GB2221430A - Aerodynamic tractor-trailer roof air deflector - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerodynamic element which can be fitted to the roof of a commercial vehicle cab to connect the cab aerodynamically to the trailer comprises a front, roof section 18, and a bridging section 28 of inverted U-shape, aligned with side deflectors 34 extending back from the cab sides. The element is supported by a pair of substantially horizontal arms (22) connected centrally to the uprights (20) and at the front to the aerodynamic element (18), and supporting at the rear the auxiliary aerodynamic element (28). <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to an aerodynamic element which can be fitted to the roof of a commercial vehicle cab to connect the cab aerodynamically to the trailer, of the type including a pair of uprights which are adapted to connect the rear of the element to the structure of the vehicle.

These aerodynamic elements are substantially flat and inclined so as to connect the front part of the cab to the flat top of the trailer, and also have triangular side walls which are adapted to connect the upper surface of the aerodynamic element to the sides of the cab.

In order further to reduce the aerodynamic resistance of commercial vehicles with trailers, to the benefit of lower consumption, vertical aerodynamic elements have been produced which are adapted to be connected to the structure of the cab to the rear of the sides of the cab itself, so as to connect them to the side walls of the trailer.

The object of the present invention is to provide an aerodynamic element which enables the cab of the vehicle and its sides to be connected uniformly to the trailer in a simple and economical manner.

This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the aerodynamic element has a pair of substantially horizontal arms connected centrally to the uprights and at the front to the aerodynamic element, and supporting at the rear an auxiliary aerodynamic element which has essentially an inverted U-shape and is connected to the aerodynamic element so as to afford effective continuity between the latter and vertical aerodynamic elements situated to the rear of the sides of the cab.

By virtue of these characteristics, turbulence is not created between the cab of the tractor and the trailer connected thereto, providing greater aerodynamic efficiency.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the cab of a tractor of a commercial vehicle provided with an aerodynamic element according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side view taken on the arrow II of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a section taken on the line III-III of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a view taken on the arrow IV of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a section taken on the line V-V of Figure 3.

With reference to the drawings, a cab of a tractor of a commercial vehicle is generally indicated 10 and has a roof 12 and sides 14.

The front of an aerodynamic element 18 of known type, having an upper wall 18a and subsantially triangular side walls 18b, is hinged to the roof 12 of the cab 10 at 16. The aerodynamic element 18, which is normally made of glass-fibre-reinforced resin, is connected at the rear to the structure of the cab or the tractor by means of a pair of adjustable uprights 20 so that the inclination of the aerodynamic element can be varied in dependence on the height of the trailer to be towed.

According to the present invention, the central portions 22a of substantially horizontal arms 22 are bolted to ends 20a of the uprights 20, each arm having a first end 22b connected at 24 to the upper wall 18a of the aerodynamic element 18 and a second end 22c connected at 26 to an auxiliary aerodynamic element 28 having essentially an inverted U-shape.

The connection at 24 between the arms 22 and the aerodynamic element 18 is achieved by means of bolts 30, whilst the connection at 26 between the arms themselves and the auxiliary aerodynamic element 28 is achieved by resin-bonding of the arms 22, which are constituted by metal angle sections, to the auxiliary aerodynamic element 28 which is made from glass-fibre-reinforced resin. The latter also has a front edge 28b which is riveted at 32 to the rear edge of the aerodynamic element 18, so as to create a one-piece "spoiler" formed by the aerodynamic element 18 and the auxiliary aerodynamic element 28.

As can clearly be seen in Figure 1, the auxiliary aerodynamic element 28 has two side portions 28c which are connected to vertical aerodynamic elements 34 of known type, situated behind the sides 14 of the cab.

The auxiliary aerodynamic element 28 thus enables the cab 10 to be connected to the trailer, indicated by the reference R in Figure 1.

Naturally, it is understood that the scope of the present invention extends to models which achieve equal utility by means of the same innovative concept.

Claims (2)

1. An aerodynamic element which can be fitted to the roof of a commercial vehicle cab to connect the cab aerodynamically to the trailer, of the type comprising a pair of uprights which are adapted to connect the rear of the element to the structure of the vehicle, characterised in that it has a pair of substantially horizontal arms connected centrally to the uprights (20) and at the front to the aerodynamic element (18), and supporting at the rear an auxiliary aerodynamic element (28) which has essentially an inverted-U shape and is connected to the aerodynamic element (18) so as to afford effective continuity between the latter and vertical aerodynamic elements (34) situated to the rear of the sides (14) of the cab (10).

2. An aerodynamic element substantially as described and illustrated and for the purposes specified.