IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
UP-0134348
(2008-06-06)
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등록번호 |
US-7845708
(2011-01-31)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Breidenbach, Thomas Scott
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Adaptive Aerodynamic, LLC
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
22 인용 특허 :
86 |
초록
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An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus for use with vehicles having surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus including an exterior cover supported by moveable frames which in turn are supported by sets of supporting linkages. The moveable frames extend rearward and together with the exterior
An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus for use with vehicles having surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus including an exterior cover supported by moveable frames which in turn are supported by sets of supporting linkages. The moveable frames extend rearward and together with the exterior cover form a drag reducing shape for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.
대표청구항
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What is claimed is: 1. A drag reducing device for use in reducing drag on a vehicle, the drag reducing device comprising: a drag reducing assembly that is movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the drag reducing assembly including a first end section adapted for co
What is claimed is: 1. A drag reducing device for use in reducing drag on a vehicle, the drag reducing device comprising: a drag reducing assembly that is movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the drag reducing assembly including a first end section adapted for connection to the vehicle and a second end section that is moved in an outward direction from the first end section when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the retracted configuration toward the extended configuration, the second end section being spaced in the outward direction from the first end section when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration; the drag reducing assembly including a flexible covering extending from a first end to a second end when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration, the first end of the flexible covering attached to the first end section and the second end of the flexible covering attached to the second end section; a first linkage including a first link and a second link, the first link connected to the first end section of the drag reducing assembly at a first rotatable connection, the first and the second links connected together at a second rotatable connection, and the second link connected to the second end section of the drag reducing assembly at a third rotatable connection; and a second linkage including a third link and a fourth link, the third link connected to the first end section of the drag reducing assembly at a fourth rotatable connection, the third and the fourth links connected together at a fifth rotatable connection, and the fourth link connected to the second end section of the drag reducing assembly at a sixth rotatable connection; wherein one or more of the rotatable connections of the first linkage are non-parallel with one or more of the rotatable connections of the second linkage and wherein the first and the second linkages together provide support for the second end section of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration. 2. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the first rotatable connection is adjacent a first end of the first link, the second rotatable connection is adjacent a second end of the first link and a first end of the second link, the third rotatable connection is adjacent a second end of the second link, the fourth rotatable connection is adjacent a first end of the third link, the fifth rotatable connection is adjacent a second end of the third link and a first end of the fourth link, and the sixth rotatable connection is adjacent a second end of the fourth link. 3. The drag reducing device of claim 2, wherein the first rotatable connection is at the first end of the first link, the second rotatable connection is at the second end of the first link, the second rotatable connection is at the first end of the second link, the third rotatable connection is at the second end of the second link, the fourth rotatable connection is at the first end of the third link, the fifth rotatable connection is at the second end of the third link, the fifth rotatable connection is at the first end of the fourth link, and the sixth rotatable connection is at the second end of the fourth link. 4. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth rotatable connections are each cylindrical joints defining an axis, wherein the axes of the first, the second, and the third rotatable connections are parallel with each other, wherein the axes of the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth rotatable connections are parallel with each other, and wherein the axes of the first, the second, and the third rotatable connections are non-parallel with axes of the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth rotatable connections. 5. The drag reducing device of claim 4, wherein the axes of the first, the second, and the third rotatable connections are perpendicular to a first plane, wherein the axes of the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth rotatable connections are perpendicular to a second plane, and wherein the first and the second planes are perpendicular to each other. 6. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth rotatable connections is a spherical joint. 7. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth rotatable connections is a flexible material hinge. 8. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the first end section is integrated with the vehicle. 9. The drag reducing device of claim 8, wherein the first end section is integrated with a rear door of the vehicle. 10. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the first end section includes a fairing adjoining the vehicle. 11. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the second end section is biased in the outward direction thereby causing an outward bias of the second end section. 12. The drag reducing device of claim 11, wherein one or more of the rotatable connections of the first linkage and the second linkage is spring loaded and thereby biases the second end section in the outward direction. 13. The drag reducing device of claim 11, further comprising means for moving the second end section in an inward direction opposite the outward direction and thereby overcoming the outward bias of the second end section. 14. The drag reducing device of claim 13, wherein the means for moving the second end section in the inward direction includes a tension member pulling the first and the second end sections together. 15. The drag reducing device of claim 14, wherein the means for moving the second end section in the inward direction further includes a pulley engaging the tension member, wherein when the pulley rotates in a first rotational direction the second end section moves in the outward direction, and wherein when the pulley rotates in a second rotational direction the second end section moves in the inward direction. 16. The drag reducing device of claim 15, wherein the tension member is reeled in by the pulley when the pulley rotates in the second rotational direction. 17. The drag reducing device of claim 15, wherein the means for moving the second end section in the inward direction further includes a motor operably connected to the pulley, the motor adapted to drive the pulley in the first rotational direction and adapted to drive the pulley in the second rotational direction. 18. The drag reducing device of claim 15, wherein the pulley is rotatably mounted at the first end section and an end of the tension member is connected to the second end section. 19. The drag reducing device of claim 18, wherein the means for moving the second end section in the inward direction further includes a motor operably connected to the pulley and rotatably mounting the pulley to the first end section, the motor adapted to drive the pulley in the first rotational direction and adapted to drive the pulley in the second rotational direction. 20. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the second end section is biased in an inward direction thereby causing an inward bias of the second end section, the inward direction being opposite the outward direction. 