Description:AN AERODYNAMIC FIN ASSEMBLY
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to the field of a fins’ structure that is configured to transform shape under a force of air drag the present invention belongs to a wheel strake structure that is adaptable to change its shape.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Traditionally, vehicles use passive aerodynamic fins which are intended to maintain its actual shape against the application of external load. Further, when they are used in front of wheels, they are called wheel strakes and when used on the underfloor, they are called air dams. These aerodynamic fins have multiple constraints to be met such as speed breaker requirements, approach departure angles when used under the vehicle body, or towing/shipping requirements and aesthetic requirements, which limits the height of these aerodynamic fins Due to the presence of multiple design limitations mentioned above, passive aerodynamic fins are not very efficient, so numerous aero fins are required at multiple locations, which increases cost and weight.
[0003] Fig. 1a illustrates an image 100a depicting a wheel-house liner 102 having a wheel strake 104, in accordance with an existing prior art.
[0004] Fig. 1b illustrates an image 100b depicting the wheel strake 104, in accordance with an existing prior art.
[0005] Fig. 1c illustrates an image 100c depicting a side view of the wheel strake 104, in accordance with an existing prior art.
[0006] Also, as the previously mentioned limitations exist at static condition or slow speeds, and aerodynamic efficiency is required at high speeds; Premium segment vehicle use active aero systems, but it leads to very high part costs, high development costs and lay outing constraints.
[0007] Thus, there is a need for a cost effective and optimized solution to overcome one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are listed below.
[0009] It is a general or primary object of the present subject matter to provide an aerodynamic fin that changes shape due to an air pressure induced while a vehicle is moving.
[0010] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide an aerodynamic fin that includes a morphing zone to adapt in accordance with an air flow.
[0011] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide an aerodynamic fin assembly that includes a stopper component that prevents the movement of an aerodynamic fin beyond a point for improvement of efficiency.
[0012] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY
[0013] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an aerodynamic fin assembly; the concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0014] The present disclosure provides an aerodynamic fin assembly. The aerodynamic fin assembly includes an aerodynamic fin configured to bend in a backward direction upon receiving air. The aerodynamic fin includes a curved portion with a first thickness. The aerodynamic fin also includes a flat flexible surface having a top portion, and a bottom portion extending away from the top portion in a downward direction, fixed to the curved portion, configured to bend in the backward direction due to an air pressure induced by the air. The flat flexible surface corresponds to a second thickness greater than the first thickness that facilitates the flat flexible surface (210) to bend due to the air pressure.
[0015] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the curved portion is extending from an L-shaped stopper component having a first portion and a second portion perpendicular to the first portion through the second portion via a hinged mechanism.
[0016] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the aerodynamic fin assembly is extending from a wheel strake of a vehicle and the aerodynamic fin receives the air pressure and bends towards a L-shaped stopper component when the vehicle is moving in a forward direction.
[0017] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the flat flexible surface comprises a plurality of ribs associated with a distinct height, protruding out of the flat flexible surface in a slanted orientation from the bottom portion towards a top edge of the top portion, configured to guide the air towards the top edge for inducing the air pressure that bends the aerodynamic fin.
[0018] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the bottom portion (210b) comprises a first bottom edge and a second bottom edge extending away from the first bottom edge.
[0019] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the flat surface extends away from the curved portion through the top portion in a downwards direction in a slanted orientation.
[0020] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the plurality of ribs is arranged in an ascending order in terms of the distinct height of each rib from a first bottom edge to a second bottom edge of the bottom portion.
[0021] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the plurality of ribs corresponds to the distinct heights with respect to one another to accommodate a volume of the air being received when a vehicle is moving, that induces the air pressure to bend the aerodynamic fin.
[0022] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the plurality of ribs provides a rigidity to the aerodynamic fin.
[0023] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the aerodynamic fin bends backward to a point where the aerodynamic fin comes in a physical contact with the first portion of a L-shaped stopper component.
[0024] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0026] Fig. 1a illustrates an image depicting a wheel-house liner having a wheel strake, in accordance with an existing prior art;
[0027] Fig. 1b illustrates an image depicting the wheel strake, in accordance with an existing prior art; and
[0028] Fig. 1c illustrates an image depicting a side view of the wheel strake, in accordance with an existing prior art;
[0029] Fig. 2 illustrates a diagram depicting an aerodynamic fin assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0030] Fig. 3 illustrates an image depicting a side view of the aerodynamic fin assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0031] Fig. 4 illustrates an image depicting the aerodynamic fin assembly extending from a wheel-house liner, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0032] Fig. 5 illustrates an image depicting the aerodynamic fin assembly attached to a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0034] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0035] Fig. 2 illustrates a diagram 200 depicting an aerodynamic fin assembly 202, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The aerodynamic fin assembly 202 may be attached to a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the aerodynamic fin assembly 202 may be extending from a wheel-house liner of the vehicle.
