# US 12,767,245 B2 · Mobile spoiler assembly for a road vehicle, method of controlling a mobile spoiler for a road vehicle and related road vehicle

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- Number: US 12,767,245 B2
- Document ID: US12767245B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/354,691
- Filed: 2023-07-19
- Published: 2024-01-25
- Granted: 2026-10-20
- Earliest claimed: 2022-07-20
- Assignees: Ferrari S.P.A.
- Applicants: Ferrari S.P.A.
- Inventors: Daniele Multari; Alessandro Calamita
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12767245B2

## CPC

- B62D 35/007: {Rear spoilers (B62D35/001 takes precedence)}
- H02K 7/14: Structural association with mechanical loads, e.g. with hand-held machine tools or fans (with fan or impeller for cooling the machine H02K9/06)
- 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)
- H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53})

## Abstract

Movable spoiler assembly for a road vehicle comprising: a movable spoiler configured to be movably attached to a body of the road vehicle and capable of being moved between a retracted position and an extracted position; and an actuation system configured to control the movable spoiler between the retracted position and the extracted position; the actuation system comprises at least two actuators to move the movable spoiler and at least two transmission elements to operatively couple each actuator to the movable spoiler; the two actuators comprise a first actuator configured to command at least the displacement of the movable spoiler between the retracted position and the extracted position, and a second actuator configured to command at least a tilt of the movable spoiler around the longitudinal axis, so as to vary an angle of incidence of the leading edge of the spoiler.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) for a road vehicle (1), the movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) comprising:
a movable spoiler (6) configured to be movably attached to a body (5) of the road vehicle (1) and capable of being moved, in a mounted condition of the movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) on the road vehicle (1), at least between a retracted position, wherein it is arranged in a position proximal to the body (5), and an extracted position, wherein it is arranged in a position distal to the body (5); and
an actuation system configured to control the movable spoiler (6) between the retracted position and the extracted position;
the movable spoiler (6) defining an airfoil element having a longitudinal axis (C) and including a leading edge (8) and a trailing edge (10) extending along at least one axial direction;
the actuation system comprising at least two electric actuators (11, 12) to move the movable spoiler (6) and at least two transmission elements (13, 14) to operatively couple each actuator (11, 12) to the movable spoiler (6), respectively;
wherein the at least two electric actuators (11, 12) comprise a first actuator (11) configured to command at least displacement of the movable spoiler (6) between the retracted position and the extracted position, and a second actuator (12) configured to command at least a tilt of the movable spoiler (6) with respect to the longitudinal axis (C), so as to vary an angle of incidence of said leading edge (8), in said mounted condition, relative to a forward motion direction of the road vehicle (1);
wherein the first actuator (11) is of a linear type and comprises a first guide element (15) having a straight section (15a) and a slide element (16) slidable on the straight section (15a) to command movement of the movable spoiler (6) between the retracted position and the extracted position;
wherein the second actuator (12) is of the linear type and comprises a second guide element (17) having a straight section (17a) and a slide element (18) slidable on the straight section (17a);
wherein the first guide element (15) and the second guide element (17) are at least partially parallel to each other and are mainly oriented along a direction parallel to a direction of travel of the road vehicle (1);
wherein the at least two transmission elements comprise:
a first transmission element (13) connecting the first actuator (11) to the movable spoiler (6) at a first hinge (19) arranged between the leading edge (8) and the trailing edge (10) at a position relatively closer to one of the leading edge (8) or the trailing edge (10), and
a second transmission element (14) connecting the second actuator (12) to the movable spoiler (6) at a second hinge (20) arranged between the leading edge (8) and the trailing edge (10) at a position relatively closer to the other of the leading edge (8) or the trailing edge (10) with respect to the first hinge (19),
the first actuator (11) being configured to hold the first hinge (19) in place, and
the second actuator (12) being configured to command a rotation of the second hinge (20) around the first hinge (19) held in position, so as to determine said tilt of the movable spoiler (6) and variation of said angle of incidence;
wherein the second hinge (20) is mounted so as to be slidable along a guide (40) arranged on the movable spoiler (6) and extending along a transverse axis (E) of the movable spoiler (6).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) according to claim 1, wherein the first transmission element (13) comprises:
a first arm (21) connecting the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) with the first hinge (19);
a third hinge (23) connecting the movable spoiler (6) to said body (5) and configured to be arranged in a fixed position on said body (5); and
a second arm (25) connecting the third hinge (23) to the first arm (21) at a centreline point (21a) of the first arm (21), so that the sliding of the slide element (16) on the guide element (15) of the first actuator (11) causes a rotation of the centreline point (21a) around the third hinge (23) and a rototranslation of the first arm (21) with respect to the third hinge (23).

