Adjustable component cooling device for controlling downforce generated by a vehicle

• US 10,106,211 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2016
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mclaren Automotive Limited (Mclaren Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Mclaren Automotive Limited (Mclaren Group Limited)
• Inventors: Parry-Williams, Dan, Slight, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran B
• Application Number:
  US15/389,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20170101140A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 2961805, 2961801, 180903
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/08 Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor radiator or grille guards B60R19/52
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/085 with adjustable shutters or blinds
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/16 by increasing air resistance, e.g. flaps
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 5/00 Vehicle modifications to facilitate cooling of brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/0453 about the pitch axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/0457 about the roll axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2306/05 Cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/005 Front spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/02 Streamlining the undersurfaces B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/02 by aerodynamic means
• CPC Class Codes: F15D 1/10 around bodies of solid material
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 3/00 Control of position or direction G05D1/00 takes precedence; numerical control to execute positioning G05B19/18

Abstract

An automobile comprising a cooling duct that extends to underneath the automobile to channel cooling air to a component of the automobile when the automobile is in motion is provided. A restriction located within the cooling duct that is moveable from a first position, in which airflow to the component is substantially unimpeded, to a second position in which the airflow to the component is substantially impeded, when the automobile is in motion is further provided. The automobile generates more downforce when the restriction is in the second position versus the first position. A control unit configured to select the position of the restriction to control the downforce generated by the automobile if the temperature of the component is below a predetermined level, and to select the first position for the restriction if the temperature of the component is above the predetermined level, is also provided.

Claims

1. An automobile comprising:

a duct configured to channel cooling air to a component of the automobile and to a lower pressure region, the lower pressure region attaining lower pressure when the automobile is in motion;

a restriction located within the duct, moveable in a range of positions from a first position in which airflow to the component is substantially unimpeded, to a second position in which the airflow to the component and to the lower pressure region is substantially impeded, such that, when in motion, the lower pressure region results in more downforce being generated on the automobile when the restriction is in the second position than when the restriction is in the first position; and

a control unit configured to, if the temperature of the component is below a predetermined level, select the position of the restriction from the range of positions so as to control the downforce generated by the automobile and, if the temperature of the component is above the predetermined level, select the first position for the restriction.

2. An automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the restriction comprises movable louvres.

3. An automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automobile comprises a front splitter, and the duct extends from a region above the front splitter to a wheelarch of the automobile.

4. An automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the duct extends to a wheelarch of the automobile.

5. An automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein said component comprises a brake of the automobile.

6. An automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein said component is a radiator.

7. An automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein said component is an engine of the automobile.

8. An automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to:

receive one or more inputs that indicate the dynamic state of the automobile; and

if the temperature of the component is below its predetermined level, select the position of the restriction from the range of positions so as to control the downforce generated by the automobile, and, if the temperature of the component is above the predetermined level, select the first position of the restriction.

9. An automobile as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inputs include one or more of suspension load, automobile speed, lateral g-force, steering position, brake pedal force, brake pedal position, forward acceleration of the automobile, or the position of one or more active aerodynamic devices of the automobile.

10. An automobile as claimed in claim 8, wherein if the inputs indicate that the automobile is in a first dynamic state in which the automobile generates a downforce that exceeds a predetermined level, the position of the restriction is selected from the range of positions in dependence on the one or more inputs so as to reduce the downforce generated by the automobile.

11. An automobile as claimed in claim 8, wherein if the inputs indicate that the automobile is in a second dynamic state in which the automobile is undergoing braking, and if the temperature of the component is below the predetermined level, the position of the restriction from the range of positions is selected so as to counter the tendency of the automobile to dive due to braking.

12. An automobile as claimed in claim 8, wherein if the temperature of the component is above the predetermined level, the restriction is positioned in its first position.

13. An automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the duct is located to one side of the centreline of the automobile.

14. An automobile as claimed in claim 13, wherein the control unit is adapted to:

receive one or more inputs that indicate the dynamic state of the automobile;

select a position of the restriction between its said first and second positions if the temperature of the component is below its predetermined level, the restriction being in its first position if the said temperature is above its predetermined level, the position of the restriction being chosen in dependence on the said dynamic state so as to control the downforce generated by the automobile, wherein if the inputs indicate that the automobile is cornering, the position of the restriction is selected so as to counter roll of the automobile.

15. An automobile as claimed in claim 14, wherein the control unit is configured to select the position of the restriction such that, if the duct is on the outside of the corner the restriction is opened to a greater degree than if the duct is on the inside of the corner.