The present subject matter described herein, relates to an aerodynamic axle cover of a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an aerodynamic axle cover assembly for reducing drag around the axle of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Generally, when a vehicle is driven in forward direction at high speed, a pressure difference is caused between front and rear portion of the vehicle by the air particles being more compressed on the front-facing surfaces and more spaced out on the back surfaces. In addition, when the air moving over the vehicle is separated at the rear end, it leaves a large low-pressure turbulent region behind the vehicle known as the wake as shown in Fig 1. Further, the air flowing under the vehicle is separated at rear end below the rear bumper creating wake region behind the vehicle. This wake contributes to the formation of pressure drag and this drag force is in proportion to the square of the speed. This implies that the resistance due to air increases exponentially as the speed of the vehicle increases thus increasing drag in a vehicle. The drag force predominantly depends upon the speed and frontal area, and coefficient of drag of the vehicle body. Further, the flow separation begins at that point on the surface where the air flow is pushed back so strongly that the velocity gradient in the

horizontal direction becomes zero. The flow separation location determines the size of the wake area and the amount of aerodynamic drag is determined accordingly. However, in the conventional designs, the rear axle of vehicle provides resistance to underfloor airflow increasing drag in a vehicle. Further, there is no provision to reduce the resistance to such airflow due to the rear axle. Further, due to the complex design of rear axle, addition of more parts is difficult. Further, rear axle is a dynamic part and it moves along with the rear suspension. Further, the vehicle burns fuel to accelerate, drag force pulls it from back to reduce the speed and hence the fuel efficiency is adversely affected.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide a simple and cost-effective design of axle cover for underfloor air flow attachment, that reduces overall drag of the vehicle while solving complexity and mounting issues.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] In view of the foregoing limitations inherent in the state of the art, some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to propose an aerodynamic axle cover for reducing overall drag of a vehicle.
[0007] It is another object of the present disclosure to propose an aerodynamic axle cover that provides minimum effect on axle stresses.
[0008] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to propose an aerodynamic axle cover that can be removed as per requirement.

[0009] It is still yet another object of the present disclosure to propose an aerodynamic axle cover that is attached to axle without making any change in axle design.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to reducing aerodynamic drag of a vehicle. 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.
[0012] The present disclosure relates to an aerodynamic axle cover for reducing drag of a vehicle. The axle cover comprises a flat sheet frame having a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end has a bend surface which is adapted to rest on a front flanged surface of an axle of the vehicle and the rear end has two mounting holes on each of a left side and right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame. The axle cover further comprising a first attachment attached on the left side of the rear end and a second attachment attached on the right side of the rear end.
[0013] In an aspect, the first attachment includes two holes corresponding to the two mounting holes on the left side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame.
[0014] In an aspect, the second attachment includes two holes corresponding to the two mounting holes on the right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame.

[0015] In an aspect, the first attachment is attached with the left side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame by fasteners through the holes of the first attachment and the two mounting holes of left side of the rear end, and the second attachment is attached with the right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame by fasteners through the holes of the second attachment and the two mounting holes of the right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame.
[0016] In an aspect, the rear end of the flat sheet frame is angled so as to match rear bumper diffuser angle.
[0017] In an aspect, front end of the first attachment and the second attachment (208) has a bend profile, which is adapted to rest on a rear flanged surface (228) of the axle of the vehicle.
[0018] Accordingly, in an another embodiment, an aerodynamic axle cover of a vehicle is provided. The axle cover comprises two flat sheet frames wherein each of the two flat sheet frames includes a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end has a bend surface which is adapted to rest on a front flanged surface of an axle of the vehicle and the rear end has two mounting holes. The axle cover comprises a first attachment and a second attachment. The first attachment is attached on a left side of the rear end of the first flat sheet frame. The second attachment is attached on a right side of the rear end of the second flat sheet frame.
[0019] In an aspect, the first attachment includes two holes corresponding to the two mounting holes on the rear end of the first flat sheet frame.
[0020] In an aspect, the second attachment includes two holes corresponding to the two mounting holes on the rear end of the second flat sheet frame.

[0021] In an aspect, the first attachment is attached with the first flat sheet frame by fasteners through the holes of the first attachment and the two mounting holes on the rear end of the first flat sheet, wherein the second attachment is attached with the second flat sheet frame by fasteners through the holes of the second attachment and the two mounting holes on the rear end of the second flat sheet.
[0022] In an aspect, the rear end of each of the two flat sheet frames is angled so as to match rear bumper diffuser angle.
[0023] In an aspect, front end of the first attachment and the second attachment has a bend profile, which is adapted to rest on a rear flanged surface of the axle of the vehicle.
[0024] Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present subject matter, it is believed that the present disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like structural and other elements, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle without axle cover;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an aerodynamic axle cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the aerodynamic axle cover arrangement of FIG. 2 with an axle, in accordance with an embodiment of the prevent invention;
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 arrangement of the aerodynamic axle cover with axle, in accordance with an embodiment of the prevent invention;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an aerodynamic axle cover with two flat sheets, in accordance with an embodiment of the prevent invention;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the aerodynamic axle cover arrangement with two flat sheets of FIG. 5 with an axle, in accordance with an embodiment of the prevent invention;
[0032] Fig 7 illustrates a side view of a vehicle with an aerodynamic axle cover on the rear axle, in accordance with an embodiment of the prevent invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein 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 spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0034] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "consisting" and/or "including" when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0036] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a

meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, illustrates a perspective view of the aerodynamic axle cover (200) for reducing drag of a vehicle. The axle cover (200) comprising a flat sheet frame (202) having a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end has a bend surface (214) which is adapted to rest on a front flanged surface (224) of an axle of the vehicle and the rear end has two mounting holes (210, 212, 216, 218) on each of a left side and right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202). The axle cover (200) further defines a first attachment (220) attached on the left side of the rear end. Further, a second attachment (208) is attached on the right side of the rear end.
[0039] In an embodiment of the invention, the first attachment (220) includes two holes (222, 226) corresponding to the two mounting holes (216, 218) on the left side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202) and the second attachment (208) includes two holes (204, 206) corresponding to the two mounting holes (210, 212) on the right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202).
[0040] In an embodiment of the invention, the first attachment (220) is attached with the left side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202) by fasteners through the holes (222, 226) of the first attachment (220) and the two mounting holes (216, 218) of left side of the rear end, and the second attachment (208) is attached with the right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202) by fasteners through the holes (204, 206) of the second attachment (208) and the two mounting holes (210, 212) of the right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202).

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, a bottom view of the aerodynamic axle cover (200) of FIG. 2 with an axle of vehicle. As can be seen from Figure 3, the aerodynamic axle cover (200) is designed to be connected to the axle of the vehicle in such a way that there is no requirement of making any change in the structure of the axle for connection purpose. Further, the axle cover (200) does not hinder or have any effect on the normal working of the axle. Further, the flat sheet frame (202) of the aerodynamic axle cover (200) covers lower part of the axle and provides additional smooth surface for air flowing underfloor of the vehicle. As a result, the majority of air flows under the vehicle and does not come in contact with the complex structure of underbody of vehicle thus reducing aerodynamic drag in vehicle.
[0042] The aerodynamic axle cover (200) has a front end and a rear end. The front end has a bend surface (214) which is adapted to rest on a front flanged surface (224) of an axle of the vehicle. Further, the rear end has two mounting holes (210, 212, 216, 218) on each of a left side and right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202). Further, the aerodynamic axle cover (200) includes a first attachment (220) which is attached with the left side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202) by fasteners through the holes of the first attachment (220) and the two mounting holes (216, 218) of left side of the rear end, and the second attachment (208) is attached with the right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202) by fasteners through the holes of the second attachment (208) and the two mounting holes (210, 212) of the right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202). Further, the rear end of the axle cover (200) is angled so as to complement the rear bumper diffuser angle. This leads to the air flowing under the vehicle to flow towards the rear bumper thus reducing the wake region behind the vehicle and eventually reducing aerodynamic drag experienced during vehicle operation.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 4, illustrates a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 arrangement of the aerodynamic axle cover (200) with the axle. As shown in FIG. 4, the bent side (214) of the flat sheet aerodynamic axle cover (200) is adapted to rest on a front flanged surface (224) of an axle of the vehicle. As illustrated from Fig. 4, the rear end (405) of the flat sheet frame (202) is angled so as to match rear bumper diffuser angle. Further, as illustrated in Fig. 4, front end (407) of the first attachment (220) and the second attachment (208) has a bend profile which is adapted to rest on a rear flanged surface (228) of the axle of the vehicle.. The flat sheet aerodynamic axle cover (200) includes the flat sheet frame (202) that can be constructed of sheet metal thereby providing a relatively lightweight and inexpensive component for reducing aerodynamic drag. In addition, the flat sheet aerodynamic cover (200) can be easily affixed to the underfloor axle of the vehicle without making any structural change in axle design.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 5, disclosed a perspective view ofan aerodynamic axle cover (500) with two flat sheet frames. The axle cover (500) includes two flat sheet frames (532, 534), wherein each of the two flat sheet frames (532, 534) includes a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end has a bend surface (518, 524) which is adapted to rest on a front flanged surface of an axle of the vehicle and the rear end has two mounting holes (520, 522, 526,528). The axle cover (500) further includes a first attachment (502) and a second attachment (508). The first attachment (502) is attached on a rear end of the first flat sheet (532). The second attachment (508) is attached on a rear end of the second flat sheet (534).
[0045] In an embodiment, the first attachment (502) includes two holes (504, 506) corresponding to the two mounting holes (520, 522) on the rear end of the first flat sheet frame (532).

