FR2532266A1 - DEVICE FOR IMPROVING THE STABILITY OF A MOVING VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for decreasing or suppressing the air-cushion under a moving vehicle. The device comprises at least two symmetrical elements secured under the vehicle between the axles and in the prolongation of the wheels. Each element comprises vertical or inclined ailerons (1), directing the air from underneath the vehicle towards the sides. Those ailerons support a horizontal aileron (2) pressing the vehicle towards the ground. Under this aileron, an edge (3) is secured which is provided with a backflow (4) reducing the backflow of air under the vehicle by the sides. The device may be particularly applied to commercial moto-vehicle and private cars.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device attached to a bodywork and intended to improve the stability of a moving vehicle.

 When moving a vehicle, an air cushion tends to form under it creating a resultant of vertical force directed upwards and whose amplitude increases with speed, this resultant causes a loss of grip of the tires of the vehicle, except this grip is necessary to maintain the trajectory of the vehicle, and to the best use of the engine power.

To remedy this state of affairs, several solutions are used
The upper surface of the bodywork may have a partial or lateral shape allowing the vehicle to be applied to the ground by aerodynamic forces. The scope of this solution is however limited.

 A stabilizing fin can be fitted at the rear of the vehicle to strengthen the grip of the rear tires, but as with the first solution, the air cushion is not reduced or eliminated, which would be the best result to obtain. .

 An underbody can be made up of half-venturies and borders, the property of this bodywork is to remove the air cushion and even create a depression under the vehicle. More particularly suitable for competition vehicles operating on tracks, this system is difficult to adapt to vehicles operating on roads.

 The device according to the invention overcomes these disadvantages.

It decreases and can remove the air cushion by being adaptable to vehicles on the road.

 The device according to the invention comprises at least one pair of elements symmetrical to one another with respect to the median vertical plane of the vehicle - under which and close to the sides of which these elements are fixed.

 Each element is composed of one or more vertical or inclined fins. The leading edge of the vertical or sloped fins is closer to the median vertical plane of the vehicle than the trailing edge. Thus, the air located under the vehicle is directed towards the sides of the latter at the time of its movement. The air cushion is therefore reduced or eliminated.

To facilitate the sliding of the air, the horizontal profile of the fin (s) may have substantially the shape of an "S" seen in the front and back directions in order to maintain symmetry
Each element is also composed of one or, possibly, several horizontal fins. Compared to the trailing edge, the leading edge of the horizontal fin is closer to the ground, the leading and trailing edges are substantially parallel. v vertical median plane of the vehicle, the horizontal fin or fins allowing the air guided by the fins to be used to support the vehicle towards the ground,
Most often, the horizontal fin (s) will serve as support for the vertical or inclined fins or the vertical or inclined fin (s) will be able to extend the horizontal fin (s) by means of an appropriate curve. One or more curved fins are thus obtained both horizontal and vertical or inclined. Each element can be composed of one or more curved fins. Each
A vertical or incised border. provided with a return moving away from the median vertical plane, can be fixed under each horizontal fin and along their trailing edge. The return of air under the vehicle from the sides is thus reduced. To increase the effect obtained, gills can be fitted to the border. These gills protrude from the edge away from the median vertical plane of the vehicle. The openings of these openings are located vertically at the rearmost part of each of the openings. A suitable curve of the vertical profile of the border allows the return to extend the border
Each element of the device can be made of plastic setiers in a single molding operation. The device is adapted more particularly to self-propelled commercial and passenger vehicles, each element of the device being fixed under the vehicle between the axles and in line with the wheels.

 Figure 1 shows, in elevation and seen from three front, part of a device according to the invention.

 Figure 2 shows, seen from below, a device according to the invention.

 Figure 3 shows on an enlarged scale 9 in cross section along the line (III / III) of Figure 2, a device according to the invention.

 FIG. 4 represents a variation of the device represented in FIG. 3.

 The device shown in Figure 1 appears appears mounted on a vehicle shown in dotted lines. This part is an element of the device er er: be the two axles and daus the extension of the front and rear wheels cu vehicle. This element is composed of vertical fins (1) whose horizontal profile has substantially the shape of an "S" seen in the reverse direction.

The support of these fins (l) is a horizontal fin (2). Under the fin (2) is fixed a border (3) provided at its lowest limit with a return (4).

 The device shown in Figure 2 is composed of two elements A and B placed between the front (9) and rear (9 ') axles in the extension of the tires (8). Elements A and B are symmetrical to each other with respect to the median vertical plane represented by the line in small dots (I / I).

Element A is composed of vertical fins (l ') with a horizontal profile substantially in the shape of an "S" seen in the recto direction. The ailerons (l ') have the horizontal aileron (2') as support. Element B is composed of vertical fins (l) - with a horizontal profile substantially in the shape of an "S" seen in the reverse direction. The fins (l) have the horizontal aileron (2) as support.

 The device shown on an enlarged scale figure.3 is seen in cross section along the line (III / III) of Figure 2. The device comprises two elements A and B symmetrical to each other with respect to the median vertical plane of the vehicle represented by the line in small dots (II / II). Element A is composed of vertical fins placed on a horizontal fin (2 ') whose profile parallel to the axles is inclined.

Under the fin (2 ') is a border ()') provided with a return (4 ').

Element B is composed of vertical fins (l) placed on a horizontal fin (2) whose profile parallel to the axles is inclined. Under the fin (2) is arranged a border (5) provided with a return (4).

 The device shown on an enlarged scale in FIG. 4 is a variant of the device in FIG. 3 with horizontal fins (5 and 5 ′) with a profile parallel to the curved axles and with edges (6 and 6 ′) whose vertical profile is curved, these edges are provided with gills (7 and 7 ').

Claims (6)

R E V E N D I C A T I 0 N S  1) Device improving the stability of a moving vehicle comprising in pairs. su mothers two symmetrical elements of each other nar relative to the vertical plane. median of the vehicle. This device is characterized in that each element is composed of one or more curved fins or, u; l or more vertical or inclined fins and one or more horizontal fins which can serve as support for the vertical or inclined fins.  2) vertical or inclined fin according to claim 1 characterized in that its leading edge located towards the front of the vehicle is closer to the vertical plane than the trailing edge.  3) horizontal fin according to claim 1 characterized in that its leading edge and its trailing edge are substantially parallel to the median vertical plane of the vehicle.  4) Curved fin according to claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that the curve allows a vertical or inclined fin to extend a horizontal fin thus forming a fin both horizontal and, vertical or inclined.  5) vertical or inclined fin according to claims 1 and 2 or vertical part of curved fin according to claims 1 and 4 characterized in that the horizontal profile of this fin or this part of the fin has substantially the shape of a " S "seen in the recto and verso directions in order to preserve symmetry compared to the median plane of the vehicle.  6) horizontal fin according to claims 1 and 3 or horizontal part a'ileron according to claims 1 and 4 characterized in that the leading edge of the fin or part of the fin is closer to the ground than the trailing edge.  @@ Horizontal fin according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4 and 6 characterized in that is fixed under the fin and along the trailing edge a vertical or inclined edge provided at its lowest limit with a return away from the median plane of the vehicle.  8) Boraure according to claim 7 characterized in that a curve of the vertical profile of a cordire allows the return to be an extension of the border.  9) edge according to claims 7 or 3 characterized in that it is provided with gills projecting from the edge away from the vertical median plane, and having the openings at the rear of each hole.