GB2235419A

GB2235419A - Movable spoiler mechanism for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2235419A
Application number: GB8919388A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Walker
Original assignee: Rover Co Ltd; MG Rover Group Ltd
Current assignee: Rover Co Ltd; MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date: 1989-08-25
Filing date: 1989-08-25
Publication date: 1991-03-06
Also published as: GB8919388D0

Abstract

The mechanism (1) includes a spoiler (2) positionable at the forward end of the vehicle under an air intake (7) and pivotable about 8 between a first retracted position and a second deployed position. A baffle (3), which in the embodiment shown is integral with 2, is adjustable in response to spoiler movement to increase or decrease the area of the air intake (7), wherein upon deployment of the spoiler (2) at higher vehicle speeds the baffle (3) adjusts to reduce the air intake area and upon retraction of the spoiler (2) the baffle (3) adjusts to increase the air intake area. <IMAGE>

Description

MOVABLE SPOILER MECHANISM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE This invention relates to movable spoiler mechanisms for motor vehicles.

Spoilers for motor vehicles are well known, particularly at the forward end of the vehicle, to project downwardly into the airstream and deflect air which would otherwise pass under the vehicle around the sides of the vehicle. A mechanism to make such a spoiler movable enables same to be deployed to a position near to the ground for maximum effect at speed but to be raised to a higher position to avoid obstacles, eg kerbs, during low speed manoeuvring.

It is known from UK patent 2 108 063 to provide a motor vehicle with a movable lower apron at the forward end of the vehicle which, upon being raised at low speeds decreases the area of the air intake and upon being lowered at higher speeds increases the air intake area. This arrangement has the disadvantage that at higher speeds, when the airspeed relative to the vehicle is greater, the air intake area is actually larger thus admitting an amount of air to the engine compartment in excess of requirements and causing unnecessary aerodynamic drag on the vehicle.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome this and other disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a movable spoiler mechanism for a motor vehicle, the mechanism including a spoiler positionable at the forward end of the vehicle under an air intake and movable between a first retracted position and a second deployed position and a baffle adjustable in response to spoiler movement to increase or decrease the area of the air intake, wherein upon deployment of the spoiler the baffle adjusts to reduce the air intake area and upon retraction of the spoiler the baffle adjusts to increase the air intake area.

The invention thus provides a means whereby, upon deployment of the spoiler at higher vehicle speeds, the area of the air intake is reduced by the baffle to reduce the intake of air into the engine compartment and hence improve airflow past the vehicle.

The baffle preferably forms at least part of a surround for the air intake. In this way construction is simplified.

The baffle may form at least part of a lower leading edge of the vehicle bodywork, again simplifying construction.

Where the spoiler and air intake for the vehicle are sufficiently close to one another the spoiler and baffle may be integral with each other. Operation is thus simplified.

The spoiler and baffle may be pivoted about one or more horizontal axes parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle.

The mechanism desirably includes means to sense the speed of the vehicle, means to move the spoiler and baffle to pre-determined positions and means to control said movement according to the sensed speed wherein adjustment of the spoiler and baffle are automatically carried out.

The control means is preferably set to initiate movement of the spoiler and baffle at pre-determined threshold speeds, whereby for example below a given speed, say 50 m.p.h., the spoiler remains retracted and, once deployed, the spoiler will remain so until the speed is reduced below a further given speed, say 30 m.p.h.

The spoiler is preferably urged to deploy by a spring in which case if the spoiler is struck by an object it will be allowed to retract in order to avoid or minimise damage.

