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.

Abstract: A vibration welded article includes an outer member having a substantially V-shaped portion, and an inner member that is vibration welded to the outer member. The outer member includes a substantially plate-shaped base surface portion, and a slope portion formed obliquely relative to the base surface portion. The slope portion has an outer member opening which is opened to attach another component. The inner member includes a first joint surface portion that is vibration welded to the base surface portion, a second joint surface portion that is vibration welded to the slope portion, and at least one protruding portion that protrudes from the second joint surface portion toward the base surface portion.

Abstract: A vehicular under cover includes an oblong hole-shaped through-hole and is assembled to a lower side of a vehicle so as to cover a lower part of the heat source. In a plan view, the through-hole is formed so that a longitudinal direction of the through-hole is inclined with respect to a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The inclination excludes an orthogonal direction to the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A diffuser for a vehicle includes a lower body component having a forward end, a rearward end, and a lower surface that tapers as it extends along a portion of a length of the vehicle from the forward end to the rearward end of the component. The lower surface includes a plurality of rearward facing steps extending along the tapered portion of the lower surface toward the rearward end of the lower body component.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an aerodynamic panel apparatus mountable to a truck cab. A panel apparatus includes a fixed panel, a moveable panel extender arranged rearward of the fixed panel, and a hinge mechanism. When aligned, the fixed panel and moveable panel extender guide an air flow past side walls of a cab and a trailer for improved aerodynamics and enhanced vehicle performance. The hinge mechanism enables pivotal movement of the moveable panel extender outboard from a closed position. The pivotal movement provides back of cab accessibility, while outboard movement avoids interference with items located in the back of cab area, and provides easy access to a handle bar arranged along an inner surface of the fixed panel. The moveable panel extender includes a resiliently deformable material that may be temporarily deformed during trailer articulation but returned to its original shape thereafter.

Abstract: An air dam for a vehicle having a front panel with a downward facing surface at a lateral front edge. At least one air curtain such as an air jet forces air downward toward the ground for creating an aerodynamic barrier of air which reduces turbulence caused by the underbody of a vehicle while the vehicle is underway.

Abstract: An undercover (31) for rectifying airflow under a floor of a vehicle while driving the vehicle includes screw pedestals (42) for fixing screws (41) or nut pedestals for nuts, which are served as fastening points to a vehicle body (29). Interference caps (58) which are a molded product made from an elastic resin material are fitted between the adjacent pedestals. Under a state that the undercover (31) is engaged with and is attached to the vehicle body by the screws, a top portion (60) of the interference caps (59) is elastically deformed and is abutted to the opposite vehicle body surface, and the above abutment is maintained. Small clearance between the undercover and the vehicle body are maintained, and interference between the undercover and the vehicle due to vibration while driving is prevented, without changing the number of fastening points of the undercover to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for increasing the safety of motor vehicles traveling at high speeds in the rearward direction is provided. An air dam hingedly secured to the aft end of a vehicle may remain in a stowed position while the motor vehicle is traveling in a forward direction so as not to interfere with aerodynamic performance. When a motor vehicle begins to enter a spin, the air dam may deploy and increase the downward force on the vehicle and as well as act as an air brake, thereby reducing the likelihood of the aft end of the vehicle lifting from the surface during a spin-out at high speeds.

Abstract: An active air dam assembly includes, among other things, an air dam configured to pivot relative to a vehicle bumper back and forth between a home position and a deflected position and an actuator system configured to transition the air dam vertically between a raised position and a deployed position.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a rear air guide device for a vehicle. The rear air guide includes a first air guide element and a control device that moves the first air guide element between a first terminal position and a second terminal position such that the first air guide element prolongs a car body element of the vehicle. The first air guide element is pivotably mounted to the car body element such that first air guide element pivots between the first terminal position and the second terminal position. The rear air guide further includes a second air guide element coupled to the first air guide element. When the first air guide element is set at the second terminal position, the second air guide element spans a gap between the first air guide element and the car body element.

