IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0447481
(2012-04-16)
|
등록번호 |
US-8845007
(2014-09-30)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Ryan, Reeder
- Vogel, John
- Tuerk, James R.
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
6 인용 특허 :
6 |
초록
▼
A drag reducing device includes an air flow turning component having a curved surface adapted to turn air flow passing over the curved surface, a first mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to a rear door of the vehicle, and a second mounting component for connecting the a
A drag reducing device includes an air flow turning component having a curved surface adapted to turn air flow passing over the curved surface, a first mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to a rear door of the vehicle, and a second mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to one of the opposite side walls of the vehicle. The mounting components are configured so that the air flow component is automatically in a deployed position when the rear door is closed, so the air flow turning component turns air flow passing along the side the vehicle inward to thereby reduce drag. The mounting components are further configured so that the air flow component is automatically stowed between the rear door and the vehicle side wall when the door is fully opened. The air turning component is sized for a minimal prominence when stowed.
대표청구항
▼
1. A drag reducing device for a vehicle, the vehicle having opposite side walls, a rear perimeter with a rear opening and at least one door at the opening, said device comprising: an air flow turning component, associated with each of the vehicle side walls, having a rigid curved surface configured
1. A drag reducing device for a vehicle, the vehicle having opposite side walls, a rear perimeter with a rear opening and at least one door at the opening, said device comprising: an air flow turning component, associated with each of the vehicle side walls, having a rigid curved surface configured to turn air flow passing over said curved surface when in a deployed position;a first mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to one of the at least one door, said first mounting component including a rear plate hingedly attached at one side thereof to said air flow turning component and hingedly attached at an opposite side thereof to the door; anda second mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to a corresponding one of the opposite side walls, said second mounting component including a side plate hingedly attached at one side thereof to said air flow turning component and hingedly attached at an opposite side thereof to the vehicle side wall,wherein said first and second mounting components are configured to support said air flow turning component extending rearward from the vehicle side walls in said deployed position, andwherein said rear and side plates are hingedly attached to said air turning component and to the door and side wall, respectively, by corresponding hinges, said hinges configured so that said air turning component can move from said deployed position aligned with the side wall of the vehicle to a stowed position between the door and the side wall when the door is fully opened. 2. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein said curved surface is defined at a curvature configured to turn the air flow passing the vehicle side wall toward the rear of the vehicle by at least 10°. 3. The drag reducing device of claim 2, wherein said air turning component further includes a trailing surface integral with a rear portion of said curved surface, said trailing surface being generally planar. 4. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein said curved surface is defined at a radius of at least 2.0 inches. 5. The drag reducing device of claim 4, wherein said curved surface is defined at a radius of between 3.0 and 6.0 inches. 6. The drag reducing device of claim 5, wherein said curved surface is defined at a radius of about 4.0 inches. 7. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein said air turning component is an elongated extrusion having a length so that the opposite ends of the extrusion are adjacent the top and bottom of the door of the vehicle. 8. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the hinge between said side plate and the vehicle side wall is configured to allow the side plate to pivot about 180°. 9. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein the hinge between said side plate and said air turning component is arranged between the vehicle side wall and said side plate to offset said side plate away from the vehicle side wall at an angle relative thereto when said device is in said deployed position. 10. The drag reducing device of claim 9, wherein said hinge between said side plate and said air turning component includes a rib projecting from said side plate toward the vehicle side wall in said deployed position and a generally planar flange extending from said air turning component to contact said rib in said deployed position. 11. The drag reducing device of claim 10, wherein said rib is sized so that said rib holds said planar flange against the vehicle side wall in said deployed position. 12. The drag reducing device of claim 9, wherein the hinge between said rear plate and said air turning component is configured so that said rear plate is disposed between said air turning component and the rear door when rear door is fully opened and said air turning component is in said stowed position. 13. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein said first mounting component includes at least one elongated elastic strap attached at one end to said air turning component and at an opposite end to the rear door. 14. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein said first mounting component includes at least one elongated lanyard attached at one end to said air turning component and at an opposite end to the rear door. 15. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein said second mounting component includes an attachment element configured to be removably attached to the vehicle side wall. 16. The drag reducing device of claim 15, wherein said second mounting component includes a side plate extending from said attachment element to said air turning component, said side plate defining cutouts for receiving the hinges of the vehicle rear door. 17. The drag reducing device of claim 15, wherein said second mounting component includes a socket defined in the vehicle side wall and said attachment element is configured for removable engagement within said socket. 18. The drag reducing device of claim 17, wherein said attachment element includes a magnet. 19. The drag reducing device of claim 17, wherein said attachment element includes a barbed fastener configured for push-in engagement within said socket. 20. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein said first mounting component includes a flexible plate attached at one side to said air turning component and hingedly attached at an opposite side to the rear door, said flexible plate adapted to at least partially fold onto itself when the rear door is fully opened and said air turning component is in its stowed position. 21. The drag reducing device of claim 1, wherein said air flow turning component includes a hollow frame defined on an interior face of said curved surface. 22. A drag reducing device for a vehicle, the vehicle having opposite side walls, a rear perimeter with a rear opening and at least one door at the opening, said device comprising: an air flow turning component, associated with each of the vehicle side walls, having a rigid curved surface configured to turn air flow passing over said curved surface when in a deployed position, said air flow turning component including a hollow frame defined on an interior face of said curved surface;a first mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to one of the at least one door;a second mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to a corresponding one of the opposite side walls; andone or more electrical accessories housed within said hollow frame,wherein said first and second mounting components are configured to support said air flow turning component extending rearward from the vehicle side walls in said deployed position. 23. The drag reducing device of claim 22, wherein said curved surface is defined at a curvature configured to turn the air flow passing the vehicle side wall toward the rear of the vehicle by at least 10°. 24. The drag reducing device of claim 23, wherein said air turning component further includes a trailing surface integral with a rear portion of said curved surface, said trailing surface being generally planar. 25. The drag reducing device of claim 22, wherein said curved surface is defined at a radius of at least 2.0 inches. 26. The drag reducing device of claim 25, wherein said curved surface is defined at a radius of between 3.0 and 6.0 inches. 27. The drag reducing device of claim 26, wherein said curved surface is defined at a radius of about 4.0 inches. 28. The drag reducing device of claim 22, wherein said air turning component further includes a trailing surface integral with a rear portion of said curved surface, said trailing surface being generally planar.
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