DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

[001] The present invention generally relates to an air deflection device and more specifically to an air deflector device for an automobile.

BACKGROUND

[002] While driving vehicles with enclosed cabin such as cars, quadri cycles, three wheeled vehicles, etc., ensuring good cabin ventilation is essential to ensure occupants comfort. Conventionally Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) is provided to maintain temperature and ventilation within the vehicle cabin. However, these conventional systems are cost and energy intensive. Addition of HVAC system also increases weight of the system. In light weight and low cost vehicles such as quadri cycles, three wheeled vehicles, etc., it may not be feasible to provide HVAC system due to weight and cost constraints. Further, provision of HVAC system also increases running and maintenance cost of the vehicle.

[003] Maximizing the use of natural air flow during vehicle driving condition for better cabin ventilation is desired. In conventional vehicles, air coming inside the cabin is through windows of the vehicle. However, this air is not well directed and usually land on hand or it’s nearby region of the driver and occupant of co-driver seat. For maximum comfort, it is desired that air shall be directed towards the face and shoulder region of the occupants. Further, air flow and air velocity coming the naturally through windows is not sufficient for proper cabin ventilation.

[004] One of the solution used to address this problem is provision of duct connecting the bonnet of the vehicle and dash-panel of the vehicles. Ram air hitting the bonnet during the vehicle driving condition is carried by duct and released into the cabin through the openings provided on dash-panel of the vehicle. However, air coming into the cabin is directed to leg and chest area of the occupants which is not desired. To direct the air towards face and shoulder area of the occupant additional deflection provision need to be made. The overall system is complex, difficult to install and maintain. Further, the system increases cost and weight of the vehicle.

[005] In light of above discussion, there is a need of an improved system that can use natural air effectively for cabin ventilation.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[006] The principal objective of this invention is to provide an air deflection device which can effectively divert natural ram air for cabin ventilation.

[007] Another objective invention is to provide an air deflection device which can effectively divert natural ram air towards shoulder and face area of the occupants.

[008] Yet another objective invention is to provide an air deflection device which can assist in cabin ventilation without use of energy, increasing weight, cost and manufacturing complexity.

[009] Yet another objective invention is to provide an air deflection device which can assist in cabin ventilation without increasing number of parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

[0010] With the above objective in view, the present invention provides an air deflection device comprising a rear surface ; wherein said rear surface capable to divert ram air towards cabin;
Preferably said rear surface is at least partially concave, convex or tapered.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air deflection device is provided with a front surface designed as or provided with an aesthetic part. In yet another aspect of the invention a utility part such as a mirror can mounted on the front surface of the air deflection device. The air deflection device also act as an outside rear view mirror.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, the air deflection device is mounted separately on the rear view mirror and is not provided as an integral part of rear view mirror such that the position of air deflection device is adjustable irrespective of position of rear view mirror. The air deflection device is adjustable about any of the vertical, lateral and longitudinal axis. The position of air deflection device may be adjusted through tilting of the air deflection device or through sliding. The air deflection device may also be optionally mounted on the vehicle cabin or vehicle frame.

[0013] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the rear surface is provided with ribs or flow channel in order to direct the ram air towards cabin of the vehicle. The ribs may be adjustable in order to adjust the direction of air flow.

[0014] The air deflection device can be provided on both left and right hand side of the cabin so as to deflect air preferably towards driver and co-passenger face and shoulder area.

[0015] The air deflection device can be of different shapes such as rectangular, square, oval, circular, etc.

[0016] The air deflection device is installed on the cabin or vehicle body or vehicle door frame such that ram air hits its rear surface and gets deflected towards the occupants face and shoulder area and thus improving ventilation within the cabin and providing comfort to the occupant.

[0017] As the front surface of the air deflection device is provided with the aesthetic part or the utility part, limited space is available in between the aesthetic part or the utility part and the rear surface. Thus it becomes challenging to provide a mounting provision and a rotation mechanism for adjusting various positions of the device within available space.

[0018] A hump is provided on the rear surface of the air deflecting device to accommodate the mounting provision and the rotating mechanism and facilitate mounting of the air deflecting device on the cabin or vehicle body or vehicle door frame. The design of the hump is such that it does not affect the amount of air deflected inside the cabin. The hump is preferably provided with draft or tapered surfaces to strengthen the joint and avoid obstruction to ram air. The rotating mechanism is provided at the mounting point of the air deflection device for adjusting the position of the air deflection device in vertical, lateral and longitudinal axis. Preferably, a spring type rotating mechanism is used. However, other suitable mechanisms such as ball and socket mechanism may also be used. Alternatively, the position of air deflection device may be adjusted through sliding using suitable sliding means for example, sliding rails.

