Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – With distinct wind deflector
Patent
1990-10-05
1992-03-10
Cherry, Johnny D.
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
With distinct wind deflector
2961802, 105 11, B62D 3500
Patent
active
050945033
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to vehicle aerodynamics and in particular but not exclusively to the aerodynamics of vehicle/trailer combinations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Goods vehicles commonly include a box-like body to the rear of the cab and such vehicles are often employed to tow as a trailer a further unit also fitted with a box-like body.
It is an object of the invention to provide means whereby the aerodynamic qualities of vehicles and vehicle/trailer combinations can be improved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention a vehicle comprises a box-like body comprising an upper surface and upright side surfaces, the upper surface lying for the most part horizontally and having profiling means towards its rear end, the profiling means including a downwardly rearwardly inclined surface extending to the rear of the box-like body.
Preferably the profiling means includes ridges to the sides of the inclined surface which extend upwards above the level of the surface, the upper edges of the ridges lying generally horizontally.
Conveniently the profiling means includes a small ridge extending upwardly above said upper surface adjacent the leading portion of the inclined surface and transversely of the direction of travel.
In one arrangement the inclined surface lies at an angle in the range 5.degree.-10.degree. to the horizontal.
The junction between the upright side surfaces of the body and a rear surface of the body may be defined by a curvilinear or arcuate surface and an arcuate curvilinear surface may define the junction between the upper and side surfaces of the body.
According to another aspect of the invention a vehicle comprises in combination a towing and a trailer vehicle each having a box-like body, each of the bodies having an upper surface which is for the most part horizontal, the towing vehicle body having profiling means whereby to the rear of the upper surface said surface is inclined downwardly to the rear, the trailer vehicle having profiling means whereby towards the front of the upper surface of the box-like body of the trailer said surface is inclined upwardly in the rearwards direction.
Preferably the profiling means on each of the towing vehicle and trailer vehicle bodies has ridges to the sides of the respective inclined surfaces which extend upwards above the level of the surfaces.
Conveniently the inclination of the downwardly and upwardly-inclined surfaces to the horizontal is substantially the same for each of the profiling means.
The provision of the profiling means is particularly effective in improving the aerodynamic qualities of the vehicle and trailer combination when the front end of the trailer is relatively closely spaced from the towing vehicle. Preferably the spacing is small and may be as small as 15 cms but the beneficial effects may be obtainable with a wider spacing of up to 2 m.
Further improvements in aerodynamics may also be obtained by profiling means whereby the forward upright edges of the box-like body of the trailer vehicle are radiused to provide a curved leading edge. In addition the rearward upright edges of the box-like body of the trailer vehicle may be profiled to provide a curved trailing edge.
It has been found that by the provision of the profiling means the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle/trailer combination is significantly improved partly, it is believed, by ensuring that the creation of eddies of air over the body surfaces is reduced. Instead of such eddies being created air flow over the surfaces is maintained with a smooth flow profile, thereby reducing drag on the vehicle/trailer combination.
Further profiling means may also be provided at the rear end of the trailer upper surface to define a downwardly rearwardly inclined surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features of the invention will appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of example and with reference to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a towing vehicle/trailer vehicle
REFERENCES:
patent: 827899 (1906-08-01), Zimmerman
patent: 2182640 (1939-12-01), Pohlhausen
patent: 2208075 (1940-07-01), Jabelmann
patent: 2243906 (1941-06-01), Huet
patent: 3999797 (1976-12-01), Kirsch et al.
patent: 4057280 (1977-11-01), MacCready, Jr. et al.
patent: 4508380 (1985-04-01), Sankrithi
patent: 4553782 (1985-03-01), Markland
patent: 4682808 (1987-07-01), Bilanin
patent: 4738203 (1988-04-01), Gielow et al.
patent: 4789117 (1988-12-01), Paterson et al.
patent: 4867397 (1989-09-01), Pamadi et al.
"Industry and Technology" Automotive Engineer 13 (1988) Dec. No. 6, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, Gr. Britain.
Cherry Johnny D.
Pape Joseph D.
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