Abstract: A skid-steer delivery autonomous ground vehicle has a drive train and suspension that aids in maneuverability. The AGV has six wheels, each of which is powered by its own motor. The AGV has features that diminish the dragging effect on the wheels, either by choice of wheel features or by taking weight off the front wheels during turning.

Abstract: A car having: two front wheels; two rear wheels; a bottom wall, which delimits a lower surface, which faces a road surface and, in use, is brushed by an air flow flowing under the car; an internal combustion engine; and an exhaust system, which is coupled to the internal combustion engine and is provided with an exhaust duct, which originates from the internal combustion engine and has an end chamber, which ends with an outlet opening, through which exhaust gases are released into the atmosphere. The end chamber of the exhaust duct has at least one movable partition, which can be moved to different positions so as to change the width of the outlet opening. The movable partition delimits a lower surface of the end chamber, which faces the road surface and, in use, is brushed by the air flow flowing under the car.

Abstract: An extension for a truck bed may include a main extension flap configured to overlap a top surface of the truck bed and extend rearwardly beyond a rear edge of the truck bed and a lower reinforcing flap configured for arrangement below the truck bed and extending rearwardly and upwardly to support the main extension flap, wherein the main extension flap and the lower reinforcing flap are configured to form a removable sandwich connection on the rear edge of the truck bed.

Abstract: Methods comprise flying an aircraft at cruise which results in an aerodynamic lift force on a flight control surface of the aircraft that urges the flight control surface away from a stowed position. Concurrently with the flying, the methods include counteracting the aerodynamic lift force with a magnetic force that urges the flight control surface towards the stowed position and that results in the flight control surface being maintained in the stowed position during the flying. Flight control systems comprise a flight control surface and an adjacent structure. The flight control surface or the adjacent structure comprises a magnet and the other of the flight control surface or the adjacent structure comprises a ferromagnetic structure. A magnetic force urges the flight control surface toward a stowed position.

Abstract: A movable wing assembly has a wing capable of moving laterally (left or right) on a vehicle as the vehicle is being driven such the positioning of the wing on the assembly corresponds to the optimum or desired downforce required by the vehicle for the driving action undertaking by the vehicle at that time, e.g. if cornering to the left the wing is positioned to the left on the assembly or if cornering to the right the wing is positioned to the right on the assembly or if driving straight the wing is positioned midway on the assembly. The wing is attached to a carriage moveable on a elongate beam mounted to a vehicle such that the wing is able to move relative to the vehicle as the vehicle is moving.

Abstract: An active aerodynamic assembly that includes a lift gate having a cavity formed between two panels. An aperture of formed on the outer panel providing access to the cavity. A frame connected to the lift gate within the cavity. A spoiler slidably connected to the frame and moveable along the deployment axis between a stowed position and a deployed position. At least one coupler link connected between the spoiler and the frame that is driven by the actuator along one of the plurality of tracks on the frame. There is also a moveable D pillar contained with the cavity that moves between a stowed position within the cavity and an extended position such that a winglet of the moveable D pillar extends outside of the cavity past the outside surface of the lift gate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rear spoiler arrangement (3) including a displaceable air-guiding element (4) and a lower shell (5), wherein the lower shell (5) is arranged on a rear component (6) of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the air-guiding element (4) is arranged displaceably above the lower shell (5), and wherein the lower side of the lower shell (5) has a lip (9) which is composed of an elastic material.

Abstract: An active liftgate spoiler used on a liftgate of a vehicle. The liftgate has an upper surface and is typically a rear liftgate or hatch on the rear side of the vehicle. A housing is connected to the upper surface of the liftgate. There is a moveable panel connected to the housing using a connection. The connection is formed by a four bar linkage that forms a portion of the connection between the moveable panel and the housing. An actuator, which in one embodiment is a single rotary actuator is connected to the four bar linkage and causes the movement of the moveable panel.

