GB2252619A

GB2252619A - Vehicle air deflector

Info

Publication number: GB2252619A
Application number: GB9102427A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Samuel Bath; Anthony John Hubball
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-02-05
Filing date: 1991-02-05
Publication date: 1992-08-12
Also published as: GB9102427D0

Abstract

A vehicle air deflector for use at a window of a moving vehicle deflects air into the interior of the vehicle to enhance ventilation for passengers in the vehicle. The deflector, which may be mounted on the vehicle body or on the window pane (15) has a first blade-like part (8) which deflects air into the window opening and may have a second blade-like part (9) which deflects air upwardly away from the rear of the window opening with the object of refusing draught and noise from termination of air at the open window. The blade-like pants (8, 9) may be generally flat with upturned edge portions (12, 12) or have helically turned over portions (Fig. 4) to deflect the air. The blade-like parts may have grooves or flutes (22, Fig. 2) to channel air flowing over them. One blade part (20, Fig. 3) may pivot about a fixed blade pan to modify the air flow direction. The blade-like parts (8, 9) are preferably formed from transparent plastics material. <IMAGE>

Description

VEHICLE AIR DEFLECTOR This invention relates to a vehicle air deflector, more particularly a deflector for use at a window of a motor vehicle for deflecting air at the exterior of the vehicle when the window is open and the vehicle is in motion.

Most vehicles have ventilation and heating controls for adjusting air flow and temperature conditions in the seating compartment without the need for a window to be opened, but there are drivers and passengers who like to have a side window at least partially open, and there are weather conditions, as on a hot day, when it is desirable to have a side window open.

When a side window of a vehicle is partially open and the vehicle is in motion the turbulence of air at the window opening, more especially towards the rear of the window, can create draughts around the head of an occupant or occupants of the vehicle, and also cause noise, which can be uncomfortable for the occupant or occupants and give rise to some annoyance. The noise level tends to increase the smaller the extent to which the window is opened, so that reducing the opening of the window to reduce draughts increases the noise level from the air turbulence.

The present invention aims to reduce this problem.

According to one aspect of the invention, therefore, a vehicle air deflector is provided which is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle adjacent to a side window thereof, and comprises a blade-like part which is arranged to extend substantially alongside and project outwardly from an upper edge of the side window pane, and is shaped such that when the vehicle is in forward motion that part causes air to be deflected outwardly away from the upper rear corner region of the window opening.

The outward deflection of the air from the rear corner region of the window opening has the two-fold effect of reducing draught and noise from turbulence of the air when the side window is open.

In one form the blade-like part may be essentially flat with an upwardly turned edge portion which deflects the air outwardly. In another form the part may be of an aerofoil shape at least in part, or be partially rolled over, to deflect the air from the upper rear corner of the window opening. Additionally, or alternatively, the part may be ribbed, fluted or similarly configured longitudinally relative to the upper edge of the side window pane to define one or more channels along the part which guides air outwardly away from the upper rear corner of the window opening as it passes over the part. The blade-like part may take other suitable forms, including forms which could produce air currents which themselves create a shielding or deflecting effect against entry of air into the window opening.

The deflector may be adapted to be mounted on the side window pane, for example by means of a mounting which clips over the upper edge of the pane or is secured by screws or rivets to the pane. When the deflector is adapted to be mounted on the pane it is desirable that it is so mounted in such a manner that it allows the pane to close the window opening fully.

The deflector may be detachable from the window pane when the window is to be closed. In another arrangement the deflector may be adapted to be mounted on the side window frame, eg. on the door if the window is in a door, or other suitable support on the vehicle.

The blade-like part may be adjustable on a mounting to vary the angle at which it is presented lengthwise of the upper edge of the side window pane, and/or the angle at which it projects outwardly away from the pane.

