# US 2022/0033012 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 2022/0033012 A1 - Document ID: US20220033012A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/369,540 - Filed: 2021-07-07 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-31 - Assignees: Subaru Corporation - Applicants: Subaru Corporation - Inventors: Naoto WATANABE; Yusaku DOGAHIRA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220033012A1 ## CPC - B62D 35/02: Streamlining the undersurfaces {(B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence)} - B60R 16/03: for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems {or for (circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00)} - B62D 37/02: by aerodynamic means - F15D 1/0075: {comprising electromagnetic or electrostatic means for influencing the state of the fluid, e.g. for ionising the fluid or for generating a plasma} - 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) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F15D: FLUID DYNAMICS, i.e. METHODS OR MEANS FOR INFLUENCING THE FLOW OF GASES OR LIQUIDS - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract An airflow adjusting apparatus to be provided in a vehicle includes a first airflow generator and a second airflow generator. The vehicle includes a front wheel and a rear wheel that are disposed in a vehicle longitudinal direction to be partly protruded from a bottom surface of a vehicle body of the vehicle downward in a vertical direction of the vehicle body. The first airflow generator is provided on the bottom surface of the vehicle body and behind the front wheel, and configured to generate a first airflow moving backward of the vehicle. The second airflow generator is provided on the bottom surface of the vehicle body and behind the first airflow generator, and configured to generate a second airflow that deflects, vehicle-widthwise inward, an airflow flowing in from a side on which the first airflow generator is disposed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An airflow adjusting apparatus to be provided in a vehicle, the vehicle including a front wheel and a rear wheel that are disposed in a vehicle longitudinal direction to be partly protruded from a bottom surface of a vehicle body of the vehicle downward in a vertical direction of the vehicle body, the airflow adjusting apparatus comprising: a first airflow generator provided on the bottom surface of the vehicle body and behind the front wheel, and configured to generate a first airflow moving backward of the vehicle; and a second airflow generator provided on the bottom surface of the vehicle body and behind the first airflow generator, and configured to generate a second airflow that deflects, vehicle-widthwise inward, an airflow flowing in from a side on which the first airflow generator is disposed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first airflow generator is disposed at or in vicinity of a position at which a relative wind flowing in from forward of the vehicle is locally reduced in a flow rate by interference with the front wheel or a component provided around the front wheel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second airflow generator is configured to deflect a direction of movement of a main flow component of the airflow flowing in from the side on which the first airflow generator is disposed, to allow the main flow component to move vehicle-widthwise inwardly from the rear wheel, the main flow component having a maximum speed in the airflow flowing in from the side on which the first airflow generator is disposed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second airflow generator is configured to deflect a direction of movement of a main flow component of the airflow flowing in from the side on which the first airflow generator is disposed, to allow the main flow component to move vehicle-widthwise inwardly from the rear wheel, the main flow component having a maximum speed in the airflow flowing in from the side on which the first airflow generator is disposed. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third airflow generator provided between the second airflow generator and the rear wheel and configured to generate a third airflow having a speed component along a vehicle widthwise direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a third airflow generator provided between the second airflow generator and the rear wheel and configured to generate a third airflow having a speed component along a vehicle widthwise direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a third airflow generator provided between the second airflow generator and the rear wheel and configured to generate a third airflow having a speed component along a vehicle widthwise direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a third airflow generator provided between the second airflow generator and the rear wheel and configured to generate a third airflow having a speed component along a vehicle widthwise direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first airflow generator, the second airflow generator, or both include 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 first airflow generator, the second airflow generator, or both include 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 first airflow generator, the second airflow generator, or both include 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 first airflow generator, the second airflow generator, or both include 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 13 (depends on 5) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first airflow generator, the second airflow generator, or both include 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 14 (depends on 6) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first airflow generator, the second airflow generator, or both include 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 15 (depends on 7) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first airflow generator, the second airflow generator, or both include 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 16 (depends on 8) The airflow adjusting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first airflow generator, the second airflow generator, or both include 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.