# US 2022/0033010 A1 · Airflow adjusting apparatus

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- Number: US 2022/0033010 A1
- Document ID: US20220033010A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/347,095
- 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/US20220033010A1

## CPC

- B62D 35/02: Streamlining the undersurfaces {(B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence)}
- B62D 35/005: {Front spoilers (B62D35/001 takes precedence)}
- B62D 37/02: by aerodynamic means
- 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)
- 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 provided in an underneath of the vehicle body and vehicle-widthwise inwardly from the wheel. The airflow generator is configured to generate an airflow vehicle-widthwise inward, and backward of the vehicle. The airflow moves obliquely relative to a vehicle longitudinal direction when the vehicle travels forward.

## 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 provided in an underneath of the vehicle body and vehicle-widthwise inwardly from the wheel, and configured to generate an airflow vehicle-widthwise inward, and backward of the vehicle, the airflow moving obliquely relative to a vehicle longitudinal direction when the vehicle travels forward.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
a main flow component of the airflow to be generated by the airflow generator moves along an underside of the vehicle body, the main flow component having a maximum speed in the airflow.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the airflow generator includes a plurality of airflow generators, and
the airflow generators are disposed in a distributed manner in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the airflow generator includes a plurality of airflow generators, and
the airflow generators are disposed in a distributed manner in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the airflow generator includes a plurality of airflow generators, and
some or all of the airflow generators are disposed on rear side of the vehicle relative to an axle of the wheel.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the airflow generator includes a plurality of airflow generators, and
some or all of the airflow generators are disposed on rear side of the vehicle relative to an axle of the wheel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
some or all of the airflow generators are disposed on rear side of the vehicle relative to an axle of the wheel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
some or all of the airflow generators are disposed on rear side of the vehicle relative to an axle of the wheel.

### Claim 9 (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 disposed with a dielectric in between; and
a power supply configured to apply a voltage to the at least one pair of the electrodes.

### Claim 10 (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 disposed with a dielectric in between; and
a power supply configured to apply a voltage to the at least one pair of the electrodes.

### Claim 11 (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 disposed with a dielectric in between; and
a power supply configured to apply a voltage to the at least one pair of the electrodes.

### Claim 12 (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 disposed with a dielectric in between; and
a power supply configured to apply a voltage to the at least one pair of the electrodes.
