A system using pairs of symmetrical aerodynamic devices (1) and (2) that affects the axial, the lateral response and handling of road vehicles. The symmetrical, dihedral revolving surfaces are controlled in an active and adaptive way, and are deployed independently, or in tandem, as a result of the drivers' control inputs (steering and braking), affecting the formation of the trailing vortices generated by the vehicle.Depending on the rotation of the devices, about axes (16) and (17), the concave and/or the convex sides of the aerodynamic surfaces, which are created by the dihedral angle (9), are exposed to the on-coming air flow. Their angular positioning, their orientation, and the semi-permeable condition of their central cavities (13), via the central cavity relief openings (11) and holes (14), determine the generation of drag and side forces differentially, by affecting the formation of the trailing vortices, and thus affecting the vehicles' handling.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a pair of symmetrical aerodynamic devices for use in vehicles, especially a motor vehicle, such as a car.

The existing variable-geometry aerodynamic devices, used in road vehicles, act as reaction surfaces. These devices usually are deployed by rotation about a horizontal axis, interfering with the free-stream, acting as an air-brake or a Boundary Layer spoiler.

With the present innovation a pair of symmetrical variable-geometry aerodynamic devices, act not only as reaction surfaces to induce a drag force, but as a mechanism to act on the trailing vortices of the road vehicle. In this way, the aerodynamic input generated due to the deployment, and the active control of the devices, affect the axial and the lateral response and the handling of the vehicle, as well as the total drag and side forces induced. This is achieved by the differential deployment of the two aerodynamic devices, that can be rotated independently, or in tandem, acting on and affecting the formation of the trailing vortices on the two sides of the vehicle.

According invention, this objective is achieved by the movement, in the form of rotation, of the two symmetrical, revolving, dihedral, semi-permeable devices, as defined in independent claim1. The dependent claims define preferred embodiments of the invention.

Each of the two devices have a concave and a convex side. Prior to deployment, the devices are positioned symmetrically, with their concave surfaces opposed, facing each other, and their convex surfaces facing outwards on each side of the vehicle.

According to a preferred embodiment, the set of the two symmetrical aerodynamic devices have such a shape, so that their independent rotation can induce a higher drag force on the one side of the vehicle, when the concave surface of the one device is exposed to the on-coming air-flow, and a lower drag force on the other side, when the convex surface of the other device, is exposed to the on-coming air-flow.

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The invention will be made conceivable with reference to the designs that accompany the present description, in which certain proposed industrial applications of the invention are shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1-FIG. 9show a preferred embodiment of the invention. While this particular embodiment will be described in detail below, several modifications will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, so that the invention shall not be interpreted in a limited manner, referring to the description and the drawings. Rather the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Referring to a selected indicative example of industrial application of the invention, a number of the main sections and components of the devices are listed below. More specifically, the basic parts of the invention are the following:

4. base of the aerodynamic device,

5. control mechanism for rotation,

6. support module of the control mechanism,

7. support and connecting structure,

8. leading edge profiling of the aerodynamic surface,

11. central cavity section relief opening,

15. lower end profiling of the leading edge,

16. axis of rotation of the left aerodynamic device,

17. axis of rotation of the right aerodynamic device.

InFIGS. 1-9, reference numeral1designated the left aerodynamic device fitted on a vehicle (3). The left aerodynamic device (1), is based onto a base (4), controlled via a control mechanism (5), which is supported through the support module (6), and is connected to its symmetrical aerodynamic device (2), via the support structure (7). SeeFIG. 3.

Each aerodynamic device can move, either independently, or in tandem with the other, and features a central cavity section (13) contouring. This concave surface is created due to the dihedral angle (9), that splits the aerodynamic surface into the upper and the lower sections, resembling a base-ball glove. (SeeFIG. 2). The corresponding convex surface on the other side, allows the flow of air through the variable permeability holes (14), and the central cavity relief opening (11), which is served by a butterfly orifice. SeeFIG. 2

According to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawing, (FIG. 4), the rotation of the left device (1), about an axis (16), through an angle of 90 degrees (FIG. 5), causes the flow of air over the left device (1), while the exposed concave surface of the right device (2), concentrates the flow onto the concave section. (SeeFIG. 6).

The conditions shown inFIG. 7, result in the differential generation of drag and lateral forces that cause the vehicle (3) to rotate to the right.

The control inputs of the driver, with respect to steering and braking, are processed running active-adaptive control routines, to activate the rotations of the two devices (1) and (2).

The aspects of the profiling of the aerodynamic devices (1) and (2), as a result of the leading edge profiling (8), trailing edge profiling (12), top end profiling (10), lower end profiling of the leading edge (15), and the dihedral angle (9), determine the effect on the formation of the trailing vortices generated, and subsequently, the differential lateral and drag forces generated on the vehicle, when the devices rotate about their respective axes (16) and (17).

The sequence by which a pair of devices fitted at the tail section of the vehicle are independently rotated, to introduce a rotational input towards the right on the vehicle, is shown onFIG. 9.

Alternatively, the two symmetrical devices could work as a air-brake, if both devices expose their concave surfaces to the on-coming flow.

FIG. 8shows an alternative position of a pair of symmetrical devices (1) and (2) of smaller size, fitted on the front section of a car.