Abstract:
An undercarriage spoiler system for a race motor vehicle utilizes a first spoiler plate disposed parallel and adjacent to the horizontal slotted rear bumper of the vehicle and secondary spoiler plates disposed in the vehicle rear quarter panels and perpendicularly to the first spoiler plate. During high speed vehicle spin-out and rearward movement, the spoiler plates pivotally move from a spring-retained position, parallel with the vehicle undercarriage, to an angular relationship therewith to spoil the reverse high speed air flow over the vehicle undercarriage and assist in effecting stabilization of the vehicle. Tension or torsion springs return the spoiler plates to their static un-deployed position once the vehicle recovers from the spin-out.

Description:
CLAIM OF BENEFIT PROVISIONAL APPLICATION 
     Pursuant to to 35 USC 119, the benefit of priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/125,086 with a filing date of Mar. 19, 1999 is claimed for this non-provisional application. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to spoiler systems in general, and relates specifically to an aerodynamically responsive vehicular undercarriage safety spoiler system for race cars. As used herein, the term “race cars” is intended to include cars, as well as trucks, and any similar vehicle adapted for high speed movement on a solid surface. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various types of fixed rear spoilers have been employed for automobiles, including race cars, that serve to spoil or divert air flow passing over the aerodynamic surfaces of the vehicle to thereby reduce, or negate, the aerodynamic lift created thereon by high speed air flow. These spoilers are normally set at a minimum angle by the sanctioning body controlling race car competition. At this angle, the spoilers located on the desk lid of vehicles provide positive aerodynamic down forces on the rear end of the vehicle to thereby increase tire traction, enhance directional stability and, as one of several devices employed, to limit maximum vehicle speed. Speeds approach or exceed approximately one-hundred ninety miles per hour (190 mph) during competition and often, when one race car contacts another aft of the vehicle center of gravity of the vehicle, at these high speeds, radial inertia forces cause it to rotate or spin, through a one-hundred eighty degree arc angle and become airborne while going in the backward direction. The fixed spoiler, and aerodynamic design of the race car vehicle, exposed to the high velocity aerodynamic air stream lifts the rear end of the car off the ground, resulting in tumbling, cart-wheeling and airborne rolls before striking the ground. Extensive car damage and/or driver injury is the result. The hard mounted, or fixed spoiler, at a high angle of attack contributes greatly to the aerodynamic lift effect when traveling in a high speed, backward mode. 
     To alleviate this problem, pivotally movable rear deck-mounted spoilers have been proposed and are disclosed in applicant&#39;s prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,619. Also, roof mounted spoilers that deploy only during vehicle spin or during high speed vehicle backward movement are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,098. While these prior art devices improve vehicle stabilization during spins and during high speed backward movement, they do not influence high velocity air movements under the vehicle that also provide positive pressure lift on the vehicle. Air flow over areas of the undercarriage of a race vehicle not influenced at certain angles during spin-out by these prior art systems include the rear floor pan, fuel cell, wheel wells and other apparatus. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for further vehicle stabilization during spin outs and during high speed backward movements. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved aerodynamic stability to a race vehicle during spin-out. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a spoiler system for the undercarriage of a race vehicle that is responsive to the direction of movement of the vehicle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an angular adjustable spoiler system for the undercarriage of a race vehicle. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for creating air turbulence and drag as air passes underneath of a race vehicle during spin-out and subsequent rearward movement. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a spoiler system for the undercarriage of a race car vehicle that is pivotally movable between a position having a favorable effect on the air flowing underneath the vehicle when traveling in a forward direction, to a position spoiling the aerodynamic air flowing underneath the vehicle when traveling in a high speed rearward direction. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a spoiler system for the undercarriage of a race vehicle wherein the spoiler plate is aerodynamically and spring urged to return to its normal, or static un-deployed position, as the race vehicle resumes its normal forward direction after recovering from a spin. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, the foregoing and additional objects are attained by providing a spoiler plate transversely, and pivotally, connected to the aft undercarriage, and adjacent to the rear bumper of a race car vehicle. Additional spoiler plates are also pivotally connected to the vehicle aft undercarriage and are essentially perpendicularly disposed relative to the first spoiler plate. These perpendicularly disposed spoiler plates are located in spacing in the rear lower quarter panel on each side of the vehicle. 
     The individual spoiler plates are in the form of a unitary plate in one aspect of the present invention and two or more segmented plates in other aspects of the invention. The first plate and the perpendicularly disposed spoiler plates are of the same construction, and function, with the only particular difference being in the sizes thereof. In the preferred embodiment, radial pivot arms support the spoiler plate(s). The radial pivot arms are secured to a horizontal mounting support structure fixed, and adjacent, to the aft end of the vehicle frame. 
