Abstract:
A rear spoiler system for a vehicle has at least one roof spoiler comprising a roof air-deflector element. The roof spoiler is configured to be secured only on a rear door of the vehicle without being secured on the vehicle structure. The roof air-deflector element can be raised into a driving position automatically when the rear doors are closed, and can be moved automatically into an idle position when the rear doors are open.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a rear spoiler for a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Rear spoilers serve to improve vehicle aerodynamics and can correspondingly reduce fuel consumption. They are fitted in the rear region of the vehicle and generally have air-guiding elements that lengthen the contours of the vehicle to the rear, for example with curved surfaces. Rear spoilers of this type can also be fastened to the vehicle roof or to the side walls. 
     DE 20 2009 014 476 U1, DE 20 2009 014 510 U1 and DE 20 2009 015 009 U1 describe rear spoiler constructions, in which the air-guiding elements or spoiler elements are arranged displaceably or pivotably in order to permit unimpeded opening of the vehicle door. 
     Pivotable or foldable rear spoilers are generally connected to the hinge of the rear door. DE 102 28 658 A1 describes various folding solutions, in which planar surfaces, which are pivotable via a hinge, are intended to enable aerodynamic optimization in the travel region. 
     DE 10 2008 036 888 A1 describes constructions of rear spoilers and connections to the vehicle, in which, inter alia, a carrier is fit between the rear door and the air-guiding element, which carrier can be unhinged for a substantially pivoted-out position of the door. As the rear flap is pivoted outward about the vertical pivot axis thereof, the air-guiding element is first also pivoted until it reaches the outer surfaces of the side wall. As the rear flap is subsequently pivoted out, the flexible carrier element is correspondingly compressed. 
     Such connections of the air-guiding elements in the hinge region generally permit an adjustment of the air-guiding element between the rear door and the side wall when the rear door—as is often provided in the case of utility vehicles—is pivoted outward by 270° in order to be fastened, for example, to the side wall. 
     However, systems of this type are generally very complex. They have, inter alia, complex joint or hinge constructions. Furthermore, some rear spoiler systems only permit the use of relatively short air-guiding elements, and therefore the improvement in aerodynamics is limited. 
     Furthermore, the space in the hinge region of the rear door is very confined as the rear door swings open, and therefore more complex rear spoiler constructions may impair the operation to swing open by 270°. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally speaking, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rear spoiler that can be constructed with relatively little outlay and permits reliable adjustment between the driving position and the basic position. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rear spoiler device has at least one roof spoiler with a roof air-guiding element; a roof spoiler of this type is preferably provided on each rear door. The roof spoiler is fastened to the rear door or to the door leaf of the rear door and not to the vehicle structure. The roof air-guiding element is automatically adjustable between a driving position and a retracted basic position. 
     The roof spoiler preferably has a fastening device for fastening to the rear door, wherein the roof air-guiding element is adjustable, in particular pivotable, in relation to the fastening device. For the automatic adjustment, a bearing structure, in particular a cam, is preferably formed on the roof air-guiding element. The bearing structure can, for example, project to the rear in the basic position and, during closing of the rear door, pass onto the vehicle structure such that, as the rear door is closed further, the bearing structure is adjusted, for example by rolling on the vehicle structure, and therefore a pivoting torque is exerted on the roof air-guiding element, the pivoting torque pivoting the latter upward into the driving position thereof. 
     The fastening device can be placed into the rear door or the door leaf of the rear door, for example, predominately or even exclusively from above; if the rear door is closed on the upper side thereof, corresponding holes can be drilled for this purpose. The fastening device can have, for example, insertion rods that run vertically and engage in the holes in the rear door. 
     Alternatively, with a rigid coupling between cam and roof air-guiding element, in which the roof air-guiding element in each case always protrudes to the rear when the rear door is closed, the roof air-guiding element can also be manually releasable and retracted when the rear door is closed, for example in order to improve space-saving parking of the vehicle and transport by train or ship. 
     A number of advantages are afforded by the roof spoiler according to the inventive embodiments. Advantageously, the roof spoiler does not have to be fastened to the vehicle structure or to the vehicle roof; fastening to the rear door is sufficient. The fastening can therefore be accomplished rapidly and is independent of roof types or the design of the roof structure. Since the roof spoiler is preferably even only fastened to the upper edge of the rear door, for example by being fitted in vertically, a rapid fitting operation is possible without constraining the outer surface of the rear doors. 
