Abstract:
A rear spoiler device for a vehicle with at least one rear door includes at least one lateral air-deflector element and a roof air-deflector element that can be adjusted between a default position and a travel position for contour extension and aerodynamic air conduction when the rear door is closed. The device comprises a wing, which has a first swivel joint to enable pivotable fastening to the rear door. The wing is adjustably attached to the lateral air-deflector element via at least one second swivel joint. At least one locking device is provided for locking the lateral air-deflector element with the wing. A coupling device is provided for coupling an adjustment of the locking device to the adjustment of the roof air-deflector element.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to rear spoiler devices for vehicles, e.g., utility vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Rear spoilers serve to improve vehicle aerodynamics and can, accordingly, re-duce fuel consumption. They are fitted in the rear region of the vehicle and generally have air direction elements, which extend along the contours of the vehicle toward the rear, that is, with curved faces. Such rear spoilers can be secured to the 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 embodiments in which the air direction elements or spoiler elements are displaceably or pivotably arranged in order to enable unimpeded opening of the door. 
     Pivotable or foldable rear spoilers are generally connected to the hinge of the rear door. DE 102 28 658 A1 describes different folding solutions in which planar faces, which can be pivoted by means of a hinge, are intended to enable an aerodynamic optimization in the travel region. 
     DE 10 2008 036 888 A1 describes embodiments of rear spoilers and connections to the vehicle, in which there is, inter alia, provision for there to be fitted between the rear door and the air direction element a carrier, which can be suspended for a substantially outwardly pivoted position of the door. When the rear flap is pivoted outward about the vertical pivot axis thereof, the air direction element is consequently first pivoted therewith until it reaches the outer faces of the side wall. When the rear flap is subsequently pivoted outward, the flexible carrier element is accordingly resiliently deformed. 
     Such connections of the air direction elements in the hinge region generally enable an adjustment of the air direction element between the rear door and the side wall when the rear door—as often provided in utility vehicles—is pivoted outward through 270° in order to secure it, for example, to the side wall. 
     Such systems are, however, generally very complex. They have, inter alia, complex articulation or hinge configurations. Furthermore, some rear spoiler systems only enable the use of relatively short air direction elements, whereby the improvement of the aerodynamics is limited. 
     Furthermore, the structural space in the hinge region of the rear door when the rear door is pivoted upward is very tight so that more complex rear spoiler configurations may impair the upward pivoting operation through 270°. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally speaking, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rear spoiler device that can be constructed with relatively little complexity and that enables reliable adjustment between the travel position and the basic, initial position. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rear spoiler device has at least one side spoiler, a roof spoiler, a locking device for locking the side spoiler and a coupling device for coupling the locking action to the adjustment action of the roof spoiler. 
     In the conventional construction of a vehicle rear having two rear doors, which in each case swing open laterally, the rear spoiler device preferably has two lateral air direction elements and two roof air direction elements, which are each intended to be fitted to one of the rear doors, respectively. 
     The link can be fitted to the rear door via a first pivot joint, in particular a vertical first rotation axle with a plurality of pivot joints. The lateral air direction element is preferably articulated to the link by a second rotation axle. Advantageously, a plurality of first pivot joints and a plurality of second pivot joints are each constructed so as to be vertically spaced apart from each other. 
     In the travel position, locking is effected via the locking device, which is received on the link so as to be able to be adjusted, for example, pivoted, and which is locked at one side to the lateral air direction element and at the other side to the rear door or the vehicle structure. To this end, the locking device engages with catch hooks for releasable engagement in catch receiving members at the front end of the lateral air direction element and in catch receiving members on the rear door or the vehicle structure. By this engagement or locking being carried out from above, stabilization is enabled by the inherent gravitational force, in particular with a self-centering receiving member. 
     The actuation of the locking device can be carried out manually. It may be carried out, for example, by a pivotable actuation lever, which adjusts, for example, pivots the locking device. 
     The roof spoiler preferably folds downward into the basic position thereof and is raised in an upward direction via the coupling device. This adjustment is coupled to the securing of the lateral air direction element via the coupling device. 
     The coupling device may be constructed such that, by a single actuation movement of the user, both the securing of the locking device for locking the lateral spoiler and the adjustment of the roof spoiler are carried out. In this instance, for example, it is also possible to use the actuation movement continuously for the adjustment of the roof spoiler and only over a partial path for the adjustment and securing of the locking device. 