Another problem often experienced when a side window of a vehicle is opened for ventilation purposes is that the person sitting next to the window receives limited benefit from it. Most of the incoming air flows past the window side of that person and little of the air passes across the front of him where it would be most effective if, for example, he is feeling hot or drowsy and would like a cooling or refreshing air flow on his face.

With the aim of dealing with this problem, according to another aspect the present invention consists in a vehicle air deflector which is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle adjacent to a side window thereof, and comprises a blade-like part which is arranged to extend substantially alongside and project outwardly from a forward edge of the side window pane, and is shaped such that when the vehicle is in forward motion that part causes air to be deflected transversely inwardly of the vehicle through the forward region of the window opening.

Air is thus caused to be deflected across the front of a person sitting next to the window, and that person has the benefit of the deflected air.

The blade-like part may be essentially flat and be so angled with respect to the window opening when the deflector is in position for use as to cause the air to be deflected as required. It may have an upturned edge portion to assist in the inward deflection of the air.

As an alternative the part may be of an aerofoil shape at least in part, or be partially rolled over, to deflect the air inwardly. Additionally or alternatively, the part may be ribbed, fluted or similarly configured to define one or more channels which guide air inwardly of the window opening as it passes over the part.

The deflector according to this other aspect of the invention may be adapted to be mounted on the side window pane, for example by means of a mounting which clips over the edge of the pane or is secured by screws or rivets to the pane. Alternatively the deflector may be adapted to be mounted on the side window frame, ie.

on the door if the window is in a door, or possibly on the body of the vehicle.

The blade-like part may be adjustable on a mounting to vary the angle at which it is presented relative to the window opening, thereby to adjust the direction in which the air is deflected into the vehicle.

The deflectors of the two aspects of the invention set forth may be used together. They may be combined in a single piece of equipment.

Thus according to yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle air deflector which is adapted to be mounting on a vehicle adjacent to a side window thereof, and comprises first and second blade-like parts respectively arranged to extend substantially alongside and project outwardly from an upper edge and a forward edge of the side window pane, the blade-like parts being shaped such that when the vehicle is in forward motion the first said part causes air to be deflected outwardly away from the upper rear corner region of the window opening, and the second said part causes air to be deflected transversely inwardly of the vehicle through the forward region of the window opening.

The two blade-like parts may be separate elements of the deflector or they may be portions of just one element formed to provide the two blade-like parts. In either arrangement the parts may be carried by a mounting which is adapted to be fitted and retained to the window pane or window frame.

The or each blade-like part of the deflector in accordance with the aspects of the invention set forth may be made of a substantially rigid plastics material, preferably a transparent plastics material, or of metal, conveniently sheet metal such as mild steel.

Other suitable materials may be used, including possibly materials that are more flexible or malleable than those mentioned.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a vehicle air deflector in accordance with the present invention, shown fitted to a vehicle side window for use; Figures 2 and 3 are plan views of another vehicle air deflector in accordance with the invention in alternative conditions for use; and Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a further air deflector according to the invention, also shown fitted to a vehicle side window for use.

Referring to Figure 1, the vehicle air deflector shown comprises a mounting 1 and a blade element 2.

The mounting l comprises a base 3 and an arm 4 connected for friction-held, swivelling adjustment on the base in a manner well known in vehicle exterior rear view mirrors. Fixed to the base 3 is a clip 5 which is arranged to be positioned in the space between an edge of an open window pane of a vehicle and the adjacent section of the window frame to hold the deflector in position at the window for use. A lower portion 6 of the clip 5 of inverted channel form straddles the edge of. the window pane, and a parallel turned-over upper portion 7 of the clip locates in the usual pane-receiving channel of the window frame.The blade element 2 is made of sheet metal or plastics and has a major rectangular forward part 8, spaced from one longer side of which is the clip 5, and a minor almost rectangular rearward part 9 at one end of the major part extending lengthwise of that end and inclined transversely upwardly and rearwardly away from the forward part. The forward part 8 extends longitudinally transversely of the arm 4, to which it is connected for angular adjustment by a screw 10 engaged in a central transverse slot 11 in the forward part and tightened into a threaded hole, not shown, in the arm.