     The fastening device can be formed cost-effectively, for example integrally, for example as a metal plate with a corresponding construction of insertion rods or insertion regions, wherein the roof air-guiding element can be designed, for example, as a plastic injection molded part with one or more cams that project to the rear and have a rounded cam surface. 
     A cost-effective construction, simple fitting to just the rear door, and an automatic adjustment operation during the opening and closing of the rear door are therefore possible in a simple manner. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, at least one side spoiler for fitting to the rear door is provided in addition to the roof spoiler. In the case of the conventional construction of a vehicle rear with two rear doors in each case swinging open laterally, the rear spoiler device therefore preferably has two side spoilers that can be fitted to one of the rear doors in each case. 
     The side air-guiding element of the side spoiler can be fitted to the rear door via an additional link. The link can be fitted to the rear door via a first swivel joint, in particular a vertical first axis of rotation having a plurality of swivel joints. The side air-guiding element is coupled to the link preferably via a second axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation is therefore advantageously formed on or between that end of the side air-guiding element that is at the rear in the driving position and that end of the link that is at the rear in the driving position. For this purpose, vertically spaced apart second swivel joints are formed between the end regions of the link and of the air-guiding element. 
     The side air-guiding element is locked releasably to the vehicle preferably via a locking structure formed at the front end of the side air-guiding element. 
     A lockable arrangement that, after unlocking, is pivotable or adjustable is therefore formed. The side air-guiding element can be connected to, in particular flush, or aligned with the corresponding side wall of the vehicle. However, unlike in the case of conventional connections of the side air-guiding element to the hinge, the side air-guiding element is unlockable at the front end region thereof in order, after unlocking, to be pivoted about the link and, together with the link, toward the center of the rear door. 
     This achieves a number of advantages. The otherwise confined construction space in the hinge region of the rear door is not constrained or not constrained to a relevant extent; after being unlocked, the lateral side air-guiding element can be pivoted in about the link toward the center, and therefore the entire rear door can subsequently be pivoted outward by, for example, approximately 270° and can be placed against, or fastened to, for example, the side wall. The side spoiler together with the side air-guiding element and link is therefore accommodated between the rear door and the side wall without having an impeding effect in the hinge region. The entire length of link and side air-guiding element can be selected, for example, such that the side spoiler, which is completely folded over in the basic position, extends somewhat toward the edge of the door (center of the vehicle rear); the fastening of the rear door to the side wall is therefore not impeded by the side spoiler. 
     The first swivel joint of the link is advantageously fitted to the rear door in a manner sufficiently spaced apart from the hinge, for example at a distance of 10 cm or more from the hinge of the rear door. For the fastening, it is possible, for example, for holes to be drilled into the rear door, the holes then being closed in turn by the first swivel joints. 
     According to alternative embodiments, the lockable locking structure at the front end of the side air-guiding element can be implemented on the vehicle structure or the side walls, or else on the rear door or the door leaf. In all cases, in the driving position, when the rear door is closed, a stable triangle is formed, the sides of which are formed by the link, the side air-guiding element and the vehicle, and the corners of which are formed by the first swivel joint (or the plurality of first swivel joints), the second swivel joint and the locking structure. 
     Such triangle construction is stable, even if two or even three of the corners are formed by swivel joints or swivel bearings. The first and second swivel joints therefore do not have to be locked. A construction is produced that also prevents, or keeps light, a fluttering or flexible vibrating of the side air-guiding elements when the vehicle is traveling, since the front end region of the side air-guiding element is locked and the rear end thereof is held by the link. The material of the side air-guiding element can therefore optionally be selected to be freer, for example also thinner, than in the case of conventional constructions with an air-guiding element that is not connected to the rear. 
     The link can be designed for forming sufficient stability. For example, it can also be designed with a rib structure or recesses for reducing the material consumption and weight. Overall, a relatively low weight and low production costs arise. 