Abstract: An aerodynamic fairing assembly for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer. The aerodynamic fairing assembly may comprise a front skirt fairing and a rear skirt comprising a transition. The transition may extend outwardly of the side skirt fairing at a distance from the centerline of the trailer. The side skirt faring and rear skirt fairing are coupled to the trailer by one or more struts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diverting airflow around a vehicle during forward motion are disclosed, having at least one inlet orifice, at least one duct, the at least one duct in fluid communication with the at least one inlet orifice, at least one outlet orifice, and a tailcone assembly having a rearwardly facing, convexly projecting rounded surface, the tailcone assembly abutting the rear surface of the vehicle, the outlet located on the rearwardly facing, convexly projecting rounded surface, the tailcone assembly defining an internal cavity, the at least one internal cavity in fluid communication with the at least one outlet orifice and the at least one duct. Further improvements adapted to encourage laminar flow about a land vehicle when in motion are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a work vehicle of the present invention, a load carrying bed includes a floor panel, a pair of left and right side panels, and a rear gate which is openable and closable. The rear gate includes left and right lock operational portions for maintaining the rear gate under a closing posture through engagement with locking engagement portions formed in the left and right side panels, a single handle disposed at an intermediate position in the left/right direction of the rear gate and supported to be pivotable about a horizontally oriented operational axis X, and left and right operational wires for operating left and right locking members in a direction for pulling these locking members out of the locking engagement portions by an operation of the handle about the operational axis X.

Abstract: An aerodynamic apparatus (10) for a vehicle (2), the aerodynamic apparatus comprising: a bonnet (12) having a leading edge (18) and a trailing edge (34); a bonnet spoiler (14) having a leading edge (30) and a trailing edge (32), and being positionable vertically above the bonnet (12) and separated therefrom to form an airflow duct (22) therebetween; and a grille (16) comprising a trailing edge (20) and a front face separated by a curved upper portion (28), wherein the trailing edge (20) of the grille (16) is positionable adjacent to the leading edge (18) of the bonnet (12).

Abstract: In a sunroof unit, a movable panel includes a front sliding portion and a rear sliding portion that position an arm by sliding with the arm. When the movable panel moves in a second sliding range being a movement range of the movable panel when the rear sliding portion slides with the arm, a gap is generated between the front sliding portion and the arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roof rack assembly and a hood light-blocking fabric assembly, the hood light-blocking fabric assembly capable of photovoltaic generation comprising: a lower photovoltaic generation plate fixedly installed to cover the hood of a vehicle and configured to prevent inflow of heat energy of sunlight into the vehicle, to absorb sunlight, and to produce electricity accordingly; and an upper photovoltaic generation plate installed on an upper portion of the lower photovoltaic generation plate and configured to change between a first position at which the upper photovoltaic generation plate overlaps the upper portion of the lower photovoltaic generation plate and a second position at which the upper photovoltaic generation plate covers a front glass of the vehicle.

Abstract: An active wheel air deflector arrangement for attachment to a motor vehicle, which comprises at least one actuator, wheel air deflectors for the front wheels of the motor vehicle, and swivelable holders for the wheel air deflectors, wherein the wheel air deflectors are reversibly mounted on the holder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mounting antennas to a vehicle provide for reducing a height by which the antennas extend from a vehicle while maintaining the antennas as the furthest extending component in a vertical direction from the vehicle. The systems and methods also maintain antennas towards an interior of the vehicle, such as inward of a leading edge of the vehicle, in order to reduce risk of damage, displacement, or both of the antennas.

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 comprising: a vehicle body comprising a first body panel; and a first variable aerodynamic device comprising: a first spoiler that is resiliently deformable between a lowered position and a raised position, the first spoiler being formed from part of the first body panel; and a first actuator configured to move the first spoiler between the lowered position and the raised position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a screen which is arranged and secured in the region of an inner face of the vehicle roof in a passenger compartment. The screen extends continuously across at least half the width, preferably at least two thirds of the width, in particular substantially across the entire width, of the inner face of the vehicle roof.

Abstract: An adjustable airfoil system for a vehicle includes a first airfoil shaft, a first airfoil having a first end mounted on the first airfoil shaft, and a first airfoil support structured for mounting to a portion of a vehicle and for rotatably supporting a portion of the first airfoil shaft at a location spaced apart from a first end of the first airfoil shaft. The system also includes a second airfoil shaft, a second airfoil having a first end mounted on the second airfoil shaft, and a second airfoil support structured for mounting to a portion of a vehicle and for rotatably supporting a portion of the second airfoil shaft spaced apart from a first end of the second airfoil shaft. A shaft end support is rigidly coupled to the first airfoil support and the second airfoil support.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fascia having a first fascia portion that is selectively moveable relative to a second fascia portion, and an engine shield that has at least a first shield panel and a second shield panel. The first shield panel has a first portion that moves with the first fascia portion and a second portion that is connected to a vehicle static structure. The second shield panel is mounted for movement with the first fascia portion. At least one actuator selectively moves the first fascia portion relative to the second fascia portion in response to at least one predetermined vehicle input condition.

