CN112088119A

CN112088119A - Vehicle movable rear diffuser with retractable panel

Info

Publication number: CN112088119A
Application number: CN201980031139.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 斯蒂芬·帕拉; 本杰明·戈蒂耶
Original assignee: Plastic Omnium SE
Current assignee: Plastic Omnium SE
Priority date: 2018-05-30
Filing date: 2019-05-29
Publication date: 2020-12-15
Also published as: WO2019229200A1; FR3081820A1; FR3081820B1; EP3802291A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a rear diffuser (10) of a motor vehicle, comprising a main panel (20) and a secondary panel (30) connected to the main panel (20) by at least two guide links (35), the at least two guide links (35) being adapted to move the secondary panel (30) with respect to the main panel (20), each of the panels being movable between a deployed position and a stowed position when the diffuser (10) is fixed on a body part (40) of the vehicle; when the vehicle part (40) is fixed on the motor vehicle, the sub-panel (30) is completely invisible from the outside in the stowed position and blocks an opening (50) between the vehicle body part and the main panel (20) in the deployed position.

Description

Vehicle movable rear diffuser with retractable panel

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a rear diffuser, in particular a movable rear diffuser, for a motor vehicle.

Background

The rear diffuser is a component which may be present in the rear of the motor vehicle, more precisely under the chassis or in the lower part of the bumper, and which is aimed at improving the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle. For example, it may relate to improving ground support of a vehicle.

Some diffusers themselves allow for improved aerodynamic performance of the vehicle by reducing the drag of the vehicle, i.e., the force opposing the motion of the vehicle in the air. This involves moving the air separation point (i.e., the point at which the air no longer follows the vehicle body) rearward relative to the vehicle. This allows the depression generated at the rear of the vehicle to be pushed backwards and thus limits the slowing action of this depression on the motor vehicle (known as the "suction action").

Current solutions include rear diffusers that include a movable panel that rotates between a stowed position and a deployed position when the vehicle is in motion. This rotation from the deployed position to the stowed position allows the air separation point to be pushed backwards and thus reduces the drag of the motor vehicle, as previously described. The movable panel is deployed from a certain speed to reduce the resistance of the vehicle, and can be stowed at a high speed.

The device allows the drag of the vehicle to be effectively reduced. However, in its deployed position, the diffuser exposes a large opening between the movable panel of the vehicle and the rear bumper. In fact, one central opening between the bodywork part and the panel of the diffuser and two side openings on each side of this panel are present. The presence of these openings leads to a number of disadvantages. First, these openings may allow various types of foreign objects to enter the device. The foreign matter may be dust, dirt, winter snow or any other type of dirt. When the number is large enough, these foreign substances may hinder the closing of the device. In the case of dirt or snow, the diffuser may thus be stuck in the deployed position. Also, dust can clog and then damage the mechanical elements necessary for deployment and retraction of the movable panel. Thus, a diffuser stuck in the deployed or closed position is no longer able to guarantee its function, thus affecting the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle and requiring maintenance and/or replacement, which may be costly. Second, these openings may not be unsightly to the driver's look and feel as they detract from the overall aesthetics of the vehicle. Therefore, such a device may be disadvantageous in terms of the texture of the vehicle as a whole.

Another solution is directed to the use of a flexible cover member between the movable panel of the diffuser and the bumper of the vehicle. This feature allows the indwelling opening to be occluded when the diffuser is deployed. However, such an arrangement is not optimal as dirt (snow, mud or otherwise) may slip into the folds of the flexible member when the diffuser is stowed, possibly causing the diffuser to jam. In addition, the appearance of such flexible components may be detrimental to the quality perceived by the user and to the aesthetics of the vehicle. The component may also vibrate more easily than a rigid panel, causing a noise hazard. Finally, such flexible parts are poorly resistant to fatigue caused by the multiple opening and closing of the panels.

