IP Library Granted Patent US 8,276,973
Granted Patent B2
US 8,276,973 · App. 13/225,761 · Granted Oct 2, 2012

Airflow deflector apparatus for vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,276,973
App. No.
13/225,761
Granted
Oct 2, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An airflow deflector apparatus for a vehicle that protrudes downward from a vehicle body in front of a wheel housing that houses a wheel includes a flap portion having a front surface portion extending substantially in a lateral direction of a vehicle and a vertical direction, and a protrusion portion that protrudes toward a front of the vehicle from the front surface portion of the flap portion and is formed so as to have a shape that tapers toward a protrusion end portion side, in which the front surface portion of the flap portion, when the vehicle is running, changes a moving direction of airflow that flows along a surface of the protrusion portion into a direction away from components that are disposed rearward.

Claims (20)

1. An airflow deflector apparatus for a vehicle that protrudes downward from a vehicle body in front of a wheel housing that houses a wheel, the airflow deflector apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a flap portion having a front surface portion extending substantially in a lateral direction of a vehicle and a vertical direction and provided in front of the wheel housing at either one of a right side and a left side of the vehicle in a moving direction of the vehicle; and

a protrusion portion that protrudes toward a front of the vehicle from the front surface portion of the flap portion, the protrusion portion being formed so as to have a shape that tapers toward a protrusion end portion thereof, wherein

the front surface portion has a central portion and a peripheral portion that surrounds the central portion,

the protrusion portion protrudes from the central portion and is surrounded by the peripheral portion, and

the front surface portion of the flap portion, when the vehicle is running, changes a moving direction of airflow that flows along a surface of the protrusion portion into a direction away from components that are disposed rearward.

2. The airflow deflector apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1 ,

wherein the front surface portion of the flap portion, when the vehicle is running, changes the moving direction of the airflow flowing along the surface of the protrusion portion so as to increase at least one of a velocity component toward an outer side in the lateral direction of the vehicle, a velocity component toward an inner side in the lateral direction of the vehicle, and a velocity component toward a lower side.

3. The airflow deflector apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1 ,

wherein the protrusion end portion of the protrusion portion is disposed at or close to a position where airflow flows in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the front surface portion of the flap portion.

4. The airflow deflector apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 2 ,

wherein the protrusion end portion of the protrusion portion is disposed at or close to a position where airflow flows in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the front surface portion of the flap portion.

5. The airflow deflector apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1 ,

wherein an area around the protrusion portion on the front surface portion of the flap portion is formed so as to have a substantially planar shape.

6. The airflow deflector apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 2 ,

wherein an area around the protrusion portion on the front surface portion of the flap portion is formed so as to have a substantially planar shape.

7. The airflow deflector apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 3 ,

wherein an area around the protrusion portion on the front surface portion of the flap portion is formed so as to have a substantially planar shape.

8. The airflow deflector apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1 ,

wherein the protrusion end portion is an apex of the protrusion portion.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 12, 2017
From: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: SUBARU CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 042624/0886 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 17, 2015
From: AERODYNAMIC TRAILER SYSTEMS, LTD.
To: AERODYNAMIC TRAILER ACQUISITION, LLC
Reel/Frame 034970/0717 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Oct 15, 2014
From: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 033989/0220 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 6, 2011
From: HASEGAWA, TAKUMI; KITAYAMA, MASASHI
To: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 026858/0523 →