Abstract: Drag reducing systems for vehicles are provided. In one aspect, a drag reducing system generally includes an airfoil rotatably couplable to the vehicle and configured to provide a lift force to the vehicle as a result of differential airflow velocity over the upper surface with respect to the lower surface. The drag reducing system may further include a flow alignment vane to rotationally align the airfoil to the direction of airflow. In another aspect, a drag reducing system generally includes an air vane hingedly couplable to a surface of a vehicle and configured to rotate from a first stowed position to a second deployed position. The air vane includes a flared leading portion to provide a force to bias the air vane toward the first position and a flared lateral portion to provide a force to rotate the air vane to the second deployed position.

Abstract: An aircraft control structure includes first and second outer surfaced joined to a side wall. Stiffening webs extends between the first and second outer surfaces, each stiffening web at least partially surrounding an associated aperture formed in either the first or second outer surface and defining a stiffening recess. Skin plates are sized to extend over an associated stiffening recess and are shaped to conform to an associated aperture. Each skin plate is joined to an associated stiffening web by a friction stir welded seam.

Abstract: System and apparatus for improving aerodynamics of a vehicle including: a plurality of stiffeners offset from each other; a first airfoil configured as a thin-form sheet; a second airfoil coupled to the first airfoil using the plurality of stiffeners, wherein a trailing edge of the first airfoil overlaps a leading edge of the second airfoil; an airflow inlet defined by a leading edge of the first airfoil and a pair of stiffeners of the plurality of stiffeners; and an airflow outlet defined by the trailing edge of the first airfoil, the leading edge of the second airfoil, and the pair of stiffeners.

Abstract: A front deflector configured to be provided on a surface ahead of a front wheel of a vehicle. The front deflector includes a first opening forward of the vehicle, the first opening configured to receive air into an inner space of the front deflector when the vehicle travels forward; a guide wall that directs the air received into the inner space from the first opening to at least a vehicle-width-direction outer side in the inner space; and a second opening that opens rearward of the first opening in a position that overlaps with a front wheel of the vehicle, and exhausts the air in the inner space to the vehicle-width-direction outer side.

Abstract: Provided are: an adhesive sheet-shaped member for airflow, in an optimum form that can improve fuel efficiency and travel performance as a result of more effectively suppressing a large airflow separation phenomenon that becomes air resistance; and a travel vehicle using the same. A sheet-shaped member that is: provided thinly so as to prevent, as far as possible, the thickness thereof providing air resistance; adhered to a surface in contact with an airflow provided by a material that charges negative static electricity; formed in a long sheet shape in a flow direction of airflow, compared to the width direction of the airflow, so as to be adhered along the direction of the airflow; and provided using a material that charges a negative static electricity and has a different ease of static electrical charge than the surface in contact with the airflow.

Abstract: A deflector structure of an automotive vehicle comprises a deflector. The deflector comprises a traveling-wind control part to control a flow of a traveling wind generated in forward traveling of an automotive vehicle. The traveling-wind control part comprises an outside control section and an inside control section. The outside control section and the inside control section are shaped such that an atmospheric pressure of an outside space portion which is positioned just in front of an outside part, in the vehicle width direction, of a front wheel is lower than that of a central space portion which is positioned just in front of a central part, in the vehicle width direction, of the front wheel at a level position from a lower end of the deflator to a vicinity below the lower end of the deflector.

Abstract: A fairing assembly for at least one axle of a commercial vehicle is disclosed. The fairing assembly includes at least one forward fairing configured to be arranged at least partially in front of a drive wheel of the axle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and at least one rear fairing configured to be arranged at least partially aft of the drive wheel. Each of the fairings includes at least one first portion made of a first material and at least one second portion adjoining the respective first portion where the second portion is made of a second material different from the first material.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a body; an air-guide, fastenable to the body; a drive to adjust the air-guide when the air-guide is fastened to the body; and connectors that connect the drive to the body. The connectors include first fastening elements and second fastening elements. The first fastening elements are insertable through cutouts in the body into the second fastening elements via a first position up to a second position. An orientation of the drive relative to the body is possible in the first position, and the second fastening elements exert a clamping force on the first fastening elements in the second position.

