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
  • B62D35/001—For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an air deflector arrangement which is intended for a vehicle combination, is adjustable while the latter is in motion, and reduces air resistance to the vehicle combination, and a method for automatic adjustment of air deflectors.
• Vehicle combinations comprising a tractor unit and a trailer or a platform truck with a container placed on the platform often have air deflectors fitted to the cab of the tractor unit or truck to reduce air resistance to the vehicle combination and thereby save fuel.
• air deflectors may be fixed or adjustable.
• the disadvantage of fixed air deflectors fitted to a tractor unit or a truck is that they are not optimally suited to various different trailers and containers which may be combined with the tractor unit or truck respectively.
• the advantage of adjustable air deflectors is that they can be adjusted to various positions depending on the configuration of the respective trailer or container, i.e. their distance from the cab of the respective tractor unit or truck and the height of the respective trailer or container.
• EP 0 076 944 Al refers to an adjustable air deflector capable of being adjusted in both the height direction of the vehicle and the length direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is standing still.
• the problem that the space between the rear wall of the tractor unit cab or truck cab and the forward wall of the respective trailer or container affects the air resistance to the vehicle combination at high speeds is solved according to the invention by providing an air deflector arrangement which is intended for a vehicle combination, is fitted to a vehicle cab and is adjustable while the vehicle is in motion, where the vehicle combination comprises a forward portion with the vehicle cab and a rear portion intended for cargo, and where the air deflector arrangement is adjustable in at least the longitudinal direction of the vehicle combination's so as to make it possible, while the vehicle is in motion, to adjust the distance between the air deflector arrangement and the forward wall of the rear portion of the vehicle combination so that the air resistance to the vehicle combination is reduced.
• the air deflector arrangement comprising the characteristics stated in claim 1 affords the advantage of providing an air deflector arrangement which further reduces the air resistance at high speeds.
• Figure 1 depicts schematically a view of a vehicle combination comprising a tractor unit and a trailer with an air deflector arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention which is fitted to the tractor unit and is adjustable while the vehicle is in motion.
• Figure 2 depicts schematically a section of a vehicle combination comprising a tractor unit and a trailer with an air deflector arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention which is fitted to the tractor unit and is adjustable while the vehicle is in motion,
• Figure 3 depicts schematically a horizontal section III-III of a vehicle combination according to Figure 2
• Figure 4 depicts schematically a section of a vehicle combination comprising a tractor unit and a trailer with an air deflector arrangement according to a third embodiment of the invention which is fitted to the tractor unit and is adjustable while the vehicle is in motion,
• Figure 5 depicts schematically a horizontal section V-V of a vehicle combination according to Figure 4, and
• Figures 6-8 depict schematically a fourth embodiment of side air deflectors according to the invention.
• High speeds means speeds at which air resistance is significant for fuel consumption and at which heavy vehicle combinations are not usually driven on sharp turns, i.e. speeds preferably exceeding 40 km/hour.
• Figure 1 depicts schematically a view of a vehicle combination 2 comprising a tractor unit 4 and a trailer 6 with an air deflector arrangement 8 according to a first embodiment of the invention which is fitted to the tractor unit 4 and is adjustable while the vehicle is in motion.
• the air deflector arrangement 8 comprises at least one air deflector 10,12,14, according to this embodiment three air deflectors 10, 12, 14, two of which are side air deflectors 10,12 each arranged on its respective side of the vehicle cab 16 of the tractor unit 4 and one is a roof air deflector 14 arranged on top of the vehicle cab 16.
• the air deflector arrangement 8 is adjustable in at least the longitudinal direction of the vehicle combination 2 to make it possible, while the vehicle is in motion, to adjust the distance between the air deflector arrangement 8 and the forward wall 18 of the trailer 6 so that the air resistance to the vehicle combination 2 is reduced.
• Each of the air deflectors 10,12,14 of the air deflector arrangement 8 is preferably adjustable separately and independently of the others in at least the longitudinal direction of the vehicle combination 2 in order, when the latter is in motion at high speed, to reduce the distance between the air deflector arrangement 8 and the forward wall 18 of the trailer 6.
• the air deflectors 10,12,14 may also preferably be adjustable separately and independently of one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle combination 2, i.e.
• the air deflectors 10, 12, 14 in this embodiment each constitute an independent element. Adjustment of the air deflectors 10,12,14 is preferably effected automatically but may also be done manually by the driver, while the vehicle is in motion, via a control panel (not depicted). Said automatic adjustment may be effected in a number of different ways, some of which are described in more detail below.
