FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an aero member of vehicle for improvement in drag
and aestheticness.
PRIOR ART
Air dam is known to have been provided in the front of vehicle to reduce the
drag, wherein air dam height and length is significant. Air dam is usually flat
or having a curved rectangular shape. Said air dam is provided for reducing
entry of flow under the body, thereby helping in reduction of under body flow
stagnation leading to reduction of vehicle drag. In this regard, reference may be
made to fig. 1. However, it is associated with the following disadvantages:-
- Considerable reduction in the ground clearance.
- Heavy weight and more cost of vehicle due to more height and length of
air dam.
- Difficulty in mounting as it needs to clear the obstacles incoming to it
accidently like stones/bumps in road. Therefore, it has to bc a load
bearing member as well.
- Unsatisfactory styling appeal.
Hence, the present invention has been proposed to. obviate the above
disadvantages.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide an aero member of
vehicle for improvement in drag and aestheticness which overcomes
disadvantages associated with prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an aero member of vehicle
for improvement in drag and aestheticness which is light in weight and cost
effective.
Further object of the present invention is to provide an aero member of vehicle
for improvement in drag and aestheticness which is simple in construction and
reliable.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an aero member of
vehicle for improvement in drag and aestheticness which is efficient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided an aero member of vehicle for
improvement in drag and aestheticness comprising of a longitudinal member
according to the front bumper profile of the vehicle having shorter length and
height with more width.
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: air dam known in the art.
Fig. 2 shows: first embodiment of aero member according to the present
invention.
Fig. 3 shows: mounting of first embodiment of aero member on bumper of
vehicle.
Fig. 4 shows: second embodiment of aero member according to the present
invention.
Fig. 5 shows: mounting of second embodiment of aero member on bumper of
vehicle.
Fig. 6 shows: velocity profile near underbody section of vchicle with acro part
(Left) and without aero part (Right)
Fig. 7 shows: drag contours and lesser suspension drag with aero member
(Left) and without aero member (Right).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The present invention discloses an novel aero member of vehicle for
improvement in drag and aestheticness. Height and length of air dam play a
significant role. The novel aero member of vehicle comprising of a longitudinal
member, which is shorter in length and height as compared to known air-dam.
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises an aero member
of height 20-40 mm against known air dam height of 50-150 mm. similarly,
length of the aero member is much lesser than existing air dam length.
The profile of the aero member is designed according to the front bumper
profile i.e. profile of the aero member is same as that of the front bumper. It
can be provided in those vehicles where inclusion of air-dam is not feasible due
to size and space constraint.
Provision of the aero part is made for balancing the underbody flow
characteristics instead of reducing the entry of flow under the body. This
results in improvement in air flow across the heat exchangers (condenser and
radiator).
Further, the styling appeal is enhanced as it can be made of chrome material.
Again, its mounting is simpler in comparison to air dam mounting due to its
lighter weight and suitable positioning.
Now, reference may be made to fig. 2 indicating first embodiment of said aero
member according to the present invention. Said aero member comprising of a
longitudinal channel section (1) with a plurality of embossed members (2) on its
surface. The bumper (3) is connected to said aero member with the help of said
embossed member by using screw (4) as shown in fig. 3. IIowever, instead of
the screw, other means can also be used for mounting of the aero member on
the bumper.
Again, reference may be made to fig. 4 indicating second embodiment of the
aero member as per the instant invention.
The aero member comprising of a longitudinal rectangular section (with the
upper face closed) constituting a solid member (1A). Said member is provided
with a number of embossed members (2A) protruding outward from the upper
surface. The embossed members are provided integrally on the aero member.
The bumper (3A) is connected to said aero member with the help of said
embossed member by using screw (4A) as shown in fig. 5. However, instcad of
the screw, other means can also be used for mounting of the aero member on
the bumper.
The aero member discussed hereinabove is made of material such as rubber
without restricting scope of the invention to the same.
The aero member can be manufactured by the process of blow molding,
injection molding etc.
The first embodiment of the aero member can be made using two piece die tool.
The method comprises preparation of hollow longitudinal member followed by
mounting of the embossed members at the required points on the surface of
the hollow member obtained in the first step.
The aero member thus obtained is assembled onto the bumper.
The second embodiment of the aero member is manufactured as a single piece.
The material and methods of manufacturing aero member are given
hereinabove as example. However, other materials and methods readily
apparent to person skilled in the art are understood to be within scope of the
invention.
Test Results
7 Description Coefficient of Drag value (Cd)-
Normalised on without air-dam
configuation
Test Vehicle 1 Test Vehicle 2
-- -
Without air-dam 1 .OOO 1 .OOO
With air-dam 0.927 0.907
With new aero-part ** 0.979** 0.974**
-
2. The Normal Condenser-Radiator velocity
.- -. - I Description I Condenser Normal ~elocityT~adiator Normal Velocip .
(m/ set) (m/sec)
Test Vehicle 1 Test Vehicle 2 Test Vehicle 1
I I
Without air-am 1 5.82 3.3% fG.93
With air-dam 6.22 3.63 5.28
With new aero- 6.03** 3.43** 5.12**
part **
-
Test Vehicle 2 j
3. Velocity Contours
The figure 6 shows the velocity profile near the underbody section at 150 mm
above the ground. The addition of new aero part helps in attaining better flow
distribution in the underbody. It can be seen at the front end that thc vclocity
distribution changes significantly due to presence of new aero part. This slower
velocity reduces the impact on the suspension parts and hence reduces the
drag. Left side of fig. 6 indicating slow velocity (Sl) and slower velocity (Sz) with
the new aero member. Right side of fig. 6 indicating faster velocity (F) without
the aero member. Reference may also be made to fig. 7.
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 aero member of vehicle for improvement in drag and aestheticness
comprising of a longitudinal member according to the front bumper
profile of the vehicle having shorter length and height with more width.
2. An aero member of vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
longitudinal member comprising of a channel section provided with a
plurality of embossed members on its surface for mounting on the
bumper.
3. An aero member of vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
longitudinal member comprising of a solid rectangular section with a
number of embossed members constituting a single piece for being
assembled on the bumper.
4. An aero member of vehicle as claimed in claim 3, whcrcin the embossed
members protrude outward from the top surface of said rectangular
section for connecting the aero member with said bumper of vehicle.
5. An aero member of vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the aero member is made of material such as rubber.
6. An aero member of vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the length and height is shorter than air dam and is used in the
vehicle where air dam can't be provided due to size and space constraint.
7. An aero member of vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
which is provided for balancing the underbody flow characteristics,
which results in improvement in air flow across the heat exchangers.
8. An aero member of vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein styling appeal is enhanced as it can be made of chrome material.
9. An aero member of vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, test
results of which is such as herein described.
10. An aero member of vehicle for improvement in drag and
aestheticness substantially as herein described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.