Claims:We Claim:

1. A vehicle (100) comprising a fluid-duct assembly (101), the fluid-duct assembly (101) comprising:
a fluid guiding device (102) coupled to a portion of a front bumper (103) of the vehicle (100), defining a duct (104) between the fluid guiding device (102) and the portion of the front bumper (103);
wherein the duct (104) comprises:
an inlet (105), disposed adjacent to a light unit of the vehicle (100); and
an outlet (106), disposed in communication with a wheel arc liner (107) of the vehicle (100);
wherein, the duct (104) is configured to receive a fluid stream through the inlet (105) and guides the fluid stream through the outlet (106), tangentially on to a wheel (112) of the vehicle (100).

2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel arc liner (107) is defined with a cavity (108), wherein the cavity (108) is configured to be in communication with the outlet (106) and allow tangential flow of the fluid stream from the outlet (106), on to the wheel (112) of the vehicle (100).

3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid guiding device (102) is configured with one of a C-shaped profile and a U-shaped profile.

4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid guiding device (102) comprises a plurality of ribs (116) defined on an outer surface.

5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the duct (104) is configured to extend arcuately from the inlet (105) to the outlet (106).

6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet (105) and the light unit are spaced apart by a predefined distance.

7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the predefined distance ranges from 3mm to 5mm.

8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light unit is at least one of a head lamp, a fog lamp and a day running light (DRL) of the vehicle (100).

9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portion of the front bumper (103) is a B-surface of the front bumper (103).

10. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid guiding device (102) is coupled to the portion of the front bumper (103) through one of a mechanical joining process and a thermal joining process.

Dated this 31st day of March 2022

GOPINATH ARENUR SHANKARARAJ
Of K&S Partners
IN/PA 1852
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; rule 13]

TITLE: “A FLUID-DUCT ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE”

Name and Address of the Applicant: TATA MOTORS PASSENGER VEHICLES LIMITED, of Floor 3, 4, Plot-18, Nanavati Mahalaya, Mudhana Shetty Marg, BSE, Fort, Mumbai, Mumbai City, Maharashtra, 400001.

Nationality: IN

The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

[001] TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] Present disclosure generally relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to diverting a fluid stream striking at side-ends of a front portion of a vehicle. Further, embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a fluid-duct assembly for diverting the fluid stream striking at side-ends of the front portion of the vehicle.

[003] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[004] Generally, vehicles encounter a variety of retarding forces due to striking of fluid stream (typically air stream) as the vehicle pierces through the fluid stream. The variety of forces may be drag, thrust, lift and downforce. These forces are to be minimized in order to reduce fuel consumption for improving mileage, optimize vehicle performance in terms of improving aero dynamics, increase road grip, effective acceleration, noise reduction and the like.

[005] Considering the above, in order to mitigate the effect of forces on the vehicle, in conventional techniques design of the vehicle is optimized or modified by way of optimizing the curved surface of the outer rearview mirror, optimizing the shape of the rear spoiler, designing the lower guard plate of the vehicle body, reducing the height of the front bumper, optimizing the shape of the front bumper, altering vehicle body design and the like. Such optimization aids in diverting the fluid stream striking at a substantially central part of a front portion of the vehicle, away from the vehicle body. However, the fluid stream striking the side-ends of the front portion may not exit away from the vehicle body, thereby increasing the wind resistance co-efficient, which results in affecting performance of the vehicle, which is undesired. Further, the fluid stream striking the side-ends of the front portion may create swirl in the wheel arc liner area, obstructing wheel rotation. In addition, the fluid stream striking the side-ends flows into a low-pressure area below underbody of the vehicle, causing lift of the vehicle at high speed. The lift force generated may minimize the down force on the vehicle, leading to reducing road grip of the vehicle, which is again undesired.

[006] The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or other such limitations associated with the prior art.

[007] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[008] One or more shortcomings of conventional systems are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through an assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered as a part of the claimed disclosure.

[009] In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a vehicle comprising a fluid-duct assembly is disclosed. The fluid-duct assembly includes a fluid guiding device coupled to a portion of a front bumper of the vehicle, where a duct is defined between the fluid guiding device and the portion of the bumper. The duct includes an inlet disposed adjacent to a light unit of the vehicle and an outlet disposed in communication with a wheel arc liner of the vehicle. The duct is configured to receive a fluid stream through the inlet and guides the fluid stream through the outlet, tangentially on to a wheel of the vehicle.

