MXPA99000124A - Fairing fixed below the body of a longitudinal and vertically adjustable tractocamion - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fairing attached below a longitudinally outer lower edge of a tractor, said fairing comprises longitudinally extending front and rear sections, the rear section having a connector coupled to a tractor wheel assembly for longitudinal movement of the rear section with the tractor's wheel assembly to adjustably position a trailing edge of the rear section in a selected position in front of the tractor wheel assembly and to keep the trailing edge in said selected position notwithstanding the longitudinal adjustment of the tractor assembly. Tractor truck with respect to said tractor, the front and rear sections additionally engage in a shrinking manner to said tractor for the movement of the sections between a lowered position and a raised position.

Description

FAIRING FIXED BELOW THE BODY OF A LONGITUDINAL AND VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TRACTOCAMION TECHNICAL FIELD This application relates to a tractor fairing to improve fuel economy in long-distance truck trailers. The fairing, which has at least two sections arranged longitudinally, is adhered by hinges below the lower, outer, longitudinal edges of the tractor. The rear section can be adjusted longitudinally to keep it in close proximity to the tractor-trailer wheel assembly. The hinge allows the pivotal movement of each section of the fairing between lowered and raised positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known that the amount of fuel required to tow a tractor over long distances can be reduced by equipping the tractor with a suitable aerodynamic fairing. One type of fairing is mounted below each of the lower, outer, longitudinal edges to extend between the tractor's wheel assembly and the wheels of the tractor unit used to tow the tractor. Improved fuel economy is achieved while the tractor is transported at highway speeds over long distances with fitted fairings as stated above. Typically, such fairings may not be relocated vertically once they are adhered to the tractor (see United States patent). No. 5,280,990 Rinard), or the fairing can be relocated only to a limited degree and / or with difficulty. This is problematic if the tractor should be maneuvered over ramps or uneven terrain that could make contact with the underside of the fairing, or if it becomes necessary to conduct inspection or maintenance procedures under the tractor. Additional problems occur if the fairing can not be easily relocated longitudinally in relation to the tractor wheel assembly (see published French patent application No. 76/25287 Maschf Augsburg-Nuernberg). The trailer wheel assembly itself is commonly relocated longitudinally in relation to the tractor to achieve proper load distribution. If the fairing can not be adjusted quickly and easily to accommodate the relocation of the wheel assembly, then the length of the fairing must be reduced to ensure that the wheel assembly can be relocated through its full scale without interfering with the fairing. But, if the length of the fairing is reduced, a significant gap may remain between the fairing and the wheel assembly, unless the wheel assembly is in its forward position. Such loopholes reduce the efficiency of the fairing and reduce its benefits of fuel cost savings. This invention overcomes the above-mentioned problems by providing a fairing that can be quickly and easily moved between a lowered long-distance haul position and a high maneuver / maintenance position. When the fairing is raised the tractor can be maneuvered on ramps, uneven terrain, etc. without making contact with such obstacles; or workers can easily access under the tractor for inspection or maintenance procedures. The fairing is automatically repositioned longitudinally while the truck assembly of the tractor is relocated, thus maintaining a minimum gap between the fairing and the wheel assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the preferred embodiment, the invention provides a fairing that can be adhered below the lower, longitudinal exterior edge of the tractor. The fairing has rear and front sections that extend longitudinally. The rear section can be moved longitudinally to locate its trailing edge in a selected position in front of and in close proximity to the tractor's wheel assembly. Such adjustable positioning occurs automatically if the rear section is coupled to and longitudinally movable with the support frame for the tractor wheel assembly., thus maintaining the trailing edge of the rear section of the fairing in the selected position provided that the tractor trailer wheel assembly is longitudinally adjusted relative to the tractor. A mechanism of hinges coupled between the tractor and the fairing allows the pivotal movement of each section of the fairing between a lowered position and an elevated position. The lowered position is for long distance haulage of the tractor in order to achieve fuel economy. The raised position is for situations where the tractor must be maneuvered on ramps, uneven terrain, etc. that could contact the underside or otherwise interfere with the fairing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a tractor unit carrying a main tractor and trailer, both tractors have fairings according to the invention. Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a tractor unit carrying a single tractor having a fairing according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a partially fragmented top plane view of the fairing of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the assembly of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a sonal view taken with respto line 5- 5 of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a sonal view taken with respto line 6-6 of Figure 2. Figure 7 is an enlarged illustration of the lower portion of the assembly of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a pictorial illustration of an articulation for pivotally adhering a fairing son to a tractor according to the invention. Figure 9 is a top plane view of the front portion of the fairing of Figure 2 and shows a portion of the tractor lowering assembly. Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the assembly of Figure 9. Figure 11 is a front elevational view of the assembly of Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a main tractor 10 coupled to the tractor unit 12 through a fifth wheel assembly 14, and a trailer 16 coupled to the main tractor 10 through a coupling 18. The fifth wheel assembly 14 is longitudinally adjustable in relation to the rear wheel assembly 20 of the tractor unit 12 to achieve a proper front load distribution by longitudinally repositioning the front end of the tractor 10 in relation to the wheel assembly 20. Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1, but shows only a main tractor 10 coupled to the tractor unit 12. The wheel assembly 22 is adjustable longitudinally below the rear end of the tractor 10 between the positions shown in shading and the line highlighted in figure 2, as indicated by arrow 23 This allows an adequate distribution of the rear load by repositioning the rear end of the tractor 10 in relation n to the wheel assembly 22. The fairings 24 having a rear deflon son 26 and one or more air deflon front sons 29 are mounted below the lower, outer longitudinal edges 30 of the tractors 10, 16. In practice, two fairings are provided, one on either side of each tractor. The fairings 24 may be raised or lowered as explained below; and the rear son 26 of the fairing can be longitudinally repositioned relative to the fairing front sons 28, 29 to accommodate the longitudinal relocation of the wheel assembly 22 or to accommodate trailers having different wheel bases. As best seen in Figure 6, the front son 28 of the fairing is generally "C" shaped in cross son. This allows the upper and lower portions of the front son 28 to act as channels that receive and guide the longitudinally slidable movement of the rear son 26 during longitudinal repositioning thereof. A splash guard panel 33 can be releasably adhered on the front, open portion of the front son 28 to prevent dust, etc. accumulates within the channel portions or the front son 28 and thus prevents the uniform sliding movement of the rear son 26 with respto the front son 28. The fairing sons 26, 28, 29 can be made of a polyethylene plastic material filled with polyurethane foam, as described in figure 7 for son 26. The polyethylene outer cover provides high impact resistance and resists distortion of the polyethylene. way over a wide range of temperatures. Polyurethane filler improves structural integrity. Hinges 32 (figures 6, 7 and 8) connect the fairings 24 to the tractors 10, 16 to allow the movement of the fairings 24 between raised and lowered positions. The lowered position (shown in the line highlighted in figures 1, 2 and 6), is used for long distance haulage of tractors 10, 16 in order to achieve fuel economy. The elevated position (shown in dotted line in Figures 1, 2 and 6 and denoted by adding the letter "A" to the reference numbers applied to the raised parts) is used in situations where the tractors 10, 16 must be maneuvered on ramps, uneven terrain, etc. which could contact the underside or otherwise interfere with fairings 24; or, to allow access under the tractors for inspection or maintenance procedures. The fairings 24 are of sufficient height to extend vertically, when in their lowered position, from the lower edge 30 of the tractor to almost 76.2 cm above the road surface. As shown in Figure 3, the rear portion of the rear section 26 of the fairing is bulged to deflect air away from the tractor wheel assembly 22 during hauling at highway speed of the tractor 10 over long distances with the fairing 24 in the lowered position. When in their lowered positions, the fairing sections 26, 28, 29 together constitute a substantially continuous surface deflecting the air extending below the lower edge 30 of the tractor, and between the rear wheel assembly 20 of the tractor and the assembly. 22 of tractor trucks. As shown in FIG. 6, the hinge 32 from further back connects pivotally between the flange 34 and the support member 38 of the tractor wheel assembly. The flange 34 is fixed to the inside face of the rear section of the cowling 26 by bolts 36. The support member 38 of the tractor wheel assembly moves longitudinally relative to the tractor 10 during longitudinal adjustment of the wheel assembly 22 as shown in FIG. He said earlier. More particularly, the longitudinal adjustment of the wheel assembly 22 longitudinally displaces the support member 38, to which the hinge 22 is fixed. Such displacement in turn displaces the hinge 32. Accordingly, the longitudinal adjustment of the wheel assembly of the tractor 22 automatically repositions the rear section 26 of the fairing longitudinally in relation to the section 28 of the fairing, thus maintaining the trailing edge 44 ( 4) of the rear section 26 of the fairing in a selected position in front of the wheel assembly 22 of the tractor.