Abstract: A vehicle having a vehicle body including a front portion, an opposing rear end portion and an underbody portion configured to face a road surface; and an active diffuser assembly disposed on the underbody portion and configured to control ambient airflow passing under the vehicle body. The active diffuser assembly includes a fixed panel disposed on the vehicle underbody; a movable active panel disposed adjacent the fixed panel and configured for selective movement to be deployed away from the vehicle body and to be retracted toward the vehicle body for stowage; and an actuator configured to deploy and retract the movable active panel, the fixed panel and the movable active panel defining a continuous plane when the movable panel is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A drag reduction device for improving drag efficiency on a land vehicle includes one or more drag reduction devices that are coupled to an exterior portion or contained internally within the vehicle. The drag reduction devices include one or more fan assemblies each contained within a respective housing. The fan assemblies all include, in general, cross-flow fans and air foils that are configured to adjust the movement of air over and around the trailer unit as the land vehicle is being driven along a surface during normal use, and thus provide reduced resistance from air friction and pressure friction and contribute significantly to reduced fuel or other energy consumption as the land vehicle is being driven along a surface during normal use. The fan blades and air foils can be plasma-controlled.

Abstract: An airflow adjusting apparatus to be installed in a vehicle includes an airflow generator and a controller. The airflow generator is provided on an inner surface of a wheel house or on a wheel. The wheel house provides a wheel containing section of a vehicle body. The wheel is contained in the wheel containing section. The airflow generator is configured to generate an airflow that flows from the wheel containing section toward outer side in a vehicle widthwise direction. The controller is configured to control the airflow generator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a deployable fairing system to a tractor trailer. The deployable fairing system includes an actuator used to extend the deployable fairing from an unextended configuration to an extended configuration to occupy a portion of a gap area that exists between a tractor and an attached trailer. The deployable fairing includes deployable upper and/or lower horizontal assemblies that are pivotally coupled to a frame attached to the tractor/cab, and two side panels that are pivotally coupled to one or both of the upper and lower horizontal assemblies. The deployable upper and lower horizontal assemblies and the two side panels fold in on one another along multiple hinged axes in the unextended configuration, and extend rearward from the top and sides of the tractor in the extended configuration to cover a portion of the gap. The fairing may advantageously flair from front to the rear.

Abstract: An air conduction device for a motor vehicle including an air conduction element and a movement device with adjustment kinematics. The air conduction element is movable relative to the remaining body as at least part of a tail side part of the vehicle body. The air conduction element moves between an inoperative position and at least one final operating position. The tail side part has a flow guiding area along which air flows which is designed to face an area surrounding the motor vehicle. The air conduction element has a surface which is at least part of the flow guiding area. The air conduction element is configured in its final operating position to lengthen the flow guiding area in the direction of a longitudinal body axis (X) of the body. The adjustment kinematics are configured in the form of multipoint joint kinematics.

Abstract: A motor vehicle side spoiler arrangement with a spoiler blade which can be moved in a motorized manner between a retracted rest position and a laterally extended spoiler position. A spoiler shell is fixed on the vehicle and provided with a shell rear wall, a guide mechanism which guides the spoiler blade in the longitudinal direction, and an actuating motor. A sliding seal lip is provided between the spoiler blade and the shell rear wall, which sliding seal lip closes a front-side gap (S) between the spoiler blade and the shell rear wall in the spoiler position of the spoiler blade.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame and a bumper supported by the vehicle frame. A bumper extension is supported by the bumper and is moveable downwardly relative to the bumper from a raised position to a lowered position. A reinforcement has a first end fixed relative to vehicle frame and a second end fixed relative to the bumper extension. The reinforcement includes a lock fixing the first end and the second end of the reinforcement relative to each other when the bumper extension is in the lowered position.

Abstract: A tailgate stop apparatus. The apparatus includes a base member configured to be fixed with respect to a primary gate assembly of a multiple-gate tailgate. The apparatus includes a stop member coupled to the base member, wherein the stop member is movable between a tailgate-engaged position configured to inhibit an inner gate panel of an inner gate assembly of the multiple-gate tailgate from being moved to a closed position, and a tailgate-disengaged position configured to allow the inner gate panel to be moved to the closed position.

