IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,357,441
Granted Patent B2
US 7,357,441 · App. 10/522,163 · Granted Apr 15, 2008

Aerodynamic improvement for convertible car

Assignees: Heuliez; CSTB
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,357,441
App. No.
10/522,163
Granted
Apr 15, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

This uncoverable vehicle is of the type including, at least, a windscreen ( 5 ), a sliding roof, and two front seats ( 3, 4 ); it also includes a wind deflector in the form of a panel ( 6 ) fitted with a front rim ( 7 ) and a rear rim ( 8 ), which panel ( 6 ) extends from the trailing edge of the windscreen ( 5 ), on the whole width thereof. The deflecting panel ( 6 ) is fitted, in its medial portion intended to be situated between both front seats ( 3, 4 ), with intrinsic elements ( 12 ) laid out to deviate an air flux to the inside of the passenger space, in order to oppose the formation of turbulent recirculations.

Claims (16)

1. An uncoverable vehicle having a passenger space and a windshield ( 5 ), a sliding roof ( 2 ) and two front seats ( 3 , 4 ) in said passenger space, which vehicle also includes a wind deflector in the form of a deflecting panel ( 6 , 6 ′) having a front rim ( 7 ) and a rear rim ( 8 ), which deflecting panel ( 6 , 6 ′) extends from a trailing edge of said windshield ( 5 ), on the whole width thereof, wherein said deflecting panel ( 6 , 6 ′) has, in a medial portion situated between both front seats ( 3 , 4 ), means ( 12 ) to deviate an air flux downward to the inside of the passenger space, between said front seats ( 3 , 4 ), in order to oppose the formation of turbulent recirculations.

2. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that the means enabling to deviate an air flux to the inside of the passenger space are a scoop ( 12 ) arranged in a medial portion of the deflecting panel ( 6 , 6 ′).

3. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 2 , characterised in that the means enabling to deviate an air flux to the inside of the passenger space are a scoop ( 12 ) arranged in a rear medial portion of the deflecting panel ( 6 ).

4. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 2 , characterised in that the means enabling to deviate an air flux to the inside of the passenger space are a scoop ( 12 ) in the form of a tiltable flap ( 14 ) housed in a reservation ( 13 ) arranged in the deflecting panel ( 6 ).

5. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 4 , characterised in that the flap ( 14 ) is articulated at a rear rim ( 8 ) of the deflecting panel ( 6 ).

6. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 4 , characterised in that the defecting panel ( 6 ) has means enabling to adjust and to hold the articulation of the flap ( 14 ) forming a scoop ( 12 ) to maximize the flowrate of the deviated air flux.

7. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that it includes a deflecting panel ( 6 ) of telescopic type, composed at least of two lateral strips ( 17 ) including means ( 10 ) for interconnection with the windshield ( 5 ), and a transverse panel ( 16 ) associated with said lateral strips ( 17 ) by a rail ( 18 ), in order to vary at will the longitudinal position of the scoop ( 12 ).

8. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 2 , characterised in that the means to deviate an air flux to the inside of the vehicle are composed of a type of scoop ( 12 ) in the form of a channel ( 24 ) arranged on a portion at least of the length of the deflecting panel ( 6 ′) and whereof the axis ( 22 ) extends perpendicular to the front rim ( 7 ) of said panel ( 6 ′).

9. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 8 , characterised in that said deflecting panel ( 6 ′) has a channel ( 24 ) which extends substantially on its whole length.

10. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 9 , characterised in that said deflecting panel ( 6 ′) has a channel ( 24 ) whereof the inlet opening ( 25 ) lies at its front rim ( 7 ), arranged substantially perpendicular to its plane P, and whereof the outlet opening ( 26 ) lies at its rear end ( 8 ), arranged in the plane P of said panel ( 6 ′) or slantwise between this plane P and the plane of the inlet opening ( 25 ).

11. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 8 , characterised in that said deflecting panel ( 6 ′) has a channel ( 24 ) whereof the inlet opening ( 25 ) has a greater section than the section of the outlet opening ( 26 ).

12. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that said deflecting panel ( 6 ) has means ( 10 ) which enable the articulation of its front rim ( 7 ) on a trailing edge of the windshield ( 5 ).

13. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that it includes means which enable the articulation of the rear rim ( 8 ) of the deflecting panel ( 6 ′) on a loop ( 28 ) interconnected with the windshield ( 5 ).

14. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 13 , characterised in that it includes a deflecting panel ( 6 ′) fitted with means which enable the automatic rising thereof failing any roofing structure ( 2 ), associated with a stop ( 32 ) for limiting the rising movement thereof.

15. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that the distance measured between the trailing edge of the windshield ( 5 ) and the rear rim of the deflecting panel ( 6 , 6 ′) ranges between 200 and 350 mm, according to its aerodynamics and in particular that of its windshield ( 5 ).

16. A wind deflector for an uncoverable vehicle according to claim 1 , composed of a deflecting panel ( 6 , 6 ′) intended for extending on the whole width of the windshield ( 5 ), which deflecting panel ( 6 , 6 ′) is fitted with intrinsic means ( 12 ) enabling to deviate an air flux to the inside of the passenger space, in order to oppose the formation of turbulent recirculations.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2011
From: HEULIEZ CONCORD
To: HEULIEZ SAS
Reel/Frame 025731/0263 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2010
From: HEULIEZ
To: HEULIEZ CONCORD
Reel/Frame 024686/0898 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 27, 2005
From: QUEVEAU, GERARD; QUEVEAU, PAUL; GANDEMER, JACQUES; BOUCHET, JEAN-PAUL
To: HEULIEZ; CSTB
Reel/Frame 016843/0402 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 02 09253 · Jul 22, 2002 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060103166A1 · May 18, 2006