IP Library Granted Patent US 12,365,402
Granted Patent B2
US 12,365,402 · App. 18/153,868 · Granted Jul 22, 2025

Spinner assembly for a vehicle

Inventor: Pirooz Moradnia (Dublin, OH)
Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
B62D35/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,365,402
App. No.
18/153,868
Granted
Jul 22, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A spinner assembly for a vehicle includes a spinner defining a central axis and configured to rotate about the central axis, and a support structure arranged opposite to the spinner. The spinner assembly also includes an endless belt supported on the spinner and the support structure and configured to move linearly in response to the rotation of the spinner about the central axis. The endless belt loops around the spinner and the support structure.

Claims (34)

1. A spinner assembly for a vehicle, the spinner assembly comprising:

a spinner defining a central axis and configured to rotate about the central axis;

a support structure arranged opposite to the spinner; and

an endless belt supported on the spinner and the support structure and configured to move linearly in response to the rotation of the spinner about the central axis, wherein the endless belt loops around the spinner and the support structure.

2. The spinner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spinner is a driving body to facilitate the linear movement of the endless belt.

3. The spinner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a roller having a central axis, wherein the roller is a driven roller configured to rotate about the central axis in response to linear movement of the endless belt.

4. The spinner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spinner is a first spinner and the support structure is a second spinner.

5. The spinner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the endless belt is an elastic belt.

6. The spinner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the endless belt is a non-elastic belt.

7. The spinner assembly of claim 1 further including a guide structure arranged between the spinner and the support structure for supporting and guiding the endless belt.

8. The spinner assembly of claim 1 further including an injector for injecting air in a vicinity of the spinner or the support structure.

9. The spinner assembly of claim 1 further including a suction apparatus for removing at least a portion of air flowing in a vicinity of the spinner or support structure.

10. A vehicle, comprising:

a car body defining an exterior surface of the vehicle; and

at least one spinner assembly mounted to the car body and configured to control a separation of air along at least a portion of the exterior surface of the vehicle, the spinner assembly including

a spinner defining a central axis and configured to rotate about the central axis,

a support structure arranged opposite to the spinner, and

an endless belt supported on the spinner and the support structure and configured to move linearly in response to the rotation of the spinner about the central axis, wherein the endless belt loops around the spinner and the support structure.

11. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the spinner is a driving body to facilitate the linear movement of the endless belt.

12. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the support structure includes a roller having a central axis, wherein the roller is a driven roller configured to rotate about the central axis in response to linear movement of the endless belt.

13. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the spinner is a first spinner and the support structure is a second spinner.

14. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the spinner assembly includes a guide structure arranged between the spinner and the support structure and configured to guide the endless belt along a contour of the exterior surface.

15. The vehicle of claim 10 further including an injector for injecting air in a vicinity of the exterior surface of the car body.

16. The vehicle of claim 10 further including a suction apparatus for removing at least a portion of air flowing along the exterior surface of the car body.

17. A spinner assembly for a vehicle to control a flow of air along an exterior surface of the vehicle, the spinner assembly comprising:

a spinner defining a central axis and configured to rotate about the central axis;

a roller arranged opposite to the spinner and configured to rotate about a central longitudinal axis;

an endless belt supported on the spinner and the roller and configured to move linearly in response to the rotation of the spinner about the central axis, wherein the endless belt loops around the spinner and the roller; and

at least one of an injector or a suction apparatus to control an amount of air flow along an exterior surface of the vehicle.

18. The spinner assembly of claim 17 , wherein

the spinner is a driving body to facilitate the linear movement of the endless belt, and

the roller is a driven roller configured to rotate in response to the linear movement of the endless belt.

19. The spinner assembly of claim 17 , wherein the spinner is a first spinner and the roller is a second spinner.

20. The spinner assembly of claim 17 further including a guide structure arranged between the spinner and the roller for supporting and guiding the endless belt.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 12, 2023
From: MORADNIA, PIROOZ
To: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 062364/0445 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240239420A1 · Jul 18, 2024
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