GB2512477A - Bumper assembly for a commercial vehicle - Google Patents

Bumper assembly for a commercial vehicle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2512477A
GB2512477A GB1402962.3A GB201402962A GB2512477A GB 2512477 A GB2512477 A GB 2512477A GB 201402962 A GB201402962 A GB 201402962A GB 2512477 A GB2512477 A GB 2512477A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
panel
front bumper
bumper
bumper panel
assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1402962.3A
Other versions
GB201402962D0 (en
Inventor
Joon-Ho Lee
Michael Dawson
David Meyer
Dawn Rinehart
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mercedes Benz Group AG
Original Assignee
Daimler AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daimler AG filed Critical Daimler AG
Priority to GB1402962.3A priority Critical patent/GB2512477A/en
Publication of GB201402962D0 publication Critical patent/GB201402962D0/en
Publication of GB2512477A publication Critical patent/GB2512477A/en
Priority to PCT/EP2015/000321 priority patent/WO2015124281A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D35/00—Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
    • B62D35/005—Front spoilers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D35/00—Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
    • B62D35/001—For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/80—Technologies aiming to reduce greenhouse gasses emissions common to all road transportation technologies
    • Y02T10/82—Elements for improving aerodynamics

Abstract

A bumper assembly 10 for a commercial vehicle comprising at least one front bumper panel 12 and at least one second bumper panel 14. The second bumper panel is movable in relation to the first between a retracted position (fig.1) and an in use extended position (fig.2). When in the retracted position at least a portion of the second bumper panel is covered by the first bumper panel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the portion is uncovered in the use position. The second panel can be moved in a vertical direction into the retracted or extended position by at least one actuator. The at least one actuator may be a pneumatic actuator with at least one valve element that is arranged on at least one of the first or second bumper panels. The second bumper panel can be inherently stable and in the use position will act to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle by directing air away from the underbody components of the vehicle.

