Vehicle assembly and method to reduce buffeting and generate downforce

• US 10,457,122 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2017
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Cunningham, Andrew Thomas, Titus, Matthew Arthur, Weston, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran B
• Application Number:
  US15/716,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20190092144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/20 Accessories, e.g. wind deflectors, blinds antiglare provisions B60J3/00; wind deflectors associated with roof openings B60J7/22; removable external protective coverings for windows or windscreens B60J11/08 ; aerodynamical spoiler for vehicles B62D35/00; heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas H05B3/84
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/008 Side spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F15D 1/12 by influencing the boundary layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/82 Elements for improving aerodynamics

Abstract

An exemplary vehicle flow influencing assembly includes, among other things, a downforce generator extending laterally outward from an area of a vehicle that is forward a side window. The downforce generator is configured to influence flow to reduce buffeting. A vehicle flow influencing method includes, among other things, lowering a side window to provide an opening to a passenger compartment of a vehicle, and influencing flow over the opening using a downforce generator that extends laterally outward from an area of a vehicle that is forward the side window. The influencing reducing buffeting.

Claims

1. A vehicle flow influencing assembly, comprising:

a downforce generator laterally between a window sail of a vehicle and a side mirror of the vehicle, the downforce generator aligned along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle with the window sail, the side mirror, and a mirror arm,

wherein the downforce generator extends longitudinally from a leading edge portion to a trailing edge portion, wherein the leading edge portion is disposed vertically between a vertically uppermost part of the side mirror and a vertically lowermost part of the side mirror, wherein the trailing edge portion is disposed vertically between the vertically uppermost part of the side mirror and the vertically lowermost part of the side mirror,

wherein a portion of the mirror arm extends along the longitudinal axis to a position that is forward of the leading edge portion of the downforce generator, wherein another portion of the mirror arm extends along the longitudinal axis to a position that is aft of the trailing edge portion of the downforce generator.

2. The vehicle flow influencing assembly of claim 1, wherein the downforce generator includes an airfoil.

3. The vehicle flow influencing assembly of claim 1, wherein the downforce generator includes a dive plane.

4. The vehicle flow influencing assembly of claim 1, further comprising a gurney flap and a base of the downforce generator, the gurney flap extending vertically from the base.

5. The vehicle flow influencing assembly of claim 4, wherein the gurney flap is at a rear of the base relative to an orientation of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle flow influencing assembly of claim 1, wherein the leading edge portion is aft an A-pillar of the vehicle and spaced a distance from the A-pillar along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle flow influencing assembly of claim 1, wherein the downforce generator is vertically directly above the mirror arm that supports the side mirror.

8. The vehicle flow influencing assembly of claim 4, wherein the gurney flap extends longitudinally in a direction that extends laterally outward from the vehicle.