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) according to claim 2, wherein the second arm (25) has a longitudinal extension equal to half the longitudinal extension of the first arm (21).

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The movable spoiler assembly (7) according to claim 1,
wherein the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) and the slide element (18) of the second actuator (12) are simultaneously slidable along the respective straight sections (15a, 17a) to control the movement of the movable spoiler (6) between the retracted position and the extracted position;
and wherein the second guide element (17) of the second actuator (12) further comprises a curved section (17b) or an additional straight section (17c) extending from the respective straight section (17a), the slide element (18) of the second actuator (12) being slidable on said curved section (17b) or on said additional straight section (17c) to control said rotation of the second hinge (20) around the first hinge (19) and vary, thereby, said angle of incidence.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The movable spoiler assembly (7) according to claim 4, wherein the straight section (15a) of the first guide element (15) and the straight section (17a) of the second guide element (17) are parallel to each other; wherein the second guide element (17) is at least as long as the first guide element (15); and wherein the straight section (17a) of the first guide element (15) is at least as long as the straight section (15a) of the second guide element (17).

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The movable spoiler assembly (7) according to claim 4, wherein the first transmission element (13) comprises a first arm (21) connecting the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) with the first hinge (19),
wherein the second transmission element (14) comprises a second arm (22) connecting the slide element (18) of the second actuator (12) with the second hinge (20);
wherein the second actuator (12) is selectively operable to command the sliding of the respective slide element (18) on:
the respective straight section (17a), simultaneously with the sliding of the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) on the respective straight section (15a), to simultaneously move the first arm (21) and the second arm (22), thereby determining the movement of the movable spoiler (6) between the retracted and the extracted positions; or on
said curved section (17b) or said additional straight section (17c), in a deferred manner with respect to the sliding of the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) on the respective straight section (15a), to move only the second arm (22), thereby determining said rotation of the second hinge (20) around the first hinge (19) and varying said angle of incidence; eventually by the sliding of the second hinge (20) within a guide (40) arranged on the movable spoiler (6) and extending along a transverse axis (E) of the movable spoiler (6).

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The movable spoiler assembly according to claim 1, wherein the straight section (15a) of the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) includes an end stop (15b);
and wherein the first actuator (11) is configured to command the movable spoiler (6) in the extracted position and the holding of the first hinge (19) in position by positioning the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) at said end stop (15b).

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) according to claim 1, wherein the at least two actuators (11, 12) are defined by electric motors.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) according to claim 8, wherein the electric motors are of the irreversible type.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A road vehicle (1) comprising:
a vehicular body (5), which defines along its length a longitudinal axis (A) of the road vehicle (1) and along its width a transverse axis (B) of the road vehicle (1); and
a movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) according to claim 1;
the movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) being mounted on the body (5) such that the movable spoiler (6) is movably attached to the body (5) with the leading edge (8) and trailing edge (10) transverse to the longitudinal axis (A) of the road vehicle (1);
said longitudinal axis (C) of the movable spoiler (6) being transverse to the longitudinal axis (A) of the road vehicle (1).

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A method for controlling a movable spoiler (6) of a movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of:
a) commanding a movement of the movable spoiler (6) between the retracted position, in which the movable spoiler (6) is in the position proximal to the body (5) of the road vehicle (1), and the extracted position, in which the movable spoiler (6) is in the position distal to the body (5);
b) tilting the movable spoiler (6) with respect to the longitudinal axis (C) of the same to vary the angle of incidence of the leading edge (8) with respect to said forward motion direction;
wherein the step a) of commanding is performed at least by sliding the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) on the respective straight section (15a).

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method according to claim 11, wherein the second guide element (17) further comprises a curved section (17b) or an additional straight section (17c), wherein the slide element (18) of the second actuator (12) is selectively slidable on the straight section (17a) and on the curved section (17b) or the additional straight section (17c);
wherein the step a) of commanding is performed by simultaneous sliding of the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) and the slide element (18) of the second actuator (12) along the respective straight sections (15a, 17a);
and wherein the step b) of tilting is performed at least by sliding the slide element (18) of the second actuator (12) on the curved section (17b) or on the additional straight section (17c), in a deferred manner with respect to the sliding of the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) on the respective straight section (15a).

