Reactive panel aerodynamic system for vehicle underbody
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorPeter Martucci
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aerodynamic system for a vehicle that includes a structure. The structure includes a body that defines an underbody. The vehicle includes an assembly that moves relative to the body. A panel system is coupled with the underbody and includes an aerodynamic panel defining an opening and a reactive panel that closes the opening. The aerodynamic panel is coupled with the body at the underbody. The reactive panel moves in response to contact by the assembly and returns to close the opening when released by the assembly.
Claims20
An aerodynamic system for a vehicle comprising:
- a structure of the vehicle including a body defining an underbody;
- a suspension assembly configured to move relative to the body during operation of the vehicle;
- and
- a panel system coupled with the underbody including an aerodynamic panel defining an opening and a reactive panel configured to close the opening,
- wherein the suspension assembly is configured to contact the reactive panel and to separate from and move away from the reactive panel,
- wherein the aerodynamic panel is coupled with the body at the underbody,
- wherein the reactive panel is configured to move in response to contact by the suspension assembly and is configured to close the opening when released by the suspension assembly.
An aerodynamic system for a vehicle comprising:
- a structure of the vehicle including a body defining an underbody, the underbody configured to channel an airflow component under the vehicle;
- an assembly configured to move relative to the body;
- a panel system coupled with the underbody including an aerodynamic panel defining an opening and a reactive panel configured to close the opening;
- and
- a suspension arm included as part of the assembly and configured to contact the reactive panel and to separate from and move away from the reactive panel,
- wherein the aerodynamic panel is fixed to the body at the underbody,
- wherein the reactive panel is configured to move in response to contact by the suspension arm and is configured to close the opening when released by the assembly,
- wherein the aerodynamic panel and the reactive panel present a substantially continuous surface without gaps to the airflow component.
An aerodynamic system for a vehicle comprising:
- a structure of the vehicle including a body defining an underbody, the underbody configured to channel an airflow component under the vehicle;
- an assembly configured to move relative to the body, wherein the assembly comprises a suspension assembly;
- a panel system coupled with the underbody including an aerodynamic panel defining an opening and a reactive panel configured to close the opening;
- and
- a suspension arm included as part of the assembly and configured to contact the reactive panel and to separate from and move away from the reactive panel,
- wherein the aerodynamic panel is fixed to the body at the underbody,
- wherein the reactive panel is disposed in a position separated from the structure by the aerodynamic panel and is configured to move in response to contact by the suspension assembly and is configured to close the opening when released by the suspension arm,
- wherein the aerodynamic panel and the reactive panel are configured to direct the airflow component along the underbody and around the suspension assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.