     The reverse adjustment, that is, the release of the securing of the lateral spoiler and the reverse adjustment of the roof spoiler, can also be carried out in a manner coupled by the same actuation device. 
     Consequently, an arrangement is provided that can be locked and that can be pivoted and adjusted after unlocking. The lateral air direction element may be in abutment or in alignment with the front edge thereof, in particular in a flush manner, with the corresponding lateral wall of the vehicle. In contrast to conventional connections of the lateral air direction element to the hinge, however, the lateral air direction element can preferably be locked at the front end region thereof to the link and can be articulated in a rear region to the link in order, after unlocking, to be able to be pivoted about the link and with the link to the center of the rear door. 
     Some advantages are already thereby afforded. The otherwise tight structural space in the hinge region of the rear door is preferably not occupied or not occupied to the relevant extent; the lateral side air direction element can, after the unlocking, be pivoted inward about the link toward the center so that the entire rear door can subsequently be pivoted outward, for example, through approximately 270° and, for example, placed on or secured to the side wall. The side spoiler together with the lateral air direction element and link is consequently received between the rear door and the side wall, without having a disruptive effect in the hinge region. The overall length of the link and lateral air direction element may, for example, be selected such that the side spoiler, which is completely folded down in the basic position, extends substantially to the door edge (center of the vehicle rear); consequently, the securing of the rear door to the side wall is not disrupted by the side spoiler. 
     The first pivot joint of the link is advantageously fitted to the rear door with sufficient spacing from the hinge, for example, with about 10 cm or more spacing from the hinge of the rear door. For the securing, it is, for example, possible to drill holes in the rear door that are then closed again via the first pivot joints. 
     In the travel position with the rear door closed, a stable triangle is provided whose sides are formed by the link, the lateral air direction element and the vehicle and whose corners are formed by the at least one first pivot joint, the second pivot joint and the locking device. 
     Construction of such a triangle is stable, even when two of the corners are constructed using pivot joints or pivot bearings. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a construction is provided that also prevents or minimizes fluttering or flexible vibration of the lateral air direction element during travel, since the lateral air direction element is secured at the front end region thereof and is retained in a region located further to the rear by the link. Consequently, the material of the lateral air direction element may be selected to be freer, for example, also thinner than in conventional constructions with an air direction element connected only at the front. 
     A side spoiler according to an embodiment of the present invention enables fitting to different door variants and door systems. In particular, the precise construction of the hinge of the rear doors, which may be very different with different producers and vehicle types, is not relevant. Only securing members of the first pivot bearing to the rear door, for example, by drilling holes, and a catch receiving member for the locking devices on the rear door or the vehicle structure are provided. 
     Advantageously, the entire rear spoiler device is secured exclusively to the rear door or the door leaf of the rear door. In this instance, the roof spoiler preferably has a securing device for securing to the rear door, with respect to which the roof air direction element can be pivoted. The securing device may, for example, be placed primarily or even exclusively from the top into the rear door or the door leaf of the rear door. 
     It should be appreciated that, with the inventive embodiments, securing of the roof spoiler to the vehicle structure or the vehicle roof is advantageously not required; securing to the rear door is sufficient. Consequently, securing can be effected in a rapid manner and independently of the roof types or the construction of the roof structure. By the roof spoiler preferably being secured even only to the upper edge of the rear door, for example, by vertical suspension, a rapid fitting operation is possible, without the outer face of the rear doors being occupied. 
     As a result of the locking of the locking device being coupled to the adjustment of the roof air direction element, synergistic effects are produced since, when the side spoiler is unlocked, the roof spoiler is already retracted (pivoted downward) and consequently a placement of the link and the lateral air direction element is subsequently enabled, wherein the link may also be constructed so as to be vertically shorter where applicable so that it is placed only on the rear door and does not extend in a vertical direction as far as the roof air direction element. 
     Consequently, simple handling and adjustment can be achieved by a user standing behind the rear door. 