An upwardly-inclined flange 12 extends along the longer side of the forward part remote from the clip, and an upwardly-inclined flange 13 extending along the adjacent shorter side of the rearward part of the blade element is inclined inwardly away from the forward part. The upward inclination of the rearward part away from the forward part reduces towards its flange 13.

Figure 1 shows the deflector mounted for use on the open pane 14 of the window of the driver's door of a vehicle. It is mounted, by the clip 5, towards the top of the inclined front edge 15 of the window pane so that the forward part of the blade element is generally parallel to that edge, and the rearward part of the blade element is adjacent to and projects just above the level of the upper edge of the pane.

When the vehicle is moving forwards and the window is open to a small extent for ventilation the forward part 8 causes air to be deflected into the vehicle past the front edge of the pane to flow across the front of the driver for ventilation and cooling purposes. The combined effect of the rearward part 9 and its flange 13, on the other hand, is to direct air away from the gap above the window pane to reduce turbulence at the rear upper corner of the window opening, and thereby reduce noise and draught from that part of the open window.

The angle at which the blade element is disposed relative to the window can be varied by adjustment of the arm on the base, and its distance from the pane can be adjusted by means of the screw 10, to set the blade in the most suitable position for the driver's needs.

In the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 the deflector has a blade element 16 and a mounting 17. The mounting 17 may be similar to that of the embodiment just described, or be a bracket which attaches to the window pane. The blade element 16 has an elongate fixed part 18 fixed to the mounting, a base 19 of the mounting projecting from one side of the fixed part, and a shorter adjustable part 20 connected by a screw 21 to a forward end portion of the fixed part.

Upper surfaces of the two parts 19, 20 have grooves or flutes 22, 22'. The grooves or flutes 22 of the fixed part 18 extend longitudinally of the part, parallel to its longitudinal sides except towards its rearward end, remote from the adjustable part 19, where they veer towards the one longitudinal side remote from the base 19 of the mounting 17. The grooves or flutes 22' of the adjustable part 19 continue straight along the part from one square end 23 of the part to the opposite oblique end 24 and are similarly spaced and configured to those of the fixed part. In one angular position, Figure 2, of the adjustable part 20 its grooves or flutes 22' align with and are superimposed on those of the fixed part.The adjustable part 20 can be turned from that position, when the screw 21 is slackened, to other angularly adjusted positions in which it and its grooves or flutes 22' extend transversely of the fixed part, as shown, for example, in Figure 3. The two parts of the deflector may conveniently be made of a plastics, preferably transparent, material.

For use the deflector is fitted in a similar position to the deflector of the first described embodiment on the window pane of a vehicle, for example at the driver's door, with the rearward end of the fixed part 18 being adjacent to and projecting just above the level of the upper edge of the pane. If the adjustable part 19 is set in the position shown in Figure 2 then, when the vehicle is moving forwards and the window is open to a small extent, the deflector and the grooves or flutes 22, 22' direct air away from the gap above the window pane to reduce turbulence at the rear upper corner of the window opening, and so reduce noise and draught at that part of the open window.

By turning the adjustable part to extend transversely of the fixed part, as in Figure 3, the fixed part and its grooves or flutes channel air into the vehicle through the front of the window opening when the vehicle is moving forwards so as to provide ventilation, and cooling air, across the front of the person sitting next to the window. Some variation in the direction of the air flow into the vehicle from the adjustable part can be obtained by adjustment of the angle at which that part is set relative to the fixed part about the screw 21.

Referring now to Figure 4 of the drawings, the deflector shown is designed to be fitted to the window of the driver's door of a vehicle. It has a mounting with clips 23 which attach over the top and forward edges of the window pane, and a blade 24 which is shaped longitudinally generally to follow the contour of the upper forward edge and front portion of the top edge of the window pane. End sections of the blade are partially helically turned over upwardly into oppositely rolled portions 25, 26 which extend from its central region towards its opposite ends. The clips 23 are adjacent to one longitudinal side of the blade.