[0019] At the mounting point of the air deflection device, a stepped arrangement is designed on the inner surface of the air deflection device within the hump. The stepped arrangement add strength and stiffness at point of the joint. Further, provision of hump and the stepped arrangement also helps to improve the NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) performance of the air deflecting device.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the concave rear surface of the air deflection device is such that angle of curvature increases from the edge of the air deflection device closer to the cabin or mounting point towards the opposite edge of the air deflection device. Such profile of the rear surface of the air deflection device ensures effective ram air deflection towards the face and shoulder region of the vehicle cabin occupants. However; the objective of directing the ram air towards occupants inside vehicle cabin can also be achieved by providing the rear surface with other possible shapes such as convex or tapered shape. Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall not be limiting only to concave shape.

[0021] Due to the concave rear surface of the air deflection device, when it is fitted with the aesthetic part or the mirror overall thickness of the air deflection device increases. Due to concave rear surface and increased thickness, box effect gets created. Creation of box effect lead to uncontrolled warpage causing the edges of the air deflection device to move outward and central portion move inwards.

[0022] If suitable design measure are not taken against creation of box effect and warpage will lead to loosening of the aesthetic part or the mirror fixed on the front surface of the air deflection device causing rattling noise. It may also cause glass breakage.

[0023] To prevent the creation of box effect and warpage, the air deflection device is designed such that the thickness of peripheral walls of the air deflection device is increased compared to the thickness of remaining parts of the air deflection device. For e.g. in one of the embodiments of the invention the thickness of the peripheral walls of the air deflection device is double of the regular wall thickness of remaining part of the air deflection device.

[0024] The increased thickness of the peripheral walls of the air deflection device also assist in easier installation of the aesthetic part or the mirror on the front surface of the air deflection device.

[0025] In addition, to reduce warpage and further strengthen the air deflection device specially designed ribs are provided on inner surface of the air deflection device. The ribs are designed such that sink mark does not appear on the rear surface of the air deflection device.

[0026] The air deflection device according to invention can be provided in vehicles which already have HVAC system as well to facilitate air circulation in cabin area when HVAC system is not operational. This also assist is optimizing energy used and cost.

[0027] The air deflection device according to invention can be adopted in various type of four wheeled vehicles such as cars, quadri cycles, etc. and three wheeled vehicles.

[0028] The air deflection device according to invention facilitates in diverting ram air effectively towards occupants face and shoulder area and thus providing comfort to the occupants. It also helps to improve the ventilation within the cabin without need of bulky and complex systems which increases cost and weight of the vehicles. Further, the air deflection device is provided in integration with the outside rear view mirror or aesthetic part, thus reducing number of parts and eliminating manufacturing complexity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Further scope of applicability of the air deflecting device of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0030] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a four wheeled vehicle with an air deflection device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a rear orthogonal view of the air deflection device shown in Figure 1.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a front orthogonal view of the air deflection device shown in Figure 1.

[0033] Figure 4A and 4B shows a side orthogonal view of the air deflection device shown in Figure 1 along with mounting arrangement.

[0034] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the air deflection device according to Figure 1 along with mounting arrangement.

[0035] Figure 6 is a sectional view of the air deflection device according to Figure 1 along with rotation mechanism.

[0036] Figure 7 is a sectional view of the air deflection device according to Figure 1 illustrating ribs provided on inner portion of rear surface of air deflection device.

[0037] Figure 8 shows a top view of the air deflection device shown in Figure 1.

[0038] Figure 9 shows air flow direction of ram air diverted by the air deflection device shown in Figure 1.

[0039] Figure 10A shows air velocity profile within the vehicle cabin shown in figure 1 at occupant’s nose level.

[0040] Figure 10B shows air velocity profile within the vehicle cabin shown in figure 1 at occupant’s shoulder level.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] Referring now to Figures 1 to 7, a conventional four wheeled vehicle 100 is shown. The vehicle includes a cabin 50 which is occupied by driver and co-passengers. The cabin 50 can be accessed through doors 70. Each door 70 of the vehicle 100 comprises a door frame 75 provided with a window 150. The window 150 can be provided with slide-able glass panels for opening and closing of the window 150.