A further solution, described in particular in document US 2017/0036710, is intended to use two panels, each fixed by one of its ends to a bodywork component, and each guided to rotate with respect to this bodywork component. The first panel functions as a diffuser and the second panel is used to close off the central opening between the first panel and the vehicle body. In this arrangement, the panel blocking the opening is partially concealed behind the first panel when the diffuser is in the stowed position. Thus, in this position, a portion of the panel is visible, which detracts from the aesthetics of the vehicle.

The addition of a second panel to an existing diffuser also presents a problem of diffuser bulk. In practice, the diffuser should not be visible in the stowed position, which means that it is necessary to have such a second panel that can enter into the reduced space in the body part in the stowed position, in particular due to the presence of structural components (such as shock absorbers near the bumper).

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by providing a vehicle bodywork component comprising a rear diffuser that does not clog and therefore limits the risk of failure of the device. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a rear diffuser for a vehicle which does not detract from the aesthetics of the vehicle (particularly in the deployed position) and therefore does not adversely affect the quality perceived by the driver.

The subject of the invention is a rear diffuser of a motor vehicle comprising a main panel and a secondary panel connected to the main panel by at least two guide links adapted to move the secondary panel along a movement relative to the main panel according to a longitudinal axis (X) of the vehicle when the diffuser is mounted on the motor vehicle, each of said panels being movable between a deployed position and a stowed position when the diffuser is fixed to a bodywork component of the vehicle; when the body part is fixed to the motor vehicle, the sub-panel is completely invisible from the outside in the stowed position and blocks the opening between the body part and the main panel in the deployed position, the movement of the sub-panel taking place along a movement according to the longitudinal axis (X) of the vehicle.

The secondary panel at least partially closes an opening formed between the primary panel and the remainder of the rear bumper of the vehicle when deployed. When it is deployed, three openings are formed: one central opening between the main panel and the body member, and two side openings on both sides of the main panel. Here, the sub-panel blocks the central opening. Depending on its shape, it can even block two side openings. The occupation of this opening by the sub-panel allows blocking of foreign bodies from the inside of the rear diffuser. Thus, dirt such as dirt, dust, snow or any other type of dirt cannot enter the device and therefore does not prevent the device from functioning properly. The invention thus allows to reduce the wear of the maintenance operations or parts thereof by protecting the device from dirt.

In addition, the presence of the secondary panel enables the gap created with the deployment of the primary panel to be closed off when the diffuser is in the deployed position. In this way, the rear bumper maintains a coordinated appearance since there is no large hole in the middle of the rear bumper. The absence of holes allows to improve the overall aesthetic appearance of the vehicle and therefore to increase the quality perceived by the user.

The relative positioning of the main panel and the sub-panel, along with the sub-panel being stowed within the vehicle interior when in the stowed position, also allows the main panel to be provided over the entire surface of the bumper opening. This is advantageous from an aesthetic point of view when the rear diffuser is in the stowed position. Furthermore, since the sub-panel in the stowed position is concealed, the sub-panel is protected from dirt and impacts to which it may otherwise be subjected in that position. Thus, the sub-panel maintains a good surface condition, which is advantageous to the aesthetic appearance of the diffuser.

Finally, the connection between the main panel and the secondary panel by means of the two connecting rods imparts a specific movement to the secondary panel, which is particularly advantageous for allowing the secondary panel to avoid certain vehicle structural components present in the immediate environment of the diffuser. One of these components may be, for example, a shock absorber present in the rear bumper of a vehicle, which is generally made of a beam made of steel or aluminum. This component, which cannot be moved during the design of the vehicle, may interfere with the stowing of the sub-panel. The movement of the sub-panel according to the invention allows to avoid the component.