     The radial pivot arms serve to limit the pivotal movement of the spoiler plate(s) in both the fore and aft directions. Tension or torsion springs connect the radial pivot arms, and maintain them in contact with the mounting structure when not under the influence of air flow acting on the rear of the vehicle during spin-out and high speed rearward vehicle movement. The vehicle rear bumper is provided with one or more horizontal slots along the length thereof to permit high speed air flow therethrough to contact the spoiler plate(s) during vehicle spin-out and high-speed rearward vehicle movement. The transverse spoiler plates are provided with angular depending lip surfaces along the leading edge length thereof adjacent to and disposed essentially flush with the rear bumper of the vehicle. The quarter panel spoiler plates are also provided with an angular depending lip and disposed essentially flush with the quarter panel exterior surface when in the static or undeployed position. These depending lips serve to help stabilize the undercarriage air flow when the vehicle is moving in a forward direction and assist in deploying the spoiler plates against the force of their spring connections when the vehicle undergoes spin and rearward reverse movement. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be more readily apparent as the same becomes better understood in reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a part schematic, perspective view of a race car employing an undercarriage spoiler system according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 1A is a part schematic, inverted, partial view of the race car shown in FIG.  1  and further illustrating the respective lay-out for the spoiler plates according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, with parts cut-away, to further illustrate the undercarriage spoiler system of the present invention with the spoiler plates in the static or undeployed positions; 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG.  2  and illustrating the undercarriage spoiler system of the present invention when the vehicle is in a spin-out or high speed rearward direction mode; 
     FIG. 4A is a part schematic perspective view of one horizontal mounting structure employed to attach the undercarriage spoiler of the present invention to the aft location on a race car vehicle frame; 
     FIG. 4B is a part schematic perspective view of the spoiler plate and pivot arm assembly that is pivotally connected to the mounting structure shown in FIG. 4A according to one aspect of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5A is a part schematic perspective side view of another mechanism for attaching and adjusting the proper angle setting for the spoiler of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5B is a part schematic, perspective side view of the spoiler plate structure for connection with the mechanism in FIG. 5A; 
     FIG. 5C is a part schematic, perspective view of another mechanism for attaching and selecting the desired angle setting for the spoiler system of the present invention; and, 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged, part schematic, perspective view of a portion of the vehicle rear bumper illustrating the horizontal air slots therethrough and the spoiler air deflector lip position in relation to the bumper. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 1A, an exemplary race car vehicle is shown and designated generally by reference numeral  10 . Race vehicle  10  employs an undercarriage spoiler system  11 ,  11   a  including spoiler plates  12 ,  12   a  according to the present invention. Spoiler plates  12 ,  12   a  are shown disposed in the race position, essentially parallel with the track surface on which the race car vehicle is traveling in the forward direction, as designated by arrow  13 . As illustrated, vehicle  10  is provided with a deck mounted rear spoiler  14  and a rear bumper  15 . 
     Rear bumper  15  is provided with one or more horizontal slots along the length thereof and extending therethrough, as designated by reference numeral  16 . Slots  16  serve to direct air flow onto undercarriage spoiler system  11 , during vehicle spin-out and high speed rearward travel, while the air flow over the top of race car  10  is spoiled by rear deck spoiler system  14  on the rear deck of vehicle  10 . Spoiler plates  12  and  12   a  are provided with respective, slightly down-turned, angular leading edges  17 ,  17   a  (FIG. 2) to assist in deployment thereof, as will be further explained hereinafter. 
     Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, this cut-away view more clearly shows spoiler system  11 ,  11   a  with spoiler plates  12 ,  12   a  in the race position, as also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A. As shown, horizontal attachment panels  18 ,  18   a  are secured to the vehicle frame adjacent to rear bumper  15 . Since attachment panel  18  is of substantially identical construction to attachment panel  18   a  and, spoiler plate  12  is of substantially identical construction to spoiler plate  12   a , only one set (attachment plate  18  and spoiler plate  12 ) will be described in detail here in the interest of brevity. In this embodiment, attachment panel  18  is provided with integral depending pivotal attachments  20 ,  21  and others (not shown) to pivotally support spoiler plate  12 , as will be further explained hereinafter. 
     Referring more particularly to FIG. 3, spoiler plate  12  is shown in the deployed position when race car  10  has undergone a spin-out and is traveling in the rearward direction, as designated by arrow  19 . Pivotal attachment structure  20 ,  21  (and others, not designated) connect spoiler plate  12  to the horizontal attachment panel  18 , as described hereinbefore and, as will be further explained hereinafter. As indicated by arrow segment  22 , spoiler plate  12  is rotatable, via high pressure air flow, from a static horizontal position, parallel with the ground surface, to a deployed position 20 to 90 degrees (and preferably 50-90 degrees), relative to the horizontal position. Arrows  22   a ,  22   b  designate the direction of rotational deployment for respective spoiler plates  12  and  12   a.    