[0042] An air deflection device 200 according to one embodiment of the invention is mounted on the vehicle door frame 75 is provided. The air deflection device 200 is provided on both driver side and co-passenger side as well. The air deflection device 200 includes a front surface 220 and a rear surface 210.

[0043] The rear surface 210 of the air deflection device 200 has a concave profile. The concave rear surface 210 of the air deflection device 200 is such that angle of curvature increases from the edge of the air deflection device 200 closer to the mounting point 270 towards the opposite edge of the air deflection device. Such profile of the rear surface 210 of the air deflection device 200 ensures effective ram air deflection towards the face and shoulder region of the vehicle cabin occupants.

[0044] According to present embodiment of the invention, a mirror 230 is mounted on the front surface 220 of the air deflection device 200. Thus, the air deflection device 200 also act as an outside rear view mirror. Shape of the air deflection device can be of different such as rectangular, square, oval, circular, etc. as per design and aesthetic requirements.

[0045] A hump 300 is provided on the rear surface 210 of the air deflecting device 200 to the rotating mechanism 600 and facilitate mounting of the air deflecting device 200 on the door frame 75. The design of the hump 300 is such that it is provided with draft or tapered surfaces to strengthen the joint and avoid obstruction to ram air. The rotating mechanism 600 is provided at the mounting point 270 of the air deflection device 200 for adjusting the position of the air deflection device in vertical, lateral and longitudinal axis. The rotating mechanism 600 provided is a spring type rotating mechanism comprising a spring 610. The mounting point 270 is provided with a circular shaped surface 620 on which the air deflection device 200 is fitted. The spring 610 along with the circular mounting surface 620 allows adjusting the position of air deflection device 200. The spring type rotating mechanism 600 being compact can be easily accommodated in limited space available within hump 300. Other suitable mechanisms such as ball and socket mechanism may also be used as rotating mechanism. Alternatively, the position of air deflection device may be adjusted through sliding such that the air deflection device may slide in vertical, lateral or longitudinal axis using suitable sliding means for example, sliding rails (not shown).

[0046] At the mounting point 270 of the air deflection device 200, a stepped arrangement 320 is provided on the inner surface 240 of the air deflection device 200 within the hump 300. The stepped arrangement 320 add strength and stiffness at point of the joint 270. Further, provision of hump 300 and the stepped arrangement 320 also helps to improve the NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) performance of the air deflecting device.

[0047] Due to the concave rear surface 210 of the air deflection device 200, when it is fitted with the mirror overall thickness of the air deflection device 200 increases. Due to concave rear surface and increased thickness creates box effect and uncontrolled warpage. To prevent the creation of box effect and warpage, thickness of peripheral wall 501 of the front surface 220 of the air deflection device 200 peripheral walls of the air deflection device is increased compared to the thickness of remaining parts of the air deflection device 200. For e.g. in one such arrangement, the thickness of the peripheral walls 501 of the air deflection device 200 is double of the regular wall thickness of remaining part of the air deflection device 200. The increased thickness of the peripheral walls 501 of the air deflection device 200 facilitates easier installation of the mirror 230 on the front surface 220 of the air deflection device 200.

[0048] With objective of reducing warpage and further strengthen the air deflection device 200 horizontal ribs 700 are provided on inner surface 240 of the air deflection device 200. The ribs 700 are designed such that sink mark does not appear on the rear surface of the air deflection device. The orientation of ribs 700 can be varies as per design requirements.

[0049] Referring to figure 8, which illustrates the top view of the air deflection device 200 showing the concave rear surface 210. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the concave rear surface 210 is such that angle of curvature increases from the edge of the rear surface 210 closer to the mounting point 270 towards the opposite edge of the rear surface 210. Such profile of the rear surface 210 of the air deflection device 200 ensures effective ram air deflection towards the face and shoulder region of the vehicle cabin occupants. However; the objective of directing the ram air towards occupants inside vehicle cabin can also be achieved by providing the rear surface with other possible shapes such as convex or tapered shape. Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall not be limiting only to concave shape.

[0050] Referring to figure 9, when the vehicle 100 in motion, ram air 900 hits its rear concave surface 210 of the air deflection device 200 installed on the door frame 75 of the vehicle 100 and gets deflected towards the occupants and preferably towards face and shoulder area inside the cabin 50 through window 150 and thus improving ventilation within the cabin 50 and providing comfort to the occupant. The arrows shown in the figure 9 are merely for representation purpose.