The rear diffuser according to the invention may also comprise one or more of the following features:

-the movement of the secondary panel between its stowed and deployed positions is along a circular trajectory relative to the main panel;

-a deployment system in which one of the guide links connecting the main panel and the secondary panel is connected to the main panel;

-the deployment system of the main panel comprises at least one deployment link;

the deployment link of the main panel is mechanically connected to one of the guide links, the deployment and retraction of the main panel bringing about the deployment and retraction of the secondary panel;

the connection between the unfolding link and the guide link of the main panel is realized by a transmission link;

-the two guiding links are of the same length;

the two guide links differ in length;

-the amplitude of movement of the secondary panel between its deployed and stowed positions is between 5mm and 100mm, preferably between 10mm and 40mm, in a reference frame associated with the primary panel;

-rear diffuser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main panel has an overall shape of "U".

The invention also relates to a body part of a motor vehicle comprising a rear diffuser according to the invention.

Advantageously, the body part is a rear bumper.

Advantageously, the secondary panel is adapted to avoid intrusion of foreign matter between the body component and the main panel.

Advantageously, the sub-panel is not visible from the exterior of the vehicle when the diffuser is in the stowed position.

Drawings

The invention will be better understood by reading the attached drawings, which are provided as examples and are not limitative in any way, wherein:

figure 1 is a cross-sectional view, along a longitudinal plane, of the rear lower end of a motor vehicle comprising a rear diffuser according to the invention, with the diffuser in a deployed position;

figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, along a longitudinal plane, of the rear lower end of a motor vehicle comprising a rear diffuser according to the invention, with the diffuser in the stowed position;

figure 3 is a perspective view of a vehicle bumper comprising a rear diffuser.

Detailed Description

The figures show the rear diffuser in a configuration mounted on a bodywork part of a motor vehicle, more precisely on the rear bumper of a motor vehicle.

In the following, terms such as "longitudinal axis X", "transverse axis Y", "vertical axis Z", "front", "rear", "above", "upper", "below", etc., are understood with reference to the usual direction of the motor vehicle, according to the designations illustrated in fig. 1 and 3.

Fig. 1 and 2 show the rear diffuser 10 mounted on a body part 40 of a vehicle in a sectional view along a plane oriented perpendicularly according to the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle. The diffuser 10 is made of plastic, for example. The body part 40 is here a rear bumper, which is also made of plastic, for example. The diffuser 10 includes a main panel 20 and a secondary panel 30, each of which is movable between a deployed position (shown in fig. 1) and a stowed position (shown in fig. 2) when the rear diffuser 10 is secured to a body member of a vehicle, in this case a rear bumper 40. The secondary panel 30 is connected to the main panel 20 by two guide links 35. The two guide links 35 are each connected to the main panel 20 by a pivot connection which is here located at one end of the guide link 35 and on a projection 22 of the main panel 20, which projection 22 extends from the inner surface 24 of the main panel 20 substantially perpendicularly in the direction of the body part 40.

Thus, the rear diffuser 10 can be moved from the deployed position shown in FIG. 1 to the stowed position shown in FIG. 2.

The body member 40 of the vehicle includes an upper portion 42 and a lower portion 44. An opening 50 is arranged between these two parts of the bumper. In the stowed position, the main panel 20 is placed against the bumper of the vehicle and closes off an opening 50 in the bumper between the upper portion 42 and the lower portion 44. The panel 20 has a recess on its outer surface, here illustrated facing downwards relative to the vertical axis z of the vehicle. Here, the main panel 20 comprises a tongue 27 at its rear end 29. The tongue 27 is optional so that the main panel 20 may be completely free of the tongue.

When the diffuser 10 is in the deployed position, the outer surface of the sub-panel 30 comes into contact with the tongue 27 of the sub-panel 30. In this way, the opening 50 is completely blocked and, due to this contact, no dirt can enter between the sub-panel 30 and the tongue 27.

The contact between the tongue 27 and the sub-panel 30 is optional and it is therefore entirely possible to have a rear diffuser 10 in which the sub-panel 30 and the tongue 27 do not contact.

