GB2592867A

GB2592867A - Aerodynamic improvements to front bumper attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2592867A
Application number: GB1915800.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Madugundi Dinesh
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2019-10-31
Filing date: 2019-10-31
Publication date: 2021-09-15
Also published as: GB201915800D0

Abstract

A aerodynamic apparatus for a vehicle 200, for example a truck, includes a central portion 202 for deflecting airflow under the vehicle and left and right side portions 204 extending from central portion 202 outboard to left and right sides of the vehicle. Each side portion 24 includes an inner portion 206 coupled to central portion 202 and an outer portion 208 extending towards a rear side 210 of the vehicle, with the inner and outer portions angled towards the rear side. A vane 212, suitable a turning vane, is provided on each outer portion 208 to split the airflow and create an internal secondary flow behind the outer portion. Each vane 212 may turn about a generally vertical axis to alter the amount of the secondary flow and to control the pressure difference across outer portions 208.

Description

AERODYNAMIC IMPROVEMENTS TO FRONT BUMPER ATTACHMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the technical field of automobiles. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to improvement to an aerodynamic apparatus attached below a front bumper of a heavy vehicle, to reduce drag on the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

100021 Aerodynamic drag is a primary contributing factor to fuel consumption dming operation of a truck and trailer at highway speeds. A number of aerodynamic apparatuses are in use to reduce aerodynamic drag by controlling aerodynamic flow under and around the front bumper of a tractor. These devices decrease aerodynamic drag in dose proximity to the steer wheels and condition the airflow for better performance downstream under the chassis.

[0003] However, the airflow departing at a lower corner of such devices may prematurely depart the exterior surface of the vehicle, and thereby diminish aerodynamic performance of the device. It would therefore be advantageous if performance of aerodynamic device attachment located below the bumper could be improved by better controlling the airflow at the lower corner of such devices.

[0004] W016020417 discloses a vehicle having one or more planform-changing assemblies for guiding airflow along a side of the vehicle. One or more planform-changing assemblies include a first and a second plimform-changing assemblies disposed in a front bumper of the vehicle to guide airflow along first and second sides of the vehicle to guide the airflow around respective left and right corners at the front of the vehicle. Each of the first and the second planform-changing assemblies is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position in a transverse direction to control airflow along the respective sides of the vehicle. Another planform-changing assembly includes a first and a second longitudinally elongated sills arranged on respective left and right sides of the vehicle between the front and rear wheels. Each of the sills is movable laterally outwardly and/or downwardly to a deployed position from a retracted position. In the deployed positions, the sills can promote flow reattachment downstream of the front wheels of the vehicle to improve flow condition onto the rear wheels of the vehicle.

[0005] 0B2537500 discloses a bumper assembly for a commercial vehicle, having a front bumper panel that acts as an air dam. Middle portion of the front bumper panel extends lower than the side portions. The lower profile of the middle portion creates a wake structure that strategically shields downstream underbody components to minimize the overall vehicle aerodynamic drag. Thus, fuel consumption of the commercial vehicle can be kept particularly low.

[0006] W004058538 discloses an arrangement for mounting at least one additional indicator on each side of a commercial vehicle, particularly a truck, which radiates when activated, warning liens towards the vehicle rear. Specifically, the cited reference discloses mounting of the indicators on top of wind-deflecting elements provided in transition regions between the front and sides of the vehicle.

[00071 DE2726739 discloses quadrant shaped air scoops fitted to the front comers of cabin of a vehicle, which draw air from the pressure zone at the front of the cabin and directs it over the side panels to keep the doors of the cabin, as well as the front of the vehicle, clear of dirt. Outside surface of the air scoops incorporates angled louvers such that they drag air into the scoops to increase the scoop effect and provide a good cleaning effect even at low speed.

[0008] While the cited references disclose different types of aerodynamic apparatuses, none of them provides a solution to the problem of premature separation of airflow from the exterior surface at the lower corner of a conventional aerodynamic apparatus, thereby diminishing the aerodynamic performance of the aerodynamic apparatus.

[0009] There is, therefore, a need to provide a simple and efficient arrangement for preventing separation of airflow from the exterior surface at the lower corner of a conventional aerodynamic apparatus.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A general object of the present disclosure is to reduce aerodynamic drag on a vehicle.

