FR2488207A3 - Vehicle with folding bodywork portions - uses aerodynamically shaped shells at front and rear which can be retracted or deflated to reduce size - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of improving the performance of a vehicle includes attaching aerodynamically shaped portions e.g. at front and rear to the bodywork. These can be retracted or folded up when not required. Nose and tail portions can be added to e.g. a car or van, and then folded up so as to reduce the amount of parking space required. The system can be used also for trains and caravans, and can use bellows members or inflatable portions. The parts can be very light and can act as shock absorbers.

Description

b) The present invention is an accessory which can be on the body
cars;
C) The body shape of vehicles is often defined according to
a compromise between aerodynamics and size.

- When the vehicle is used on a traffic route
dense, where when parked it is desirable that it be
as short as possible.

-When used at high speed, aerodynamic shape
makes more sense, but makes the vehicle more bulky.

Variable shapes can make these two more compatible
constraints.

the vehicle can be a truck, a coach, a car,
a train or a caravan.

d) According to the invention
variable forms can be adapted at the front Variable forms can be adapted at the front at the rear, at the rear,
where both parties depending on the type of vehicle, and
visibility and siting constraints for cooling conduits
engine.

@) Les parties escamotables, avant où arrière sont fixées sur un cadre 1 facilement démontable, pouvant être adaptés sur la carosserie.e) The attached drawing shows the device in the folded and unfolded position

@) The retractable parts, front or rear are fixed on an easily removable frame 1, which can be adapted to the bodywork.

Bellows will allow the structure to fold back and deploy, the shaped mine will be ensured by inflation of the envelope.

The envelope is elastic and transparent to ensure the passage of light from headlights and signal lights as well as rear visibility.

the extreme parts are painted3 and fitted with reflectors to ensure signaling.

At the lower part two bands 4 of rubber surround the envelope at the level of the bumpers and ensuring its protection.

In the case where it is necessary to ensure the cooling of the internal combustion engine, the air ducts which can be folded by bellows provide this function.

At the rear if necessary, the frame is mounted on hinges or fixed on a boot lid to allow the vehicle to be loaded.

 The deployment control of the structures is actuated by the driver, the compressed air will be produced by the compressor supplying the air for the brakes or by an electric compressor and an air reserve bottle.

The gutters are made of a flexible elastic material allowing to keep the initial shape when stopped or at low speed, it will collapse under the effect of the force exerted by the resistance to penetration into the air.

OPERATION:
Folded structures: the vehicle moves in an environment requiring a reduced bulk, the front and rear parts are folded, the bellows and the inflatable arches are folded the transparent parts are pressed against the headlights and on the rear window, the air intake engine cooling is folded over its bellows, the two rubber bands are supported on the front and rear bumpers.

Deployment of structures: circulation becomes fluid, the vehicle will be used at high speed, on the driver's command and preferably at a standstill or at low speed, the compressed air enters the arches the bellows unfold, the part extreme deforms by elasticity as soon as the pressure is sufficient the air supply is cut it will be resumed if the pressure weakens.

On the extreme parts the registration number appears.

additional rear lights can be provided between, streaks on the transparent front part will be provided to channel the light from the projectors.

The cooling air inlet is unfolded and the passage opening reduced in order to limit the harmful effects of this function for aerodynamics, the air supply being increased with speed.

The gutters fold in elasticity under the effect of the strong force exerted by the wind, thus reducing the resistance to penetration into the air.

Folding of structures:
As soon as the environment requires a small footprint, under the action of the driver and preferably when stopped, the hoops
will be deflated and the structures will resume their folded shape
by elasticity of the bellows and the envelope.

BENEFITS :
Advantageous aerodynamics especially at the rear with the possibility of adopting long and slippery shapes.

The folding parts can be very light.

Low sensitivity to scratches and small shocks which affect aerodynamic and bulky vehicles.

Reduced weight of folding structures.

Possibility of moving them from one vehicle to another (last wagon of a train for example.)

Claims (1)

CLAIMS I Variable aerodynamic forms characterized by the fact that they can be used in two positions: - Folded position to reduce the bulk of the vehicle 'Unfolded position to improve aerodynamics 2 Variable aerodynamic forms characterized according to Claim I by the fact that this accessory can be removed from the vehicle. 3 Variable aerodynamic shapes characterized according to the  claim 2 by the fact that they can be unfolded  through bellows and joints or between  swollen