WO2018083691A1

WO2018083691A1 - Retractable aerodynamic system for vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2018083691A1
Application number: PCT/IL2017/051188
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ptahya MENKIN
Original assignee: Menkin Ptahya
Priority date: 2016-11-06
Filing date: 2017-11-01
Publication date: 2018-05-11
Also published as: IL248771B; IL248771A0

Abstract

A retractable aerodynamic add-on and build-in aerodynamically front and rear device for flat face vehicles, designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency in buses trucks and vans with flat faces. The device includes a folding structural frame using folding corrugated material or hard folding panels on the lower section of vehicle to achieve aerodynamically shaped front while in extended position connected to a swinging or sliding windshield or folded windshield combined with folding material on the upper section of vehicle's front, and a folding structural frame using corrugated material in a boat shaped mounted tail on the flat rear end of the vehicle.

Description

RETRACTABLE AERODYNAMIC SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[Para 1 ] The present invention relates to a retractable aerodynamic add-on and built-in aerodynamical^ front and rear system for flat face vehicles, designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency in buses trucks and vans with flat faces. More specifically, a system that comprises three parts or any part thereof:(1 ) a folding structural frame using folding corrugated material or hard folding panels on the lower section of vehicle's aerodynamically shaped front, while in extended position connected to a swinging or sliding or folded windshield combined with folding material on the upper section of vehicle's front; (2) a folding structural frame using corrugated material in a boat shaped mounted tail on the flat rear end of the vehicle and, (3) a ram air duct system designed to reduce /eliminate the vacuum created behind the vehicle at high speed and may be operated by electric, pneumatic or hydrau lic systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

[Para 2] Most vehicles manufactured today are designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency by shaping the external vehicle surfaces to reduce aerodynamic drag, thereby reducing fuel consumption. When transport vehicles like, buses trucks and vans are concerned, reducing fuel consumption also means, reduction of commercial transport costs. [Para 3] When it comes to buses trucks and vans with flat faces, there are more factors to be considered. Flat face vehicle design of buses trucks and vans provides several benefits over conventionally designed fronts (e.g., cab behind engine). One major benefit of the flat face design is a better usage of vehicle's total length due to maximu m length restrictions, thereby providing more seats in the bus or van, and a longer bed/platform for trucks. Another benefit is its maneuverability due to shorter wheelbase.

[Para 4] A major disadvantage of flat face vehicles is drag. The flat face creates tremendous drag and as a resu lt, the load on the engine is higher, the vehicle needs more power, consuming more fuel and creates a higher level of air pollution.

[Para 5] Vehicles with a flat front create higher pressure in front and turbulence on sides and back of the vehicle. In buses or trucks with flat backs it creates a vacuu m from behind, which also has a negative effect on vehicle's stability and safety, and on surrounding vehicles on their sides and from behind. The flat back is another cause for higher fuel consumption as well.

[Para 6] The embodiments of the present invention overcome the above disadvantages. By activating the retractable aerodynamic system, drag is reduced tremendously and as a resu lt it reduces the load on the engine, thus requiring less engine power, significantly reducing fuel consumption and lowering the level of pollution created by the vehicle.

[Para 7] The aerodynamic front also contributes to vehicle's stability and safety at high speed. The aerodynamic front enables wind to flow smoothly around the vehicle with minimum air turbulence and with little effect on other vehicles around it. When vehicle is equipped with a retractable boat tail as well, it fu rther increases stability and safety and the ram air duct further reduces the pressure in the front and the vacuum created in the rear at high speed, thus decreasing the pressure difference between the front and back of vehicle, reducing load on engine and reducing fuel consu mption,

[Para 8] In electric vehicles the aerodynamic front and rear increases its traveling distance between battery recharge/ replacement.

[Para 9] The retractable aerodynamic system enables user to activate the aerodynamic front and rear at high speed on inter-city roads, where it is most effective, and to retract it when entering the city or any other congested traffic, where driving at low speed is required and where aerodynamic front and rear are less effective, since when rolling resistance is higher than drag, aerodynamic shape is ineffective.

