VEHICLE AERODYNAMIC APPARATUS

• US 20170240221A1
• Filed: 08/05/2015
• Published: 08/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Original Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Inventors: GAYLARD, Adrian, THOMPSON, Christopher, TURNER, Ross
• Granted Patent: US 10,179,613 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/04 Door pillars ; windshield pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/007 Rear spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/008 Side 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: Y02T 10/82 Elements for improving aerodynamics

Abstract

The present application relates to a vehicle (401). A first duct (457) having a first duct inlet (467) and a first duct outlet (469) is provided on a first lateral side of the vehicle (401). A second duct (457) having a second duct inlet (467) and a second duct outlet (469) is provided on a second lateral side of the vehicle (401). The first and second duct inlets (467) are arranged substantially in line with or inset from the respective first and second lateral sides of the vehicle (401). The first and second duct outlets (469) are disposed at or proximal to a rear of the vehicle (401) and arranged, in use, to direct respective first and second jets of air inwardly to control the lateral propagation of a wake formed behind the vehicle (401). Duct sidewalls are formed by surfaces of rear pillars of the vehicle (401).

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a first duct having a first duct inlet and a first duct outlet; and

a second duct having a second duct inlet and a second duct outlet;

wherein the first and second duct inlets are arranged substantially in line with or inset from respective first and second lateral sides of the vehicle; and

the first and second duct outlets are disposed at or proximal to a rear of the vehicle;

the first and second ducts being arranged, in use, to direct respective first and second jets of air inwardly to control the lateral and/or longitudinal propagation of a wake formed behind the vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a body structure having a roof mounted to pillars comprising first and second rear pillars, a surface of said first rear pillar defining a sidewall of said first duct and a surface of said second rear pillar defining a sidewall of said second duct.

2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, the first and second duct inlets each comprising an upstream edge and a downstream edge;

wherein a first guide vane and a second guide vane define the downstream edge of the respective first and second duct inlets.

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second guide vanes are disposed in line with or inset from the upstream edge of the respective first and second duct inlets.

4. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second guide vanes are adapted to direct the jet of air exiting the respective first and second duct outlets inwardly towards a longitudinal centre line of the vehicle.

5. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2 comprising a body structure having a roof mounted to first and second front pillars and to first and second rear pillars.

6. A vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first and second guide vanes are spaced laterally outwardly from the respective first and second rear pillars;

or the first and second rear pillars are configured to form said first and second guide vanes.

7. A vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first and second duct inlets are disposed in front of the respective first and second rear pillars.

8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the body structure comprises first and second rear quarter panels, the first and second guide vanes extending between said respective first and second rear quarter panels and the roof.

9. A vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein a substantially continuous exterior surface is formed at the interface between said first and second pillar vanes and the respective first and second rear quarter panels.

10. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second duct outlets are extended in a vertical direction such that, in use, the first and second jets of air are elongated vertically.

11. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second duct inlets have a larger cross section than the first and second duct outlets.

12. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a width of the first and second duct outlets is substantially uniform in a vertical direction.

13. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a width of the first and second duct outlets decreases towards a top of the respective first and second ducts.

14. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second duct outlets are disposed on each side of a tailgate.

15. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, comprising a transverse aerodynamic member arranged to direct airflow downwardly at the rear of the vehicle to control the vertical propagation of the wake formed behind the vehicle.

16. A vehicle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the transverse aerodynamic member is deployable in a rearwards direction.

17. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second rear pillars extend from the vehicle waistline towards the roof of the vehicle.

18. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, comprising a glasshouse, wherein the glasshouse comprises said first and second rear pillars.

19. (canceled)