GB2342627A

GB2342627A - An adjustable spoiler

Info

Publication number: GB2342627A
Application number: GB9923224A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Caie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-10-03
Filing date: 1999-10-04
Publication date: 2000-04-19
Also published as: GB9821448D0; GB9923224D0

Abstract

A spoiler flap (10) consists of two sections (10L, 10R) which are independently attached at a leading edge (4) to a pivot point (5) on a vehicle roof (1). Each of the spoiler portions (10L, 10R) is respectively connected to separate pistons (12L, 12R) which are operable to raise and lower the spoiler portions (10L, 10R) independently of each other so that each of the spoiler portions (10L, 10R) can apply a different force to the vehicle roof.

Description

"spoiler" This invention relates to a spoiler used for vehicles.

Conventional spoilers normally comprise a flap attached to the vehicle, usually at the back, and generally change the air flow around the vehicle so as to create a downward force to increase wheel traction, stability and safety of the vehicle at high speeds.

Certain types of adjustable spoilers achieve this by having a flap pivotally attached to the vehicle so that its angle in relation to the vehicle can be changed in order to vary the extent of downward force exerted on the spoiler by high speed air flow. One such spoiler is disclosed in W097/32770.

According to the present invention there is provided a spoiler means for attachment to a vehicle, capable of applying different forces to different portions of the vehicle.

The spoiler of the invention preferably comprises a flap which is adapted to be pivotally connected to the vehicle, and one or more pistons or other such means capable of moving the flap in relation to the vehicle.

There is preferably more than one piston provided, so that one end of the flap can be raised above the other end in order to apply different forces to respective ends of the flap, and thereby to the respective sides of the vehicle, when the vehicle is moving at speed.

The spoiler flap can optionally be split or hinged or loosely connected in two or more parts at one or more places so that respective parts of the spoiler flap can move independently of each other.

The spoiler is preferably attached to the rear of the vehicle, but can be attached to the front or, in another preferred embodiment, can be attached near to the longitudinal centre of gravity.

The movable sections of the spoiler preferably extend to the outermost edges of the vehicle.

The invention also provides a vehicle having such a spoiler. In one embodiment of the vehicle, the spoiler can be provided by two or more completely independent spoiler flaps, separately pivotable in relation to each other and the vehicle, and operated by independent pistons or other mechanical devices.

The invention allows the differential operation of the two ends of the spoiler (s) on a vehicle so that when cornering, more downward force can be applied to the inward side of the vehicle so as to increase wheel traction only on the inner side where it is needed most, and to reduce the tendency of the vehicle to roll to its outward side when cornering at high speed.

The piston used to move the spoiler flap can be substituted by an electric stepper motor or other such device capable of moving the flap usually about the pivot point. The amount and rate of deflection of each portion of the spoiler (or of each spoiler in the preferred embodiment of the vehicle) is preferably determined by a controller which may relate parameters such as vehicle speed, rate and/or extent of turning the steering wheel and tendency of the vehicle to roll, to the extent of deflection of the spoiler. The controller may be an electronic controller.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a spoiler; Fig. 2 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a spoiler; and Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the first embodiment of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, a vehicle roof 1 has a pivot point at bracket 5, to which is attached one end of a spoiler flap 10. The spoiler flap 10 is supported near its other end by one end of a piston 12. The other end of the piston 12 is attached to a second pivot point 15 on the roof 1. Pivot points 5 and 15 are spaced from one another along the roof. Extension and contraction of the piston 12 pivots the spoiler 10 around pivot point 5 in a cantilever action.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment, where the roof 1 has an electric stepper motor 6 in place of the bracket at pivot point 5. The spoiler 10 can pivot around the stepper motor 6, which exerts the force on the spoiler flap 10 to rotate it in a cantilever manner around the stepper motor 6, thereby obviating the need for piston 12. Other means for pivotally moving the spoiler flap 10 in relation to the roof 1 can be adopted without departing from the scope of the invention.

With reference to Fig. 3, the spoiler flap 10 has two portions 10L and 1OR which are independent of one another, but are attached to the same pivot point 5 along their leading edge 4 by a connecting rod 3 which extends through the brackets 5. The independent sections lOL/lOR are optionally connected by a central hinge 7, but can move independently of one another.

Each section 10L, 1OR has a separate piston 12L, 12R which can be operated independently of each other so as to raise and/or lower the flap sections lOL/lOR independently of each other.

In use, the spoiler 10 is attached to the roof or the boot of a vehicle such as a car, and a controller (not shown) controls extension and contraction of pistons 12 and/or operation of stepper motors 6 so as to raise and/or lower the individual flap portions 10L and 10R.

The controller may, for example, elevate flap 1OR in relation to flap 10L as the vehicle turns to the right at high speed, so as to exert additional downward force on the inward side of the car as it corners, thereby increasing traction only on the inward side of the vehicle.

Modifications and improvements can be-incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the hinge 7 is optional, and can be dispensed with leaving entirely separate spoiler portions lOL/lOR at each side of the vehicle. Additionally, the separate portions lOL/lOR can be formed as a single spoiler in certain embodiments, but can be bent by the pistons 12 or stepper motors 6 relative to one another.

A second or further adjustable set of spoilers may be used on the same vehicle eg on the front portion of the vehicle so as to create the downward force as near as possible to the centre of gravity of the vehicle.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A spoiler means for attachment to a vehicle, capable of applying different forces to different portions of the vehicle.
2. A spoiler means according to claim 1, having adjustment means capable of moving the spoiler means in relation to the vehicle.
3. A spoiler means according to claim 1 or claim 2, having adjustment means capable of moving respective parts of the spoiler means independently of each other.
4. A spoiler means according to any preceding claim, wherein the spoiler means comprises a flap which is split or hinged or loosely connected in two or more parts at one or more places.
5. A spoiler means according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more adjustment means are provided, acting on at least one end of the spoiler means, so that the said one end of the spoiler means can be raised above the other end in order to apply different forces to respective ends of the spoiler means.
6. A spoiler means according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the adjustment means comprises one or more pistons.
7. A spoiler means according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the adjustment means comprises one or more electric stepper motors.
8. A spoiler means according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each end of the spoiler means extends to the outermost edges of the vehicle.
9. A spoiler means according to any preceding claim, wherein the movement of the or each end of the spoiler means is determined by a controller.
10. A spoiler means according to claim 9, wherein the controller uses certain vehicle parameters to determine the movement of the or each end of the spoiler.
11. A spoiler means according to claim 10, wherein the parameters include one, some or all of vehicle speed, rate and/or extent of turning of the steering wheel, and tendency of the vehicle to roll.
12. A spoiler means according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the controller is an electronic controller.
13. A spoiler means according to any preceding claim, wherein the spoiler means is attached to the rear of the vehicle.
14. A spoiler means according to any preceding claim, wherein the spoiler means is attached to the front of the vehicle.
15. A spoiler means according to any preceding claim, wherein a spoiler means is attached near to the longitudinal centre of gravity of the vehicle.
16. A vehicle having a spoiler means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15.
17. A spoiler means substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the drawings.
18. A vehicle provided with a spoiler means substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the drawings.