Aerodynamic fairing for passenger cars and utility-type motor vehicles

• US 4,616,869 A
• Filed: 12/14/1983
• Issued: 10/14/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Sacco, Bruno, Leschke, Harald, Paschke, Joachim, Tomforde, Johann
• Primary Examiner(s): Reeves, Robert B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US06/561,231
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 296/1 S, 296/209, 296/31 P, 296/204, 296/203, 296/199, 280/154.5 R, 180/123, 180/126, 180/127, 180/903, 114/67 A, D12/190, 254/100, 254/108, 254/133 R
• US Class Current: 296/180.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/008 Side spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/82 Elements for improving aerodynamics
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/903 Airstream reactive vehicle or vehicle structure

Abstract

An aerodynamic fairing, made of a plastic material, for the outer laterally disposed longitudinally extending members, i.e., rocker panels, of bodies for passenger cars and utility-type motor vehicles, which, in conjunction with the outer wall of the longitudinal members, form a closed hollow body; in order to be able to extend a fairing of this type as far in the downward direction as is necessary for aerodynamic reasons, yet minimize the risk of damage to the fairing, the construction according to the present invention is such that the fairing comprises an upper zone, made of a plastic material which is comparatively dimensionally stable or form-rigid, and of a lower zone which can be elastically deformed and which is fastened to the upper zone in a preferably detachable manner, and in that the lower zone enables a reduction in its height in the event of contact with the ground by including predetermined flexing points or intentional bending places which facilitate such a height reduction.

Claims

1. An aerodynamic fairing, made of plastic material, for outer laterally disposed longitudinally extending members of bodies for wheeled motor vehicles, which in conjunction with an outer wall of a respective outer member, forms a closed hollow body means, comprising an upper zone made of a plastic material which is comparatively form-rigid, and a lower zone having a lower portion depending below the outer wall which can be elastically deformed and an upper portion which is fastened to the upper zone, the closed hollow body being bounded by the outer wall and the upper and lower zones, and the lower zone including means for enabling a reduction in height of the fairing without the fairing being damaged.

2. A fairing according to claim 1, wherein said means for enabling a reduction in height includes a number of intentional bending places facilitating the height reduction.

3. A fairing according to claim 1, wherein the upper zone is made of a plastic material which is capable of taking paint.

4. A fairing according to claim 1, wherein the lower zone is made of one of an unreinforced thermoplastic material and polyurethane.

5. A fairing according to claim 1, wherein the lower zone includes a wall facing toward the middle of the vehicle, extending approximately vertically and constructed in a shape generally resembling an accordion.

6. A fairing according to claim 1, wherein the lower zone forms a channel which is located on the inside of the fairing and which is open in a generally downward direction.

7. A fairing according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper zone and the lower zone includes means for covering an aperture for the through-passage of a support pin of a vehicle jack.

8. A fairing according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the upper zone and the lower zone includes a clip-type connection means.

9. A fairing according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the upper zone and the lower zone is established by gluing.

10. A fairing according to claim 8, wherein the lower zone includes a wall facing towards the middle of the vehicle, extending approximately vertically and constructed in a shape resembling an accordion.

11. A fairing according to claim 8, wherein the lower zone forms a channel which is located on the inside of the fairing and which is open in a generally downward direction.

12. A fairing according to claim 9, wherein the lower zone includes a wall facing towards the middle of the vehicle, extending approximately vertically and constructed in a shape resembling an accordion.

13. A fairing according to claim 9, wherein the lower zone forms a channel which is located on the inside of the fairing and which is open in a generally downward direction.

14. A fairing according to claim 3, wherein the lower zone is made of one of an unreinforced thermoplastic material and polyurethane.

15. A fairing according to claim 14, wherein said means for enabling a reduction in height includes a number of intentional bending places facilitating the height reduction.

16. A fairing according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the upper zone and the lower zone includes means for covering an aperture for the through-passage of a support pin of a vehicle jack.

17. A fairing according to claim 16, wherein the connection between the upper zone and the lower zone includes a clip-type connection means.

18. A fairing according to claim 16, wherein the connection between the upper zone and the lower zone is established by gluing.