# US 9,039,068 B2 · Deployable air dam

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- Number: US 9,039,068 B2
- Document ID: US9039068B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/034,041
- Filed: 2013-09-23
- Published: 2015-03-26
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2013-09-23
- Assignees: Fca US LLC
- Applicants: Jeffrey M Niemi; Praveen Joseph John
- Inventors: Jeffrey M Niemi; Praveen Joseph John
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039068B2

## 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
- 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

A deployable air dam for an automotive vehicle has panel, a plurality of four-bar linkages coupling the panel to a front of the vehicle, and an electric clutched actuator coupled to the four-bar linkages for moving the panel of the air-dam between a deployed and an undeployed position wherein the panel extends vertically down from a bottom of a bumper of the vehicle when in the deployed position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A deployable air dam for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
a panel;
a plurality of four-bar linkages coupling the panel to beneath a front of the vehicle wherein the four bar linkages articulate to move the panel of the air dam up and back to its undeployed position and down and forward to its deployed position; and
an electric clutched actuator coupled to the four-bar linkages for moving the panel of the air-dam between a deployed and an undeployed position wherein the panel extends vertically down from a bottom of a bumper of the vehicle when in the deployed position, the electric clutched actuator operable to permit the four-bar linkages to articulate to move the panel back and up toward its undeployed position in response to the panel hitting an object when the vehicle is traveling.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The deployable air dam of claim 1 wherein the four-bar linkages couple the panel to a front bumper of the vehicle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The deployable air dam of claim 1 including an actuator rod coupling the electric clutched actuator to the four bar linkages, the electric clutched actuator releasing the actuator rod when the panel of the air dam hits an object when the vehicle is traveling permitting the four-bar linkages to articulate to move the panel back and up toward its undeployed position.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The deployable air dam of claim 1 wherein the electric clutched actuator remains energized when the panel of the air dam is in its deployed position to return the panel to its deployed position should the panel be moved back and up in response to hitting the object.