[0051] As seen in figure 10A and 10B, inside the cabin 50 of the vehicle 100 installed with the air deflection device 200, air velocity at face and shoulder level of the occupants increases substantially due to increase diversion of the ram air 900 inside the cabin 50 by the air deflection device 200. The increased velocity ensures good ventilation inside the cabin 50 and occupant comfort. The air velocity details at occupants nose and shoulder level within the cabin 50 can be referred in table below.

Vehicle Direction Air flow (m/s) at Occupants
Nose level Waist region shoulder region On Hand region
Track Up 0.3 1.2 0.6 2.2
Track Down 0.3 1.4 0.8 2.5

[0052] The air deflection device 200 according to invention can be adopted in various type of four wheeled vehicles such as cars, quadri cycles, etc. and three wheeled vehicles. Further, the air deflection device 200 can be provided in vehicles which already have HVAC system as well to facilitate air circulation in cabin 50 area when HVAC system is not operational. The provision helps in optimizing energy used and cost.

[0053] The air deflection device 200 according to invention facilitates in diverting ram air effectively towards occupants face and shoulder area and thus providing comfort to the occupants. It also helps to improve the ventilation within the cabin without need of bulky and complex systems which increases cost and weight of the vehicles. Further, the air deflection device can be provided in integration with the outside rear view mirror, thus reducing number of parts and eliminating manufacturing complexity.

[0054] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the air deflection device 200 is mounted as a separate component such that the rear surface of the air deflection device 200 deflects the ram air towards cabin 50. The air deflection device may be in the form of a flap (not shown) wherein; the position of the flap is adjustable about any of the vertical, longitudinal or lateral axis irrespective of the position of rear view mirror. This helps in adjustment of air deflection device without changing the position of mirror hence the rear view of driver or co-passenger is not disturbed. The air deflection device 200 may be preferably mounted directly on the rear view mirror preferably on rear side. However, the air deflection device may also be mounted on the cabin or vehicle frame as a dedicated component for deflecting air.

[0055] According to yet another embodiment, the rear surface of the air deflection device is provided with ribs or air passages (not shown) in order to direct the ram air towards vehicle cabin 50. The position of the ribs may be adjustable to adjust the direction of air flow towards cabin 50.

[0056] Modifications and variations to the air deflecting device of the present invention may be apparent to the skilled reader of this disclosure. Such modifications and variations are deemed within the scope of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:1. An air deflection device for a vehicle comprising;
a rear surface;
wherein said rear surface is capable of diverting ram air towards a cabin of the vehicle.

2. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 1; wherein said rear surface is at least partially concave or convex or tapered.

3. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 2; wherein the concave rear surface of the air deflection device is such that angle of curvature increases from the edge of the air deflection device closer to the cabin towards the opposite edge of the air deflection device.

4. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 2; wherein at least a portion of said rear surface is provided with a hump.

5. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 4; wherein said hump is provided with draft or tapered surface.

6. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 4; wherein said hump accommodates a rotating mechanism used to facilitate adjusting the position of the air deflecting device about vertical, lateral and longitudinal axis.

7. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 6; wherein said rotating mechanism is a spring type rotating mechanism comprising a spring provided at a mounting point of the air deflection device.

8. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 7; wherein the mounting point is provided with a circular shaped surface on which the air deflection device is fitted.

9. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 8; wherein said hump is provided with a stepped arrangement at mounting point on the inner surface of the air deflection device within the hump.

10. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 1 is designed such that thickness of a peripheral wall is more as compared to the thickness of remaining parts of the air deflection device.

11. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 1 comprises ribs on an inner surface of the air deflection device.

12. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 1; wherein the front surface of the air deflection device is provided with an aesthetic or utility part.

13. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 12; wherein the aesthetic or utility part is a mirror.

14. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 1 is installed on a vehicle door or a vehicle frame such that ram air hits the rear concave surface and gets deflected towards the cabin.

15. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 1 is provided on both left and right hand side of the cabin so as to deflect air preferably towards a driver and a co-passenger face and shoulder area inside cabin.

16. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 1 is of any shape including rectangular, square, oval or circular.

17. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 1 is installed on a rear view mirror such that the position of air deflection device may be adjusted irrespective of the position of rear view mirror.

18. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein; the rear surface is provided with at least one air flow path to direct ram air toward cabin of vehicle such that the position of air flow path is adjustable to adjust the direction of air flow.

19. An air deflection device as claimed in claim 1 is adopted to various type of vehicles including car, quadri cycle and three wheeled vehicle.