Preferably, the trailing edge 44 is held in a position opposite the wheel assembly 22 of the tractor which leaves only a small gap of almost 7.62 centimeters between them. In addition to demonstrating the fairing 34, figure 6 also shows the fairing 37 fixed to the interior face of the front section 28 of the fairing. The flange 37 serves as a hinge connector for the front section 28, and is fragmented in Figure 6 to avoid an obscure description of the flange 34. The flange 37 must be fixed sufficiently forward on the front section 28 to avoid interference with the sliding movement of the back section 26 during the longitudinal repositioning thereof. As shown in Figure 8, similar hinges 32 pivotally connect between the front sections 28, 29 of the fairing and the support channel 40 which is fixed to and extends longitudinally along the underside of the tractor 10. rear section 26, the front sections 28, 29 do not move longitudinally with respect to the tractor 10. The hinges 32 constructed as shown in figures 6, 7 and 8. The rod 46 has an opening 48 at one end through of which the clasp 50 is inserted to pivotally couple the outer end of the rod 46 to the flange 34 (in the case of the rear section 26, as shown in figures 6 and 7). The flange 34 is bolted to the inner surface of the fairing section as stated above. Another clasp 54 pivotally couples the inner end of the rod 46 between the plates 56, 58 which fixed at their upper ends within the support channel 40 in the case of front sections 28, 29 as shown in Figure 8. In the case of the rear section 26 as shown in figure 6, plates 56, 58 fixed at their upper ends within the support member 38 of the wheel assembly.