[Para 1 0] The embodiments of this invention keep the current length and design of vehicles: the retractable aerodynamic system is used where it is needed, without any changes in vehicle's length, number of seats (in buses and vans), or payload and platform length in trucks, and with no effect on vehicle's maneuverability.

[Para l l ] The length increase, when using the system, has no negative effects since at high speed the distance between automobiles is much greater than it is at low speed and driver's view is focused on a far greater distance ahead.

When slowing down, the driver retracts the front or, at a certain pre-adjusted speed, an automatic mechanism retracts the front, bringing the vehicle back to its original length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[Para 1 2] An embodiment is an example or implementation of the invention. The various appearances of "one embodiment," "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to same embodiments. Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

[Para 1 3] Reference in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "some embodiments" or "other embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. It is u nderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only.

[Para 1 4] One embodiment of the invention is a mask kit to be assembled on the front and rear (where the rear end of the vehicle is also flat) of an existing vehicle. The mask kit is attached and secured to the upper section of vehicle's front in a way that the mask windshield can swing forward when pushed by the coupled folding structural frame when the retractable front is extended, and the folding structural frame is attached to the lower section of vehicle's front. At the rear the folding structure frame works by using folding corrugated material shaped as a boat tail in extended position operated together or separately by electric, pneumatic or hydraulic systems. The rear folding structural frame is attached to the rear end of the vehicle on one side by hinges to allow swing opening of the boat tail to the side to allow easy access to the bus engine and to allow loading and unloading in trucks.

[Para 15] In another embodiment, the system is a built-in system in a new vehicle's body designed by manufacturer.

[Para 16] In yet another embodiment the system can serve both, existing and new vehicle.

[Para 17] In yet another embodiment the air duct system connects the front to the rear and can also serve both, existing and new vehicle and may be operated with the help of a compressor or fan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[Para 18] The drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. Moreover, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. In addition, any suitable mechanism, size, shape or type of elements or materials may be used.

[Para 1 9] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with references to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[Para 20] Fig 1 is a schematic illustration of front view of the folding structu ral frame of the mask type retractable front without the corrugated folding material assembled on the front of an existing flat front bus in extended position,

[Para 21 ] Fig 2 is a schematic illustration of side view of the mask type folding structural frame in extended position.

[Para 22] Fig 3 illustrates the mask type retractable front in retracted position wherein windshield 30 becomes a type of second layer or mask of the bus windshield and the folding structural frame with its corrugated folding material 60 folds into its case at the lower section of bus's original front.

[Para 23] Fig 4 is a schematic illustration of top view folding structural frame in extended position.

[Para 24] Fig S illustrates a side view of vehicle's rear section with retractable boat tail type 70 attached, and in extended position.

[Para 25] Fig 6 illustrates a side view of vehicle's rear section with retractable boat shape tail attached. The boat shape tail is in retracted position and secured with lock 74.

[Para 26] Fig 7 is a schematic illustration of back view of retractable aerodynamic boat tai l. [Para 27] Fig 8 illustrates a side view of the retractable aerodynamic front in another embodiment where it is originally bu ilt in a new body; showing side folding glass panels 88, when in extended position, enables unrestricted side view for the driver.

[Para 28] Fig 9 illustrates the side view of above originally built-in retractable aerodynamic front in retracted position.

[Para 29] Fig 1 0 illustrates the front view of above originally built-in retractable aerodynamic front in retracted position.

[Para 30] Fig 1 1 illustrates a scissor type retractable arm, which is one of several options for operating the device.

[Para 31 ] Fig 1 2 illustrates yet another embodiment of a sliding type retractable front in retracted position.

[Para 32] Fig 1 3 illustrates the sliding type retractable front in extended position. [Para 33] Fig 1 4 illustrates a side view of the air duct system in the front section of vehicle wherein the air inlets 1 40 are positioned below the leading edge of the retractable front device in extended position.

[Para 34] Fig 1 5 illustrates a side view of the air duct system in the rear section of the vehicle.

[Para 35] Fig 1 6 illustrates a view of the air duct system's outlets 1 45 on a flat rear of the vehicle.