     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 discussed in greater detail below with reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a utility vehicle with closed rear doors with a rear spoiler device according to an embodiment of the present invention in the travel position; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view with a rear door that has been opened and completely pivoted forward; 
         FIG. 3  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 1  with the rear spoiler device adjusted into the basic, initial position and with the rear door closed; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the rear doors closed and side spoiler adjusted in the travel position prior to locking; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration following  FIG. 4  of the combined actuation of the locking of the side spoiler and adjustment of the roof spoiler; 
         FIG. 6  is a vertical section from  FIG. 4  with a plan view of a flap; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration that corresponds to  FIG. 5  of the actuation of the actuation lever in three lever positions a), b), c), without illustration of the locking by the flap; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of the coupling between the flap and push rod according to an embodiment of the present invention with a dual articulation; 
         FIG. 9  shows an alternative embodiment to  FIG. 8  with coupling by a rail; 
         FIG. 10  shows an alternative embodiment to  FIGS. 8 and 9  with coupling by a skylight type lever; 
         FIG. 11  shows an alternative embodiment to  FIGS. 8 to 10  with coupling by a scissor type mechanism; 
         FIG. 12  shows an alternative embodiment to  FIGS. 8 to 11  with coupling by a short rod coupling; 
         FIG. 13  shows an alternative embodiment to  FIGS. 8 to 12  with coupling by a long rod coupling; and 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective rear view of a rear door with a roof spoiler inserted from above. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a utility vehicle  1  has a vehicle structure  2 , which is also referred to as a portal, in the rear region, and a storage space  3 , which is delimited in an outward direction by side walls  4 ,  5  and in an upward direction by a vehicle roof  6 . The side walls  4 ,  5  and the vehicle roof  6  may, for example, in a van, be constructed so as to be fixed or as load-bearing components, and accordingly be securely connected to the vehicle structure  2 ; furthermore, the construction of the side walls  4 ,  5  and optionally the vehicle roof  6  with tarpaulins is also known. 
     The storage space  3  can be closed at the rear by two rear doors  8 ,  9 , which can be pivoted starting from their closed position shown in  FIG. 1  about the hinge  7  thereof (or a plurality of hinges  7 ) through approximately 270° in an outward direction about the respective pivot axis A thereof and, for example, placed or also locked on the respective side wall  4 ,  5 . 
     A rear spoiler device  10  is fitted to the utility vehicle  1 . The rear spoiler device  10  has two roof spoilers  13 ,  14  and two side spoilers  16  and  17 . 
     The two roof spoilers  13 ,  14  are advantageously exclusively secured to the two rear doors  8 ,  9  by being inserted, for example, from above. According to  FIG. 14 , the left-hand (in the travel direction) roof spoiler  13  has a roof air direction element  24  and a securing device (bearing component)  20  that is secured to the rear door  8 ; to this end, the securing device  20  may be on, for example, three insertion rods  21 , which extend vertically downward and which are inserted from above into the rear door  8 . If the rear door  8  is already open at the upper side thereof, the insertion rods  21  can accordingly be inserted directly; with a closed door leaf, holes  22  can first be drilled in the upper edge  8   a  of the rear door and the insertion rods  21  are subsequently inserted therein from above. 
     Furthermore, the securing device  20  has a rotation axle  23 , in order to enable a pivot movement about a pivot axis D for the roof air direction element  24 . The roof air direction element  24  is produced as an integral plastics material component, for example, an injection-molded plastics material component with a planar or slightly bent outer face  25 , whose shape is known. With the rear door  8  closed, the roof air direction element  24  substantially forms an extension of the vehicle roof  6 , for example, with slight inclination in a downward direction. 
     The securing device  20  may, for example, be constructed from steel or from plastics material. The entire roof spoiler  13  is consequently constructed in the embodiment shown, for example, in two pieces with the securing device  20  and the roof air direction element  24 , optionally with an additional rotation axle  23 . 
     The two side spoilers  16 ,  17  each have a link  30  and a lateral air direction element  32 . The link  30  is secured in a vertical pivot axis B, for example, by two first pivot joints  31 , to the outer side  8   b  of the rear door  8 , for which, for example, holes can be drilled in the rear door  8 . The lateral air direction element  32  is in turn secured to the link  30  in a vertical pivot axis B via second pivot joints  34 . The link  30  may be produced, for example, from metal, for example, aluminum or steel; the lateral air direction element  32  is in turn advantageously constructed from plastics material, for example, as an injection-molded component. 
     The lateral air direction elements  32  form an extension of the side walls  4 ,  5  as is conventional with side spoilers; to this end, the lateral air direction elements  32  may have a planar or suitably curved shape. The front edge  32   a  of the lateral air direction elements  32  terminates flush with the side wall  4  or  5  in order to produce a low air resistance. The pivot joints  31 ,  34 , as shown in the drawing figures, are advantageously constructed at the ends of the links  30 . The second pivot joints  34  are, for example, provided in central regions of the lateral air direction elements  32 ; however, they may also be provided in the rear end regions of the lateral air direction elements  32 . 