Description

Bumper Assembly for a Commercial Vehicle The invention relates to a bumper assembly for a commercial vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.
Such a bumper assembly for a commercial vehicle can be found in US 2008/0303309 Al.
The bumper assembly comprises at least one front bumper panel configured to be arranged at a front end of the commercial vehicle.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a bumper assembly of the aforementioned kind, by means of which bumper assembly particularly advantageous aerodynamics as well as a particularly advantageous usability of the commercial vehicle can be realized.
This object is solved by a bumper assembly having the features of patent claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial developments of the invention are indicated in the other patent claims.
In order to provide a bumper assembly of the kind indicated in the preamble of patent claim 1, by means of which bumper assembly particularly advantageous aerodynamics as well as a particularly advantageous usability of the commercial vehicle can be realized, according to the present invention, the bumper assembly comprises at least one second front bumper panel being moveable between a retracted position and at least one use position in relation to the first front bumper panel. In the retracted position, at least a portion of the second front bumper panel is covered by the first front bumper panel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. For example, in the retracted position, the portion of the second front bumper panel is overlapped by the first front bumper panel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle towards the front.
In the use position, the portion is uncovered. This means the portion is not overlapped by the first bumper panel in the use position. Preferably, the second front bumper panel is moveable downwards from the retracted position into the use position in the vertical direction of the vehicle.
In the use position, the second front bumper panel acts as an air dam which reduces the drag of the commercial vehicle at highway speeds in comparison with the second front bumper panel being in the retracted position. As a result of the drag reduction, a fuel economy improvement can be realized. In other words, by lowering the second front bumper panel from the retracted position into the use position, the fuel economy of the commercial vehicle at highway speeds can be improved since air is directed away from underbody components by the second front bumper panel being lowered and, thus, being in the use position.
However, if the commercial vehicle needs to be driven up a ramp, the second front bumper panel can be raised and, thus, moved from the use position into the retracted position so that a collision between the second front bumper panel and the ramp can be avoided. This means the second front bumper panel can be moved between the use position and the retracted position in a need-based manner so that both a particularly advantageous usability and particularly advantageous aerodynamics of the commercial vehicle can be realized. By raising the second front bumper panel from the use position into the retracted position, damages of the second front bumper panel can be avoided.
Further advantages, features, and details of the invention result from the following description of a preferred embodiment as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respective indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.
The drawings show in: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a bumper assembly for a commercial vehicle, the bumper assembly comprising a first front bumper panel and a second front bumper panel which is in its retracted position; Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of the bumper assembly with the second front bumper panel being in its use position; Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of the second front bumper panel; and Fig. 4 part of a schematic side view of the commercial vehicle comprising the bumper assembly.
Fig. 1 shows a bumper assembly 10 in the form of a front bumper assembly for a commercial vehicle, in particular, a truck. The bumper assembly 10 comprises a first front bumper panel 12 which is made of, for example, a plastic material. Moreover, the front bumper panel 12 can be inherently stable. The first front bumper panel 12 is configured to be arranged at a front end of the commercial vehicle. For example, the first front bumper panel 12 is used to cover a cross member of the truck in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle towards the front.
As can be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, the bumper assembly 10 further comprises a second front bumper panel 14 which can be formed in one piece. For example, the second front bumper panel 14 can be made of a plastic material. Moreover, the second front bumper panel 14 can be inherently stable. Moreover, the second front bumper panel 14 can be elastic.
As can be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, the second front bumper panel 14 is moveable in relation to the first front bumper panel 12 between a retracted position shown in Fig. 1 and at least one use position shown in Fig. 2. In the retracted position, at least a portion 16 of the second front bumper panel 14 is covered by the first front bumper panel 12 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the use position, the portion 16 is uncovered. In the retracted position, the portion 16 is covered by the first front bumper panel 12 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle towards the front. In the use position, the second front bumper panel 14 is lowered with respect to the retracted position so that the portion 16 is not covered by the first front bumper panel 12.
The second front bumper panel 14 is moveable downwards from the retracted position into the use position into the vertical direction of the vehicle and in relation to the first front bumper panel 12. By lowering the second front bumper panel 14 from the retracted position into the use position, the drag of the truck can be reduced in comparison with the retracted position. Thus, the fuel economy can be improved.
Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal member 18 of a frame of the truck as well as a front wheel 20 of the truck. The bumper assembly 10 is mounted at least indirectly on the frame.
Moreover, Fig. 4 shows a ground 22 on which the truck can be driven.
The front wheel 20 comprises a tire 24 and a rim 26 on which the tire 24 is mounted. In Fig. 4, a distance between the ground 22 and the rim 26 is designated with Dl. When the second front bumper panel 14 is in the retracted position, the truck has a first ground clearance 01. This means the first ground clearance 01 is a first distance between the bumper assembly 10 and the ground 22 with the second front bumper panel 14 being in the retracted position. In the use position, the truck has a second ground clearance 02.
The second ground clearance G2 is a distance between the ground 22 and the bumper assembly 10 with the second front bumper panel 14 being in the use position. As can be seen from Fig. 4, the second ground clearance 02 is less than the first ground clearance 01. This means that the ground clearance of the truck is decreased by lowering the second front bumper panel 14 from the retracted position into the use position. However, this also means that the ground clearance of the truck can be increased by raising the second front bumper panel 14 from the use position into the retracted position.
Fig. 4 also shows a ramp 28 extending at an angle of 15° in relation to the ground 22. If the truck needs to be driven up the ramp 28, the second front bumper panel 14 can be raised from the use position into the retracted position so that a collision between the second front bumper panel 14 and the ramp 28 and, thus, damages of the second front bumper panel 14 can be avoided. Thus, the second front bumper panel 14 can be moved in relation to the first front bumper panel 12 between the use position and the retracted position in a need-based manner.
For example, the bumper assembly 10 comprises at least one actuator configured to move the second front bumper panel 14. Preferably, the actuator is configured as a pneumatic actuator so that the second front bumper panel 14 can be moved between the retracted position and the use position by means of air, in particular, pressurized air.
Other well known actuating means can be employed to raise or lower the second front bumper panel 14 such as hydraulic, mechanical or electrical means. Moreover in the present pneumatic example, the bumper assembly 10 can comprise at least one valve element configured to control an airflow provided by the actuator thereby controlling the movement of the second front bumper panel 14. For example, the bumper assembly 10 can comprise at least one air solenoid valve, at least one flow regulator valve, at least one air regulator valve, at least one pressure switch and at least one hinge used to realize the movement of the second front bumper panel 14 in relation to the first bumper panel 12.
Preferably, said valves, the switch and the flow regulator valve are arranged within the bumper assembly 10. For example, said components can be arranged on at least one of the front bumper panels 12 and 14.
Fig. 3 shows the second front bumper panel 14. As can be seen from Fig. 3. a steel reinforcement 30 is provided, the steel reinforcement 30 being bonded to the second front bumper panel 14. For example, the second front bumper panel 14 is configured as a moulded, flexible tray. The steel reinforcement 30 is configured to support an upper flange of said tray.
The steel reinforcement 30 has lateral mounting elements 32 by means of which the steel reinforcement and, thus, the second front bumper panel 14 are connected to the pneumatic actuator.
For example, the second front bumper panel 14 is deployed and, thus, lowered from the retracted position into the use position automatically once the truck maintains a speed above a predeterminable threshold which is, for example, 45 mph for a predefined time duration. In the use position, the second front bumper panel 14 acts as an air dam directing oncoming air away from underbody components.
For example, the air dam (second front bumper panel 14) is automatically retracted at a lower set point speed. For example, the air dam is raised from the use position into the retracted position once the truck goes below 25 mph for a predefined time duration. Both set speeds and time durations are software configurable.
Bezugszeichenliste bumper assembly 12 first front bumper panel 14 second front bumper panel 16 portion 18 longitudinal member front wheel 22 ground 24 tire 26 rim 28 ramp steel reinforcement 32 mounting elements Dl distance Gi ground clearance 02 ground clearance