Blocks 60, 62 fixed between the upper and lower ends of the plates 56, 58 respectively to maintain the space and structural integrity thereof. Bolts 65 pass through openings 41 in the support channel 40 (in the case of front sections 28, 29; or, through the corresponding openings in the support member 38 of the wheel assembly in the case of rear section 26 ) and through the block 60, and is secured by a clasp pin 67. This avoids the additional longitudinal displacement of each section of the fairing, once the respective sections in their desired longitudinal positions. The support 64 is fixed to the central portion of the rod 46. Springs 66, 68 mounted on opposite sides of the rod 46 connecting one end of each spring to the support 64 through eye bolts 69, and connecting the opposite ends from the spring to the plate 70 extending through the plates 56, 58. The springs 66, 68 help to deflect the fairing sections 28, 26 towards their respective elevated positions (shown in dotted line in Figure 6) during the manipulation of the operator thereof as explained here above. The bolt 71 is threadably fitted within the block 62 to limit the inward travel of the rod 46 and thus helps to align the fairing 24 below the lower edge 30 of the tractor. The longitudinally extending clamp members (not shown) can be inserted between supporting pairs 64 longitudinally adjacent to improve the structural integrity of each fairing section. Although a narrow gap can be maintained as stated above between the wheel assembly 22 of the tractor unit and the trailing edge 44 of the rear section 26 of the cowling, a considerably larger vacuum can sometimes be left between the leading edge 72 (FIGS. and 2) of the fairing 24 and the rear wheel assembly 20 of the tractor. This size of the vacuum depends in part on the position of the trailer 10 in relation to the rear wheel assembly 20 of the tractor, as determined by the adjustable repositioning of the fifth wheel assembly 14. The size of the vacuum also depends on the clearance required to turn between the tractor's rear wheel assembly 20 (including any mud-mounted mud flap) and the forward edge 72 of the fairing. As shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11, the forward portion of the cowling 24 is configured to provide an access panel 74. An operator can manually grip the panel 74 and pivot it away from the cowling 24 in the direction of the arrow 90 to gain access to the crank 76 which is used to raise or lower the lowering assembly 78 of the tractor. The access panel 74 is pivotally connected to the support structure 79 of the hinged descent assembly 91, 92 adjacent the triangular attachment plate 77 of the descent assembly. The mounting plate 93. the hinge portion 91 engages the plate 95 forming the front low side of the tractor 10. A hinge portion 92 is fixed to the inner surface of the access panel 74. As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the front sections of the fairing 28, 29 are equipped with pins 80, 84 and 86 (only some of the pins of section 29 are visible, due to the fragmentation of the drawings) . The pin 80 and another identical pin (not shown) are respectively located in the upper outer corners of the front section 29 of the fairing. After moving the front section 29 to its lowered position, the operator presses against the front section 29 near the two pins of the upper corner to adjust these pins with cooperating mechanisms 89 mounted on the support channel 85 by supports 83. The pin 84 is located centrally between the pins of the upper corner, in the upper portion of the front section 29 of the fairing. The handle 90 operates the leveling arm 88 of the pin 84. The handle 90 is also engaged by rods 92, 94 to the respective pins of the upper corners. After adjusting the pins of the upper corners as stated above, the operator rotates the handle 90 approximately 90 ° to move the leveling arm 88 within the lock mechanism within the receiver 96 which is mounted on the support channel 85 by another support 83. The rotation of the handle 90 simultaneously extends the rods 92, 94 to close the pins of the upper corner. To release the pins, the operator rotates the handle 90 approximately 90 ° in the opposite direction, removing the leveling arm 88 from the receiver 96 and simultaneously retracting the rods 92, 94 to disengage the pins of the upper corners. The pin 86, which is similar to the pin 84, is located near the front lower corner of the front section 29 of the fairing. The leveling arm 88 of the pin 86 fits an engaging receiver 96 over the adjacent portion of the access panel 74. The rear section 26 of the fairing, the front section 28 and the access panel 74 are equipped with similar pins 87, as shown in FIG. Figures 3, 4, 9 and 10. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, instead of a two-part polyethylene / polyurethane construction, one could alternatively form cowl sections 26, 28 from a single cross-polyethylene material such as high density polyethylene. But in such a case, it may be necessary to form several longitudinally extending channels in each fairing section in order to improve the structural integrity of the fairing. As another example, Figure 5 shows, in dotted line, an alternative means 43 for connecting the pin bracket 83 of the rear section 26 of the fairing to the support member 38 of the tractor wheel assembly to allow the support 83 to be move during the longitudinal repositioning of the tractor wheel assembly 22 and the rear section 26 of the fairing as previously stated. As a further example, fixed wheel base tractors such as trailers 16 may not require a fairing having longitudinally movable sections, but may only require a fairing having a single air deflection section hinged to the tractor to allow the displacement of the fairing between low and high positions without any capacity for longitudinal movement of the fairing. Still as another example, a window may be provided in the rear portion of the fairing to direct air toward the tractor brakes for cooling objects. Accordingly, the scope of the invention must be constructed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.