[0036] Continuing with the above embodiment, the aerodynamic fin assembly 202 may include an L-shaped stopper component 204, an aerodynamic fin 206. The aerodynamic fin 206 may be a folded shaped flap extending from the L-shaped stopper component 204 through a hinge mechanism such that the aerodynamic fin 206 moves while being attached to the L-shaped stopper component 204. The aerodynamic fin 206 may be configured to bend backwards when the vehicle is moving and may come in contact with a surface of the L-shaped stopper component 204 when the vehicle is moving at a high speed. The L-shaped stopper component 204 may be configured to prevent movement of the aerodynamic fin 206 beyond a particular point, when the vehicle is moving forward at a high speed, to improve efficiency. Bending of the aerodynamic fin 206 may increase a frontal height of the wheel-strake.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the L-shaped component 204 may be an integral shape with respect to the wheel house liner. In another embodiment, the L-shaped stopper component 204 may be attached to the aerodynamic fin 206. In yet another embodiment, the L-shaped stopper component 204 may be a separate component. Further, the L-shaped stopper component 204 may have a first portion 204a and a second portion 204b. The second portion 204b may be extending from the first portion 204a in a perpendicular orientation. Moving forward, the L-shaped stopper component 204 may be extending from the wheel-house liner through the second portion 204b and may further be extending from the aerodynamic fin 206 through the second portion 204b through the hinged mechanism.
[0038] Subsequently, aerodynamic fin 206 may be configured to bend in a backward direction upon receiving air. The air may induce pressure that bends the aerodynamic fin. The air may be received when the vehicle is moving forward and may generate the air pressure to cause a movement and a change in shape of the aerodynamic fin 206 as the aerodynamic fin 206 may move backward. The aerodynamic fin 206 may be made up of rubber. To that understanding, the aerodynamic fin 206 may include a curved portion 208 with a first thickness and a flat flexible surface 210 with a second thickness. For assisting the aerodynamic fin 206 in bending, the second thickness may be greater than the first thickness. The curved portion 208 may be extending from the second portion 204b of the L-shaped stopper component 204 and a difference in the first thickness and the second thickness may allow the flat flexible surface 210 of the aerodynamic fin 206 to move when the air pressure is induced. In an embodiment, the curved portion 208 may be attached to the second portion 204b of the L-shaped stopper component 204. In a preferred embodiment, the aerodynamic fin 206 may bend backward to a point where the aerodynamic fin 206 comes in physical contact with the first portion 204a of the L-shaped stopper component 204. A movement of the flat flexible surface 210 may be restricted between a first position where the flat flexible surface 210 is hanging in a stationary configuration when the vehicle is not moving and a second position where the flat flexible surface 210 comes in contact with the first portion 204a of the L-shaped stopper component 204 when the vehicle is moving and the air pressure is bending the flat flexible surface 210.
[0039] Continuing with the above embodiment, the flat flexible surface 210 may be permanently fixed to curved portion 208 and may further be extending downwards from the curved portion 208 in a slanted orientation. The flat flexible surface 210 may include a top portion 210a, and a bottom portion 210b opposite to the top portion 210a. The top portion 210a may be extending downwards from the curved portion 208. The top portion 210a may include a top edge 210c and the bottom portion 210b may include a first bottom edge 210d, and a second bottom edge 210e. The top edge 210c may be at location on the aerodynamic fin 206 where the air pressure is induced for bending the aerodynamic fin near the curved portion 208 with the first thickness less than the second thickness of the flat surface 210 that may facilitate the bending of the flat surface 210.
[0040] Continuing with the above embodiment, the flat flexible surface 210 may include a number of ribs 212 protruding out of the flat flexible surface 210. The number of ribs 212 may be in a slanted orientation extending from the bottom portion 210b towards the top portion 210a to prevent an uncontrolled escape flow of the air on all sides of the aerodynamic fin 206 as that may create turbulent zones. The number of ribs 212 may be extending towards the top edge of the top portion 210a in the slanted orientation. The number of ribs 212 may be configured to guide the air being received, while the vehicle is moving, towards the top edge 210c for inducing the air pressure that bends the aerodynamic fin 206. To that understanding, each rib from the number of ribs 212 may have a distinct length. The number of ribs 212 may be arranged in an ascending order in terms of the distinct length of each rib from the first bottom edge 210d to the second bottom edge 210e of the bottom portion 210b. Each rib may from the number of ribs 212 may be of the distinct length with respect to one another to accommodate a volume of the air being received when a vehicle is moving, that induces the air pressure to bend the aerodynamic fin. The number of ribs 212 may also be configured to provide a rigidity to the aerodynamic fin 206, specifically to an area from where the number of ribs 212 may be protruding, such that the bending occurs only at curved portion 208.
[0041] Fig. 3 illustrates an image 300 depicting a side view of the aerodynamic fin assembly 202, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The aerodynamic fin 206 may only bend till the aerodynamic fin 206 comes in physical contact with the first portion 204a of the L-shaped stopper component 204 through the flat flexible surface 210. In a preferred embodiment of the present subject matter, the flat flexible surface 210 may include the number of ribs 212 on one side and the flat flexible surface 210 may come in contact with the first portion 204a through another side opposite to the one side.
[0042] Fig. 4 illustrates image 400 depicting the aerodynamic fin assembly 202 extending from a wheel-house liner, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The top portion 210a of the flat flexible surface 210 where an air pressure is induced may cause the aerodynamic fin 206 to bend and may interchangeably be referred as morphing zone as it may adapt in accordance with an air flow and change shape of the aerodynamic fin 206.
[0043] Fig. 5 illustrates image 500 depicting aerodynamic fin assembly 202 attached to a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The aerodynamic fin 206 may bend when the vehicle moves forward.
[0044] While the detailed description describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
, Claims:We claim:
1. An aerodynamic fin assembly (202) comprising:

an aerodynamic fin (206) configured to bend in a backward direction upon receiving air comprising:
a curved portion (208) with a first thickness; and
a flat flexible surface (210) having a top portion (210a), and a bottom portion (210b) extending away from the top portion (210a) in a downward direction fixed to the curved portion (208),configured to bend in the backward direction due to an air pressure induced by the air, wherein the flat flexible surface (210) corresponds to a second thickness greater than the first thickness that facilitates the flat flexible surface (210) to bend due to the air pressure.

2. The aerodynamic fin assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curved portion (208) is extending from an L-shaped stopper component (204) having a first portion (204a) and a second portion (204b) perpendicular to the first portion (204a) through the second portion (204b) via a hinged mechanism.

3. The aerodynamic fin assembly (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aerodynamic fin assembly (202) is integrated with a wheel strake of a vehicle and the aerodynamic fin (206) receives the air pressure and bends towards a L-shaped stopper component (204) when the vehicle is moving in a forward direction.

4. The aerodynamic fin assembly (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flat flexible surface (210) comprises a plurality of ribs (212) associated with a distinct height, protruding out of the flat flexible surface (210) in a slanted orientation from the bottom portion (210b) towards a top edge (210c) of the top portion (201a), configured to guide the air towards the top edge (210c) for inducing the air pressure that bends the aerodynamic fin (206).

5. The aerodynamic fin assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom portion (210b) comprises a first bottom edge (210d) and a second bottom edge (210e) extending away from the first bottom edge (210d).

6. The aerodynamic fin assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flat surface (210) extends away from the curved portion (208) through the top portion (210a) in a downwards direction in a slanted orientation.

7. The aerodynamic fin assembly (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs (212) is arranged in an ascending order in terms of the distinct height of each rib from a first bottom edge (210d) to a second bottom edge (210e) of the bottom portion (210b).

8. The aerodynamic fin assembly (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs (212) corresponds to the distinct heights with respect to one another to accommodate a volume of the air being received when a vehicle is moving, that induces the air pressure to bend the aerodynamic fin (206).

9. The aerodynamic fin assembly (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs (212) provides rigidity to the aerodynamic fin (206).

10. The aerodynamic fin assembly (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aerodynamic fin (206) bends backward to a point where the aerodynamic fin (206) comes in physical contact with the first portion (204a) of a L-shaped stopper component (204).