When the diffuser 10 is in the stowed position (as shown in figure 2), the secondary panel is now stowed, that is, it is retracted from the rear end 29 of the primary panel 20. Thus, the sub-panel is also retracted from the tongue 27. The body part 40 here comprises a shock absorber 46 which forms a beam which can be made, for example, of steel, aluminum or a composite material, which is a structural part of the vehicle. When the sub-panel 30 is stowed, it is stowed behind the shock absorber 46, i.e. towards the front of the vehicle. In this way, it avoids the shock absorber 46. Thus, the space in the vehicle body member 40 is optimized.

The deployment and retraction of the main panel 20 is actuated by a linkage system 26. The system 26 includes a plurality of deployment links 25 that connect the main panel 20 to the body member 40. These links 25 can be either single or double links, i.e. two links are arranged in groups between the body part 40 and the main panel 20. The linkage system 26 may be actuated by an electric motor, pneumatic device, or any other device suitable for the application.

The drive link 37 connects one of the deployment links 25 with one of the guide links 35. The transmission link 37 is fixed at one end thereof to one of the guide links 25 at a connection point 38 by means of a pivotal connection. At its other end, the drive link is fixed to the guide link 35 at a connection point 39 by a pivot connection. The height of the connection point 38 on the deployment link 25 is selected when designing the diffuser to achieve the desired travel for the sub-panel between the deployed and stowed positions. The higher the position of the point 38 on the deployment link 25, the greater the travel of the secondary panel 30 and vice versa. The guide link 35, to which the driving link 37 is fixed, has a right-angled shape and is coupled to the protrusion 22 of the main panel at a right-angled position thereof. The guide link 35 is connected to the sub-panel 30 at one end thereof and to the guide link 37 at the other end thereof. The geometry of the link 35 itself is also selected so as to obtain the desired travel of the sub-panel 30 between its deployed and stowed positions.

Here, the two guide links 25 have the same length between their connection points with the main and secondary panels, but alternatively the length between the two points of one bar may be made different from the length of the other bar, which results in different movements.

When the diffuser 10 is in the stowed position, as shown in fig. 2, the main panel 20 completely closes off the opening in the body member 40 to protect the interior space 70 of the diffuser between the main panel 20 and the body member 40 from various contaminants, such as dirt, snow or dust, or any other foreign matter outside of the vehicle.

Links

25, 35, and 37 and deployment system 26 are also protected. In this position, the sub-panel is completely invisible from the outside of the vehicle on which it is mounted, which is particularly advantageous for the quality perceived by the user.

When the diffuser 10 is in the deployed position, as shown in fig. 1, the main panel 20 is oriented horizontally and no longer alone blocks the opening 50 of the vehicle body component. This time, the secondary panel 30 is oriented almost perpendicular to the primary panel 20. The entirety of the sub-panel 30 and the main panel 20 at least partially blocks the opening 50 of the vehicle body component. The unfolding of the main panel 20 creates three openings: one central opening 50 between the main panel and the body member, and two side openings on either side (along the Y-axis) of the main panel 20. When the diffuser 10 is in the deployed position, the secondary panel 30 blocks the central opening 50. In this position, the interior space 70 of the diffuser is actually larger than when the diffuser 10 is in the stowed position. Since the opening 50 of the bumper is well blocked by the main panel 20 and the sub-panel 30, the inner space 70 is protected from contaminants from the environment outside the vehicle. Advantageously, the main panel 20 may have an overall shape in the form of a "U" which allows it to close off the side opening 50 between the main panel 20 and the bumper when the diffuser 10 is in the deployed position.

In the deployed position, the diffuser 10 is adapted to direct air from the bottom of the vehicle towards the rear of the vehicle and thereby move the air separation point (i.e. the point at which the air no longer follows the vehicle body) rearwardly relative to the vehicle. This allows the depression generated at the rear of the vehicle to be pushed backwards and thus limits the slowing action of this depression on the motor vehicle (known as the "suction action"). Thus, it allows for reduced drag when the diffuser 10 is deployed.

