appareil et procédé pour réduire les salissures sur un véhicule Ceased WO2018041888A1 (fr)

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GB1615019.5 2016-09-05
GB1615019.5A GB2553761A (en) 2016-09-05 2016-09-05 Apparatus and method for reducing soiling of a vehicle

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WO2018041888A1 true WO2018041888A1 (fr) 2018-03-08

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Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3099124A1 (fr) 2019-07-26 2021-01-29 Psa Automobiles Sa Véhicule automobile équipé d'un déflecteur d'air monté transversalement sous un carénage de fond en s'étendant vers le plan de roulage du véhicule à l'avant d'un essieu arrière.

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WO2016020417A1 (fr) * 2014-08-05 2016-02-11 Jaguar Land Rover Limited Appareil aérodynamique de véhicule
WO2016020520A1 (fr) * 2014-08-08 2016-02-11 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Ensemble de guidage d'air et véhicule comportant au moins un ensemble de guidage d'air

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JP4029433B2 (ja) * 1996-10-04 2008-01-09 いすゞ自動車株式会社 車両床下冷却装置
DE19933435C2 (de) * 1999-07-16 2001-07-12 Daimler Chrysler Ag Spoiler oder Luftleiteinrichtung
JP5854021B2 (ja) * 2013-03-27 2016-02-09 トヨタ自動車株式会社 ホイルハウス後部構造
DE102013105843B4 (de) * 2013-06-06 2022-08-04 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft Kraftfahrzeug mit einem verstellbaren Luftleitelement

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DE2433292A1 (de) * 1974-07-11 1976-01-22 Volkswagenwerk Ag Fahrzeug mit mitteln zur verringerung der verschmutzung seiner heckpartie
DE102004047882A1 (de) * 2004-10-01 2006-04-06 Audi Ag Kraftfahrzeug mit einer Luftleiteinrichtung
DE102009018007A1 (de) * 2009-04-18 2010-10-21 Volkswagen Ag Unterbodenverkleidung für ein Kraftfahrzeug
JP2011057147A (ja) * 2009-09-11 2011-03-24 Toyota Motor Corp 車両下部構造
WO2016020417A1 (fr) * 2014-08-05 2016-02-11 Jaguar Land Rover Limited Appareil aérodynamique de véhicule
WO2016020520A1 (fr) * 2014-08-08 2016-02-11 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Ensemble de guidage d'air et véhicule comportant au moins un ensemble de guidage d'air

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3099124A1 (fr) 2019-07-26 2021-01-29 Psa Automobiles Sa Véhicule automobile équipé d'un déflecteur d'air monté transversalement sous un carénage de fond en s'étendant vers le plan de roulage du véhicule à l'avant d'un essieu arrière.
WO2021019159A1 (fr) 2019-07-26 2021-02-04 Psa Automobiles Sa Véhicule automobile équipé d'un déflecteur d'air monté transversalement sous un carénage de fond en s'étendant vers le plan de roulage du véhicule à l'avant d'un essieu arrière.

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GB201615019D0 (en) 2016-10-19
GB2553761A (en) 2018-03-21

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