     It should be appreciated that the side spoiler according to the inventive embodiments permits fitting to different door variants and door systems; in particular, the precise construction of the hinge of the rear doors, which may vary greatly for different manufacturers and types of vehicle, is not relevant; all that need be provided are fastenings of the first swivel bearing to the rear door by, for example, drilling holes, and a locking retainer of the locking structure at the front end or the front edge of the lateral side air-guiding element. 
     According to one embodiment, the locking of the front end of the air-guiding element to the vehicle can take place on the rear door itself. The stable triangle, which is formed in the driving position, is therefore formed by the link, side air-guiding element and the rear door. In order to permit a flush connection of the side air-guiding element to the side wall, for example, a connector fitted in the region of the front edge of the side air-guiding element, for example a connecting tab, can extend for this purpose laterally to a locking retainer on the rear door. Therefore, even when the air-guiding element is connected to the rear door, a fixed closure of the front end region of the side air-guiding element can be achieved with favorable aerodynamic properties and without the tendency to flutter. The locking structure can be designed, for example, as an eyelet or receiving hole, and the locking retainer can be designed as a fastening pin on the rear door. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the front end of the side air-guiding element is not fastened to the rear door, but rather to the vehicle structure, that is, to what is referred to as the portal of the rear region of the vehicle, or else to the side walls (if the vehicle has fixed side walls). In this embodiment, the locking structure can be automatically unlatched during the opening of the rear door since, when the rear door swings open, the position of the first axis of rotation in relation to the locking structure is changed. This automatic unlatching can take place, for example, by the pivoting operation, in which the side air-guiding element is pivoted with the front locking structure thereof in the latching retainer. 
     Synergistic effects occur between the construction of the roof spoiler and of the side spoiler, since, during the opening of the rear door, first the roof spoilers automatically retract (pivot downward) and therefore the link and the side air-guiding element can subsequently be placed thereon, wherein it is optionally also possible to design the link to be shorter vertically such that the link is placed only onto the rear door and does not extend in the vertical direction as far as the roof air-guiding element. The cam, which protrudes to the rear, does not impede the pivoting operation and the application of the side spoilers. 
     Therefore, during the opening of the rear door, the deadweight of the roof air-guiding element first causes the latter to automatically fold or pivot downward without having an adverse effect on the side spoilers. The side spoilers can subsequently be completely folded over, as described above. 
     Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification. 
     The present invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, all as exemplified in the constructions herein set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is described below using a number of embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective rear view of a utility vehicle when the rear doors are closed and with a rear spoiler according to one embodiment of the present invention in the driving position; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view, corresponding to  FIG. 1 , with a rear door open; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged detail view with a rear door partially open; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the rear spoiler according to an embodiment of the present invention for the rear; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of a vehicle door with a roof spoiler according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates steps of the initial adjustment of the side spoiler during the opening of the rear door and locking of the side air-guiding element to the vehicle structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  shows an embodiment with the side air-guiding element locked to the rear door. 
     
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS 
     
         
         
           
               1  utility vehicle 
               2  vehicle structure 
               3  loading space 
               4 , 5  side walls 
               6  vehicle roof 
               7  hinge 
               8 ,  9  rear doors 
               8   a  upper edge of the rear door  8   
               8   b  outer side of the rear door  8   
               10  rear spoiler 
               13 ,  14  roof spoiler 
               16 ,  17  side spoiler 
               20  fastening device (bearing part) of the roof spoiler  13 ,  14   
               21  insertion rods 
               22  holes in upper edge  8   a    
               23  axis of rotation 
               24  roof air-guiding element 
               25  outer surface 
               26  cam 
               26   a  cam surface 
               30  link 
               31  first swivel joints 
               32  side air-guiding element 
               32   a  front edge of the side air-guiding element  32   
               33  holes in the rear door 
               34  second swivel joints between side air-guiding element  32  and link  30   
               35  path of movement of front edge  32   a  of the side air-guiding element  32   
               36  latching hook (locking hook) 
               37  locking retainer on the side wall  4  or vehicle structure  2   
               40  locking tab 
               42  locking pin (locking retainer) 
               43  screw or bolt 
             A pivot axis of the rear doors 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     According to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a utility vehicle  1  has a vehicle structure  2 , which, in the rear region, is also called a portal, and a loading space  3 , which is delimited outward by side walls  4 ,  5  and upward by a vehicle roof  6 . Side walls  4 ,  5  and the vehicle roof  6  can be constructed fixedly or as supporting parts in, for example, a box-type truck and can be correspondingly fixedly connected to the vehicle structure  2 . Furthermore, the construction of the side walls  4 ,  5  and optionally of the vehicle roof  6  with tarpaulins is also known. 
