Vehicle with an air guiding element for controlling aerodynamic properties and method for controlling aerodynamic properties of a vehicle
AssigneeDr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
InventorThomas Wolf
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle has an underbody that rises in a rear region of the vehicle to form a diffuser and an air guiding element for controlling aerodynamic properties of the vehicle. The air guiding element is arranged on the underbody in the rear region of the vehicle. The air guiding element is reversibly transferable between a primary position and a secondary position. In the secondary position, the air guiding element and the underbody arranged behind the air guiding element, as seen in the direction of travel, are arranged forming an angle of more than 75°, preferably of more than 85° and particularly preferably of more than 90° to each other.
Claims9
A vehicle comprising:
- an underbody with a non-rising region having a rear end and a rising region with a front end at the rear end of the non-rising region, the rising region of the underbody rising up from the non-rising region toward a rear end of the vehicle to form a diffuser;
- and an air guiding element arranged at the underbody of the vehicle for controlling aerodynamic properties of the vehicle, the air guiding element having opposite first and second ends, the first end being substantially aligned with or rearward of the front end of the rising region of the underbody, the air guiding element being reversibly transferable between a primary position and a secondary position, in the secondary position, the second end of the air guiding element projecting below the underbody and, in the secondary position, the air guiding element and areas of the underbody arranged behind the air guiding element, as seen in a forward direction of travel, form an angle of more than 75° to each other.
A method for controlling aerodynamic properties of a vehicle that has an underbody with a non-rising region having a rear end and a rising region with a front end at the rear end of the non-rising region, the rising region of the underbody rising up from the non-rising region toward a rear end of the vehicle to form a diffuser;
- and an air guiding element arranged at the underbody of the vehicle for controlling aerodynamic properties of the vehicle, the air guiding element having opposite first and second ends, the first end being substantially aligned with or rearward of the front end of the rising region of the underbody, wherein the method to control the aerodynamic properties comprises:
- sensing a speed of the vehicle;
- keeping the air guiding element in a primary position where the air guiding element is substantially flush with the underbody when the sensed speed of the vehicle is at or below a specified level;
- and
- pivoting the air guiding element to a secondary position when the sensed speed is above the specified level, a free end of the air guiding element projecting below the underbody when the air guiding element is in the secondary position, the air guiding element and areas of the underbody arranged behind the air guiding element, as seen in a forward direction of travel, forming an angle of more than 75° to each other, when the air guiding element is in the secondary position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.