The deployment and stowing of the diffuser 10 of figures 1 and 2 will now be described.

Means (electrical, mechanical, pneumatic or otherwise) not shown in the drawings drive the movement of the deployment link 25 of the main panel deployment system 26. Thus, by deployment of the system 26 using the links 22, the main panel 20 is moved from its stowed position to its deployed position. Thus, thanks to this arrangement of the linkage system 22, a trajectory along a motion combined by a plurality of simultaneous rotations about different axes of rotation is achieved. This trajectory of the main panel allows it to be placed optimally between its stowed position and its deployed position; in its stowed position, the main panel alone fills the opening 50 of the body member 40 to maintain continuity between the lower portion 42 and the upper portion 44 of the body member 40; in its deployed position, the main panel is placed to reduce the "suction effect" on the vehicle. At the same time, a transmission link 37 connected to one of the deployment links 25 transmits the deployment or stow motion to one of the guide links 35, which functions to rotate the guide link 35 relative to the main panel 20. Thus, the guide link 35 brings the movement of the sub panel 30 to be folded or unfolded. Depending on the length of the links and the location of the connection points, these movements may be performed, for example, along a circular trajectory relative to the main panel 20. In fact, the guide link 35 starts to rotate around the connection point with the main panel 20, which brings the sub-panel 30 into motion. Thus, one of guide links 35 is connected to deployment system 26, which allows a single mechanism to be used to initiate the deployment and retraction of the two

panels

20 and 30, which reduces the number of necessary components and simplifies these steps. Mechanically connecting the guide link 35 to the deployment link 25 also ensures good synchronization during deployment and retraction of the two

panels

20 and 30. The connection of the deployment link 25 and the guide link 35 is achieved by means of a transmission link 37, which simplifies the device and contributes to its weight reduction.

Thus, the sub-panel 30 is repositioned to close off the central opening 50 between the upper portion 44 of the vehicle body component and the main panel 20 of the diffuser. In this manner, the interior space 70 of the diffuser is protected from any contaminants that might otherwise enter therein. Thus, dirt such as dirt, snow, dust or other contaminants do not clog the interior space 70 of the diffuser, which could interfere with the stowing of the diffuser.

This particular movement of the sub-panel 30 has a number of advantages. First, the stowing and deployment system of the diffuser 10, i.e., the deployment system 26 of the main panel 20 and the

linkages

25, 35 and 37, are protected from dirt. Thus, the risk of the device getting stuck is greatly reduced. Also, since these mechanical elements are protected from dirt, their wear is also greatly reduced. Secondly, the secondary panel 30 follows a particular trajectory relative to the primary panel 20, which allows the secondary panel 30 to avoid vehicle components present in the environment of the diffuser 10, such as the shock absorbers 46. By having the two guide links 35 of the same length, the secondary panel 30 remains parallel to the tongue 27 of the main panel during movement, which facilitates the integration of the secondary panel 30 in its environment. The amplitude of this stowing and deploying movement of the sub-panel is between 5mm and 100mm, preferably 10mm and 40mm, in the frame of reference associated with the main panel 20. This stored distance is suitable for avoiding components in the environment of the diffuser 10. Preferably, the amplitude is 30 mm. If the connection between the two

panels

20 and 30 is, for example, a rail, the rail may run the risk of getting stuck due to the intrusion of dirt that hinders sliding. This suggestion may be made for all diffusers 10 in which the secondary panel 30 performs a translational movement with respect to the primary panel 20. Finally, the use of a rigid sub-panel 30 that can be painted (in particular with the same tint as the rest of the vehicle) allows to give the diffuser 10 a uniform aesthetic appearance with the rest of the vehicle. In addition, such a rigid panel 30 has a much better fatigue resistance than if for example flexible elements were used.

In the embodiment shown, the two guide links 35 have the same length. This arrangement allows a simple realization of the circular movement of the secondary panel 30 in the reference frame associated with the main panel 20.