### Claim 13

A movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) for a road vehicle (1), the movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) comprising:
a movable spoiler (6) configured to be movably attached to a body (5) of the road vehicle (1) and capable of being moved, in a mounted condition of the movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) on the road vehicle (1), at least between a retracted position, wherein it is arranged in a position proximal to the body (5), and an extracted position, wherein it is arranged in a position distal to the body (5); and
an actuation system configured to control the movable spoiler (6) between the retracted position and the extracted position;
the movable spoiler (6) defining an airfoil element having a longitudinal axis (C) and including a leading edge (8) and a trailing edge (10) extending along at least one axial direction;
the actuation system comprising at least two electric actuators (11, 12) to move the movable spoiler (6) and at least two transmission elements (13, 14) to operatively couple each actuator (11, 12) to the movable spoiler (6), respectively;
wherein the at least two electric actuators (11, 12) comprise a first actuator (11) configured to command at least displacement of the movable spoiler (6) between the retracted position and the extracted position, and a second actuator (12) configured to command at least a tilt of the movable spoiler (6) with respect to the longitudinal axis (C), so as to vary an angle of incidence of said leading edge (8), in said mounted condition, relative to a forward motion direction of the road vehicle (1);
wherein the first actuator (11) is of a linear type and comprises a first guide element (15) having a straight section (15a) and a slide element (16) slidable on the straight section (15a) to command movement of the movable spoiler (6) between the retracted position and the extracted position;
wherein the second actuator (12) is of a rotary type, has an axis of rotation (D) and comprises a shaft (27) operable in rotation about the axis of rotation (D);
wherein the first guide element (15) is mainly oriented along a direction parallel to a direction of travel of the road vehicle (1);
wherein the at least two transmission elements comprise:
a first transmission element (13) comprising a first arm (21) connecting the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) to the movable spoiler (6) at a first hinge (19) arranged between the leading edge (8) and the trailing edge (10) at a position relatively closer to one of the leading edge (8) or the trailing edge (10), and
a second transmission element (14) comprising an articulated arm (28) connecting the shaft (27) of the second actuator (12) to the movable spoiler (6) at a second hinge (20) arranged between the leading edge (8) and the trailing edge (10) at a position relatively closer to the other of the leading edge (8) or the trailing edge (10) with respect to the first hinge (19),
the first actuator (11) being configured to hold the first hinge (19) in place, and
the second actuator (12) being configured to command a rotation of the second hinge (20) around the first hinge (19) held in position, so as to determine said tilt of the movable spoiler (6) and variation of said angle of incidence;
and wherein the shaft (27) is rotatable to command a displacement of the articulated arm (28), determining said rotation of the second hinge (20) about the first hinge (19) and thereby varying said angle of incidence.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The movable spoiler assembly (7′) according to claim 13, and comprising:
a third actuator (29) configured to command the movement of the movable spoiler (6) between the retracted position and extracted position; and
a third transmission element (30) connecting the third actuator (29) to the movable spoiler (6) at a third hinge (31) arranged between the leading edge (8) and the trailing edge (10);
wherein the third actuator (29) is of a linear type and comprises a guide element (32) having a straight section (32a) and a slide element (33) slidable on the straight section (32a);
wherein the third transmission element (30) comprises a third arm (34) connecting the slide element (33) of the third actuator (29) with the third hinge (31);
wherein the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) and the slide element (33) of the third actuator (29) are simultaneously slidable along their respective straight sections (15a, 32a) to command the movement of the movable spoiler (6) between the retracted position and the extracted position,
and wherein the shaft (27) is selectively operable in rotation:
simultaneously with the sliding of the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) and the slide element (33) of the third actuator (29), to command the movement of the movable spoiler (6) between the retracted position and the extracted position; or
in a deferred manner with respect to the sliding of the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) and the slide element (33) of the third actuator (29), to command a rotation of the second hinge (20) around the first hinge (19) and the third hinge (31) and thereby vary said angle of incidence.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

A method for controlling a movable spoiler (6) of a movable spoiler assembly (7; 7′) according to claim 13, the method comprising the steps of:
a) commanding a movement of the movable spoiler (6) between the retracted position, in which the movable spoiler (6) is in the position proximal to the body (5) of the road vehicle (1), and the extracted position, in which the movable spoiler (6) is in the position distal to the body (5);
b) tilting the movable spoiler (6) with respect to the longitudinal axis (C) of the same to vary the angle of incidence of the leading edge (8) with respect to said forward motion direction;
wherein the step a) of commanding is performed at least by rotational actuation of the shaft (27) simultaneously with the sliding of the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) on the straight section (15a);
and wherein the step b) of tilting is performed by rotational actuation of the shaft (27) in a deferred manner with respect to the sliding of the slide element (16) of the first actuator (11) on the straight section (15a).