• Figure 1 shows the air deflectors 10, 12, 14 in their retracted positions, thereby increasing the distance, when travelling at low speed, between the air deflector arrangement 8 and the trailer's forward wall 18 in order to enable the vehicle combination 2 to execute sharp turns, e.g. at intersections.
• Figure 2 depicts schematically a section of a vehicle combination 2 comprising a tractor unit 4 and a trailer 6 with an air deflector arrangement 8 according to a second embodiment of the invention which is fitted to the tractor unit 4 and is adjustable while the vehicle is in motion.
• This embodiment differs from that described with reference to Figure 1 in that the roof air deflector depicted in Figure 2 comprises a plurality of elements, respectively an element 14 fastened to the vehicle cab 16 and an element 15 capable of linear movement relative to said element 14.
• the element 14 fastened to the vehicle cab 16 may either be fixed to the cab, i.e. be immovable, or be of the kind referred to in the embodiment according to Figure 1.
• Figure 2 shows the roof air deflector 14,15 in its extended position for reducing, when travelling at high speed, the distance between the air deflector arrangement 8 and the trailer's forward wall 18 and hence reducing the air resistance to the vehicle combination. It also shows the left side air deflector 12,13, which is described in more detail below, together with the right side air deflectors (not depicted), in connection with Figure 3.
• Figure 3 depicts schematically a horizontal section IH-III of a vehicle combination 2 according to Figure 2, showing the vehicle cab 16 of the tractor unit 4, the trailer 6 and the side air deflectors fastened to the tractor unit 4.
• the side air deflectors in this embodiment comprise a plurality of elements, respectively an element 10;12 fastened to the vehicle cab 16 and an element 11 ;13 capable of linear movement relative to the element 10; 12.
• the element 10; 12 fastened to the vehicle cab 16 may either be fixed to the cab, i.e. be immovable, or be of the kind referred to in the embodiment according to Figure 1.
• Figure 3 shows the side air deflectors 10,11; 12,13 in their extended positions for reducing, when travelling at high speed, the distance between the air deflector arrangement 8 and the trailer's forward wall 18 and hence reducing the air resistance to the vehicle combination.
• Figure 4 depicts schematically a section of a vehicle combination 2 comprising a tractor unit 4 and a trailer 6 with an air deflector arrangement 8 according to a third embodiment of the invention which is fitted to the tractor unit 4 and can be adjusted while the vehicle is in motion.
• This embodiment differs from that described with reference to Figure 1 in that the roof air deflector depicted in Figure 4 comprises a plurality of elements, respectively an element 14 fastened to the vehicle cab 16 and an inflatable movable element 15 fastened to said element 14.
• the element 14 fastened to the vehicle cab 16 may either be fixed to the cab, i.e. be immovable, or be of the kind referred to in the embodiment according to Figure 1.
• Figure 4 shows the roof air deflector 14,15 in its extended position for reducing, when travelling at high speed, the distance between the air deflector arrangement 8 and the trailer's forward wall 18 and hence reducing the air resistance to the vehicle combination. It also shows the left side air deflector 12,13, which is described in more detail below, together with the right side air deflector (not depicted), in connection with Figure 5.
• Figure 5 depicts schematically a horizontal section V-V of a vehicle combination 2 according to Figure 4, showing the vehicle cab 16 of tractor unit 4, the trailer 6 and the side air deflectors fastened to the tractor unit 4.
• the side air deflectors in this embodiment comprise a plurality of elements, respectively an element 10; 12 fastened to the vehicle cab 16 and an inflatable movable element 11;13 fastened to said element 10; 12.
• the element 10; 12 fastened to the vehicle cab 16 may either be fixed to the cab, i.e. be immovable, or be of the kind referred to in the embodiment according to Figure 1.
• Figure 5 shows the side air deflectors 10,11;12,13 in their extended positions for reducing, when travelling at high speed, the distance between the air deflector arrangement 8 and the trailer's forward wall 18 and hence reducing the air resistance to the vehicle combination.
• Figure 6 depicts schematically a top view of a fourth embodiment of side air deflectors 10,12 according to the invention, showing the vehicle cab 16 of the tractor unit 4, the trailer 6 and the side air deflectors fastened to the tractor unit 4 (omitting the roof air deflector for the sake of clarity).
• This embodiment differs from that described with reference to Figure 1 in that the side air deflectors 10,12 fastened to the vehicle cab 16 in this embodiment are movable and can be rotated about a vertical axis A,B.