Abstract: An air deflection device of a motor vehicle includes an air deflection element and a displacement kinematic system. The air deflection element is displaceable by the displacement kinematic system from an extended deflection position, in which the air deflection element with a deflection surface in a front region of the air deflection element in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle diverts an airflow hitting the air deflection element in an underbody region in a forward direction of travel of the motor vehicle, into a retracted position. The air deflection element is displaceable by the displacement kinematic system rearwards in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and upwards in a vertical direction of the motor vehicle and is pushable back in a direction of the retracted position in an event of an obstacle-related force component acting on the air deflection element in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An inner wheel skirt panel centrally located under the body of a vehicle reduces overall vehicle drag by inhibiting air from otherwise being displaced laterally inward by the passing wheels of the moving vehicle. Maintaining air to remain generally static while passing under the vehicle through the central open-space between the wheels increases the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce overall drag developed between the front and rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: In an undercover structure according to the present invention, a first cover part that is a lowermost part of an undercover has a first rear end positioned ahead of a front wheel axle. This generates a strong negative pressure in a region ahead of the front wheel axle. Accordingly, a flow rate of air flowing to a wheelhouse decreases (a flow rate of airflow between a road and a vehicle generated along a bottom surface of the first cover part of the undercover increases). This causes an attraction force that attracts the vehicle to a road surface to act on a vehicle body of the vehicle, thereby making traveling stability more excellent.

Abstract: An active spoiler system for a vehicle is disclosed that changes from a stowed position to a deployed position. In the stowed position, one or more flexible sheets are stored on rollers inside the body of the vehicle. The flexible sheets are pulled outward out of the body of the vehicle by a rigid bar that rotates around a pivot, in response to a controller. The deployed active spoiler may decrease drag thereby increasing fuel efficiency, while also allowing for the active spoiler to be stowed when not needed due to road or weather conditions.

Abstract: A tractor includes a supporting structure, a cab coupled to the supporting structure, and a rear axle oriented in a transverse direction and being mounted to the supporting structure. A first portion of the tractor on a cab side and a second portion of the tractor on a supporting structure side proximate to the rear axle delimits a wheel housing for a rear wheel. The wheel housing includes a gap at least partially covered by a cover at least in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A skirt securing connector assembly for securing an aerodynamic skirt panel to a trailer is provided, the skirt securing connector assembly comprising an upper attachment portion adapted to secure the skirt securing connector assembly to the trailer, a lower attachment portion adapted to secure a lower portion of the aerodynamic skirt panel and a strut member connected, at a first end thereof, to the upper portion of the skirt securing connector assembly and connected, at a second end thereof, to the lower portion of the skirt securing connector assembly, the strut member including a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, the strut member including a concave portion extending along the longitudinal axis, the concave portion increasing an inertia moment of the strut member to sustain a force applied by air routing on the aerodynamic skirt.

Abstract: The aerodynamic skirt assembly for attachment to a trailer may comprise a side skirt fairing, a rear skirt fairing, and a secondary treatment. The side skirt fairing may comprise an inner surface and an outer surface. The rear skirt fairing may comprise an inner surface and an outer surface and located aft of the side skirt fairing. The secondary treatment may be coupled to the outer surface of the rear skirt fairing, wherein the secondary treatment is canted outwardly at an angle from the outer surface of the skirt fairing and configured to redirect the air around the at least one rear wheel assembly.

Abstract: A pickup truck including a passenger compartment, a cargo bed operatively coupled to the passenger compartment, and a selectively deployable drag reduction system mounted at the cargo bed. The selectively deployable drag reduction system includes a deflector that is shiftable between a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration the deflector is exposed to an airflow passing over the pickup truck.

Abstract: An active underbody panel system having a frame arrangement mounted under the vehicle and at least one deployable panel moveable between stowed and deployed positions to improve aerodynamics under the vehicle. A deployment/retraction mechanism is provided having a pair of linkage assemblies and driven by an actuator, which allows the deployable panel(s) to be moved automatically downward into the air flow as needed.

