초록 ▼

Air dam apparatus for a motor vehicle includes a so-called door for deflecting air from the frontal clearance area at the front of the vehicle and below its structure such as the front bumper. The apparatus includes securement struts adapted for being attached to the vehicle structure for extending

Air dam apparatus for a motor vehicle includes a so-called door for deflecting air from the frontal clearance area at the front of the vehicle and below its structure such as the front bumper. The apparatus includes securement struts adapted for being attached to the vehicle structure for extending below it at the front of the vehicle. Fitments provide pivotal attachment of the door to the struts with the door extending transversely across and below the front of the vehicle and positioned centrally at the front of the vehicle for deflecting air which otherwise would pass between the vehicle wheels and beneath the vehicle itself to produce aerodynamic drag causing reduced fuel efficiency. The pivotal attachment permits rocking of the door about a transverse pivot axis for exposure of the door to aerodynamic forces. The pivot axis is located vertically with respect to the door so that such aerodynamic forces are balanced above and below the pivot axis. Torsion bars which define the pivot axis serve to resiliently urge the door toward an air damming or blocking position about the pivot axis, the door being rockable on the pivot axis from the air blocking position in response to obstructions which may contact the door below the pivot axis.

대표청구항 ▼

Air dam apparatus for a motor vehicle having a frontal clearance area defined by space beneath said vehicle extending to ground level, said apparatus comprising a door-like air deflection panel member dimensioned for substantially blocking said frontal area by deflection of air therefrom upon forwar

Air dam apparatus for a motor vehicle having a frontal clearance area defined by space beneath said vehicle extending to ground level, said apparatus comprising a door-like air deflection panel member dimensioned for substantially blocking said frontal area by deflection of air therefrom upon forward movement of said vehicle, strut means adapted for being attached to said vehicle for extending below said vehicle at the front thereof, pivot means hingedly securing said panel member to said strut means with said panel extending transversely across said frontal clearance area and for permitting the lower edge of said panel to be closely proximate ground level, said pivot means defining a transverse pivot axis about which said panel may rock, said pivot axis being vertically positioned with respect to said panel for providing substantial balancing of aerodynamic forces upon said panel above and below said pivot axis during forward movement of said vehicle, means resiliently urging said panel with respect to said pivot axis toward a position for blocking said frontal area but permitting rocking about said pivot axis in response to an obstruction contacting said panel below said pivot axis, said pivot axis being positioned relative to the body of said panel member so as to provide an upper portion of said panel member above said pivot axis and a lower portion of said panel member below said pivot axis, and upper portion advancing forward of said pivot axis and said lower portion retreating behind said pivot axis upon rocking of said panel member in response to said panel member being contacted by an obstacle, first and second wing members for deflecting air outwardly on opposite sides of said vehicle, and wing securement means adapted for being attached to said vehicle for mounting said wing panels on respective opposite sides of said panel member, said wing members each comprising an auxiliary panel positioned in front of a respective one of said wheels and extending from said vehicle to closely proximate ground level, said panel member and auxiliary panels together presenting, when said panel is in said blocking position, a substantially continuous air dam surface across the front of said vehicle therebelow, said wing members each being detachably interengaged with said vehicle for being pulled out of engagement upon extraordinary force downwardly away from said vehicle.