Abstract: A mounting holder for a rear spoiler of a motor vehicle includes a fastening portion for fastening the mounting holder to a body component of the motor vehicle and a holding portion configured to be connected to a lower part of the rear spoiler. The holding portion is of elastic design.

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a bladder, a plurality of tethers, and an adjustment mechanism. The bladder is attached to the top and bottom end caps and configured to hold pressurized air therebetween. The plurality of tethers are disposed within the bladder. Each tether in the plurality of tethers has a first end coupled to the top end cap and a second end coupled to the bottom end cap. When the bladder is inflated, the plurality of tethers restrict a number of degrees of freedom of the inflatable structure and a type of the degrees of freedom. The adjustment mechanism is operable to move the second end of at least one tether in the plurality of tethers to adjust at least one of the number of the degrees of freedom and the type of the degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A deflector structure for an automobile. The deflector structure includes a protruding structure having an outer surface positioned to be hit by traveling air when the automobile travels forward. The outer surface of the protruding portion includes a first inclined portion located on a vehicle-width-direction outer side and inclined upward toward the automobile front side; and a second inclined portion located on a vehicle-width-direction inner side and inclined upward toward the automobile front side. An angle of inclination of the second inclined portion on an acute angle side of the second inclined portion with respect to a horizontal direction is smaller than an angle of inclination of the first inclined portion on an acute angle side of the first inclined portion with respect to the horizontal direction.

Abstract: The present invention is a device that deflects or changes the direction of vehicle's vertical side wind, hence reducing the generated force, which prevents vehicle's flipping over caused by this side wind. This device consists of three parts: a deflector part comprising multiple deflector blades and deflector axis shaft. And a hook part comprising a hook piece, a hook blade piece, and a hook axis shaft. And a spring part. the deflector device has a primary position and a secondary position; in primary position the deflector part's plane is parallel to vehicle's side surface plane and hook piece is locking deflector part and spring part is squeezed; in secondary position high wind velocity rotates hook part away from deflector part, hence freeing the spring so it extends and pushes the deflector part away from vehicle's side surface, hence increases space between them, hence facilitates air flow and wind deflection.

Abstract: A tire deflector device configured such that a deflector is disposed on a bottom portion of a vehicle in front of a front wheel is provided. The deflector includes a guide surface extending substantially horizontally in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and a vertical wall portion including a surface extending downwardly on a rear portion of the guide surface and extending in a vehicle width direction. An angle defined by a lower portion of a vertical wall portion including at least a lower end of the vertical wall portion and an imaginary orthogonal plane orthogonal to the guide surface lies within a range from 20 degrees to 45 degrees.

Abstract: A disclosed light activation system includes a movable lighting element movable to adjust a direction of light, an actuator for moving the movable lighting element, a driver detection device and a controller configured to command operation of the actuator for moving the movable lighting element based on a detected direction of sight of the driver. A disclosed method of operating a vehicle lighting system includes monitoring a direction that a driver of a motor vehicle is looking, determining a lighting element within a region corresponding with the direction the driver is looking, and actuating a lighting element within the region based in response to the determined direction that the driver is looking and in response to a secondary condition being fulfilled.

Abstract: A protective panel for a vehicle substantially conforming to a portion of a vehicle. The protective panel having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, the lower surface having a reduced surface area in order to limit force applied to the protective panel and the vehicle. The panel further having an edge portion disposed along a perimeter, between the upper and lower surface, for deflecting obstacles, and one or more mounting points for removably attaching the protection panel to a portion of the exterior of a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular straightening device includes: a straightening member disposed in front of a front wheel of a vehicle so as to be movable upward and downward with respect to a vehicle body; a drive unit that moves the straightening member up and down with respect to the vehicle body between a storage position on a vehicle body side and a straightening position where the straightening member protrudes downward from the vehicle body; and a connecting mechanism that connects the straightening member and the drive unit and releases a connection between the straightening member and the drive unit when an external force acts on the straightening member at the straightening position.