[Para 36] Fig 1 7 illustrates a top view of the air duct system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[Para 37] The system may comprise all three parts or any part thereof:(l ) a folding structu ral frame using folding corrugated material or hard folding panels on the lower section of vehicle's aerodynamically shaped front, while in extended position connected to a swinging or sliding or folded windshield 30 combined with folding material, corrugated fabric or any other materiel, on the u pper section of vehicle's front, The two sections are connected by moving pivots at the leading edge; (2) a folding structu ral frame using corrugated material in a boat shaped mounted tail on the flat rear end of the vehicle and, (3) a ram air duct system designed to reduce/eliminate the vacuum created behind the vehicle at high speed,

[Para 38] On the upper section windshield 30 the width is identical to bus' original windshield, which may be divided into three sections: the main central front section 30, the side section 30A on the right side and section 30B on the left side. In retracted position the three sections, which are connected to each other, are flat like vehicle's windshield, while in extended position sections 30A and 30B fold backward toward the bus to fit the shape of the lower folding structu re below it (as shown in fig 2).

[Para 39] The folding structu ral frame is attached to the lower section of vehicle's front at its base and to windshield's sliding brackets, located at the bottom of the swinging windshield pivot pins 22 <& 23, together forming the leading edge of the system in extended position. [Para 40] The lower section of the retractable front (as shown in fig. 1 ) comprises rings 44 and 45, wherein the first three larger rings are bent at their bottom corners to form ports for vehicle's headlights, Rings 44 create the aerodynamic shape and rings 45 hold the corrugated material stretched and more smoothly in extended position forcing the material to fold into the structural frame and not outside of it, Leading edge 26 and sliding brackets 28 and 29 connect windshield 30 to the lower section of the folding structural frame. Pivot points 22 and 23 attach windshield 30 to vehicle enabling windshield to swing back and forth.

[Para 413 Windshield 30 may be divided into three sections to enable the windshield to fold and to form an aerodynamic shape of the upper section of the retractable front, Likewise, windshield 30 may be comprised of a single section.

[Para 42] On the lower section, the folding structural frame may be made of several rings of different shapes and sizes connected by two scissor type extended arms wherein the largest ring is attached to vehicle's body as a base and the smaller ones extend to maximum extended position forming the aerodynamic shape. When the structural frame extends, it pushes the windshield with it and together they form a complete aerodynamic front.

[Para 43] As shown in fig 2 , pivot pin 23 allows windshield 30 to swing foreword and back. When right section 30A folds back it slides bracket 28, the sliding connects pivot pin 25, which connects the two sections, forming a leading edge 26 of the retractable front. [Para 44] The system further comprises a ram air duct system (fig 17) wherein the retractable air inlets 140 located in the front under the leading edge 26 collect the air that flows below the leading edge into retractable inlets 140 of the ram air duct system and through retractable pipes 141, which delivers the flow through ducts 142 and through the flexible & retractable hoses 144 to the rear end outlets 145 in order to eliminate the vacuum and turbulence behind the vehicle,

[Para 45] The system further comprises spoiler 27 at the bottom of the folding structural frame to deflect the air flowing under the duct air inlets to its sides, to eliminate increase of drag under the vehicle.

[Para 46] Scissor type arm 50 and connecting rings 44 and 45 in extended position are connected to vehicle and to the operator piston on one end and to the folding structural front end on other end, As the piston applies and extends scissor type arms 50 and 51, the arms extend the folding structural frame pushing the rings forward separating them from each other and stretching folding material 60, pushing forward windshield 30 with pins 24 and 25, which slide in sliding brackets 28 and 29, and together form the extended aerodynamic front, Under the three largest ring shaped bars connected by folding material 60 is bottom spoiler 27, which deflects the air flowing under the duct air inlets to the sides, to eliminate increase of drag under the vehicle.

[Para 47] As shown in fig 4, rings 44 and 45 are connected to each other by scissor type arms 50 and 51. Scissor type arms 50 and 51 are connected to the original body on one end and to leading edge 26 on the other end, Sliding pivot pins 24 and 25, which are located on both sides of leading edge 26, slide through slot brackets 28 and 29 which are attached to the folding connection between windshield sections 30-30A and 30-30B during change in positions of the retractable aerodynamic front.