[0011] An object of the present disclosure is to prevent premature separation of airflow from the exterior side surfaces of the vehicle to reduce aerodynamic drag on a vehicle.

[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an aerodynamic apparatus for a front bumper of the vehicle that does not cause premature airflow departure at its lower corner that separates from die exterior side surface of the vehicle.

SUMMARY

[0013] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an aerodynamic apparatus for reducing drag on a vehicle. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a modification to a conventional aerodynamic apparatus provided with a front bumper of a vehicle to prevent premature separation of airflow from the exterior side surfaces of the vehicle to reduce aerodynamic drag.

[0014] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the aerodynamic drag is reduced by reducing the pressure differential across an inner side and outer side at an end of the aerodynamic apparatus, which pressure difference results in premature separation of airflow from the exterior side surfaces of the vehicle.

[0015] In an aspect, the proposed aerodynamic apparatus for a front bumper of a vehicle includes a middle portion coupled to a lower horizontal side of the front bumper in an orientation to deflect a part of airflow from the front of the vehicle to underneath the vehicle. A left side portion and a right side portion are coupled to the middle portion extending respectively to the left side and right side. Each of the left side portion and the right side portion includes an inner portion coupled to the respective end of the middle portion and an outboard portion extending from the inner portion toward the rear of the vehicle. The inner portion and the outboard portion are orientated slanting towards the rear side of the vehicle to deflect airflow from the front of the vehicle to each respective side. The slanting angle of the outboard portion is larger than slanting angle of the inner portion.

[0016] In an aspect, the disclosed aerodynamic apparatus further includes a vane provided on each of the outboard portions such that a leading end of the vane splits the airflow to create an internal secondary flow behind the outboard portion.

[0017] In an aspect, the vane can be a turning vane adapted to turn about a generally vertical axis to vary the amount of secondary flow behind the outboard portion. The secondary flow behind the outboard portion results in reduction of the pressure differential across the inner side and the outer side at the end of the aerodynamic apparatus.

[0018] In an aspect, turning of the vane can control the pressure difference across the outboard side end of the outboard portion by varying the amount of airflow diverted towards the secondary airflow.

[0019] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a conventional aerodynamic apparatus.

[0022] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrate different configurations of a modified aerodynamic apparatus, in accordance with different embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0024] Embodiments explained herein relate to an aerodynamic apparatus for reducing drag on a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure provides a modification to a conventional aerodynamic apparatus, such as the aerodynamic apparatus shown in FIG. 1, provided with a front. bumper of a vehicle. The proposed modification works to prevent premature separation of airflow from the exterior side surfaces of the vehicle to reduce aerodynamic drag on a vehicle.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional aerodynamic apparatus 100 for a front bumper of a vehicle includes a middle portion 102 coupled to a lower horizontal side of the front bumper, and is orientated to deflect a part of airflow from the front of the vehicle to underneath the vehicle. The aerodynamic apparatus 100 further includes a left side portion 104, also referred to as conventional air dam 104, and a right side portion (not visible in FIG. 1), which are coupled to the middle portion 102 extending to the left side and right side. Both left and right side portions, such as conventional air dam 104, includes an inner portion, such as inner portion 106, coupled to the respective end of the middle portion 102 and an outboard portion, such as outboard portion 108, extending from the inner portion 106 toward the direction of the rear side of the vehicle. The inner portion 106 and the outboard portion 108 are orientated slanting towards the rear side of the vehicle to deflect airflow from the front of the vehicle to each respective side. As shown in FIG. 1, the slanting angle of the outboard portion 108 is relatively larger than the slanting angle of the inner portion 106.

[0026] Also shown in FIG. 1 is lower corner 110 of the apparatus where the airflow deflected by the inner portion 106 and the outboard portion 108 leaves the apparatus towards the respective exterior side surface of the vehicle. The conventional aerodynamic apparatus 100 suffers from the drawback that air flow departing at the lower corner 110 of the air darns tends to prematurely depart the exterior side surface, thereby creating a drag penalty for the vehicle.

[0027] In an aspect, the aerodynamic apparatus of the present disclosure prevents premature separation of the airflow from the exterior side surfaces of the vehicle, thereby reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency of the vehicle. In an aspect, the premature separation of the airflow from the exterior side surfaces of the vehicle is prevented by reducing the pressure differential across the inner side and outer side at the end of the air dam.