• Figure 6 shows the side air deflectors 10,12 in their retracted position for increasing, when travelling at low speed, the distance between the air deflector arrangement 8 and the trailer's forward wall 18 and thereby making it possible for the vehicle combination 2 to execute sharp turns, e.g. at intersections.
• Figure 7 depicts schematically a top view of a fourth embodiment of side air deflectors 11,12 according to Figure 6, but with the side air deflectors 10,12 in their extended position for reducing, when travelling at high speed, the distance between the air deflector arrangement 8 and the trailer's forward wall 18 and thereby reducing the air resistance to the vehicle combination 2.
• Figure 8 depicts schematically a top view of a fourth embodiment of side air deflectors 10,12 according to Figure 6, but with the side air deflectors 10,12 in an intermediate position whereby they are used to help to brake the vehicle combination 2 when travelling at high speed down, for example, a long gradient, by enabling a flow of air 17,19 to make its way in between the vehicle cab 16 and the forward wall 18 of the trailer 6 and thereby apply a braking effect, hence saving the brake linings and the fuel which would otherwise be consumed by the retarder.
• the invention is described above with reference to a vehicle combination where the forward portion is a tractor unit and the rear portion is a trailer.
• the invention may also be applied to a vehicle combination where the forward portion is a platform truck and the rear portion a container placed on the platform. In this latter application, the problem that the distance between the portions of the vehicle combination decreases on one side of the vehicle when negotiating bends does not arise.
• Automatic adjustment of the air deflectors 10,11,12,13,14,15 can be effected in a number of different ways.
• One is to subject each desired combination of forward portion 14 and rear portion 16 to prior tests involving measurement of fuel consumption at various speeds and at various degrees of stepless extension of the air deflectors 10,11,12,13,14,15, the results thereafter being stored in a database which is put into the vehicle's computer memory so that the vehicle's computer can on the basis of the vehicle's speed automatically apply to the air deflectors 10,11,12,13,14,15 optimum settings with regard to fuel consumption.
• Another way is to arrange an air pressure sensor 20 (see Figure 1) at the front of the vehicle cab 16 and to programme a computer to activate extension of the air deflectors 10,11,12,13,14,15 when an air pressure corresponding to a speed which can be set by the driver on the control panel is exceeded, activate retraction of the air deflectors when the air pressure falls below said set air pressure, and control the degree of extension and retraction in the preferred manner stated above.
• the preferred method for automatic adjustment of the air deflectors is to carry out tests for each desired combination of forward portion 4 and rear portion 6, e.g.
• the invention thus relates to an air deflector arrangement 8 which is intended for a vehicle combination 2, is fitted to a vehicle cab 16 and is adjustable while the vehicle is in motion, where the vehicle combination 2 comprises a forward portion 4 with the vehicle cab 16 and a rear portion 6 intended for cargo, and where the air deflector arrangement 8 is adjustable in at least the longitudinal direction of the vehicle combination 2 to make it possible, while the vehicle is in motion, to adjust the distance between the air deflector arrangement 8 and the forward wall 18 of the rear portion 6 of the vehicle combination 2 so that the air resistance to the vehicle combination 2 is reduced, and a method for automatic adjustment of air deflectors.
• an air deflector arrangement 8 as above which is adjustable while the vehicle is in motion makes it possible for it to be adjusted to various positions depending on the vehicle's speed in order to be able to optimise the air resistance according to whether the vehicle is travelling in a straight line or on a sharp bend.
• adjustable air deflectors fitted to the tractor unit will be set at a greater distance from the trailer to enable the vehicle combination to execute sharp turns, e.g. at intersections.
• the adjustable air deflectors fitted to the tractor unit will be set relatively close to the trailer in order to minimise air resistance to the vehicle combination when it is travelling in a relatively straight line, e.g. on motorways.
• the air deflectors may be extended and retracted by systems powered hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically.
• the air deflectors 10,11,12,13,14,15 are adapted to retracting in the event of any collision with the trailer 6, so that they are not damaged. This can be achieved by using sensors which detect an overpressure in the system which adjusts the air deflectors 10, 11 , 12, 13 , 14, 15.

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Cited By (7)

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Citations (5)

• 2005
  • 2005-02-28 SE SE0500448A patent/SE528285C2/sv unknown
• 2006
  • 2006-02-22 BR BRPI0607232-1A patent/BRPI0607232B1/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2006-02-22 WO PCT/SE2006/000229 patent/WO2006091147A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2006-02-22 DE DE112006000449T patent/DE112006000449T5/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (5)

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