     In order to lock the lateral air direction elements  32  in the travel position of  FIG. 1 , there are provided in each link  30  as locking devices two vertically spaced-apart flaps  40 , which are each received in the link  30  so as to be able to be pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis E. In  FIG. 4 , the flaps  40  are in their vertical rest position, wherein they are received, for example, in recesses (free spaces)  45  of the link. The flaps  40  have at the upper end region thereof in the rest position first catch hooks  35  and second catch hooks  36 , which are provided for locking or securing or engaging in catch receiving members  37  of the lateral air direction element  32  and catch receiving members  38  of the rear door  8 . 
     An actuation lever  50  can be pivoted upward by a user from the vertically lower basic position thereof after unlocking through a total of about 180° and again be locked in this completely actuated position. The actuation lever  50  is advantageously supported together with a flap  40 , in this instance the lower flap  40 , in the pivot axis E. In the first part-pivot movement through about 90° it carries the lower flap  40 , for example, by means of a coupling spring  56  so that the flap  40  is pivoted about the pivot axis E and the catch projection  35  thereof engages from above in the catch receiving member  37  at the inner side of the lateral air direction element  32  and, furthermore, the catch projection  36  thereof engages from above in the catch receiving member  38  of the rear door  8 . Consequently, a catch connection  39  is produced that locks the components  32 ,  8  and  30  to each other. The catch connection  39  or securing by elements  35 ,  36 ,  37  and  38  is advantageously self-centering. 
     The two flaps  40  are coupled by a securing/coupling device  42  in their position or pivoting movement and thereby always extend parallel; to this end, the securing/coupling device  42  is constructed as a parallel guiding rod assembly, for example, having a securing/coupling rod  43 , which is articulated to the upper ends of the two flaps  40 . 
     The link  30  and the lateral air direction element  32  consequently together form with the respective rear door  8  or  9  of the vehicle  1  sides of a stable triangle whose corners are formed by the two pivot joints  31 ,  34  and catch connections  39 . 
     In the basic position of  FIG. 3 , left-hand side, the roof air direction element  32  is positioned flat on the rear door  8 . The lateral air direction element  32  is positioned flat on the rear door  8  and the roof air direction element  32 ; the link  30  is consequently positioned on the lateral air direction element  32  and the rear door  8 . The rear door can consequently be pivoted forward through about 270° into the position of  FIG. 2 . 
     Based on  FIG. 3 , there is an adjustment in the travel direction by the lateral air direction element  32  being pivoted to the rear and consequently pivoting about the axis C thereof, wherein the link  30  is also further pivoted about the axis B on the rear door  8  until the front edge  32   a  is located substantially in continuation of the left-hand side wall  4 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . This adjustment can be carried out in a simple manner by a person standing behind the rear door  8 . 
     Subsequently, the user unlocks the actuation lever  50  and then pivots it in a single pivot movement through approximately 180° upward about the lower axis E. In  FIG. 7 , locking by the flap is not shown purely for reasons of clarity. 
     In a first part-pivot range through approximately 90°, which corresponds to the position of  FIG. 7 b   ), the actuation lever  50  pivots the lower flap  40  as a result of the coupling by a coupling spring  56  so that the lower flap  40  and, as a result of the securing/coupling rod  43 , also the upper flap  40  engage with the catch hooks  35 ,  36  thereof in the catch receiving members  37 ,  38  and consequently lock with respect to the lateral air direction element  32  and the rear door  8 . In the following second part-pivot range through a further  900 , this arrangement no longer changes; to this end, the coupling spring is constructed in a flexible manner. After the entire pivot movement through about 180°, the actuation lever  50  is locked in the upper position thereof according to  FIG. 7 c   ). 