     The loading space  3  can be closed to the rear by two rear doors  8 ,  9 , which, starting from the closed position thereof in  FIG. 1 , are pivotable about the hinges  7  thereof by approximately 270° outward about the respective pivot axis A thereof and can be placed against, or else can be locked to, for example, the respective side wall  4 ,  5 . 
     A rear spoiler device  10 , which has two roof spoilers  13 ,  14  and two side spoilers  16 ,  17  is fitted to the utility vehicle  1 . 
     The two roof spoilers  13 ,  14  are advantageously fastened exclusively to the two rear doors  8 ,  9  by being inserted from above. According to  FIG. 5 , the left roof spoiler  13  (in the direction of travel) has a fastening device (bearing part)  20  that is fastened to the rear door  8 . For this purpose, the fastening device  20  can be, for example, three insertion rods  21  that extend vertically downward and are placed into the rear door  8  from above. If the upper side of the rear door  8  is already open, the insertion rods  21  can correspondingly be inserted directly; when a door leaf is closed, holes  22  can first be drilled into the upper edge  8   a  of the rear door, and insertion rods  21  are then subsequently inserted into the holes from above. 
     Furthermore, the fastening device  20  has an axis of rotation  23  for a roof air-guiding element  24 . The roof air-guiding element  24  is manufactured as an integral plastics part, for example plastic injection molded part, with a planar or slightly curved outer surface  25 , the shaping of which is known. When the rear door  8  is closed, the roof air-guiding element  24  essentially forms a lengthening of the vehicle roof  6 , for example with a slight curvature downward. Furthermore, the roof air-guiding element  24  has one or more cams  26  that are also formed, for example, during production by injection molding. 
     The fastening device  20  can be formed, for example, from steel or else from plastic. In the embodiment shown, the entire roof spoiler  13  is therefore formed, for example, in two parts with the fastening device  20  and the roof air-guiding element  24 , optionally with an additional axis of rotation  23 . When the fastening device  20  is anchored in the rear door  8 , the cam  26  projects to the rear; the deadweight of the roof air-guiding element  24  causes the latter to pivot downward about the axis of rotation  23  and to bear, for example, against the rear door  8 . If the rear door  8  is subsequently pivoted from the open position shown in  FIG. 5  into the driving position of  FIG. 4 , the cam  26  projecting to the rear first reaches against the vehicle structure  2 , for example against a cross member in the upper rear region of the utility vehicle  1 . The cam  26  here has a curved cam surface  26   a  that rolls on the vehicle structure  2  during the shutting of the rear door  8 , and therefore the entire roof air-guiding element  24  pivots upward about the axis of rotation  23 . 
     When the rear door  8  is closed, the cam  26  therefore continues to bear with the cam surface  26   a  against the vehicle structure  2  and is therefore supported in the upwardly projecting position by the cam  26  or the plurality of cams  26 . If the rear door  8  is subsequently opened again, the cam  26  rolls on the vehicle structure  2  and projects again to the rear; the deadweight of the roof air-guiding element  24  therefore causes the latter to drop automatically from the functional position thereof when the rear door  8  is shut into the downwardly pivoted or downwardly folded basic position in  FIG. 5 . An actuation by the user is therefore not required. 
     The two side spoilers  16 ,  17  each have a link  30  and a side air-guiding element  32 . The link  30  is fastened in, for example, four first swivel joints  31  on the outer side  8   b  of the rear door  8 , for which purpose, for example, holes  33  can be drilled into the rear door  8 . The side air-guiding element  32  is fastened in turn to the link  30  via two swivel joints  34 . The link  30  can be manufactured, for example, from metal, for example aluminum or steel; the side air-guiding element  32  is advantageously formed from plastic, for example in the form of an injection molded part. 
