GB2135941A

GB2135941A - Improving motor vehicle road holding

Info

Publication number: GB2135941A
Application number: GB08305613A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stevens John Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-03-01
Filing date: 1983-03-01
Publication date: 1984-09-12
Also published as: GB2135941B; GB8305613D0

Abstract

The under-side of the vehicle body (1) adjacent the ground is dished to define at least one recess (4,5,6) which draws the body downwardly by aerodynamic effects. There may be a single row of recesses, or recesses may be provided side by side. The vehicle may be a racing car, or a sports or saloon car. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Motor vehicle This invention relates to motor vehicles and more especially but not exclusively it relates to racing cars.

One of the characteristics associated with motor vehicles in general, and racing cars in particular which it is always desirable to improve, is road holding.

It is well known that if road holding can be improved, safe cornering speeds can be increased and performance can be improved correspondingly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a motor vehicle which affords road holding.

According to the present invention a motor vehicle comprises a body construction in which the underside of the body adjacent the ground is dished to define at least one recess.

The body may be a monocoque construction.

Preferably, the motor vehicle is a racing car but it may also be another type of motor vehicle such for example as a sports car or a family car.

There may be provided two or more adjacent dished recesses arranged along the underside of the body in a row or in parallel.

The body may be formed without wheel recesses for accommodating wheels. Thus the body will not then need wings for accommodating the wheels.

The body may be fabricated from steel, aluminium, fibre-glass or other material.

By providing a recess or recesses beneath a car, a vacuum is created at speed in and around the recesses which draws the car down and affords improved road holding.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a racing car; Figure 2 is a plan view from the beneath the racing carshown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a plan view from beneath a family car.

Referring now to Figure 1,the racing carcompris- es a body 1 having front wheels 2 and rear wheels 3.

The underside of the body 1 is dished to define recesses 4, 5 and 6 as shown most clearly in Figure 1.

The underside of the rear of the body 1 is cut away to define an open ended recess 7. In operation of the car shown in Figures 1 or 2, at speed, air passing beneath the car creates a vacuum in the region of the recesses 4,5,6 and 7 and so the body 1 is drawn down towards the ground so as to provide improved road holding. Since the road holding is significantly improved, no wings or recesses for the wheels 2 and 3 are required. Manufacturing materials and weight are thus saved. The saving in weight may lead to improved fuel consumption.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a plan view from beneath of a family car 10 having wheels 12 and rear wheels 13. The family car 10 can have the performance of its engine 14 increased by any known means so that the car is suitable for rally driving or the like. The drive from the engine 14 is to the rear wheels 13 by means of a propellor shaft 15.

Because of the shaft 15, the recesses 16,17 are positioned in parallel and one on either side of the shaft 15 rather than in a row as shown in Figure 2.

Various modifications may be made to the arrangements shown without departing from the scope of the invention and for example recesses of a different shape may be provided.

CLAIMS (Filed on 13 Dec 1983) 1. A motor vehicle comprising a body construction in which the under-side of the body adjacent the ground is dished to define at least one recess.

2. A motor vehicle according to claim 1 in which the body is a monocoque construction.

3. A motor vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which there is provided two or more adjacent dished recesses arranged along the underside of the body in a row or in parallei.

4. A motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the body is formed without wheel recesses for accommodating wheels.

5. A motor vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Motor vehicle This invention relates to motor vehicles and more especially but not exclusively it relates to racing cars. One of the characteristics associated with motor vehicles in general, and racing cars in particular which it is always desirable to improve, is road holding. It is well known that if road holding can be improved, safe cornering speeds can be increased and performance can be improved correspondingly. It is an object of the present invention to provide a motor vehicle which affords road holding. According to the present invention a motor vehicle comprises a body construction in which the underside of the body adjacent the ground is dished to define at least one recess. The body may be a monocoque construction. Preferably, the motor vehicle is a racing car but it may also be another type of motor vehicle such for example as a sports car or a family car. There may be provided two or more adjacent dished recesses arranged along the underside of the body in a row or in parallel. The body may be formed without wheel recesses for accommodating wheels. Thus the body will not then need wings for accommodating the wheels. The body may be fabricated from steel, aluminium, fibre-glass or other material. By providing a recess or recesses beneath a car, a vacuum is created at speed in and around the recesses which draws the car down and affords improved road holding. Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a racing car; Figure 2 is a plan view from the beneath the racing carshown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a plan view from beneath a family car. Referring now to Figure 1,the racing carcompris- es a body 1 having front wheels 2 and rear wheels 3. The underside of the body 1 is dished to define recesses 4, 5 and 6 as shown most clearly in Figure 1. The underside of the rear of the body 1 is cut away to define an open ended recess 7. In operation of the car shown in Figures 1 or 2, at speed, air passing beneath the car creates a vacuum in the region of the recesses 4,5,6 and 7 and so the body 1 is drawn down towards the ground so as to provide improved road holding. Since the road holding is significantly improved, no wings or recesses for the wheels 2 and 3 are required. Manufacturing materials and weight are thus saved. The saving in weight may lead to improved fuel consumption. Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a plan view from beneath of a family car 10 having wheels 12 and rear wheels 13. The family car 10 can have the performance of its engine 14 increased by any known means so that the car is suitable for rally driving or the like. The drive from the engine 14 is to the rear wheels 13 by means of a propellor shaft 15. Because of the shaft 15, the recesses 16,17 are positioned in parallel and one on either side of the shaft 15 rather than in a row as shown in Figure 2. Various modifications may be made to the arrangements shown without departing from the scope of the invention and for example recesses of a different shape may be provided. CLAIMS (Filed on 13 Dec 1983)

1. A motor vehicle comprising a body construction in which the under-side of the body adjacent the ground is dished to define at least one recess.