Abstract: A vehicle front structure is provided for preventing a vortex from being generated between high-speed air separated from an outer edge of a deflector and low-speed air in a front wheel house due to a wind speed difference. Embodiments include a deflector disposed in front of a front wheel house projected downward from a lower surface of a bumper face. The deflector includes an air introducing section to introduce air into a space inside the deflector in a front portion of the deflector; and an intermediate-speed wind generating hole section that communicates with the air introducing section and generates an airflow at an intermediate wind speed, lower than a wind speed of air separated from deflector outer edges and higher than a wind speed of air in the front wheel house, in an area not opposing a tire in a vehicle front view of a portion immediately behind the deflector.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a body having a side, and at least one aero cladding element operably connected to the body along the side so as to be supported for movement between a cladding position and an aero position. In another aspect, an aero cladding system for a vehicle is provided. The aero cladding system includes a base cladding element and an aero cladding element operably connected to the base cladding element so as to be movable relative to the base cladding element between a first position and a second position different from the first position. At least one actuator is operably connected to the aero cladding element and is structured to be operable to move the aero cladding element between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle accessory includes a body portion. The body portion is made substantially of aluminum composite material. The vehicle accessory further includes at least one connector for selectively attaching the body portion to a portion of an automobile. The body portion includes a front edge and a rear edge. The front edge is curved along at least a portion thereof. The front and rear edges are laterally opposed from each other. The rear edge extends substantially linearly from a first corner to a second corner. The first and second corners are formed at junctions between the front edge and the rear edge.

Abstract: An adjustment device for controlling the aerodynamic load acting on a motorcar, includes an underbody diffuser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rear closure system (2; 102) of a motor vehicle, comprising: a main body (4; 104), and a module (10; 110) that can be detached from the main body (4; 104) and can receive a device (24; 124), the main body (4; 104) comprising a free space (12; 112) accessible through an opening (14; 114), the dimensions of the free space (12; 112) and the opening (14; 114) being such that the module (10; 110) can be inserted into, and removed from, the main body (4; 104).

Abstract: A vehicular rear window assembly includes a window panel comprising an inner side and an outer side. A spoiler includes (i) a base portion that is adhesively attached at and along an upper region of the outer side of the window panel and (ii) a cover portion that is attached at the base portion. The vehicular rear window assembly, with the spoiler adhesively attached at and along the upper region of the outer side of the window panel, is configured for mounting at a rear portion of a cabin of the vehicle. With the vehicular rear window assembly mounted at the rear portion of the cabin of the vehicle, the inner side is toward the cabin of the vehicle and the outer side and the spoiler are exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods reducing the amount of drag on a vehicle are provided. In some embodiments, the proposed apparatuses are configured to remain stowed in a sidewall of the vehicle when not in use, thereby maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle, while in other embodiments the apparatus is static and fixed along the sides of the vehicle. In one example, an aerodynamic apparatus includes a tapered structure, in which an inner side panel is substantially planar, and an outer side panel has a convex curvature.

Abstract: An active spoiler system for a vehicle is disclosed that changes from a stowed position to a deployed position. In the stowed position, one or more flexible sheets are stored on rollers inside the body of the vehicle. The flexible sheets are pulled outward out of the body of the vehicle by a rigid bar that rotates around a pivot, in response to a controller. The deployed active spoiler may decrease drag thereby increasing fuel efficiency, while also allowing for the active spoiler to be stowed when not needed due to road or weather conditions.

Abstract: A passively activated flow control device including a valve body configured to be mounted in a vehicle. The valve body includes an inlet and an outlet. A valve member is arranged at the valve body for selectively opening and closing flow between the inlet and the outlet. The valve member is responsive to acceleration induced forces on the vehicle to shift from one of an open configuration and a closed configuration toward the other of the open configuration and the closed configuration.

