JPH06227442A - Front spoiler device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To cut off the transmission of an unnecessary external force to a link and an actuator and reduce the breakage of a spoiler operating means by insalling a frame for positioning a front spolier device behind a bumper and an elastically deformable spoiler positioned under the bumper. CONSTITUTION:A frame 16 is inserted to a bifurcated part at the top edge of an arm 11, and the frame 16 is fixed on the arm 11 by using a spacer 19 and a bolt 20. The undersurface of the frame 16 is positioned slightly above, passing through the lower edge of a bumper skirt part 4, and suppresses the contact of an abstacle, etc., on a road surface with the frame 16. Further, in the combination of a spoiler 3 made of synthetic resin and the frame 16 made of the aluminium alloy shaped member, only the spoiler 3 deflects from the undersurface side of the frame 16, because of the difference of each hardness of both the members, when the obstacle, etc., on the road surface collide with the spoiler 3. Since only the spoiler 3 deflects, the breakage due to the excessive load can be prevented, and the breakage of other parts can be reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a front spoiler device which gives a downforce to a vehicle when the vehicle runs at high speed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A front spoiler device is known to obtain high-speed traveling stability by reducing front wheel lift during high-speed traveling of a vehicle. The basic configuration of the front spoiler device is, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-128888, connecting the front portion of the spoiler body to an operating rod via a pair of arms, and the operating rod is mounted on a pair of brackets on the vehicle body side. It is rotatably supported by and is connected to the electric motor (actuator) via a link. Both sides of the spoiler body are pivotally attached to the vehicle body side via links.

[0003]

In the prior art as described above, the rigidity of the spoiler is increased in order to secure the connecting strength between the spoiler and the arm. Increasing the rigidity of the spoiler means that when an external force acts on the spoiler,
This external force is directly transmitted to the operating rod and the electric motor, which is not preferable. Further, the inflow of air into the lower portion of the undercover (particularly from between the bumper and the spoiler to the lower portion of the undercover) reduces downforce to the vehicle body at high speed. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises a front spoiler device including a frame located behind the bumper and an elastically deformable spoiler located below the bumper. Further, a sealing material is fixed to the front part of the frame.

Specifically, the present invention has a frame which is located behind the bumper and extends in the vehicle width direction when descending, and a spoiler which is fixed to the frame and is located below the bumper, Provided is a front spoiler device in which a spoiler is elastically deformable. Preferably, a sealing material that contacts the bumper is fixed to the front surface of the frame.

[0006]

[Operation] Only the spoiler below the frame can be elastically deformed, and the sealing material reduces the inflow of air to the lower part of the undercover (particularly between the bumper and the spoiler), thus reducing downform force. Can be secured.

[0007]

[Example] In order to prevent the front wheels 2 of the automobile 1 from floating when traveling at high speed and to optimize the air flow in the front part, the spoiler 3 is moved in and out of the lower part of the bumper skirt part 4 and behind it. Arrange freely. The spoiler 3 consists of a front part and both side parts, and as shown in FIG.
It is formed by a pivot (A, A ') on the vehicle body side and a pivot (B, B') on the side of the spoiler 3 which is separated from the pivot (A, A ') via links 5a, 5a', 5b, 5b '. By deforming the parallelogram, it is possible to move the lower part of the bumper skirt portion 4 of the spoiler 3 and its back.

Referring to FIGS. A pair of spaced brackets 8, 8'are fixed to the undercover 7 in front of the radiator of the vehicle. An actuator 9 is fixed to one of the brackets 8 so that the rotational torque of the actuator 9 can be transmitted to an operating rod 10 rotatably supported by both brackets 8 and 8 '. A pair of spaced links 5a, 5a 'are fixed to the actuation rod 10. These links 5a and 5a 'are connected to the spoiler 3 via the arms 11 and 11'. Links 5a, 5a 'and arms 11, 1
1'is rotatably supported, and the arms 11, 11 'and the spoiler 3 are in a fixed relationship. The links 5b, 5b 'on both sides of the spoiler 3 are pivotally supported by one end pivot axis A'to the vehicle body side and the other end pivot point B'to the spoiler 3. As shown in FIG. 10, the actuator 9 includes an electric motor 28, a speed reduction mechanism 29, and a torque variable mechanism 30.
A worm wheel gear 32 is meshed with a screw shaft 31 serving as an output shaft of the electric motor 28, and an output gear 34 is meshed with a gear 33 that rotates integrally with the worm wheel gear 32 coaxially. One end of a bent first link 35 is connected to the output gear 34, and a second link 36 to which the output shaft 9a serving as the output shaft of the actuator 9 is connected is rotated at the other end of the first link 35. It is freely connected. The screw shaft 31 and the worm wheel gear 32 constitute a reduction mechanism 29, and the output gear 34, the first link 35 and the second link 36 constitute a torque variable mechanism 30. The deceleration mechanism 29 and the torque variable mechanism 30 are arranged in a case 37 in which the bracket 8 is fixed and the watertightness is maintained, and the electric motor 28 is supported by the case 37 outside the case 37.
The output shaft 9a extends to the outside of the case 37 and is connected to the actuating rod 10 by a structure described later. The case 37 has an air hole 37a formed therein.
The hose 38 coupled to 7 a is inserted into the through hole 12 a formed in the side member 12. This prevents water from entering the case 37 from the hose 38 through the air hole 37a.