The present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing of which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the forward end of a vehicle fitted with a spoiler mechanism according to one aspect of the invention, with the spoiler shown retracted, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the forward end of a vehicle fitted with a spoiler mechanism according to a second aspect of the invention, with the spoiler shown deployed, Figure 3 is a vertical sectional detail taken along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 1, Figure 4 shows the spoiler of Figure 3 deployed, and Figure 5 is a vertical sectional detail taken along the line V-V of Figure 2 but with the spoiler retracted Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle of Figure 1 includes a spoiler mechanism 1 having a spoiler 2 and a baffle 3 which forms a movable part 4 of a lower edge 5 of the bodywork. In Figure 2 the baffle 3 lies behind a fixed lower edge 6 of the bodywork. The spoiler mechanism 1 lies beneath an air intake 7 for the vehicle which leads into the engine compartment (not shown).

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the spoiler 2 and baffle 3 are integral with one another and are both pivoted about an axis 8 parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle. The spoiler 2 is urged into deployment by first means to move the spoiler and baffle in the form of a strong spring 9, the amount of deployment being limited by limit stop 10. The spoiler is retracted, against the spring tension by second means in the form of a hydraulic ram 11, to move the spoiler and baffle. From Figure 3 it will be seen that the baffle 3, when the spoiler is retracted, lies flush with the lower edge 5 of the bodywork.

Referring to Figure 5, the baffle 3 is shown positioned behind the fixed lower edge 6 of the bodywork. The integral spoiler and baffle 2, 3 is also shown in ghost with the spoiler deployed.

In use, and with the spoiler initially retracted, when the vehicle first attains a speed of 50 m.p.h., a speed sensor (not shown) sending a continuous signal to control means again not shown) triggers the preset control means to initiate deployment of the spoiler at this speed. The ram 11 is thus allowed by the control means to progressively shorten until the spoiler 3 has deployed to the desired extent.

Once the vehicle speed drops below 30 m.p.h. the control means is again triggered to initiate extension of the ram 11 to retract the spoiler 2. It will be noted that when the spoiler 2 is retracted, at lower speeds, the area of the air intake 7 is greatest owing to the baffle 3 being positioned so as not to obstruct the air passing through the intake and to allow the greatest possible quantity of air to flow into the engine compartment at that speed. At speeds above 30 m.p.h. however, once the threshold speed of 50 m.p.h. has been attained, the baffle 3 will be raised from its prone position as shown in Figures 3 and 5 and the effective area of the air intake 7 will be decreased to restrict passage of air into the engine compartment and thus improve airflow around the vehicle.

It will be appreciated that the spoiler may be deployed by any desired amount, whether dependant upon vehicle speed or whether controlled manually or according to some other criterion, such as air pressure on the front of the vehicle.

It will thus be seen that the invention provides a means simply and effectively to control airflow both through and around the vehicle.

Claims

1. A movable spoiler mechanism for a motor vehicle, the mechanism including a spoiler positionable at the forward end of the vehicle under an air intake and movable between a first retracted position and a second deployed position and a baffle adjustable in response to spoiler movement to increase or decrease the area of the air intake, wherein upon deployment of the spoiler the baffle adjusts to reduce the air intake area and upon retraction of the spoiler the baffle adjusts to increase the air intake area.

2. A movable spoiler mechanism as in claim 1, in which the baffle forms at least part of a surround for the air intake.

3. A movable spoiler mechanism as in claim 2, in which the baffle forms at least part of a lower leading edge of the vehicle bodywork.

4. A movable spoiler mechanism as in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the spoiler and baffle are integral with each other.

5. A movable spoiler mechanism as in claim 4, in which the spoiler and baffle are pivoted about a horizontal axis parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle.

6. A movable spoiler mechanism as in any of the preceding claims, including means to sense the speed of the vehicle, means to move the spoiler and baffle to pre-determined positions and means to control said movement according to the sensed speed.

7. A movable spoiler mechanism as in claim 6, in which the control means is set to initiate movement of the spoiler and baffle at pre-determined threshold speeds.

8. A movable spoiler mechanism as in any of the preceding claims, in which the spoiler is urged to deploy by a spring.

9. A movable spoiler mechanism substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

10. A motor vehicle incorporating a spoiler mechanism as in any of the preceding claims.