# US 10,246,142 B2 · Structural member for vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,142 B2 - Document ID: US10246142B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/436,156 - Filed: 2017-02-17 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-31 - Assignees: Subaru Corporation - Applicants: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Isamu Nagasawa; Satoru Iwata; Kazuhiro Kaminaga - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246142B2 ## CPC - B62D 35/008: {Side spoilers (B62D35/001 takes precedence)} - B60R 1/12: Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks - B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle - B62D 37/02: by aerodynamic means - B60R 2001/1253: {with cameras, video cameras or video screens} - 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) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A structural member for a vehicle projects from a vehicle body. The structural member includes a first airflow surface and a second airflow surface along each of which airflow flows, and an imaging window. The first airflow surface and the second airflow extend between a front edge and a rear edge of the structural member in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body and face away from each other. The first airflow surface has a length longer than a length of the second airflow surface in the front-rear direction. The imaging window is provided in the first airflow surface, and an image of an area outside the vehicle body is captured through the imaging window. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A structural member for a vehicle, the structural member projecting from a vehicle body, the structural member comprising: a first airflow surface and a second airflow surface along each of which airflow flows, the first airflow surface and the second airflow extending between a front edge and a rear edge of the structural member in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body and facing away from each other, the first airflow surface having a length longer than a length of the second airflow surface in the front-rear direction; and an imaging window that is provided in the first airflow surface and through which an image of an area outside the vehicle body is captured. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The structural member for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a camera configured to capture the image of the area outside the vehicle body, wherein the imaging window is provided for the camera. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The structural member for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the structural member is provided on each side of the vehicle body so as to project leftward and rightward. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The structural member for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the structural member has an airfoil section in which the first airflow surface and the second airflow surface face away from each other from the front edge to the rear edge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The structural member for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the structural member has a symmetrical airfoil section in which the first airflow surface and the second airflow surface are symmetrically curved, and wherein the structural member is inclined relative to the front-rear direction of the vehicle body so that the first airflow surface faces rearward. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The structural member for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein an end portion of the structural member at the rear edge projects in a direction from the first airflow surface toward the second airflow surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The structural member for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the structural member has an asymmetrical airfoil section in which the first airflow surface bulges more than the second airflow surface does. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The structural member for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the first airflow surface has a communication hole that extends from a bent portion near the front edge to a location near the rear edge. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The structural member for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the second airflow surface is flat. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The structural member for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an angle of the first airflow surface and the second airflow surface relative to the airflow in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body is changeable, and wherein the structural member for a vehicle further comprises a controller capable of controlling the angle of the first airflow surface and the second airflow surface relative to the airflow in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body on the basis of a pressure on the first airflow surface and a pressure on the second airflow surface.