When the deflector is attached by the clips to the window pane the blade extends generally alongside the top and forward edges of the pane and projects laterally outwards from those edges. One rolled portion 25 extending towards a forward end of the blade is rolled over towards the side of the blade at which the clips 23 are provided and has a part 27 which is turned right over onto the central region of the blade. The upper surface of that part 27 forms a forward extension of the other rolled portion 26 extending towards the rearward end of the blade.

The blade 25 may be formed as a moulding of plastics material, preferably transparent which may be rigid or have some flexibility.

For use the deflector is attached, as shown, with the forward rolled portion 25 of the blade adjacent to the forward edge of the window pane, and the rearward rolled portion 26 adjacent to the top edge of the pane. The forward rolled portion 25 rolls over towards the window opening, and the rearward rolled portion 26 rolls over away from the opening. With the window partially open as shown in Figure 4 and the vehicle travelling forwards the forward rolled portion causes air to be deflected through the front of the window opening across the front of the driver for ventilation and cooling, whereas the rearward rolled portion 26 causes air to be deflected outwards away from the gap above the window pane, thereby reducing turbulence at the rear upper corner of the window opening, and reducing the noise and draught at that part of the window opening.

It will be understood that suitably modified versions of the deflectors described may be provided for fitting at vehicle windows other than that in the driver's door.

The clips of the last described embodiment allow the window to be fully closed without the need for detaching the deflector from the pane. The other two embodiments may similarly have mountings which allow the window to be closed without removal of the deflectors.

Claims

1. A vehicle air deflector adapted to be mounted on a vehicle adjacent a side window thereof, and which comprises a blade-like part which is arranged to extend substantially alongside and project outwardly from a forward edge of the side window pane and which is shaped such that when the vehicle is in forward motion that part causes air to be deflected transversely inwardly of the vehicle through the forward region of the window opening.

2. A vehicle air deflector according to claim 1 which further comprises a second blade-like part which is shaped such that when the vehicle is in forward motion it causes air to be deflected outwardly away from the upper rear corner of the window opening.

3. A vehicle air deflector according to claim 2 in which the two blade-like parts are separate elements.

4. A vehicle air deflector according to claim 2 in which the two blade-like parts are portions of a single element formed to provide two blade-like parts.

5. A vehicle air deflector according to any preceding claim, in which the or at least one blade-like part is essentially flat and is so angled with respect to the window opening when the deflector is in position for use as to cause the air to be deflected as required.

6. A vehicle air deflector according to any preceding claim in which the or at least one blade-like part has an upturned edge portion to assist the required deflection of the air.

7. A vehicle air deflector according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the or at least one blade-like part is at least in part of aerofoil shape or is partially rolled over to deflect the air as required.

8. A vehicle air deflector according to any preceding claim in which the or at least one blade-like part has ribs, flutes, or other formations which form one or more channels which guide air in the required direction as it passes over the blade-like part.

9. A vehicle air deflector according to any one of claim 1 to 8 in which the or at least one blade-like part is shaped to create air currents which themselves create a skidding or deflecting effect against entry of air into the window opening.

10. A vehicle air deflector according to any preceding claim adapted for mounting on the side window pane.

11. A vehicle air deflector according to any one of claims 1 to 9 adapted for mounting on the side window frame or on the body of the vehicle.

12. A vehicle air deflector according to any preceding claim in which the or at least one blade-like part is adjustably fixed to a mounting such that the angle at which it is presented to the window opening can be adjusted to adjust the direction at which air is deflected relative to the vehicle.

13. A vehicle air deflector according to any preceding claim in which the or at least one blade-like part is made from transparent plastics material.

14. A vehicle air deflector substantially as described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A vehicle air deflector substantially as described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A vehicle air deflector substantially as described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.