[Para 48] Under the duct air inlets are located three large ring shaped bars connected by folding material 60 is bottom spoiler 27, which deflects the air flowing under the front leading edge of vehicle to the sides, to eliminate increase of drag under the vehicle.

[Para 49] At the rear section, as shown in fig 5 , the retractable boat tail is a folding structural frame comprising as many as needed (the number is determined by the boat tail's length) square shaped rings 76 of different sizes attached by soft corrugated folding material wherein the largest square is attached to vehicle's body and the smaller ones are the end of the boat shape tail forming the requested aerodynamic shape needed. Scissor type retractable arms or any other mechanism connect the square rings enabling the folding structural frame to extend and retract. When retractable aerodynamic boat tail is in retracted position it is secured with lock 74.

[Para 50] As shown in fig 7 ,in yet another embodiment, also shown in figs. 1 2- 1 3, windshield bottom is connected to two vertical poles 1 22 located at both sides of vehicle. The two vertical poles are connected to the body at its lower section, while the windshield 1 20 at its extract position is lying on vehicle's roof and the upper part of windshield 120 is connected to sliding bracket 130 mounted on the roof,

[Para 51] The folding structural frame is attached to the body by hinges 72 on the left or right side and lock 74 on the opposite side, enabling the swinging of the whole boat shape tail like a door to desired side allowing an approach to the engine at the rear of a bus or loading and unloading in a truck.

[Para 52] As shown in fig 8 the side folding glass panels 88, when in extended position, enables unrestricted side view for the driver.

[Para 53] In yet another embodiment as shown in fig. 12, windshield 120 is lying horizontally on vehicle's roof connected at the rear, (the upper side of windshield 120 in extend position), to sliding bracket 130 by rolling pivot pin 135 (the same on the other side) allowing windshield 120 to move forward. In the front, when in extend position, windshield 120 is connected on each side of the vehicle to pole 122, which is located at the side of the lower section of vehicle's body by pivot pin 131. Pole 122 is connected to vehicle's body by pivot pin 133 to allow pole 122 to tilt forward forming with windshield 120 an aerodynamic shape in extend position. There are several ways to activate the device, either by pushing windshield 120 from behind or pulling windshield 120 by pole 122.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A retractable add-on mask type or built-in aerodynamic front and rear combined system for flat face vehicles comprising a folding structural frame, corrugated folding material, a windshield, , air inlets, air ducts and air outlets, wherein the air inlets are located in vehicle's front lower section combining the lower section of retractable front or below it to rear of vehicle; and wherein a ram air duct flows through it from the inlets to the outlets; and wherein air outlets located at vehicle's back/ ear face the ram air flows out at the rear end of vehicle: and whereby extending the tilt windshield, the air inlet area is enlarged allowing entry of a larger quantity of air into air inlet/ intake and discharging a larger quantity of air at the rear, vehicle's drag is reduced; and wherein the lower part under the front windshield turns into a larger air intake area that annuls resistance by receiving and transferring the air to the rear end of vehicle where the flow detachment is annulled thus causes further reduce of drag.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein an electrical or pneumatic or hydraulic means activate the mechanism,

3. The system of claim 1 wherein hard folding panels are located at the lower section of vehicle's aerodynamically shaped front wherein the upper section is the windshield and the lower section is a folding structural frame; and

Wherein the two sections are connected with moving pivots,

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the combined system may be extended or retracted while vehicle is moving.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein at the lower section the folding panels are connected to a swinging windshield in extended position;

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the folding panels are connected to a folded swinging windshield combined with folding material and glass on the upper section of vehicle's front;

7. The system of claim 1 wherein a sliding windshield is mounted on vehicle's roof;

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the folding structure frame operates by scissor type arms or any other type of mechanism,

9. The system of claim 1 comprises a clear side windshield type of folding glass panels attached to sides of windshield's outer sections,

1 0. The system of claim 1 comprises a selector button for the driver to activate the system or an automatic system for extending and/ or retracting the system upon vehicle's speed.