Abstract: A retractable aerodynamic panel for an automotive truck cargo bed comprises a first support rail adapted to be mounted onto a top edge of a first side wall of an automotive truck bed and a second support rail adapted to be mounted onto a top edge of a second side wall of an automotive truck cargo bed, a panel adapted to be mounted onto a tailgate of the automotive truck cargo bed, the panel adapted to extend between a retracted position, wherein the automotive truck cargo bed is substantially open, and a deployed position, wherein the panel extends outward from the tailgate across a portion of the automotive truck cargo bed between the top edges of the first and second side walls, the panel supported between side walls within the support rails, and an actuator adapted to selectively extend the panel between the retracted and deployed positions.

Abstract: An air guiding device for a motor vehicle includes a rear wing, a wing supporting device configured to secure the rear wing and to forward forces which act on the rear wing, and connecting components configured to connect the rear wing and the wing supporting device to one another. A first of the connecting components is configured as a trough-shaped receiving device on the rear wing and/or the wing supporting device. A second of the connecting components which interacts with the first connecting component is configured as a hammer component on the other of the rear wing and/or the wing supporting device. The hammer component has a hammer handle and a hammer head which is connected to the hammer handle, extends transversely with respect thereto, and is received in the trough-shaped receiving device.

Abstract: An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is adaptable for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus consists of a series of nesting shapes and/or frameworks that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of modifying an air flow at least one location of a building structure, comprising: generating a first air flow at the at least one location of the building structure; and modifying a second air flow exterior to the building structure using the generated first air flow. An apparatus configured to modified an air flow is also provided.

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 tailgate position indicating device for preventing loss of cargo and accidents includes a coupler that is configured to couple to a tailgate of a pickup truck proximate to an upper panel of the tailgate. An object is coupled to and extends from the coupler so that the object extends from the tailgate past the upper panel of the tailgate. The object is configured to be viewed in a rearview mirror of the pickup truck when the tailgate is closed to indicate to a driver of the pickup truck the position of the tailgate to prevent loss of cargo while driving and damage to the tailgate while operating the pickup truck in reverse gear.

Abstract: An air guide device for a vehicle has: a static carrier, which is installable via installation brackets on a body structure of the vehicle, which are connected at a first portion to the body structure and at a second portion to a carrier; an air guide displaceable relative to the static carrier between a retracted rest position and a deployed operating position; a kinematic link arrangement, which has multiple links via which the air guide is displaceable relative to the carrier, wherein the links of the kinematic link arrangement are mounted on first installation brackets; and an adjusting motor, which acts on the kinematic link arrangement for the purposes of displacing the air guide relative to the carrier. The adjusting motor is mounted on a second installation bracket. The carrier, which is made of plastic, is connected by a clip connection to the installation brackets, which comprise plastic or metal.

Abstract: A system having an inwardly disposed trailer skirt combined with an inner wheel skirt panel, with each being located laterally inset toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The system inhibits lateral displacement of air under the vehicle to increase the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle, thereby reducing overall vehicle drag.

Abstract: A motor vehicle rear-end for a motor vehicle includes a spoiler configured to influence aerodynamics of the motor vehicle, an actuator configured to move the spoiler between a retracted position of rest and an extended position of use, and a rear-mounted camera configured to monitor an observation area to a rear of the motor vehicle. The observation area comprises the spoiler when in the retracted position of rest and the spoiler when in the extended position of use. The motor vehicle rear end further includes an image evaluation unit connected to the rear-mounted camera and configured to detect the spoiler in the position of rest and/or in the position of use. The image evaluation unit is coupled to the activation actuator system in such a way that when the spoiler is detected in the position of rest and/or in the position of use, the actuator can be stopped.

Abstract: A wheel spoiler apparatus encompassing a flow impingement body, a displacement drive system, and a displacement guidance system, the flow impingement body being displaceable between a retracted inactive position and an extended active position, the displacement guidance system comprising a vehicle connection region in which it is connectable to a vehicle body, and comprising a flow impingement body connection region in which it is connected to the flow impingement body, the displacement guidance system encompasses two four-joint linkages coupled to one another via a common pivot joint.

Abstract: A wind-diverting panel centrally located under the body of a vehicle inhibits 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 between the front and rear of the vehicle.