# US 9,517,802 B1 · Active underbody deflector

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- Number: US 9,517,802 B1
- Document ID: US9517802B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 14/845,938
- Filed: 2015-09-04
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2015-09-04
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Thomas H. Froling; Timothy J. Herrick; Joseph Hanna; Titus H. Sgro; Changyoung Heo
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517802B1

## CPC

- B62D 35/005: {Front spoilers (B62D35/001 takes precedence)}
- B62D 35/02: Streamlining the undersurfaces {(B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence)}
- 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 active aerodynamic feature for an underside of a vehicle includes a static panel and a dynamic panel. The static panel has a leading edge attached to a front fascia of the vehicle, and a trailing edge distal from the front fascia. The dynamic panel is movably attached to the trailing edge of the static panel. An actuator is configured to locate the dynamic panel in at least two fixed positions relative to the static panel. The fixed positions include a stowed position, which is substantially aligned with the trailing edge of the static panel, and a deployed position, which is at an offset angle relative to the trailing edge of the static panel and also to the stowed position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An active aerodynamic feature for an underside of a vehicle, comprising:
a static panel having a leading edge attached to a front fascia of the vehicle and a trailing edge distal from the front fascia;
a dynamic panel movably attached to the trailing edge of the static panel; and
an actuator configured to locate the dynamic panel in at least two fixed positions relative to the static panel, wherein the fixed positions include:
a stowed position, substantially aligned with the trailing edge of the static panel; and
a deployed position, at an offset angle relative to the trailing edge of the static panel and to the stowed position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The active aerodynamic feature of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to:
prevent movement of the dynamic panel from the deployed position toward the stowed position when the dynamic panel is subjected to loads from the front of the vehicle below a threshold load, and
allow movement of the dynamic panel from the deployed position toward the stowed position when the dynamic panel is subjected to loads from the front of the vehicle above the threshold load.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The active aerodynamic feature of claim 2, wherein the trailing edge of the static panel is substantially horizontal, relative to a ground plane of the vehicle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The active aerodynamic feature of claim 3, further comprising:
an electronic controller in communication with the actuator and configured to control the actuator to locate the dynamic panel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The active aerodynamic feature of claim 4, wherein the deployed position of the dynamic panel is a fully deployed position, which is offset angles at least 75 degrees relative to the stowed position, and wherein the fixed positions of the dynamic panel further include a partially deployed position having an offset angle less than the fully deployed position.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The active aerodynamic feature of claim 5, wherein the offset angles of the fixed positions of the dynamic panel, relative to the trailing edge of the static panel, are:
between negative five and five degrees at the stowed position;
between thirty and sixty degrees at the partially deployed position; and
between eighty-five and ninety-five degrees at the fully deployed position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The active aerodynamic feature of claim 1, further comprising:
an electronic controller in communication with the actuator and configured to control the actuator to locate the dynamic panel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The active aerodynamic feature of claim 1, wherein the deployed position of the dynamic panel is a fully deployed position, the fixed positions of the dynamic panel further include a partially deployed position, and the offset angles of the fixed positions of the dynamic panel, relative to the trailing edge of the static panel, are:
between negative five and five degrees for the stowed position;
between thirty and sixty degrees for the partially deployed position; and
between eighty-five and ninety-five degrees for the fully deployed position.

### Claim 9

A vehicle, comprising:
a front fascia;
a underbody extending rearward from the front fascia; and
an active aerodynamic feature forming a portion of the underside, and including:
a static panel having a leading edge attached to a front fascia of the vehicle and a trailing edge distal from the front fascia;
a dynamic panel movably attached to the trailing edge of the static panel; and
an actuator configured to locate the dynamic panel in at least two fixed positions relative to the static panel, wherein the fixed positions include a stowed position, substantially aligned with the trailing edge of the static panel, and a deployed position, at an offset angle relative to the trailing edge of the static panel and to the stowed position.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the offset angle of the dynamic panel in the deployed position is greater than eighty degrees relative to the stowed position of the dynamic panel.