The circular trajectory of the secondary panel 30 with respect to the primary panel 20 allows to effectively avoid components present in the environment of the rear diffuser 10, such as the shock absorbers 46. Thus, the sub-panel 30 is stowed by passing from its deployed position to its stowed position.

Alternatively, the two guide links 35 may have different lengths. This arrangement allows the rotation of the sub-panel 30 to be added to its trajectory, which is useful for adapting the trajectory to the components present in the environment of the diffuser 10 (e.g. the damper 46).

Fig. 3 shows the rear diffuser 10 according to the invention mounted on a body part 40 of a vehicle, wherein the diffuser 10 is in a deployed position and no sub-panel 30 is revealed on the diffuser 10. There can be seen an opening 50 which is normally filled by the sub-panel 30, through which dirt could enter the interior space 70 of the diffuser 10 if there were no sub-panel 30.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

For example, a diffuser having a plurality of sub-panels may be provided to best block the opening between the main panel and the upper portion of the vehicle body member.

List of reference numerals:

10: rear diffuser

20: main panel

22: protrusion of main panel

24: inner surface of the main panel

25: unfolding linkage

26: main panel deployment system

27: tongue of main panel

29: rear end of the main panel

30: sub-panel

32: outer surface of the subpanel

35: guide connecting rod

37: transmission connecting rod

38: connection point between a deployment link and a drive link

39: connection point between a drive link and a guide link

40: vehicle body component

42: lower part of vehicle body component

44: upper part of vehicle body component

46: shock absorber

50: opening in a vehicle body component

70: an interior space of the diffuser.

Claims

1. A rear diffuser (10) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that said rear diffuser (10) comprises a main panel (20) and a secondary panel (30) connected to said main panel (20) by at least two guide links (35), said at least two guide links (35) being adapted to move said secondary panel (30) along a movement relative to said main panel (20) according to a longitudinal axis (X) of said vehicle when said diffuser (10) is mounted on a motor vehicle, each of said panels being movable between a deployed position and a stowed position when said diffuser (10) is fixed to a body part (40) of the vehicle; when the body part (40) is fixed on the motor vehicle, the sub-panel is completely invisible from the outside in the stowed position and blocks an opening (50) between the body part and the main panel (20) in the deployed position, the movement of the sub-panel taking place along a movement according to the longitudinal axis (X) of the vehicle.

2. An aft diffuser according to the preceding claim, wherein the movement of the secondary panel (30) between its stowed and deployed positions is along a circular trajectory relative to the main panel (20).

3. The rear diffuser (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein one of said guide links (35) connecting said main panel (20) and said secondary panel (30) is connected to a deployment system (26) of said main panel (20).

4. The rear diffuser (10) of the preceding claim, wherein the deployment system of the main panel comprises at least one deployment link (25).

5. The rear diffuser (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the deployment link (25) of the main panel (20) is mechanically connected to one of the guide links (35), the deployment and retraction of the main panel bringing about the deployment and retraction of the secondary panel.

6. The rear diffuser (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the connection between the deployment link (25) of the main panel (20) and the guide link (35) is achieved by a transmission link (37).

7. The rear diffuser of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two guide links (35) have the same length.

8. The aft diffuser (10) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the two guide links (35) have different lengths.

9. The rear diffuser (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amplitude of movement of the secondary panel (30) between its deployed and stowed positions in a reference frame associated with the primary panel (20) is between 5mm and 100mm, preferably between 10mm and 40 mm.

10. The rear diffuser (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said main panel (20) has an overall shape of "U".

11. A body part (40) of a motor vehicle comprising a rear diffuser (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. The body part according to the preceding claim, which is a rear bumper.

13. The body component according to any one of claims 11 and 12, wherein the secondary panel (30) is adapted to avoid intrusion of foreign matter between the body component and the main panel (20).

14. The vehicle body component of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the sub-panel (30) is not visible from outside the vehicle when the diffuser (10) is in a stowed position.