# US 10,246,141 B2 · Variable-width aerodynamic spoiler assemblies and control logic for motor vehicles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,141 B2 - Document ID: US10246141B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/677,644 - Filed: 2017-08-15 - Published: 2019-02-21 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-15 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Caleb J. Potvin; Jason D. Fahland - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246141B2 ## CPC - B62D 35/007: {Rear spoilers (B62D35/001 takes precedence)} - B62D 37/02: by aerodynamic means - Y02T 10/82: Elements for improving aerodynamics - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract Disclosed are active variable-width aerodynamic spoiler assemblies, methods for making or for operating such active spoiler assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such active spoiler assemblies. A disclosed active spoiler assembly for modifying the aerodynamic performance of a motor vehicle includes a main body rigidly mounted to the vehicle body, extending transversely across the vehicle. The main body has an elongated construction with opposing longitudinal ends. First and second fins are each movably attached to a respective one of the opposing longitudinal ends of the main body. Also, first and second fin actuators are each attached to the vehicle body and attached to a respective one of the movable fins. The first fin actuator is selectively actuatable to independently move the first fin between respective retracted and extended positions, whereas the second fin actuator is selectively actuatable to independently move the second fin between respective retracted and extended positions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An active spoiler assembly for modifying aerodynamic performance of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including a vehicle body with opposing front and rear ends, the active spoiler assembly comprising: a main body configured to rigidly mount to the vehicle body and extend transversely across the motor vehicle, the main body having an elongated construction with opposing first and second longitudinal ends; first and second fins each movably attached to a respective one of the first and second longitudinal ends of the main body; and first and second fin actuators configured to attach to the vehicle body and each attached to a respective one of the first and second fins, wherein the first fin actuator is configured to selectively move the first fin between respective first retracted and extended positions, and wherein the second fin actuator is configured to selectively move the second fin between respective second retracted and extended positions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The active spoiler assembly of claim 1, wherein the first fin actuator is configured to move the first fin independent of the second fin, and the second fin actuator is configured to move the second fin independent of the first fin. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The active spoiler assembly of claim 1, wherein the first fin actuator selectively moves the first fin along a first rectilinear path between the first retracted and extended positions, and the second fin actuator selectively moves the second fin along a second rectilinear path between the second retracted and extended positions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The active spoiler assembly of claim 1, wherein the first fin actuator is configured to locate the first fin at multiple positions between the first retracted and extended positions, and the second fin actuator is configured to locate the second fin at multiple positions between the second retracted and extended positions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The active spoiler assembly of claim 1, wherein the first fin is telescopingly attached to the first longitudinal end of the main body to slide between the first retracted and extended positions, and the second fin is telescopingly attached to the second longitudinal end of the main body to slide between the second retracted and extended positions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The active spoiler assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second fin actuators each includes a pneumatic actuator, an electric linear actuator, or an electro-pneumatic actuator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The active spoiler assembly of claim 1, further comprising: first and second linear gear racks each attached proximate a respective one of the first and second longitudinal ends of the main body; and first and second gears each rotatably attached to a respective one of the first and second fins, the first and second gears meshingly engaging with the first and second gear racks, respectively, to thereby movably attach the first and second fins to the main body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The active spoiler assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a vehicle controller communicatively connected to the first and second fin actuators and operable to regulate movement of the first and second fins; and a vehicle dynamics sensor communicatively connected to the vehicle controller and configured to detect lateral acceleration of the motor vehicle, wherein the vehicle controller is programmed to individually vary the positions of the first and second fins relative to the main body during a cornering maneuver of the vehicle in response to changes of the lateral acceleration detected by the vehicle dynamics sensor to thereby repeatedly vary aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle body during the cornering maneuver. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The active spoiler assembly of claim 1, further comprising a stanchion assembly attached to the main body and configured to rigidly mount proximate the rear end of the vehicle body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The active spoiler assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second fin actuators are mounted inside the main body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The active spoiler assembly of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle further includes a trunk lid mounted proximate the rear end of the vehicle body, the active spoiler assembly further comprising mounting hardware configured to rigidly mount the main body to the trunk lid. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The active spoiler assembly of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle further includes a trunk lid mounted proximate the rear end of the vehicle body, and wherein the first and second fin actuators are configured to mount to the trunk lid underneath the main body. ### Claim 13 A motor vehicle comprising: a vehicle body with opposing front and rear ends; an active spoiler assembly located proximate the rear end of the vehicle body, the active spoiler assembly including: a main body rigidly mounted to the vehicle body, extending transversely across the rear end of the motor vehicle, the main body having an elongated construction with opposing first and second longitudinal ends; first and second fins each movably attached to a respective one of the first and second longitudinal ends of the main body; and first and second fin actuators mounted to the main body or the vehicle body and each attached to a respective one of the first and second fins; and a vehicle controller communicatively connected to the first and second fin actuators, the vehicle controller being programmed to: direct the first fin actuator to independently move the first fin along a first rectilinear path between respective first retracted and extended positions, and direct the second fin actuator to independently move the second fin along a second rectilinear path between respective second retracted and extended positions. ### Claim 14 A method of assembling an active spoiler assembly for modifying aerodynamic performance of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including a vehicle body with opposing front and rear ends, the method comprising: rigidly mounting a main body of the active spoiler assembly to the vehicle body such that the main body extends transversely across the motor vehicle, the main body having an elongated construction with opposing first and second longitudinal ends; movably attaching first and second fins of the active spoiler assembly to the first and second longitudinal ends of the main body, respectively; and attaching first and second fin actuators of the active spoiler assembly to the vehicle body and to the first and second fins, respectively, wherein the first fin actuator is configured to selectively move the first fin between respective first retracted and extended positions, and wherein the second fin actuator is configured to selectively move the second fin between respective second retracted and extended positions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first fin actuator is configured to move the first fin independent of the second fin, and the second fin actuator is configured to move the second fin independent of the first fin. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first fin actuator selectively moves the first fin along a first rectilinear path between the first retracted and extended positions, and the second fin actuator selectively moves the second fin along a second rectilinear path, distinct from the first rectilinear path, between the second retracted and extended positions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first fin actuator is configured to locate the first fin at multiple positions between the first retracted and extended positions, and the second fin actuator is configured to locate the second fin at multiple positions between the second retracted and extended positions. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein movably attaching the fins includes telescopingly attaching the first fin to the first longitudinal end of the main body to slide between the first retracted and extended positions, and telescopingly attaching the second fin to the second longitudinal end of the main body to slide between the second retracted and extended positions. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein rigidly mounting the main body includes rigidly mounting a stanchion assembly proximate the rear end of the vehicle body, and rigidly mounting the main body to the stanchion assembly. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein attaching the fin actuators to the vehicle body includes mounting the first and second fin actuators inside the main body of the active spoiler assembly or mounting the first and second fin actuators to a trunk lid underneath the main body.