Method and control device for operating a motor vehicle having multiple air-guiding devices

• US 9,308,950 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2015
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Wolf, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): BLANKENSHIP, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US14/804,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20160016618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 266 Days
• Field of Search: 296/180.1, 296/180.5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/005 Front spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/007 Rear 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

A method for operating a motor vehicle (10) includes selecting one of an economical driving mode in which an air resistance is minimized, a performance driving mode in which an optimum lift balance is set at the front and rear axles, and a sport driving mode in which front and rear axle downforces are maximized. The rear diffuser (12) and the rear spoiler (12) are transferred into first deployed positions when the economical driving mode is selected. The rear diffuser (12) and the rear spoiler (13) are transferred into second deployed positions when the performance driving mode is selected. The rear diffuser (12) is transferred into a retracted rear diffuser position and the rear spoiler (13) is transferred into a third deployed rear spoiler position when the sport driving mode is selected.

Claims

1. A method for operating a motor vehicle having multiple air-guiding devices that include at least having a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler, the method comprising:

selecting one of an economical driving mode where air resistance of the motor vehicle is minimized, a performance driving mode in which an optimum lift balance in terms of driving dynamics is set at the front axle and rear axle and a sport driving mode where a front-axle downforce and a rear-axle downforce of the motor vehicle are maximized;

transferring the rear-end diffuser into a first deployed rear diffuser position and substantially simultaneously transferring the rear spoiler into a first deployed rear spoiler position when the economical driving mode is selected;

transferring the rear diffuser into a second deployed rear diffuser position and transferring the rear spoiler is into a second deployed rear spoiler position when the performance driving mode is selected; and

transferring the rear diffuser into a retracted rear diffuser position and transferring the rear spoiler into a third deployed rear spoiler position when the sport driving mode is selected.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rear diffuser and the rear spoiler are substantially horizontal for the economical driving mode of the motor vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, the rear diffuser that is transferred to the second deployed rear diffuser position for the performance driving mode of the motor vehicle is inclined farther up and is retracted farther than when the rear diffuser is in the first deployed rear diffuser position, and the rear spoiler that is transferred to the second deployed rear spoiler position is inclined farther up and is deployed farther than when the rear spoiler is in the first deployed rear spoiler position.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the rear spoiler (13) that is transferred into the third deployed rear spoiler position for the sport driving mode of the motor vehicle is inclined more steeply up and further deployed as compared to the first and second deployed rear spoiler positions and the second deployed rear spoiler position.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle further comprises a front diffuser, the method further comprising:

transferring the front diffuser into a retracted front diffuser position for the economical driving mode of the motor vehicle;

transferring the front diffuser into a first deployed front diffuser position for the performance driving mode of the motor vehicle; and

transferring the front diffuser into a second deployed front diffuser position for the sport driving mode of the motor vehicle.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the front-end diffuser is inclined up in first deployed front diffuser position for the performance driving mode of the motor vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the front diffuser is inclined up more steeply in the second deployed front diffuser position for the sport driving mode of the motor vehicle than in the first deployed front diffuser position.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the front and rear diffusers are substantially flush with adjacent body structures of the motor vehicle when disposed respectively in the retracted front and rear diffuser positions.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting step is carried out on a speed-dependent basis.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting step is carried out by a driver actuation.

11. A control device of a motor vehicle, characterized in that said control device has means for carrying out the method of claim 1.