# US 2022/0033009 A1 · Airflow adjusting apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0033009 A1 - Document ID: US20220033009A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/347,052 - Filed: 2021-06-14 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-30 - Assignees: Subaru Corporation - Applicants: Subaru Corporation - Inventors: Naoto WATANABE; Yusaku Dogahira - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220033009A1 ## CPC - B62D 35/02: Streamlining the undersurfaces {(B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence)} - B62D 37/02: by aerodynamic means - H05H 1/2439: {Surface discharges, e.g. air flow control} - Y02T 10/82: Elements for improving aerodynamics - Y02T 10/88: Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses - 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) - H05H: PLASMA TECHNIQUE (apparatus or processes specially adapted for producing X-rays H05G2/00); PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract An airflow adjusting apparatus to be provided in a vehicle includes a flap and an airflow generator. The vehicle includes a wheel disposed to be partly protruded downward from a vehicle body of the vehicle. The flap is protruded, in front of the wheel, downward from the vehicle body. The airflow generator is configured to generate an airflow, and provided in an underneath of the vehicle body. The airflow generator is configured to generate an airflow. The airflow moves backward and downward of the vehicle and the airflow moves obliquely relative to a horizontal plane. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An airflow adjusting apparatus to be provided in a vehicle, the vehicle including a wheel disposed to be partly protruded downward from a vehicle body of the vehicle, the airflow adjusting apparatus comprising: a flap protruded, in front of the wheel, downward from the vehicle body; and an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow, and provided in an underneath of the vehicle body and vehicle-widthwise inwardly from the wheel, the airflow moving backward and downward of the vehicle, and the airflow moving obliquely relative to a horizontal plane. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a processor, wherein the airflow generator is configured to change an angle to be formed by a direction of movement of a main flow component of the airflow with the horizontal plane, the main flow component having a maximum speed in the airflow, and the processor is configured to cause the airflow generator to change the angle in accordance with a traveling state of the vehicle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the airflow generator is configured to generate an airflow having a speed component moving toward vehicle-widthwise centrally of the vehicle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the airflow generator includes a plurality of airflow generators, the airflow generators are disposed in a distributed arrangement in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and one or more of the airflow generators are disposed on rear side of the vehicle relative to an axle of the wheel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the airflow generator includes a plurality of airflow generators, the airflow generators are disposed in a distributed arrangement in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and one or more of the airflow generators are disposed on rear side of the vehicle relative to an axle of the wheel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the airflow generator includes a plurality of airflow generators, the airflow generators are disposed in a distributed arrangement in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and one or more of the airflow generators are disposed on rear side of the vehicle relative to an axle of the wheel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the airflow generator includes a plasma actuator including: at least one pair of electrodes; and a power supply configured to apply a voltage to the at least one pair of the electrodes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the airflow generator includes a plasma actuator including: at least one pair of electrodes; and a power supply configured to apply a voltage to the at least one pair of the electrodes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the airflow generator includes a plasma actuator including: at least one pair of electrodes; and a power supply configured to apply a voltage to the at least one pair of the electrodes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the airflow generator includes a plasma actuator including: at least one pair of electrodes; and a power supply configured to apply a voltage to the at least one pair of the electrodes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the airflow generator includes a plasma actuator including: at least one pair of electrodes; and a power supply configured to apply a voltage to the at least one pair of the electrodes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the airflow generator includes a plasma actuator including: at least one pair of electrodes; and a power supply configured to apply a voltage to the at least one pair of the electrodes.