Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – With distinct wind deflector
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-29
2001-04-03
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
With distinct wind deflector
C296S180500, C180S903000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209947
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to motor vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable aerodynamic system for a motor vehicle.
2. Discussion
The handling and fuel economy of a motor vehicle is significantly effected by the wind resistance it generates. A vehicle's wind resistance is often referred to as its aerodynamic efficiency. In this regard, as a motor vehicle is propelled, a resultant drag or wind resistance is encountered.
It has been long been desired to improve aerodynamic efficiency of a motor vehicle by reducing wind resistance. This is reflected in the evolution of motor vehicle design from boxier vehicles to more streamlined designs. For example, it is known to improve aerodynamic efficiency through the addition of a spoiler mounted to the rear deck lid of a vehicle. It is also known to lower front and side vehicle clearances to improve vehicle handling at faster speeds.
While known techniques for improving a vehicle's aerodynamic efficiency have proven to be commercially acceptable for their intended applications, they are all associated with limitations. For example, almost all known techniques for improving aerodynamic efficiency of a vehicle are optimized for a single vehicle speed. In addition, known structures which result in reduced vehicle clearance for high speed performance do not accommodate driving obstacles frequently encountered at low speeds. Furthermore, the limited number of structures heretofore known for improving aerodynamic efficiency of a vehicle which are deployable do not maintain overall vehicle appearance when utilized.
Thus, it is desirable to provide an improved aerodynamic system for a motor vehicle which overcomes the limitations associated with prior known arrangements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide an adjustable aerodynamic system for a motor vehicle for improving vehicle handling and fuel efficiency.
In one form, the present invention provides an adjustable aerodynamic system for a motor vehicle including a rear deck lid and a front facia having a plurality of openings. The adjustable aerodynamic system includes a deployable rear spoiler assembly, a deployable rocker extension assembly and a deployable air dam assembly.
The rear spoiler assembly includes a main body portion movable between an undeployed position and a deployed position. The main body portion is operatively attached to the rear deck lid of the motor vehicle.
The rocker extension assembly includes a lower member and an intermediate member. The lower member downwardly translates relative to the vehicle from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The intermediate member is pivotally attached to the motor vehicle and spring biased to a downward position in which the intermediate member conceals a gap between the lower member and the vehicle when the lower member is in the deployed position.
The air dam assembly includes a main body portion operatively associated with the front facia. The main body portion downwardly translates from an undeployed position to a deployed position such that at least one of the plurality of openings in the facia is covered when the main body portion is in the undeployed position and the at least one opening is open when the main body portion is in the deployed position.
Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from a reading of the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4119339 (1978-10-01), Heimburger
patent: 4159140 (1979-06-01), Chabot et al.
patent: 4489806 (1984-12-01), Shimomura
patent: 4770457 (1988-09-01), Tomforde
patent: 4773692 (1988-09-01), Schleicher et al.
patent: 4778212 (1988-10-01), Tomforde
patent: 4887681 (1989-12-01), Durm et al.
patent: 4976489 (1990-12-01), Lovelace
patent: 5458391 (1995-10-01), Ito et al.
Altherr Richard H.
Rundels Jonathan L.
Trostle Mark C.
Calcaterra Mark P.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Dayoan D. Glenn
Morrow Jason
LandOfFree
Adjustable aerodynamic system for a motor vehicle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Adjustable aerodynamic system for a motor vehicle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Adjustable aerodynamic system for a motor vehicle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2464169