Claims (6)

  1. Claims A bumper assembly (10) for a commercial vehicle, the bumper assembly (10) comprising at least one front bumper panel (12) configured to be arranged at a front end of the commercial vehicle, characterized in that the bumper assembly (10) comprises at least one second front bumper panel (14) being movable in relation to the first front bumper panel (12) between a retracted position in which at least a portion (16) of the second front bumper panel (14) is covered by the first front bumper panel (12) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and at least one use position in which the portion (16) is uncovered.
  2. 2. The bumper assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the second front bumper panel (16) is movable downwards from the retracted position into the use position in the vertical direction of the vehicle.
  3. 3. The bumper assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the bumper assembly (10) comprises at least one actuator configured to move the second front bumper panel (14).
  4. 4. The bumper assembly (10) according claim 3, characterized in that the actuator is configured as a pneumatic actuator.
  5. 5. The bumper assembly (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the bumper assembly (10) comprises at least one valve element configured toScontrol an airflow provided by the actuator thereby controlling the movement of the second front bumper panel (14), the valve element being arranged on at least one ofthetront bumper panels (12, 14).
  6. 6. The bumper assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second front bumper panel (14) is inherently stable.
GB1402962.3A 2014-02-20 2014-02-20 Bumper assembly for a commercial vehicle Withdrawn GB2512477A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1402962.3A GB2512477A (en) 2014-02-20 2014-02-20 Bumper assembly for a commercial vehicle
PCT/EP2015/000321 WO2015124281A1 (en) 2014-02-20 2015-02-13 Bumper assembly for a commercial vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1402962.3A GB2512477A (en) 2014-02-20 2014-02-20 Bumper assembly for a commercial vehicle

