IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,077,893
Granted Patent B2
US 11,077,893 · App. 16/722,532 · Granted Aug 3, 2021

Deflector structure for automobile

Inventors: Akihiro Nakata (Higahsihiroshima, JP); Michiya Mizokane (Hatsukaichi, JP); Shuhei Nishida (Hiroshima, JP); Yoshiatsu Kuga (Hiroshima, JP); Ryo Yanagisawa (Hatsukaichi, JP); Masaaki Bessho (Aki-gun, JP)
Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
B62D35/005B62D35/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,077,893
App. No.
16/722,532
Granted
Aug 3, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A deflector structure for an automobile. The deflector structure includes a protruding structure having an outer surface positioned to be hit by traveling air when the automobile travels forward. The outer surface of the protruding portion includes a first inclined portion located on a vehicle-width-direction outer side and inclined upward toward the automobile front side; and a second inclined portion located on a vehicle-width-direction inner side and inclined upward toward the automobile front side. An angle of inclination of the second inclined portion on an acute angle side of the second inclined portion with respect to a horizontal direction is smaller than an angle of inclination of the first inclined portion on an acute angle side of the first inclined portion with respect to the horizontal direction.

Claims (55)

1. A deflector structure for an automobile, the deflector structure comprising:

a deflector mounted on a lower surface ahead of a front wheel well in the automobile;

a protruding portion protruding downward and having an outer surface provided on a lower surface of the deflector, the outer surface positioned to be hit by traveling air when the automobile travels forward, wherein

the outer surface of the protruding portion comprises

a first inclined portion located on a vehicle-width-direction outer side and inclined upward toward the automobile front side; and

a second inclined portion located on a vehicle-width-direction inner side and inclined upward toward the automobile front side, wherein

an angle of inclination of the second inclined portion on an acute angle side of the second inclined portion with respect to a horizontal direction is smaller than an angle of inclination of the first inclined portion on an acute angle side of the first inclined portion with respect to the horizontal direction, and

the deflector structure includes an upper member and a lower member that includes the protruding portion.

2. The deflector structure of claim 1 , wherein

the second inclined portion is located nearer to the vehicle-width-direction inner side than a center of the front wheel in a vehicle width direction.

3. The deflector structure of claim 2 , wherein

the deflector is mounted on a lower surface of a corner portion of a front bumper of the automobile.

4. The deflector structure of claim 3 , wherein

the corner portion is formed in a round shape so as to be positioned rearward toward the vehicle-width-direction outer side in a bottom view of the automobile.

5. The deflector structure of claim 1 , wherein

the upper member is formed by a metal plate material, and

the lower member is formed of synthetic resin.

6. The deflector stricture of claim 1 , wherein

the upper member includes a curved edge portion formed on the vehicle-width-direction outer side in a shape following a shape of a front bumper of the vehicle.

7. The deflector structure of claim 6 , wherein

the curved edge portion is mounted at a plurality of positions to a lower surface of a corner portion of the bumper.

8. The deflector structure of claim 1 , wherein

the lower member includes a first curved edge portion that is configured to be attached to the upper member by fasteners at a plurality of positions.

9. The deflector structure of claim 1 , wherein

the upper member includes a first vertical wall portion,

the lower member includes a second vertical wall portion, and

the first vertical wall is configured to be attached to the second vertical wall by fasteners at a plurality of positions.

10. The deflector structure of claim 9 , wherein

the second vertical wall portion is integrally formed with the outer surface of the protruding portion.

11. The deflector structure of claim 1 , wherein

a distance between a lower edge of the protruding portion and the ground when the deflector structure is mounted to the vehicle is approximately 110 mm.

12. A deflector structure for an automobile, the deflector structure comprising:

a deflector mounted on a lower surface ahead of a front wheel well in the automobile,

a protruding portion protruding downward and having an outer surface provided on a lower surface of the deflector, the outer surface positioned to be hit by traveling air when the automobile travels forward, wherein

the outer surface of the protruding portion comprises

a first inclined portion located on a vehicle-width-direction outer side and inclined upward toward the automobile front side; and

a second inclined portion located on a vehicle-width-direction inner side and inclined upward toward the automobile front side, wherein

an angle of inclination of the second inclined portion on an acute angle side of the second inclined portion with respect to a horizontal direction is smaller than an angle of inclination of the first inclined portion on an acute angle side of the first inclined portion with respect to the horizontal direction, and

the second inclined portion includes an upper-side inclined portion having a first angle of inclination and a lower-side inclined portion including a second angle of inclination.

13. The deflector structure of claim 12 , wherein

the first angle of inclination is different from the second angle of inclination.

14. The deflector stricture of claim 12 , wherein

the first angle of inclination of the upper-side inclined portion on the acute angle side thereof with respect to the horizontal direction is smaller than the second angle of inclination of the lower-side inclined portion on the acute angle side thereof with respect to the horizontal direction.

15. The deflector structure of claim 12 , wherein

the first and second angles of inclination on the acute angle side thereof with respect to the horizontal direction are smaller than an angle of inclination of the first inclined portion on the acute angle side thereof with respect to the horizontal direction.

16. A deflector structure for an automobile, the deflector structure comprising:

a protruding structure having an outer surface positioned to be hit by traveling air when the automobile travels forward, wherein

the outer surface comprising

a first inclined portion located on a vehicle-width-direction outer side and inclined upward toward the automobile front side; and

a second inclined portion located on a vehicle-width-direction inner side and inclined upward toward the automobile front side, wherein

an angle of inclination of the second inclined portion on an acute angle side of the second inclined portion with respect to a horizontal direction is smaller than an angle of inclination of the first inclined portion on an acute angle side of the first inclined portion with respect to the horizontal direction,

the second inclined portion includes an upper-side inclined portion having a first angle of inclination and a lower-side inclined portion including a second angle of inclination, and

the first angle of inclination of the upper-side inclined portion on the acute angle side thereof with respect to the horizontal direction is smaller than the second angle of inclination, of the lower-side inclined portion on the acute angle side thereof with respect to the horizontal direction.

17. The deflector structure of claim 16 , wherein

the second inclined portion is located closer to a first edge of a wheel of the vehicle closer to the vehicle-width-direction inner side than a second edge of the wheel of the vehicle closer to a vehicle-width-direction outer side.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2020
From: NAKATA, AKIHIRO; MIZOKANE, MICHIYA; NISHIDA, SHUHEI; KUGA, YOSHIATSU; YANAGISAWA, RYO; BESSHO, MASAAKI
To: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 051742/0144 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2018-242859 · Dec 26, 2018 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200207427A1 · Jul 2, 2020
Cited By (1)
US 12,466,498