21. The drag reducing device of claim 20, wherein one or more of the rotatable connections of the first linkage and the second linkage is spring loaded and thereby biases the second end section in the inward direction. 22. The drag reducing device of claim 20, wherein a pressure differential across the flexible covering overcomes the inward bias of the second end section. 23. The drag reducing device of claim 22, wherein partial vacuum created by movement of the vehicle produces at least a portion of the pressure differential. 24. The drag reducing device of claim 22, wherein static pressure within the drag reducing assembly produces at least a portion of the pressure differential. 25. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the flexible covering is pulled taut between the first and the second end sections when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration. 26. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the flexible covering is pulled inward between the first and the second end sections by elastic elements when the drag reducing assembly is moved toward the retracted configuration from the extended configuration. 27. The drag reducing device of claim 26, wherein the elastic elements are connected between the flexible covering and one or more of the first and the second linkages. 28. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the second end section defines an open end. 29. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the second end section defines a closed end. 30. The drag reducing device of claim 1, further comprising a left drag reducing assembly, wherein the drag reducing assembly is a right drag reducing assembly and wherein the left drag reducing assembly is substantially a mirror image of the right drag reducing assembly. 31. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the drag reducing assembly defines a tapering shape behind a rear end of the vehicle when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration. 32. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the drag reducing assembly defines a gap filling shape between a first section and a second section of the vehicle when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration. 33. A drag reducing device for use in reducing drag on a vehicle, the drag reducing device comprising: a drag reducing assembly that is movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the drag reducing assembly including a first end section adapted for connection to the vehicle, a second end section that is moved in an outward direction from the first end section when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the retracted configuration toward the extended configuration, and an intermediate section positioned between the first end section and the second end section when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration, the intermediate section being spaced in the outward direction from the first end section when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration, and the second end section being spaced in the outward direction from the intermediate section when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration; the drag reducing assembly including a flexible covering extending from a first end to a second end when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration, the first end of the flexible covering attached to the first end section and the second end of the flexible covering attached to the second end section; a first linkage including a first link and a second link, the first link connected to the first end section of the drag reducing assembly at a first rotatable connection, the first and the second links connected together at a second rotatable connection, and the second link connected to the intermediate section of the drag reducing assembly at a third rotatable connection; a second linkage including a third link and a fourth link, the third link connected to the first end section of the drag reducing assembly at a fourth rotatable connection, the third and the fourth links connected together at a fifth rotatable connection, and the fourth link connected to the intermediate section of the drag reducing assembly at a sixth rotatable connection; a third linkage including a fifth link and a sixth link, the fifth link connected to the intermediate section of the drag reducing assembly at a seventh rotatable connection, the fifth and the sixth links connected together at an eighth rotatable connection, and the sixth link connected to the second end section of the drag reducing assembly at a ninth rotatable connection; and a fourth linkage including a seventh link and an eighth link, the seventh link connected to the intermediate section of the drag reducing assembly at a tenth rotatable connection, the seventh and the eighth links connected together at an eleventh rotatable connection, and the eighth link connected to the second end section of the drag reducing assembly at a twelfth rotatable connection; wherein one or more of the rotatable connections of the first linkage are non-parallel with one or more of the rotatable connections of the second linkage, wherein one or more of the rotatable connections of the third linkage are non-parallel with one or more of the rotatable connections of the fourth linkage, and wherein the first, the second, the third, and the fourth linkages provide support for the second end section of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the extended configuration to the refracted configuration. 34. A drag reducing device for use in reducing drag on a vehicle, the drag reducing device comprising: a drag reducing assembly that is movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the drag reducing assembly including a first end section adapted for connection to the vehicle, a second end section that is moved in an outward direction from the first end section when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the retracted configuration toward the extended configuration, and a plurality of intermediate sections positioned between the first end section and the second end section when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration, the first end section, the intermediate sections, and the second end section being spaced from each other in the outward direction when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration; the drag reducing assembly including a flexible covering extending from a first end to a second end when the drag reducing assembly is at the extended configuration, the first end of the flexible covering attached to the first end section and the second end of the flexible covering attached to the second end section; a plurality of linkage pairs connected between a first section and a second section of the first end section, the plurality of intermediate sections, and the second end section, each of the linkage pairs including a first linkage and a second linkage, a first linkage pair of the plurality of linkage pairs connecting the first end section and a first intermediate section of the plurality of intermediate sections, a last linkage pair of the plurality of linkage pairs connecting a last intermediate section of the plurality of intermediate sections and the second end section, and an intermediate linkage pair of the plurality of linkage pairs connecting between each of the intermediate sections of the plurality of intermediate sections; each of the first linkages including a first link and a second link, the first link connected to the first section at a first rotatable connection, the first and the second links connected together at a second rotatable connection, and the second link connected to the second section at a third rotatable connection; each of the second linkages including a third link and a fourth link, the third link connected to the first section at a fourth rotatable connection, the third and the fourth links connected together at a fifth rotatable connection, and the fourth link connected to the second section at a sixth rotatable connection; wherein one or more of the rotatable connections of the first linkage are non-parallel with one or more of the rotatable connections of the second linkage and wherein the plurality of linkage pairs provide support for the second end section of the drag reducing assembly when the drag reducing assembly is moved from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration.
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