     Furthermore, in the entire pivot movement of the actuation lever  50  through about 180° via a coupling device  60 , the roof air direction element  24  is lifted from the folded-in basic position in abutment with the rear door  8 , for example, through an angle between 0° and less than 90°. The coupling device  60  has to this end a coupling push rod  62 , which is articulated at the lower end thereof directly or indirectly to the actuation lever  50  and at the rear door  8 —for example, substantially in the pivot axis B—extends vertically upward.  FIGS. 8 to 10  show various embodiments in this regard. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 10  is also illustrated in a simplified manner in  FIGS. 7 a   ) to  c ) and shows an actuation by means of a skylight type lever. The actuation lever  50  is articulated in an articulation  72  of a pivot bearing  61  of the rear door  8  or also the link  30 , that is, in the region of the axis B. There is articulated to the actuation lever  50  in an articulation  64  an intermediate member  65 , which is articulated at the other end thereof in another articulation  71  to the push rod  62 , which is guided in sliding bearings  67  in the region of the axis B, that is, on the rear door  8  and/or on the link  30 . When the actuation lever  50  is pivoted upward, the push rod  62  is consequently pushed upward. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the actuation lever  50  is pivoted downward in order to adjust the push rod in an upward direction in the sliding bearing  67  thereof. The actuation lever  50  is supported in a central region in a bearing articulation  68  on the rear door  8  or the link  30 , arranged in the region of the pivot axis B and consequently on the articulated connection of the link  30  on the rear door  8 . A lower lever articulation  64  consequently pivots in the opposite direction to the actuation lever  51 , that is, upward when the actuation lever  50  is pivoted downward, and pushes the push rod  62  upward via an intermediate member  63  and an articulation  66 . 
     Also in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the actuation lever  50  is pivoted downward in order to move the push rod upward in the sliding bearing  67  thereof. There is received in the actuation lever  50  a sliding bearing  69 , which is supported in an articulated manner on the rear door  8  or the link  30 , in particular in the region of the pivot axis B. Consequently, the lower lever articulation  64  can directly displace the push rod  62  since the sliding bearing  69  is adjusted accordingly in the position thereof. 
     At the upper end thereof, the coupling push rod  62  pivots the roof air direction element  24  upward via an adjustment connection  70 .  FIGS. 11 to 13  show different embodiments of the adjustment connection  70 . The embodiments of  FIG. 12  are particularly advantageous with a short rod coupling and  FIG. 13  with a long rod coupling since in this instance an adjustment of the roof air direction element  24  in the travel position is possible via a pushing movement of the push rod  62 . In both cases, the push rod  62  is articulated at the upper end thereof via an articulation  83  and an intermediate member  84  in an articulation  85  to the roof air direction element  24 , in these embodiments with a different lever length of the roof air direction element  24  about the pivot axis D thereof. 
     In the alternative embodiment according to  FIG. 11  having a scissor type mechanism, the upper end of the push rod  62  is articulated in an articulation  83  to an intermediate member  84 , which is articulated in an articulation  76  to an end of a folding rod  73 , which can be pivoted about an axis  75 , which in turn can be pivoted via a lever  77  on the rear door  8  or the link  30 . The other end of the folding rod  73  is articulated in an articulation  74  to the roof air direction element  24 . Consequently, when the push rod  62  is pulled, for example, via the lever connection according to  FIG. 8 or 9 , the roof air direction element  24  is pivoted upward. 
     In order to move from the travel position of  FIGS. 1 and 5  to the basic position of  FIG. 3 , left-hand side, the actuation lever  50  is first unlocked in the upper position thereof and subsequently pivoted through about 180° in a downward direction. In the entire pivot range, the roof air direction element  24  is pivoted downward via the adjustment connection  70 . In the second, upper part-pivot range from about 180° to 90°, the flaps  40  are not adjusted. Subsequently, in the lower, first part-pivot range from about 90° to 0°, the lower flap  40  is carried by a carrier of the actuation lever  50  and pivoted upward, wherein the upper flap  40  is also pivoted via the securing/coupling rod  43  until both flaps  40  are again received in their vertical basic position in the recesses  45  of the link  30 . 
     Subsequently, the entire rear spoilers  16 ,  17  are each folded in toward the center, for example, by a user gripping the respective lateral air direction element  32  and pivoting it inward in a large pivot movement such that the lateral air direction element  32  pivots about the second pivot joints  34  on the link  30  and the link  30  pivots in the first pivot joints  31  on the rear door  8  or  9 , that is, both pivot axes B and C. During this adjustment in the basic position, the link  30  is folded down, for example, by approximately 100° and the lateral air direction element  32  is additionally pivoted with respect to the link  32  through, for example, approximately 100° again. 
     The rear doors  8 ,  9  are then completely displaced outward about the pivot axes A thereof, with a total pivot angle of approximately 270°. The rear spoiler device  10  with roof spoilers  13 ,  14  and side spoilers  16 ,  17  is consequently received between the rear door  8  or  9  and the side wall  3  or  4 . 
     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 therebetween.