[010] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the wheel arc liner is defined with a cavity. The cavity is configured to be in communication with the outlet and allow tangential flow of the fluid stream from the outlet, on to the wheel of the vehicle.

[011] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the fluid guiding device is configured with one of a C-shaped profile and a U-shaped profile.

[012] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the fluid guiding device comprises a plurality of ribs defined on an outer surface.

[013] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the duct is configured to extend arcuately from the inlet to the outlet.

[014] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the inlet and the light unit are spaced apart by a predefined distance, and the predefined distance ranges from 3mm to 5mm.

[015] In an embodiment, the light unit is at least one of a head lamp, a fog lamp and a day running light (DRL) of the vehicle.

[016] In an embodiment, the portion of the front bumper is a B-surface of the front bumper.

[017] In an embodiment, the fluid guiding device is coupled to the portion of the front bumper through one of a mechanical joining process and a thermal joining process.
[018] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[019] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

[020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[021] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

[022] Figure. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a front portion of a vehicle, depicting a fluid-duct assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[023] Figure. 2 illustrates an assembled view of the front portion of the vehicle, depicting the fluid-duct assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[024] Figure. 3 illustrates a magnified view of a portion ‘A’ of Figure. 2.

[025] Figure. 4 illustrates a side view of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[026] Figure. 5 illustrates a sectional view along portion B-B of Figure. 4.

[027] Figure. 6 illustrates a front view of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[028] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

[029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[030] While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[031] It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and modify various features of the assembly, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, such modifications are considered to be part of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skilled in the art having benefit of the description herein. Also, the assembly of the present disclosure may be employed in variety of vehicles having different specification.

[032] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly and method that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, method, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in the assembly proceeded by “comprises a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly.

[033] The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures. 1 to 6. In the figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

[034] Figures. 1 and 2 illustrates an exploded view and an assembled view of a front portion (109) of a vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) may include a fluid-duct assembly (101), which may be configured to divert a fluid stream (typically air) striking at side-ends (110) of a front portion (109) of the vehicle (100). In an embodiment, the fluid-duct assembly (101) may be configured to divert the fluid stream tangentially on to a wheel (112) (thus, tires) of the vehicle (100) and subsequently away from the vehicle body. The fluid-duct assembly (101) may include a fluid guiding device (102), which may be coupled to a portion of a front bumper (103) of the vehicle (100). In an embodiment, the portion of the front bumper (103) may be a B-surface of the front bumper (103). B-surface of the front bumper (103) may be a portion of the front bumper (103) which is present at sides of the vehicle adjacent to front wheel of the vehicle. As seen in Figure. 3, the fluid guiding device (102) may include an elongated body (115), which may be defined with one of a C-shaped profile and a U-shaped profile and may be a unitary structure. The fluid guiding device (102) may be made of polymeric material. In an embodiment, the elongated body (115) may extend arcuately along its length to confirm with a profile of the portion of the front bumper (103). Further, the fluid guiding device (102) may include a plurality of projections (113), which may extend from longitudinal ends and sides of the elongated body (115). The plurality of projections (113) may be configured to facilitate coupling of the fluid guiding device (102) with the portion of the front bumper (103). As example, the fluid guiding device(102) may be coupled by one of mechanical joining process such as by using fasteners, snap fit and thermal joining process such as welding, brazing and the like. As apparent from Figure. 3, in an embodiment, the fluid guiding device (102) may include a plurality of ribs (116) defined on an outer surface, while the inner surface may include a smooth surface finish for non-turbulent flow of the fluid. The plurality of ribs (116) may be configured to provide structural rigidity to the fluid guiding device (102).

[035] Referring now to Figure. 5, coupling the fluid guiding device (102) with the portion of the front bumper (103) [thus, B-surface of the front bumper (103)], may define a duct (104) between the fluid guiding device (102) and the portion of the front bumper (103). In an embodiment, the duct (104) may be defined between inner surfaces of the fluid guiding device (102) and the portion of the front bumper (103) and may extend along a length of the fluid guiding device (102). The configuration of the fluid guiding device (102) i.e., one-piece construction aids in defining the duct (104) between the light unit (111) and the front bumper (103), where the space between the light unit (111) and the front bumper (103) pose packaging constraints. In other words, the configuration of the fluid guiding device (102) may aids in utilizing the portion of the front bumper (103) itself, as half of the inner surface for defining the duct (104). Thus, the configuration aids in provisioning the duct (104) in the between the light unit (111) and the front bumper (103), where the duct (104) may facilitate in effectively guiding the fluid stream (typically air) striking at side-ends (110) of the front portion (109) of the vehicle (100), tangentially onto the wheel (112) of the vehicle (100).