The links 5a and 5a 'extend from the upper side to the lower side of the under cover 7 to position the arms 11 and 11' below the under cover 7. When the spoiler 3 shown in FIG. 3 is used, the lower surfaces of the horizontal portions of the arms 11 and 11 ′ are located on the plane passing through the lower portion of the bumper skirt portion 4.
The spoiler 3 fixed to the parts 1 and 11 'is located below the bumper skirt portion 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spoiler 3 is connected to the operating rod 10 through the arms 11 and 11 'and the links 5a and 5a', and the operating rod 10 is fixed to the undercover 7. Since it is rotatably supported by the brackets 8 and 8 ', the spoiler 3 with a drive mechanism is unitized in advance. To install the spoiler 3 on the car 1, mount the spoiler unit bracket 8,
It suffices to bolt 8'to the side member 12 of the vehicle and pivotally support the other end pivots A'of the links 5b and 5b 'to the vehicle body side. In such a unit of the spoiler, the support points of the pair of links 5a, 5a 'on the operating rod 10 can be defined in advance, and the load of the electric motor 28 of the actuator 9 is not affected by the assembly error during assembly. And enables the use of a low torque motor. Furthermore, since the operating rod 10 and the actuator 9 are located above the under cover 7, they are protected from flying stones and splash water. The side member 12 when the spoiler 3 is attached to the automobile 1
A cushion rubber may be provided between the brackets 8 and 8 ′ and the under cover 7 in order to prevent the under cover 7 from being twisted due to a dimensional error therebetween.

Referring to FIG. It is desirable to increase the air flow rate to the radiator 13 during low-speed traveling with the spoiler 3 moved to the storage position indicated by the phantom line. In order to meet this demand, a hole is formed in a part of the under cover 7 and the ventilation panel 14 is attached to this hole. When one end of the ventilation panel 14 is connected to the operating rod 10 and the operating rod 10 is rotated counterclockwise to move the spoiler 3 to the storage position shown by the phantom line, the ventilation panel 14 is moved to the position shown by the phantom line. It is possible. Thus, at low vehicle speeds, the airflow to the radiator 13 can be increased. When the spoiler 3 descends at a high speed, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, the hole is closed by the ventilation panel 14 and the lower surface of the under cover 7 is made a negative pressure to generate down force.

Referring to FIG. With the unitized spoiler 3 fixed to the vehicle body, the electric motor 28 is turned on while the spoiler 3 is in the use position (position indicated by the solid line), and the speed reduction mechanism 29 and the torque variable mechanism 30 are used. When the output shaft 9a is rotated and the operating rod 10 is rotated counterclockwise by a prescribed amount, both links 5a, 5
While maintaining the parallel relationship between a'and 5b, 5b ', the spoiler 3 is rotated counterclockwise around the pivots A, A'to move the spoiler 3 to the retracted position (the position indicated by the imaginary line). In order to lower the spoiler 3 to the use position, the operating rod 10 may be rotated clockwise. When the electric motor 28 is turned on and the spoiler 3 starts moving, the output gear 34
The movement amount of the first link 35 due to the rotation of the
Output shaft 9a
Produces a large torque. As a result, the link 5a,
Even if 5a ', 5b, 5b' and arms 11, 11 'become stuck due to rust or freezing, the actuator 9
It avoids stuck conditions without being overloaded.

Please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. Spoiler 3
A frame 16 made of a hard synthetic resin and made of an aluminum alloy extruded mold material is fixed to the top surface thereof with bolts 17. The sealing material 18 is fixed to the front surface of the frame 16. When the spoiler 3 is used, the sealing material 18 contacts the lower portion of the bumper skirt portion 4 and prevents air from flowing between the lower portion of the bumper skirt portion 4 and the upper surface of the spoiler 3 into the lower portion of the under cover 7. . In order to prevent air from flowing into the lower part of the under cover 7, this part tends to have a negative pressure, and downforce to the vehicle is secured. As shown in FIG. 5, the frame 16 is inserted into the bifurcated portions at the tips of the arms 11 and 11 ′, and the spacer 19 and the bolt 20 are used to insert the frame 1 into the frame 1.
6 is fixed to the arm 11. This allows the arm 1
The rigid fixing of the frame 16 and the frame 11 and 11 'is achieved.