     The side air-guiding elements  32  are in each case latched in a locking structure  36 ,  40  in corresponding locking retainers  37 ,  42  on the utility vehicle  1 . According to alternative embodiments, locking or latching can either take place, according to  FIG. 7 , to the respective rear door  8 ,  9  or, according to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , to the vehicle structure  2  or the side walls  4 ,  5 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 7  with locking to the rear door  8 , i.e., to the door leaf itself, a locking tab  40  can be provided, or fitted as an additional component, for example in the region of the front edge  32   a  of the side air-guiding element  32 , the locking tab being able to lock in a locking pin  42 , which serves as the locking retainer and is fitted to the rear door  8  or to the outer side  8   b  of the rear door  8 . According to  FIG. 7 , the front edge  32   a  therefore ends flush with the side wall  3 , with secure fastening to the rear door  8  nevertheless being possible via the locking tab  40  projecting toward the center. The locking tab  40  can be manufactured from metal or plastic; it can be fastened, for example, to a corresponding retainer of the side air-guiding element  32  by a screw  43  or bolt. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , a latching hook (locking hook)  36  is fitted as the locking structure to the end of the side air-guiding element  32 . The latching hook locks in a locking retainer  37  on the side wall  4  or the vehicle structure  2 . 
     The side air-guiding elements  32  form a lengthening of the side walls  4 ,  5 , as is customary in the case of side spoilers; for this purpose, the side air-guiding elements  32  can have a planar or suitably curved shape. As shown in the drawing figures, the swivel joints  31 ,  34  are advantageously formed at the ends of the links  30 . Correspondingly, the second swivel joints  34  and the locking structure  36 ,  40  are advantageously provided in end regions of the side air-guiding elements  32 . 
     The link  30  and the side air-guiding element  32  therefore form, together with the vehicle  1 , together with the respective rear door  8  or  9  of the vehicle  1  according to  FIG. 7 , a stable triangle, the corners of which are formed by the two swivel joints  31 ,  34  and the latching connection between the locking structure  36 ,  40  and the locking retainer  37  or the locking pin  42 . 
     From the driving position, the rear spoiler device  10  is retracted into the basic position thereof by the rear doors  8 ,  9  first being opened somewhat. However, by this, the respective left and right roof air-guiding element  24  of the roof spoilers  13 ,  14  drops downward and therefore bears against the respective rear door,  8 ,  9 . By opening of the rear doors  8  and  9 , in the embodiment of  FIG. 6  in position a), the locking hook  36  can already be automatically unlatched from the locking retainer  37 . However, a construction with manual unlatching is also possible. A manual unlatching is always provided when the side air-guiding element  2  is fastened to the locking pin  42  of the rear door  8  or  9  according to  FIG. 7 . 
     All the side spoilers  16 ,  17  are subsequently in each case retracted toward the center by, for example, a user grasping the respective side air-guiding element  32  and pivoting the latter inward in a large pivoting movement such that the side air-guiding element  32  pivots about the second swivel joints  34  on link  30  and link  30  into the first swivel joints  31  on the rear door  8  or  9 . During this adjustment into the basic position, the link  30  is folded over, for example, by approximately 100° and the side air-guiding element  32  is additionally pivoted in relation to the link  32  by, for example, approximately 100° in turn.  FIG. 3  shows the path of movement  35  of the front edge  32   a  of the side air-guiding element  32 . The links  30  can preferably come to bear flat directly against the rear door  8  or  9 ; the upper region of the side air-guiding element  32  can come to bear against the respective downwardly folded roof air-guiding element  24 . 
     The rear doors,  8 ,  9  are then folded over completely to the outside about the pivot axes A thereof, with a total pivoting angle of approximately 270°. The rear spoiler  10  with roof spoilers  13 ,  14  and side spoilers  16 ,  17  is therefore accommodated between the rear door  8  or  9  and the side wall  3  or  4 . 
     In the locked or latched driving position, the front edge  32   a  of the side air-guiding element  32  advantageously bears against or behind the vehicle structure  2 . An outer surface  32   b  (air-guiding surface) of the side air-guiding element  32  therefore ends flush with the left side wall  4 , and therefore turbulence does not form in the transition region. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there-between.