[0028] Referring now to FIGs. 2A and 2B, where two different configurations of the modified aerodynamic apparatus are shown, the disclosed aerodynamic apparatus 200/250 can include a middle portion 202/252 coupled to a lower horizontal side of the front bumper, and orientated to deflect a part of airflow from the front of the vehicle to underneath the vehicle. The aerodynamic apparatus 200/250 further includes a left side portion 204/254, also referred to as modified air dam 204/254, and a right side portion (not visible in FIGs. 2A and 2B), which are coupled to the middle portion 202/252 extending respectively to the left side and right side. Each of the modified air dams 204/254 includes an inner portion, such as inner portion 206/256, coupled to the respective end of the middle portion 202/252, and an outboard portion, such as outboard portion 208/258, extending from the inner portion 206/256 toward the rear side of the vehicle. The inner portion 206/256 and the outboard portion 208/258 are orientated slanting towards rear side of the vehicle to deflect airflow from the front of the vehicle to each respective side. As shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B. the slanting angle of the outboard portion 208/258 is larger than the slanting angle of the inner portion 206/256.

[0029] In an aspect, the inner portion 206/256 and the outboard portion 208/258 of the modified air dam 204/254 can be narrower in height than the inner portion 106 and the outboard portion 108 of the conventional air dam 104. In an embodiment, the height of the inner portion 206 and the outboard portion 208 of the modified air dam 204 can be the same height as the inner portion 256 and the outboard portion 258 of the modified air dam 254 (i.e. both the air dams 202 and 252 can be narrower in height as compared to the conventional air dam 104).

[0030] In an aspect, the disclosed aerodynamic apparatus, such as aerodynamic apparatus and 250, further includes a vane, such as vane 212/262, provided on each of the outboard portions 208/258 such that a leading end of the vane 212/262 splits the airflow to create an internal secondary flow behind the outboard portion 208/258. Diverting a part of the airflow to create an internal secondary flow results in a reduced pressure difference across the inner side and the outer side at end 210/260 of the aerodynamic apparatus [0031] In an aspect, the vane 212/262 can be a turning vane adapted to turn about a generally vertical axis to vary the amount of secondary flow behind the outboard portion. Thus, a turning vane can help in controlling the pressure differential across the inner side and outer side at end 210/260 of the aerodynamic apparatus to a desired value.

100321 It is to be appreciated that configuration of vane 212/262 can vary depending on other parameters, and the two configurations shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B are only exemplary. Shape, size and location of the vane can be optimized by empirical evaluations.

[0033] Thus, the present disclosure provides an improved aerodynamic apparatus that reduces aerodynamic drag on a vehicle, and thereby improves fuel efficiency.

[0034] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The present disclosure provides means to reduce aerodynamic drag on a vehicle.

[0036] The present disclosure prevents premature separation of airflow from the exterior side surfaces of the vehicle to reduce aerodynamic drag on a vehicle.

100371 The present disclosure provides an aerodynamic apparatus for front bumper that does not cause airflow departing at its lower corner to separate prematurely from the exterior side surface of the vehicle.

Claims

We Claim: 1. An aerodynamic apparatus for a front bumper of a vehicle, comprising: a middle portion coupled to a lower horizontal side of the front bumper in an orientation to deflect a portion of airflow from a front side of the vehicle to underneath the vehicle; a left side portion and a right side portion; wherein the left side portion and the right side portion extend from the middle portion respectively to a left side and right side of the vehicle; wherein each of the left side portion and the right side portion comprises an inner portion coupled to the middle portion and an outboard portion extending from the inner portion to a rear side of the vehicle, the inner portion and the outboard portion being angled towards the rear side of the vehicle to deflect airflow from the front side of the vehicle to the left and right sides of the vehicle; and a vane provided on each of the outboard portion such that a leading end of the vane splits the airflow deflected to the left and right sides of the vehicle to create an internal secondary flow behind the outboard portion.
2. The aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vane is a turning vane adapted to turn about a generally vertical axis to vary the amount of secondary flow behind the outboard portion.
3. The aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein turning of the vane is adapted to control the pressure difference across the outboard portion.