# US 11,440,597 B2 · Selectively deployable aerodynamic surfaces on a rear wing of a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,597 B2 - Document ID: US11440597B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/984,470 - Filed: 2020-08-04 - Published: 2022-02-10 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-08-04 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Andrew T. Cunningham; Adam Golembeski; Alexander N. Nastov; David C. Caples; Joel P. Ruschman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440597B2 ## 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 A rear wing for a motor vehicle includes a first end, a second end, and an aerodynamic surface including a pressure side extending between the first end and the second end, a first end plate is arranged at the first end, and a second end plate is arranged at the second end. At least one of the first end plate and the second end plate includes a selectively deployable aerodynamic surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rear wing for a motor vehicle comprising: a first end, a second end, and an aerodynamic surface including a pressure side extending between the first end and the second end; a first end plate arranged at the first end; and a second end plate arranged at the second end, wherein at least one of the first end plate and the second end plate includes a selectively deployable aerodynamic surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rear wing according to claim 1, wherein the first end plate includes a first portion that extends upwardly relative to the pressure side and a second portion that extends downwardly relative to the pressure side, the first portion including an upper edge and the second portion including a lower edge, the selectively deployable aerodynamic surface being provided on one of the first portion and the second portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The rear wing according to claim 2, wherein the selectively deployable aerodynamic surface is provided on the first portion and extends substantially parallel to the upper edge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The rear wing according to claim 2, wherein the selectively deployable aerodynamic surface is provided on the first portion and extends substantially perpendicularly to the upper edge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The rear wing according to claim 2, wherein the selectively deployable aerodynamic surface includes a first selectively deployable aerodynamic surface arranged on the first portion and a second selectively deployable aerodynamic surface arranged on the second portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The rear wing according to claim 5, wherein the first selectively deployable aerodynamic surface includes a first orientation relative to the upper edge and the second selectively deployable aerodynamic surface includes a second orientation relative to the upper edge. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The rear wing according to claim 6, wherein the first orientation is distinct from the second orientation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The rear wing according to claim 5, wherein the first selectively deployable aerodynamic surface includes a first geometry and the second selectively deployable aerodynamic surface includes a second geometry. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The rear wing according to claim 8, wherein the second geometry is distinct from the first geometry. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The rear wing according to claim 2, wherein the selectively deployable aerodynamic surface shifts between a non-deployed and a deployed configuration. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The rear wing according to claim 2, wherein the selectively deployable aerodynamic surface comprises the upper edge, the upper edge being selectively shiftable relative to the first portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The rear wing according to claim 2, wherein the selectively deployable aerodynamic surface includes a first selectively deployable aerodynamic surface comprising the upper edge and a second selectively deployable aerodynamic surface comprising the lower edge, each of the first selectively deployable aerodynamic surface and the second selectively deployable aerodynamic surface being selectively shiftable relative to the first portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The rear wing according to claim 1, further comprising: a vehicle body, the rear wing being mounted to a rear portion of the vehicle body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The rear wing according to claim 1, further comprising: a controller coupled to the selectively deployable aerodynamic surface, the controller being operable to deploy the selectively deployable aerodynamic surface based on at least one of forces perceived by the motor vehicle and operating parameters of the vehicle. ### Claim 15 A method of controlling airflow over a rear wing of a motor vehicle comprising: guiding air over a pressure side of the rear wing; channeling the air across the pressure side through a flow modification region defined between a first end plate and a second end plate disposed on opposing ends of the rear wing; and selectively deploying an aerodynamic surface of one of the first end plate and the second end plate to modify the air passing through the flow modification region. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein selectively deploying the aerodynamic surface includes rotating a first side aerodynamic surface positioned upward of the pressure side on the first end plate and guiding a portion of the air out from the flow modification region. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein selectively deploying the aerodynamic surface includes rotating a first side aerodynamic surface positioned below the pressure side on the first end plate and drawing in more air to the flow modification region. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein selectively deploying the aerodynamic surface includes shifting a first side aerodynamic surface positioned on the first end plate and shifting a second side aerodynamic surface positioned on the second end plate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein selectively deploying the aerodynamic surface includes folding at least one of an upper edge of the first end plate and a lower edge of the first end plate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: detecting at least one of forces perceived by the motor vehicle and an operating parameter of the vehicle; and selectively deploying the aerodynamic surface based on the one of the forces perceived by the motor vehicle and the operating parameter of the motor vehicle.