     Referring now to FIG. 4A, the details of the preferred embodiment for horizontal attachment panel  18  is shown, with parts being omitted for clarity. As shown therein, horizontal attachment panel  18  is provided with two or more depending spaced pivot mounts, as designated by reference numerals  23 ,  23   a  and  24 ,  24   a . A horizontal stabilizer bar  25  is welded, or otherwise integrally secured, to the innermost members of adjacent depending pivot mounts  23   a  and  24 . A shoulder bolt  26  extends through the aft base of each pivotal mount pair  23 ,  23   a . An identical shoulder bolt, (not shown) is also provided through pivotal mounts  24 ,  24   a . An angular stop bolt  28 , provided with an attachment nut  29 , extends through pivotal mounts  23 ,  23   a . An identical stop bolt (not shown) also extends through the opposite ends of pivotal mounts  24 ,  24   a.    
     Referring now to FIG. 4B spaced pivot arms  31 ,  32  are welded, or otherwise fixedly attached, to spoiler plate  12  via elongated portions  33 ,  34 . Pivot arms  31 ,  32  are attached to attachment panel  18  via shoulder bolt  26  (and the other shoulder bolt not shown) such that a space is provided between the trailing edge surface of spoiler plate  12  and the pivot point connection of shoulder bolts  26  (and the other, not shown). This spacing is defined by dotted lines in FIG. 4B designated by bracket  30 . Spacing  30  serves as an escape duct for high pressure air flowing over spoiler plate  12 . Escape duct spacing  30  has a width of 10 to 40 percent of the total width of spoiler plate  12 , and will be further described hereinafter. 
     Elongated portions  33 ,  34  of pivot arms  31 ,  32  are provided with respective transverse slot openings  33   a  and  34   a . Slot opening  33   a  serves to receive the angular portion of free end  27   a  of torsion spring  27  to maintain spoiler plate  12  in the static position parallel with the race surface during forward vehicle travel. 
     Slot opening  34   a  receives the angular free end of another torsion spring (not shown) on the bolt that extend through pivot mount pair  24 ,  24   a . Pivot arm  31  is provided with a through opening  36  that serves to receive shoulder bolt  26  (FIG. 4A) therethrough to pivotally connect radial pivot arm  33  between depending pivotal mount pair  23 ,  23   a.    
     Pivot arm  32  connects through a similar opening  37  and another shoulder bolt (not shown) to depending pivot mount pair  24 ,  24   a . Pivot arm  33  is provided with an arcuate opening  41  that receives stop bolt therethrough to limit the pivotal movement of pivot arm  33  and attached spoiler plate  12 . An identical stop bolt (not shown) is provided through depending mount pair  24 ,  24   a  via non-designated openings therein. 
     A similar arcuate opening  42  in radial pivot arm  32  also serves to limit the pivotal movement of pivot arm  32  and attached spoiler plate  12 . The radial length of arcuate openings  41  and  42  determine the angular deployment movement limit for spoiler plate  12 . Thus, adjustment of the angular deployment movement is obtained by selecting a pivot arm having the desired length of arcuate openings  41 ,  42  therein. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, further details of another structure for attachment of the undercarriage spoiler of the present invention will now be described. As shown therein, a horizontal attachment panel  58  is provided with two depending spaced frames  61 ,  62  having a fixed stabilizer arm  65  welded, or otherwise, fixedly secured therebetween. Depending frames  61 ,  62  are provided with respective integral arm segments  66 ,  67 . Arm segments of  66 ,  67  are provided with respective cable guide, pulley wheels  68 ,  69 , rotatably secured thereto by shoulder bolts  70 ,  71 . Flexible steel cables  73 ,  74  extend around respective pulleys  68 ,  59  and terminate in respective eyelet ends  76 ,  77 . Cable  73  extends through an attachment plate  78  and is secured to one end of a tension return spring  79 . Tension return spring  79  is also secured at this same end to attachment plate  78  and secured to attachment panel  58  at the other end thereof. A pair of steel adjustment limiting cables  81 ,  82  are disposed on each side of tension return spring  79  and also secured at one end to attachment plate  78 . The other end of each limiting cable  81 ,  82  is secured to attachment panel  58 . 
