초록 ▼

An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is adaptable for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus consists of a series of nesting shapes and/or frameworks that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving c

An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is adaptable for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus consists of a series of nesting shapes and/or frameworks that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus adapted for use on a vehicle with a substantially vertical rear end, the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus comprising: a linkage including at least a first link rotatably connected to the vehicle about a first axis and a second link also rotatably connecte

1. An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus adapted for use on a vehicle with a substantially vertical rear end, the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus comprising: a linkage including at least a first link rotatably connected to the vehicle about a first axis and a second link also rotatably connected to the vehicle about a second axis;an aerodynamic panel assembly moveable between a first position and a second position by the linkage, the first link rotatably connected to the aerodynamic panel assembly about a third axis and the second link also rotatably connected to the aerodynamic panel assembly about a fourth axis, the aerodynamic panel assembly including at least one aerodynamic panel, the aerodynamic panel extending between a first end and a second end, the first end of the aerodynamic panel adjacent a portion of a perimeter of the substantially vertical rear end at least when the aerodynamic panel assembly is at the first position, the second end of the aerodynamic panel positioned rearwardly behind the vehicle at least when the aerodynamic panel assembly is at the first position;wherein the first, second, third, and fourth axes are substantially parallel to each other at least when the aerodynamic panel assembly is at the first position and the second position. 2. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second linkage; anda second aerodynamic panel assembly;wherein the linkage is a first linkage and the aerodynamic panel assembly is a first aerodynamic panel assembly;wherein the first and second linkages are substantially mirror images of each other when both are at a corresponding configuration; andwherein the first and second aerodynamic panel assemblies are substantially mirror images of each other when both are at a corresponding configuration. 3. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second linkages are substantially mirror images of each other about a vertical mid-plane of the vehicle and wherein the first and second aerodynamic panel assemblies are substantially mirror images of each other about the vertical mid-plane of the vehicle. 4. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the linkage is a planar linkage that operates in a substantially horizontal plane. 5. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first axis and the second axis are each respectively defined by first and second features fixedly positioned on at least a portion of the vehicle, and wherein the third axis and the fourth axis are each respectively defined by third and fourth features fixedly positioned on at least a portion of the aerodynamic panel assembly. 6. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth axes are substantially vertical. 7. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and third axes of the first link are spaced a first distance from each other, the second and fourth axes of the second link are spaced a second distance from each other, the second distance is greater than the first distance, and the linkage is thereby an articulated linkage, and wherein the articulated linkage is adapted to articulate the aerodynamic panel assembly when the aerodynamic panel assembly is moved between the first position and the second position. 8. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first link is positioned outboard on the vehicle relative to the second link. 9. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first and second axes of the vehicle are spaced a third distance from each other, the third and fourth axes of the aerodynamic panel assembly are spaced a fourth distance from each other, the fourth distance is greater than the third distance, and the linkage is thereby the articulated linkage. 10. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second axes of the vehicle are spaced a first distance from each other, the third and fourth axes of the aerodynamic panel assembly are spaced a second distance from each other, the second distance is greater than the first distance, and the linkage is thereby an articulated linkage, and wherein the articulated linkage is adapted to articulate the aerodynamic panel assembly when the aerodynamic panel assembly is moved between the first position and the second position. 11. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first position of the aerodynamic panel assembly is a deployed position and the second position of the aerodynamic panel assembly is a non-deployed position. 12. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the non-deployed position of the aerodynamic panel assembly is at a side of the vehicle. 13. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the articulated linkage is adapted to rotate the at least one aerodynamic panel of the aerodynamic panel assembly into position when moved between the first position and the second position and wherein the first position is a deployed position. 14. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the articulated linkage is adapted to rotate the at least one aerodynamic panel of the aerodynamic panel assembly into position when moved between the first position and the second position and wherein the first position is a deployed position. 15. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the articulated linkage is adapted to move the first end of the aerodynamic panel away from the portion of the perimeter of the substantially vertical rear end and then move the first end of the aerodynamic panel adjacent to the vehicle when the aerodynamic panel assembly is moved between the first position and the second position. 16. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the articulated linkage is adapted to move the first end of the aerodynamic panel away from the portion of the perimeter of the substantially vertical rear end and then move the first end of the aerodynamic panel adjacent to the vehicle when the aerodynamic panel assembly is moved between the first position and the second position. 17. An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus adapted for use on a vehicle with a substantially vertical rear end, the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus comprising: at least one aerodynamic panel assembly moveable between a first position and a second position, the aerodynamic panel assembly including at least one aerodynamic panel, the aerodynamic panel extending between a first end and a second end, the first end of the aerodynamic panel adjacent a portion of a perimeter of the substantially vertical rear end at least when the aerodynamic panel assembly is at the first position, the second end of the aerodynamic panel positioned rearwardly behind the vehicle at least when the aerodynamic panel assembly is at the first position; andat least one support device for supporting the at least one aerodynamic panel assembly at least when the at least one aerodynamic panel assembly is at the first position;wherein the at least one support device includes a four-bar linkage having at least four joint axes for moving the at least one aerodynamic panel assembly between the first and the second positions. 18. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 17, wherein the four-bar linkage has only four of the joint axes and wherein the four joint axes extend parallel to one another. 19. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 17, wherein the four-bar linkage comprises: at least one first swinging link of a first length and at least one second swinging link of a second length, the second length being greater than the first length;wherein the first swinging link and the second swinging link each include a first joint and a second joint; andwherein a first swivel angle of the first swinging link is greater than a second swivel angle of the second swinging link when the at least one aerodynamic panel assembly is moved between the first and the second positions. 20. An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus adapted for use on a vehicle with a substantially vertical rear end, the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus comprising: at least one aerodynamic panel assembly moveable between a first position and a second position, the aerodynamic panel assembly including at least one aerodynamic panel, the aerodynamic panel extending rearwardly behind the vehicle at least when the aerodynamic panel assembly is at the first position;at least one support device for supporting the at least one aerodynamic panel assembly at least when the at least one aerodynamic panel assembly is at the first position, the at least one support device including at least one first swinging link of a first length and at least one second swinging link of a second length, the second length being greater than the first length; andat least one bi-stable arrangement which urges the at least one aerodynamic panel assembly into the first position along a first movement range and also urges the at least one aerodynamic panel assembly into the second position along a second movement range. 21. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus of claim 20, wherein the bi-stable arrangement includes a spring device and a detent.