Abstract: A strut assembly for mounting an aerodynamic fairing assembly for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, transverse structural support members extending between sides of the trailer, and longitudinal members extending along a length of the trailer. The strut assembly may comprise a mounting plate, a strut body, and a substantially rectangular composite spring. The mounting bracket comprising a mounting plate and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. The strut body rotatably may be coupled to the pair of spaced apart sidewalls on the mounting bracket. The substantially rectangular composite spring may be coupled to an upper surface of the strut body and configured to contact an underside of the mounting plate of the mounting bracket to resist inward deflection from an external force applied to the strut body.

Abstract: An aiming mechanism 10 includes a headlight 3, a supporter 4 that supports the headlight 3 on a vehicle body 1 such that the headlight 3 is rotatable about a predetermined rotation axis X, and an adjuster 6 that adjusts the rotation angle of the headlight 3 about the rotation axis X. The adjuster 6 is located accessible from above the vehicle body 1.

Abstract: A vehicle including a sprayer assembly for washing away debris, such as ice, dirt, and the like, accumulating on an upper surface of a rear bumper of the vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a rear bumper having an upper surface, a reservoir including a supply of fluid and a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, the plurality of nozzles being spaced apart from one another in a vehicle lateral direction, the plurality of nozzles configured to spray the fluid from the fluid reservoir at the upper surface of the rear bumper. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes a tailgate positionable between an open position and a closed position, and the nozzles are operable when the tailgate is in the closed position. As such, the nozzles may emit a spray of fluid when the tailgate is in the closed position to wash away the debris prior to the tailgate opening.

Abstract: An inwardly disposed vehicle skirt panel assembly disposed laterally inset toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The vehicle skirt panel assembly is suspended underneath a rearward body component of a truck or semitrailer, extending forwards in front of a rearward wheel assembly. The vehicle skirt panel assembly stabilizes otherwise laterally displaced air passing under the central portion of the moving vehicle, further increasing the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle. Maintaining air generally static while passing under the vehicle increases the effective pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce drag thereon.

Abstract: An active front deflector assembly for a vehicle capable of moving between an extended position and a retracted position or any position there between. The active front deflector assembly has a cross member for attaching to an underbody of a vehicle. The frame member also includes a plurality of slip joint connections for connecting to the underbody of the vehicle. The cross member is a fixed link of an actuator link assembly that has an actuator, drive link, floating link and a blade.

Abstract: A rear-end air guide device for a motor vehicle includes a rear spoiler having a spoiler surface and a rear wing arranged in a vehicle vertical direction above the rear spoiler. The spoiler surface faces toward the rear wing, and the spoiler surface facing toward the rear wing is adjustable in a vehicle longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An active liftgate spoiler (10;100;200;300;400) used on a liftgate (8) of a vehicle (6). The liftgate has an upper surface (4) and is typically a rear liftgate or hatch on the rear side of the vehicle. A housing (11;104;202;302;412) is connected to the upper surface of the liftgate. There is a moveable panel (12; 102;204, 208; 306, 308;402,403) connected to the housing using a connection. The connection is formed by a four bar linkage (20,20?; 106, 106?;210,210?; 311,311?;411, 411?) that forms a portion of the connection between the moveable panel and the housing. An actuator (14;110;212;314;414), which in one embodiment is a single rotary actuator is connected to the four bar linkage and causes the movement of the moveable panel.

Abstract: An undercover for attachment to an underside of a vehicle, the undercover including a plurality of deflectors disposed along an axis of the undercover, the plurality of deflectors being spaced apart to thereby define a predetermined gap between adjacent deflectors, and wherein each of the plurality of deflectors includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and configured to allow airflow along the underside of the vehicle.