     Cable  74  extends through an attachment plate  78   a  and is secured at one end to a tension return spring  79   a . Tension return spring  79   a  is also secured at this same end to attachment plate  78   a  and secured to attachment panel  58  at the other end thereof. A pair of steel adjustment cables  81   a ,  82   a  are disposed on each side of tension return spring  79   a  and secured at one end to attachment plate  78   a . Adjustment cables  81   a  and  82   a  are each secured at one end to attachment plate  78   a . The other end of each steel limiting cable  81   a ,  82   a  is secured to attachment panel  58 . 
     Spoiler plate  12  in this embodiment is provided with a pair of spaced pivot arms  84 ,  85 . Pivot arm  84  pivotally connects with depending frame  61  via a shoulder bolt  86  (FIG.  5 A). Pivot arm  85  connects to depending frame  62  by a similar shoulder bolt, not shown. The pivot arms  84 ,  85  are secured to plate  12  such that a space or escape duct is provided between the trailing edge surface of spoiler plate  12  and the pivot point connection of the shoulder bolt  86  (and the other not shown). This spacing is illustrated by dotted lines in FIG.  5 B and designated by bracket  90 . As in the embodiment of FIGS. 4A and 4B, spacing  90  serves as an escape duct for high pressure air flowing over spoiler plate  12  and is of similar dimensions as spacing  30  (FIG.  4 B), as described hereinbefore. A pair of bosses  92 ,  93  having openings therein are welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the surface of spoiler plate  12  to permit attachment of flexible steel cables  73 ,  74  via suitable bolts  94 ,  95  (FIG.  5 C). 
     Referring further to FIG. 5C, another embodiment of the spoiler plate assembly is shown. The components of this embodiment are substantially identical to that of FIGS. 4A,  4 B except that single limiting cables  81 ,  82   a  are employed to replace duplicate limiting cables  81 ,  82  and  81   a ,  82   a . Single limiting cables  81 ,  82   a  are linearly adjacent to respective tension return springs  80 ,  80   a , which are of the same construction and function as in FIGS. 5A,  5 B. Further description of these common components of FIG. 5C is believed unnecessary and is omitted in the interest of brevity. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, this enlarged segment more clearly illustrates the rear bumper interaction with the undercarriage spoiler system of the present invention. As shown therein, bumper  15  is provided with an air baffle  96  secured to the interior surface and along the entire length thereof. During a spin-out, baffle  96  serves to immediately direct high speed air flow received through bumper slots  16  during rearward vehicle movement directly onto the upper surface of spoiler plate  12 . 
     The operation of the present invention is believed apparent from the above description. During normal race conditions and vehicle  10  is traveling in a forward direction, as indicated by arrow  13  (FIGS.  1  and  2 ), the undercarriage spoiler plates  12 ,  12   a  are disposed in a static or un-deployed position. This static position is essentially parallel with the race track surface and spoiler plates  12  and  12   a  help maintain a stabilizing air flow over the undercarriage of the vehicle  10 . Once a spin-out is initiated, the undercarriage rear quarter panel spoiler plate  12   a  on the vehicle side in the direction of the spin is immediately affected by the airflow on the depending lip surface  17   a  thereof. This directional change in the high speed air flow causes spoiler plate  12   a  to overcome the spring retention force thereon and move toward the position illustrated in FIG.  3 . The side air pressure maintains spoiler plate  12   a  in this position to spoil the undercarriage air flow and stabilize vehicle  10 . As the vehicle spin approaches the 140 to 180 degree angle, the vehicle goes into an angular rearward direction position and spoiler plate(s)  12  are deployed by the airflow initially striking depending lip(s)  17  with further deployment, by the air flow through the slotted bumper thereon, to the maximum angle selected for the spoiler action. As described, hereinbefore, the air flow through bumper slots  16  impinges directly onto air baffle  96  where it is diverted against spoiler plate  12 . The maximum angle deflection or deployment of spoiler plate(s)  12  and  12   a  is determined by the construction of radial pivot arms  31 ,  32  (FIGS. 4A,  4 B) or by the selected length of the steel adjustment limiting cables  81 ,  82  (FIGS. 5A,  5 C). 
     The spoiler plate segments would normally be in the range of six to ten inches in width but could be less or more depending upon the application thereof. No particularly materials have been described for constructing the various components of the present invention, it being understood that it is desirable to keep the weight thereof at a minimum and any suitable length, width, thin, and light weight material such as structural composites, metals such as sheet steel, aluminum and aluminum alloys, titanium and titanium alloys, and the like, may be employed to construct the components parts described herein. Thus, any materials having the necessary strength and durability for the purposes intended are considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     There are obviously numerous variations and modifications of the specific embodiments described herein that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. 
     It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.