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201402962D0 GB201402962D0 (en) 2014-04-09
GB2512477A true GB2512477A (en) 2014-10-01

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1402962.3A Withdrawn GB2512477A (en) 2014-02-20 2014-02-20 Bumper assembly for a commercial vehicle

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2512477A (en)
WO (1) WO2015124281A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016055079A1 (en) * 2014-10-08 2016-04-14 Volvo Truck Corporation Aerodynamic device to be fastened under a vehicle, and vehicle equipped with such an aerodynamic device

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11072378B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2021-07-27 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Active air dam
US11560185B2 (en) 2019-04-12 2023-01-24 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. System and method for controlling deployment of a vehicle air dam

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4489806A (en) * 1982-05-06 1984-12-25 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Device for raising and lowering an airfoil
GB2189200A (en) * 1986-04-19 1987-10-21 Daimler Benz Ag Front moulding for motor vehicles
EP0332084A2 (en) * 1988-03-05 1989-09-13 Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd. Air spoiler retracting device
DE10235702A1 (en) * 2002-08-03 2004-02-12 Dr.Ing.H.C. F. Porsche Ag Automotive front air dam extends under operation by mechanical device and retracts in operation by a pneumatic device
US20100140976A1 (en) * 2008-12-09 2010-06-10 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc Pivotally deployable air dam utilizing active material actuation
US20100219661A1 (en) * 2009-03-02 2010-09-02 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Extendable Air Control Dam for Vehicle
US20120153581A1 (en) * 2010-12-16 2012-06-21 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Integrated Air Springs System and Inflatable Air Dam Assembly
US8702152B1 (en) * 2013-01-11 2014-04-22 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Deployable front air dam

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2527818Y2 (en) * 1992-09-08 1997-03-05 株式会社大井製作所 Front air spoiler device for vehicles
US6079769A (en) * 1999-03-01 2000-06-27 Fannin; Dawn B. Retractable air turbulence device for vehicles
FR2795039B1 (en) * 1999-06-16 2001-08-10 Plastic Omnium Cie MOBILE LOWER FLAP SHIELD
US7686382B2 (en) * 2005-10-12 2010-03-30 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Reversibly deployable air dam
FR2948916B1 (en) * 2009-08-07 2011-10-21 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa FRONT BUMPER FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A MOBILE AERODYNAMIC BODY BETWEEN A HIGH POSITION AND A LOW POSITION AND A MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A FRONT BUMPER.

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4489806A (en) * 1982-05-06 1984-12-25 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Device for raising and lowering an airfoil
GB2189200A (en) * 1986-04-19 1987-10-21 Daimler Benz Ag Front moulding for motor vehicles
EP0332084A2 (en) * 1988-03-05 1989-09-13 Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd. Air spoiler retracting device
DE10235702A1 (en) * 2002-08-03 2004-02-12 Dr.Ing.H.C. F. Porsche Ag Automotive front air dam extends under operation by mechanical device and retracts in operation by a pneumatic device
US20100140976A1 (en) * 2008-12-09 2010-06-10 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc Pivotally deployable air dam utilizing active material actuation
US20100219661A1 (en) * 2009-03-02 2010-09-02 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Extendable Air Control Dam for Vehicle
US20120153581A1 (en) * 2010-12-16 2012-06-21 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Integrated Air Springs System and Inflatable Air Dam Assembly
US8702152B1 (en) * 2013-01-11 2014-04-22 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Deployable front air dam

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016055079A1 (en) * 2014-10-08 2016-04-14 Volvo Truck Corporation Aerodynamic device to be fastened under a vehicle, and vehicle equipped with such an aerodynamic device
US10118654B2 (en) 2014-10-08 2018-11-06 Volvo Truck Corporation Aerodynamic device to be fastened under a vehicle, and vehicle equipped with such an aerodynamic device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201402962D0 (en) 2014-04-09
WO2015124281A1 (en) 2015-08-27

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