MOTOR VEHICLE WITH FRONT-END DIFFUSER

• US 20180244325A1
• Filed: 02/07/2018
• Published: 08/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Harter, Sebastian, Roll, Mathias, Soso, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,450,011 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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: F16D 65/847 with open cooling system, e.g. cooled by air
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/82 Elements for improving aerodynamics
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

A motor vehicle (1) has a front-end diffuser (7) that is open toward a ground surface, and has a device arranged in the region of the diffuser (7) and for varying the downforce of the motor vehicle in the region of a front axle of the motor vehicle. The device has an air conduit (12) with an inlet (13) in the region of a front-end positive pressure area of the motor vehicle and has an outlet (14) in the region of the diffuser (7), and has means (16) for opening and closing the air conduit (12). The device enables the downforce of the motor vehicle in the region of the front axle can be varied.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle comprising:

a front-end diffuser that is open toward a ground surface, and having a device arranged in a region of the diffuser and that is operative for varying the downforce of the motor vehicle in a region of a front axle of the motor vehicle, the device having an air conduit with an inlet in a region of a front-end positive pressure area of the motor vehicle and has an outlet in a region of the diffuser, and has means for opening and closing the air conduit.

2. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the inlet is arranged in the region of an air guide for conducting air to a front wheel and/or to a brake device for a front wheel.

3. The motor vehicle of claim 2, wherein the inlet is arranged in the region of a forward structure panelling or of a wheel arch shell of the motor vehicle.

4. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the diffuser is integrated into a wheel arch shell.

5. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the diffuser has an upper guide wall (9).

6. The motor vehicle of claim 5, wherein the diffuser has the upper guide wall and lateral guide walls for guiding the diffuser air flow.

7. The motor vehicle of claim 6, wherein the outlet of the air conduit is arranged in the region of the upper guide wall or at least one of the lateral guide walls.

8. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the outlet of the air conduit is arranged in the region of the first third of the diffuser.

9. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the outlet of the air conduit has multiple outlet openings or one or more outlet slots.

10. The motor vehicle of claim 9, wherein the multiple outlet openings or multiple outlet slots are arranged one behind the other in a transverse direction of the vehicle.

11. The motor vehicle of claim 10, wherein the outlet of the air conduit is formed such that, when the air conduit is open, air enters the diffuser over the entire width of the latter.

12. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the means for opening and closing the air conduit is mechanically acting.

13. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the means for opening and closing comprises a shut-off valve.

14. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the means for opening and closing are manually actuable in the region of the wheel arch.