The lower surface of the frame 16 is located slightly above the surface passing through the lower end of the bumper skirt portion 4 (when the spoiler is used). Such an arrangement prevents obstacles on the road surface from hitting the frame 16. Further, the combination of the synthetic resin spoiler 3 and the aluminum alloy frame 16 causes the spoiler 3 to hit an obstacle on the road surface due to the difference in hardness between the spoiler 3 and the frame 16 as shown by phantom lines in FIG. Only the spoiler 3 is bent from the lower surface side of the frame 16.

The load acting on the spoiler 3 is the arm 1
It is transmitted to the operating rod 10 via the links 1 and 11 'and the links 5a and 5a'. FIG. 7 shows a configuration in which a part of this load is received by the output shaft 9a of the actuator 9. The output shaft 9a of the actuator 9 is inserted into one end of the hollow operating rod 10, and the link 5a is fixed around the output shaft 9a via the operating rod 10 with the bolt 21. The structure for attaching the link 5a to the operating rod 10 is as follows.
The load acting on the link 5a is applied to the operating rod 10 and the output shaft 9
Since it is received by both a, the operating rod 10 due to this load
The twisting force on the As a result, only the load acting on the link 5a 'creates a twist of the operating rod 10,
The actuation rod 10 may be rigid and strong enough to withstand this twist.

In order to absorb an excessive load on the actuating rod 10 and the output shaft 9a of the actuator 9, a link 5a,
The deformation of 5b may be made easier than that of the actuation rod 10 and the like. Please refer to FIG. The links 5a and 5a 'are composed of a horizontal portion 23 having an elongated hollow portion 22 for receiving the hollow actuating rod 10 having a rectangular cross section, and a vertical portion 24 hanging from one end of the horizontal portion 23. An arm is provided below the vertical portion 24. 11, 1
A mounting hole 25 for 1'is provided. The center of the hollow portion 22 is the pivot point A, and the center of the mounting hole 25 is the pivot point B. A reduction hole 26 can be formed in the center of the vertical portion 24. The reduction hole 26 facilitates the deformation of the vertical portion 24. The thickness of the vertical portions 24 of the links 5a and 5a 'and the dimensions of the reduction holes 26 are determined by the links 5a,
It is determined in consideration of the amount of deformation of 5a 'and the wind pressure, and the strength and rigidity weaker than that of the operating rod 10 and the like.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the spoiler 3 interferes with the obstacle 27 on the ground, the links 5a and 5b are deformed as shown by the phantom lines to move the spoiler 3 to the position shown by the phantom lines. to enable. As a result, the vehicle can run over the obstacle 27. Such links 5a, 5
The use of a ′ eliminates an excessive load on the actuator 9, and a large load on the spoiler 3 is
Only a and 5a 'are damaged, and the adverse effects on other parts are minimized. The link shown in FIG. 8 may be used only as the link 5a closer to the actuator 9 or as both links 5a, 5a '.

[0018]

[Effect] The flexure of only the spoiler caused by positioning the frame behind the bumper and the spoiler below the bumper does not transmit an unnecessary external force to the link or the actuator, so that the spoiler operating means is less likely to malfunction. In addition, since the sealing material reduces the inflow of air to the lower portion of the under cover, the down force is more secured and the stability is further improved during high speed running.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a unitized spoiler and a vehicle according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example spoiler of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a unitized spoiler.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an improvement of an under cover.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a mounting portion between an arm and a spoiler.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a relationship between a bumper skirt portion and a spoiler.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the coupling between the actuator and the operating rod.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example of a link.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the link.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the operation of the spoiler.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Spoiler 4 Bumper skirt part 5a, 5a ', 5b, 5b' Link 7 Under cover 8, 8'Bracket 9 Actuator 10 Actuating rod 11, 11 'Arm 13 Radiator 14 Ventilation panel 16 Frame 18 Sealing material 26 Reduction hole

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masaki Fukuzawa 1 Toyota-cho, Toyota-shi, Aichi Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Eiichi Kinaga 1 Toyota-cho, Toyota-shi, Aichi Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. Within

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. When descending, the spoiler has a frame located behind the bumper and extending in the vehicle width direction, and a spoiler fixed to the frame and located below the bumper, and the spoiler is elastically deformable. Front spoiler device. 2. The front spoiler device according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing material between the bumper and the frame. 3. The front spoiler device according to claim 1, wherein the frame is made of extruded aluminum, and a sealing material is arranged on the front surface of the frame. 4. The front spoiler device according to claim 3, wherein an arm on the driving device side is connected to the frame.