FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an novel air dam with bumper for a vehicle.
PRIOR ART
In vehicles, the front air dam (spoiler) is provided beneath the front bumper to
guide the airflow underneath the vehicle so as not to interfere with suspension or
under body parts thereby reducing the aerodynamic drag.
Conventionally, in the passenger cars the air dam is either a separate part
(plastic/rubber/composite) fitted to the bumper which is type- 1 as shown in Fig. 1
& Fig.2 or integrated with the bumper which is Type-2(Fig 3, Fig 4 & Fig 5).The
advantage in using a separate air dam is that it is flexible and is not damaged
when it hits raised objects on the road. The disadvantage is the higher cost due to
separate part and flexibility of the material.
In case of conventional air dam integrated to the bumper, the usage of separate
part is eliminated. However, the air dam structure of the bumper is stiff and gets
damaged while hitting raised objects on the road such as curb stoneispeed
breaker, during which the functionality of Air dam is lost and complete front
bumper is required to be replaced.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide an novel air dam with
bumper for a vehicle, manufacturing of which is easy.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an novel air dam with
bumper for a vehicle, which overcomes disadvantages associated with prior art(s).
Further object of the present invention is to provide an novel air dam with bumper
for a vehicle, which is efficient and simple in construction.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an novel air dam with
bumper for a vehicle, maintenance cost of which is low.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided an novel air dam with bumper for a
vehicle comprising of air dam structure integrated into the front bumper with
variable cross sectional depth notches along the joining of the air dam and
bumper provided over the air dam structure enabling it flexible and bend when hit
by the obstructions on the road ways.
The Flexibility and integration assisted structure eliminates the additional
mountings used for mounting the separate Flexible part as in case of conventional
bumper system. Further the structure of the present invention can be
manufactured easily & in conventional injection molding process without any
additional undercuts. Cross sectional depths are variably designed to respond to a
variety of road load conditions without achieving plasticity.
The angle and height of Air dam is tuned according to the Airflow requirement and
drag coefficient. Width of the integrated flange structure is decided as per the
Towing and Lashing zone conditions applicable for the vehicle. This provision is
extended to the areas of Fender lining that extends to the front portion of vehicle.
Service and replacement costs are considerably low in comparison to the non
flexible front bumper structure.
The air dam may be provided separately from the bumper
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided an novel air dam with bumper for a
vehicle comprising of novel air dam connected to bumper, wherein a plurality of
notch sections constituting said air dam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the
ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows: conventional bumper system (Type- 1).
Fig. 1A shows: sectional view of conventional bumper with separately provided air
dam (Type - 1).
Fig. 2 shows: conventional air dam integrated bumper system (Type -2).
Fig. 2A shows: sectional view of air dam integrated bumper (Type-2).
Fig. 3 shows: air dam with notches integrated bumper.
Fig. 4 shows: the thickness variation at different hinge points (B 1).
Fig. 5 shows: the initiation of bending at lowermost hinge point.
Fig. 6 shows: initiation of deformation at section with thickness b.
Fig. 7 shows: initiation of deformation at section with thickness a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
Reference may be made to fig. 1 and lA, wherein the air dam (2) is provided
separately from the front bumper (1).
Referring to fig. 2 and 2A, in which air dam (2') is integrally provided with front
bumper ( 1').
The drawbacks with the above mentioned provisions in the art have already been
discussed under the head prior art. Hence, in order to obviate said drawbacks, the
present invention has been proposed, which is described hereinbelow.
The novel air dam of the present invention is provided integrally/separately from
front bumper. The air dam comprises a vertical structure having a variable hinge
structure, which is connected to the fore part of the bumper flange to impart
. flexibility.
Air dam of vehicle directs the incoming air flow underneath the vehicle, wherein
the hinge points of said air dam imparts flexibility during collision with any raised
object. Further, hinge structure of the air dam prevents damage to the front
bumper in case of collision with any raised object.
The air dam comprises a plurality of notch sections at different heights with
variable cross-sectional thickness. This facilitates controlled flexibility of the air
dam and also reduces its damageability.
In one embodiment of the instant invention, the air dam is integrated with front
bumper. This provision reduces the cost associated with air dam as a separate
part and also the inventory associated therewith. Further, it results in reduction
of the assembly cost and time.
Now, reference may be made to fig. 3 indicating an embodiment of the proposed
invention, wherein the air dam (A) is integrated with front bumper (5). As can be
seen, the air dam comprises a plurality of notch sections vertically at different
height. The hingelnotch type air dam structure (A) having several hingelnotch
points with variable cross-sectional depths.
For the same, reference may be made to fig. 4 in which each notchlhinge point
has a different cross-section, which is in ascending order from bottom to top. The
lower most notch section having the least thickness (d) and the top most notch
section having the highest thickness (a) i.e. thickness of a>b>c>d.
On contact with any raised object, the cross-section (d) being the weakest notch
point deforms first thereby reducing the extent of damage on the overall structure,
as shown in fig. 5.
Thereafter, the section with thickness (c) starts deforming which is further
followed by section with thickness b and a. The deformation of the air dam
structure is thus gradual, as shown in fig. 6 and 7.
Similarly the next initiation of bending is highly minimized on the next hinge point
immediately above the current breakage point. Thus, the extent of damage is
gradual. This enhances the flexibility of the air dam structure and thus reduces
the part replacement cost.
The present invention serves the function of reducing the air drag & enhances the
fuel economy.
The material of the air dam is for ex: plastic, resins. The air dam integrated front
bumper can be manufactured in a single mould. This facilitates manufacturing
and also leads to reduction in cost and time of assembly.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the same structure of air dam
can be provided separately from the front bumper. This is carried out by
detachably connecting said air dam with the bumper. This provision facilitates
replacement of the air dam after being damaged completely. Hence, it makes the
replacement of air dam cost effective. The material of the air dam is required to be
more flexible being a separate component. Therefore, it is preferably made of for
ex: rubber.
Advantageous features
a. Reduction in air drag.
b. Enhanced fuel economy.
c. Reduction in inventory due to elimination of a separate child part.
d. Reduction in part cost due to elimination of separate tool for separate part.
e. Reduction in assembly time.
f. Increased flexibility in the air dam structure, hence less prone to damage.
g. Flexibility in replacement of the air dam.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications,
adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments
employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within
the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following
claims: -

WE CLAIM:
1. An novel air dam with bumper for a vehicle comprising of novel air dam
connected to bumper, wherein a plurality of notch sections constituting said
air dam.
2. An novel air dam with bumper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said notch
sections having variable thickness in an ascending order from bottom to top
constituting a vertical structure.
3. An novel air dam with bumper as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lowest
notch section is the weakest section and the upper most section is the
strongest section.
4. An novel air dam with bumper as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the air dam is detachably/integrally connected to the bumper such
as herein described.
5. An novel air dam with bumper as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the material of the air dam is such as plastic, resin for air dam
integrated bumper.
6. An novel air dam with bumper as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the material of the air dam is such as rubber for air dam
detachably provided with the bumper.
7. An novel air dam with bumper as claimed in any of the preceding claims, is
associated with the advantageous features such as herein described.
8. An novel air dam with bumper for a vehicle substantially as herein
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.