[036] Further referring to Figures. 5 and 6 the duct (104) may include an inlet (105), which may be disposed adjacent to a light unit (111) of the vehicle (100). As an example, the light unit (111) may be one of a head lamp, a fog lamp and a day running light (DRL) of the vehicle (100). In an embodiment, the light unit (111) and the inlet (105) may be spaced apart from a predefined distance, which may range from 3mm to 5mm. This configuration i.e., smaller gap of 3mm to 5mm between the light unit (111) and the inlet (105) aids the fluid stream striking the light unit (111) to through the fluid guiding device (102), which may facilitate in extracting excessive heat of the light unit (111) thereby reducing heat load of the light unit (111). Further, the duct (104) may include an outlet (106), which may be disposed in communication with a wheel arc liner (107) of the vehicle (100). The duct (104) may extend arcuately from the inlet (105) to the outlet (106), following a shape of the portion of the front bumper (103). In an embodiment, the wheel arc liner (107) may be defined with a cavity (108) [as seen in Figure. 4] and the outlet (106) of the duct (104) may be configured to be in communication with the cavity (108). The cavity (108) may be configured to allow tangential flow of the fluid stream from the outlet (106), on to wheel (112) of the vehicle (100), which may aid in cooling of the wheels (thus, tires) and results in reducing friction of the wheel (112). The tangential flow of the fluid stream on to the wheel may also aid in reducing vortex created in the wheel arc liner (107). Reducing vortex may create minor obstruction to wheel rotation, thereby improving performance of the vehicle (100).

[037] In an embodiment, subsequent to tangential flow of fluid stream on to wheels, the fluid stream may be diverted away from the body of the vehicle (100), which may facilitate in improving aerodynamic properties of the vehicle (100). Diverting the fluid stream striking the side-ends (110) of the front portion (109) may resist the flow of fluid stream to low pressure area of a lower body of the vehicle (100). This may facilitate in reducing lift of the vehicle (100) at higher speeds, thereby increasing active down force on the vehicle (100), which may aid in providing better road grip to the vehicle (100) at higher speeds and during cornering.

[038] In an operational embodiment, during maneuvering of the vehicle (100), fluid (typically air) may ram the front portion (109) of the vehicle (100). The fluid stream striking at a substantially central part of the front portion (109) may be diverted above and below the vehicle body. Further, the fluid stream striking the side-ends (110) of the front portion (109) may be diverted away from the vehicle body by the fluid-duct assembly (101). The fluid stream striking the side-ends (110) of the front portion (109) may enter the duct (104) through the inlet (105). The duct (104) may guide the fluid stream from the inlet (105) towards an outlet (106), where the fluid stream exists from the outlet (106) through the cavity (108) defined in the wheel arc liner (107). The fluid stream exiting through the cavity (108) may tangentially contact the wheel, thereby facilitating in cooling the tire and subsequently may be diverted away from the vehicle body. Thus, the configuration of the fluid-duct assembly (101) aids in simultaneous cooling of the vehicles and diverting the fluid stream away from the vehicle (100).

[039] In an embodiment, the configuration of the fluid-duct assembly (101) aids in defining the duct (104) in the smaller space between the light unit (111) and the front bumper (103). Further the configuration aids in diverting the fluid stream tangentially onto the wheels for cooling the tire, before diverting the fluid stream away from the vehicle body.

[040] In an embodiment, the fluid-duct assembly (101) is simple, compact and may be installed to define a duct (104) in smaller places of the vehicle (100), where the smaller places pose packaging constraints.

[041] Equivalents:

[042] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[043] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

[044] Referral Numerals:

Particulars Referral numeral
Vehicle 100
Fluid-duct assembly 101
Fluid guiding device 102
Front bumper 103
Duct 104
Inlet 105
Outlet 106
Wheel arc liner 107
Cavity 108
Front portion 109
Side-ends 110
Light unit 111
Wheel 112
Projections 113
Elongated body 115
Ribs 116