Vortex generator for a vehicle
A vehicle body component includes an underbody panel having an underbody surface and a wheel well panel including a forward edge portion connected to the underbody panel. The wheel well panel includes an arcuate surface that extends from the underbody surface. An air deflector is arranged at the forward edge portion of the wheel well panel. A vortex generator is mounted to the underbody surface at the wheel well panel. The vortex generator disrupts air currents flowing over the air deflector.
1 . A vehicle body component comprising:
an underbody panel having an underbody surface;
a wheel well panel including a forward edge portion connected to the underbody panel, the wheel well panel defining an arcuate surface that extends from the forward edge portion connected to the underbody panel;
an air deflector connected to the forward edge portion of the wheel well panel and including an outwardly facing edge, the air deflector being arranged to extend at least a portion of the arcuate surface of the wheel well panel distally from the underbody surface of the underbody panel; and
a vortex generator mounted to the arcuate surface of the wheel well panel adjacent the outwardly facing edge of the air deflector, the vortex generator disrupting air currents flowing from the outwardly facing edge.
2 . The vehicle body component according to claim 1 , wherein the vortex generator includes a triangular cross-section including a base portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the first side portion and the second side portion extending from the base portion to a vertex.
3 . The vehicle body component according to claim 2 , wherein a plurality of additional vortex generators are mounted to a deflector surface of the air deflector that extends inward from the outwardly facing edge, the additional vortex generators being disposed across the deflector surface from a location proximal to the vortex generator mounted adjacent the outwardly facing edge of the air deflector to a location proximal to an inwardly facing edge of the air deflector.
4 . The vehicle body component according to claim 1 , wherein the vortex generator includes a wedge-shaped profile having a base arranged at a deflector surface and an apex spaced from the deflector surface.
5 . The vehicle body component according to claim 4 , wherein the apex of the vortex generator projects outwardly of the deflector surface.
6 . The vehicle body component according to claim 1 , wherein the vortex generator includes a curvilinear outwardly facing surface.
7 . The vehicle body component according to claim 6 , wherein the vortex generator is mounted to a deflector surface of the arcuate surface.
8 . A vehicle comprising:
a body defining a passenger compartment, the body including a body component comprising:
an underbody panel having an underbody surface;
a wheel well panel including a forward edge portion connected to the underbody panel, the wheel well panel defining an arcuate surface that extends from the forward edge portion connected to the underbody panel;
an air deflector connected to the forward edge portion of the wheel well panel and including an outwardly facing edge, the air deflector being arranged to extend at least a portion of the arcuate surface of the wheel well panel distally from the underbody surface of the underbody panel; and
a vortex generator mounted to the arcuate surface of the wheel well panel adjacent the outwardly facing edge of the air deflector, the vortex generator disrupting air currents flowing from the outwardly facing edge.
9 . The vehicle according to claim 8 , wherein the vortex generator includes a triangular cross-section including a base portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the first side portion and the second side portion extending from the base portion to a vertex.
10 . The vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the a plurality of additional vortex generators are mounted to a deflector surface of the air deflector that extends inward from the outwardly facing edge, the additional vortex generators being disposed across the deflector surface from a location proximal to the vortex generator mounted adjacent the outwardly facing edge of the air deflector to a location proximal to an inwardly facing edge of the air deflector.
11 . The vehicle according to claim 8 , wherein the vortex generator includes a wedge-shaped profile having a base arranged at a deflector surface and an apex spaced from the deflector surface.
12 . The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the apex of the vortex generator projects outwardly of the deflector surface.
13 . The vehicle according to claim 8 , wherein the vortex generator includes a curvilinear outwardly facing surface.
14 . The vehicle according to claim 13 , wherein the vortex generator is mounted to a deflector surface adjacent the deflector surface of the arcuate surface.