Claims (12)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A cowling (24) addable below a longitudinal lower, exterior edge (30) of a tractor (10), said fairing (24) having longitudinally extending rear and front sections (28, 26), characterized by: ( a) said back section (26) being movable longitudinally to adjustably position a trailing edge (44) of said back section (26) to a selected position in front of a wheel assembly (22) of said tractor (10); (b) said rear section (26) of the fairing being engageable and longitudinally movable with said wheel assembly (22) of the truck tract to maintain said rear edge (44) of said rear section (26) in the chosen position nonetheless the longitudinal adjustment of the mentioned assembly of ^ wheel (22) in relation to the tractor (10); and (c) said front and rear sections (28, 26) being movable 20 between a lowered position and a raised position.

2 . - A fairing (24) as defined in claim 1, according to which said fairing sections (28, 26) extend longitudinally, in the said lowered position between said chosen position and a second one. 25 position behind a wheel assembly (20) of a tractor (12) coupled to the tractor (10) and whereby said fairing sections (28, 26) are of sufficient height to extend vertically, in said lowered position, from said lower, longitudinal exterior edge (30) of said tractor (10) at a selected distance above a road surface supporting the tractor (10).

3. A fairing (24) as defined in claim 1, according to which said fairing sections (28, 26) extend longitudinally, in the said lowered position, between the chosen position and a second position behind an assembly. of a wheel (20) of a tractor (12) coupled to the tractor (10) and according to which said second position is defined by a leading edge (72) of said front section (28), said fairing further comprising a panel of access (74) in and adhered by means of hinges to said front section of the fairing near said front edge (72), to provide access for operator activation of a lowering assembly (78) of the tractor (10).

4. - A fairing as defined in claim 1, further comprising an air deflection front section (28) for suspending below a forward portion of the tractor (10) and a rear deflection section (26) of longitudinally movable air connectable to the front air deflection section (28) according to which when said fairing (24) is mounted to the tractor (10), said front and rear air deflection sections (28, 26) together constitute a substantially continuous air deflection surface extending below a lower surface (30) of the tractor (10), said rear section (26) extending rearwardly from said front section (28) and said rear section (26) it is displaceable longitudinally with respect to the front section (28) and according to what said rear section (26) additionally consists of a connector (32) for connecting the mentioned rear section (26) to a longitudinally movable wheel assembly (22) of the tractor (10) according to which, when said fairing (24) is mounted to the tractor (10), the rear section (26) moves longitudinally with the movable wheel assembly (22).

5. A fairing (24) as defined in claim 4, according to which, when the fairing (24) is mounted to the tractor (10), said connector (32) maintains a rear edge (44) of the rear section (26) to a selected position in front of the movable wheel assembly (22).

6. A fairing as defined in claim 1, further comprising a section (28) of deflection of longitudinally extending air and means of hinges (32) coupled between said trailer (16) and the section (28) of air deflection for the movement of said air deflection section (28) between a lowered position and an elevated position and according to which said air deflection section (28) is of sufficient height to extend vertically, in said lowered position, from said lower, longitudinal exterior edge (30) of the trailer (16) at a chosen distance above a road surface supporting said trailer (16).

7. A fairing (24) as defined in claim 1, further comprising means of hinges (32) coupled between said tractor and said fairing sections for the movement of said sections between lowered and raised positions.

8. - A fairing as defined in claim 1, wherein said fairing sections (28, 26) extend longitudinally, in said lowered position, between said chosen position and a second position behind a wheel assembly. (20) of a tractor (12) coupled to the tractor (10).

9. A fairing as defined in the claim 1, according to which said front section (28) additionally consists of a plurality of sub-sections (29, 74) extending longitudinally.

10. A fairing as defined in the claim 2, according to which said second position is defined by a leading edge (72) of said front section (28).

11. A tractor (10) having a fairing (24) as defined in claim 1 attached thereto.

12. A tractor (10) having a fairing (24) as defined in claim 2 attached thereto.