Abstract: An engine room heat exhausting structure configured to discharge heat from an engine room, is provided, which includes an engine room accommodating an engine with cylinders lined up in a front-and-rear direction of a vehicle, a wheelhouse provided outside the engine room in a vehicle width direction, an exhaust emission control device disposed between the engine and the wheelhouse, a wheelhouse liner configured to protect an inner wall of the wheelhouse, a discharging part provided rearward of the exhaust emission control device and configured to discharge into the wheelhouse a part of air cooled the exhaust emission control device, and a guiding part provided to the wheelhouse liner and configured to guide the air discharged into the wheel house to underneath the vehicle in a rear part of the wheelhouse.

Abstract: A panel has a first edge portion defining a first end of the panel, and a second edge portion defining a second end of the panel. The length of the panel is predetermined for the panel to reach across a vehicle chassis frame in an installed position in which the first edge portion rests on a side beam and the second edge portion rests on an opposite side beam. The panel further has a longitudinal rib. A first end of the rib is located adjacent to, and inboard of, the first edge portion. A second end of the rib is located adjacent to, and inboard of, the second edge portion.

Abstract: A wind-deflecting baffle attachment has a planar main body, at least one baffle, and at least one mounting member. Each baffle is angularly connected to the main body, and the at least one baffle includes at least one central baffle centrally positioned on the main body. The at least one mounting member is connected to the main body and is configured to attach the main body atop an open-air vehicle frame in order to deflect incoming wind away from the occupants of the vehicle.

Abstract: A drag reducing device includes an air flow turning component having a curved surface adapted to turn air flow passing over the curved surface, a first mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to a rear door of the vehicle, and a second mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to one of the opposite side walls of the vehicle. The mounting components are configured so that the air flow component is automatically in a deployed position when the rear door is closed, so the air flow turning component turns air flow passing along the side the vehicle inward to thereby reduce drag. The mounting components are further configured so that the air flow component is automatically stowed between the rear door and the vehicle side wall when the door is fully opened. The air turning component is sized for a minimal prominence when stowed.

Abstract: An airflow adjusting apparatus includes an airflow generator, a state detector, and a controller. The airflow generator is configured to generate a control airflow to cause the control airflow to join an around-vehicle airflow formed around a vehicle body of a traveling vehicle. The airflow generator is configured to vary a flow direction of the control airflow with respect to a surface of the vehicle body. The state detector is configured to detect a state of the around-vehicle airflow. The controller is configured to vary the flow direction of the control airflow on the basis of the state of the around-vehicle airflow detected by the state detector.

Abstract: A control system of a vehicle comprising: i) a plurality of adjustable aerodynamic control devices associated with the vehicle; ii) a fuel economy sensor configured to determine a first fuel economy measurement; and iii) an aerodynamic device controller module configured to adjust a first one of the plurality of adjustable aerodynamic control devices and to receive from the fuel economy sensor a second fuel economy measurement. The aerodynamic device controller module stores in an onboard database state information corresponding to settings of the plurality of adjustable aerodynamic control devices if the second fuel economy measurement is an improvement over the first fuel economy measurement.

Abstract: Provided is a bumper capable of improving a maneuvering stability of a vehicle. The bumper is a front bumper 7 to be attached to a front lower portion of a vehicle 1. Flow-straightening protrusions 31 each formed along a vehicular front-rear direction are provided on a lower portion of the front bumper 7 in a way such that they are aligned along a vehicular width direction across a region on an extended line 36 of a vehicular width direction inner end portion 2T of each of front wheels 2L, 2R of the vehicle 1. Thus, the occurrence of turbulent flows around the front wheels 2L, 2R can be restricted so that a vehicle stability can be improved.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that has a vehicle body, a wheel assembly, a suspension linkage, and a cover panel. The vehicle body has an underside and defines a wheel arch that forms an opening in the underside of the vehicle body. The suspension linkage runs within the wheel arch and couples the wheel assembly to the vehicle body to permit motion of the rotation axis of the wheel assembly relative to the vehicle body. The suspension linkage further comprises a first suspension link coupled between the vehicle body and the wheel assembly, whereby the cover panel is coupled to the first suspension link so that the cover panel moves with the first suspension link. The cover panel further extends across part of the opening so that in forward motion the cover panel directs a rearward moving airflow across the opening.