[0046] In an embodiment, the second attachment (508) includes two holes (510, 512) corresponding to the two mounting holes (526, 528) on the rear end of the second flat sheet frame (534).
[0047] In an embodiment, the first attachment (502) is attached with the first flat sheet frame (532) by fasteners through the holes (504, 506) of the first attachment (502) and the two mounting holes (520, 522) on the rear end of the first flat sheet (532), wherein the second attachment (508) is attached with the second flat sheet frame (534) by fasteners through the holes (510, 512) of the second attachment (508) and the two mounting holes (526, 528) on the rear end of the second flat sheet (534).
[0048] In an embodiment, the rear end of each of the two flat sheet frames (532, 534) is angled so as to match rear bumper diffuser angle.
[0049] In an embodiment, front end of the first attachment (502) and the second attachment (508) has a bend profile, which is adapted to rest on a rear flanged surface (228) of the axle of the vehicle.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 6, a bottom view of the aerodynamic axle cover arrangement with two flat sheets of FIG. 5 with an axle. As can be seen from Figure 6, the two flat sheets (532, 534) of the aerodynamic axle cover (500) is designed to be connected to the axle of the vehicle in such a way that there is no requirement of making any change in the structure of the axle for connection purpose. Further, the axle cover does not hinder or have any effect on the normal working of the axle. Further, the flat sheet frames (532, 534) covers lower part of the axle and provides additional smooth surface for air flowing underfloor of the vehicle. As a result, the majority of air flows under the vehicle and does not come in contact with the complex structure of underbody of vehicle thus reducing aerodynamic drag in vehicle.

[0051] Each of the sheets (532, 534) has a front end and a rear end. The front end has a bend surface (536, 538) which is adapted to rest on a front flanged surface (530) of an axle of the vehicle. Further, the rear end of the flat sheet frames (532, 534) has two mounting holes (520, 522, 526, 528) on each of a rear end of the flat sheet frames (532, 534). Further, the aerodynamic axle cover (500) includes a first attachment (502) is attached with the rear end of the first flat sheet frame (532) by fasteners through the holes (504, 506) of the first attachment (502) and the two mounting holes (520, 522) of the rear end, and the second attachment (508) is attached with the rear end of the second flat sheet frame (534) by fasteners through the holes (510, 512) of the second attachment (508) and the two mounting holes (526, 528) of the rear end of the second flat sheet frame (534). The rear end of each of the flat sheet frames (532, 534) is angled so as to complement the rear bumper diffuser angle. This leads to the air flowing under the vehicle to flow towards the rear bumper thus reducing the wake region behind the vehicle and eventually reducing aerodynamic drag experienced during vehicle operation.
[0052] Moreover, Fig 7 illustrates a side view of a vehicle with an aerodynamic axle cover on the rear axle. As shown in the Fig. 7, an improvement in drag for the vehicle is achieved due to addition of flat sheet aerodynamic axle cover in the axle of vehicle. Further, the flat sheet frame of the aerodynamic axle cover covers lower part of the axle and provides additional smooth surface for air flowing underfloor of the vehicle. As a result, the majority of air flows under the vehicle and does not come in contact with the complex structure of underbody of vehicle and diverts towards the bumper of vehicle. As a result, the wake region at rear portion of vehicle is reduced thus reducing aerodynamic drag in vehicle.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0053] The present disclosure proposes an aerodynamic axle cover for reducing overall drag of a vehicle.
[0054] The present disclosure proposes an aerodynamic axle cover that provides minimum effect on axle stresses.
[0055] The present disclosure proposes an aerodynamic axle cover that that can be removed as per requirement.
[0056] The present disclosure proposes an aerodynamic axle cover that is attached to axle without making any change in axle design.
[0057] Furthermore, each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0058] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

[0059] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0060] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0061] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure 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.

We Claim:

1. An aerodynamic axle cover (200) of a vehicle, the axle cover (200) comprising:
a flat sheet frame (202) having a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end has a bend surface (214) which is adapted to rest on a front flanged surface (224) of an axle of the vehicle and the rear end has two mounting holes (210, 212, 216, 218) on each of a left side and right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202);
a first attachment (220) attached on the left side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202); and
a second attachment (208) attached on the right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202).
2. The axle cover (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first attachment (220) includes two holes (222, 226) corresponding to the two mounting holes (216, 218) on the left side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202), and the second attachment (208) includes two holes (204, 206) corresponding to the two mounting holes (210, 212) on the right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202).
3. The axle cover (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first attachment (220) is attached with the left side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202) by fasteners through the holes (222, 226) of the first attachment (220) and the two mounting holes (216, 218) of left side of the rear end, and the second attachment (208) is attached with the right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202) by fasteners through the holes (204, 206) of the second attachment (208) and the two mounting holes (210, 212) of the right side of the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202).

4. The axle cover (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear end of the flat sheet frame (202) is angled so as to match rear bumper diffuser angle.
5. The axle cover (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein front end of the first attachment (220) and the second attachment (208) has a bend profile which is adapted to rest on a rear flanged surface (228) of the axle of the vehicle.
6. An aerodynamic axle cover (500) of a vehicle, the axle cover (500)
comprising:
two flat sheet frames (532, 534), wherein each of the two flat sheet frames (532, 534) includes a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end has a bend surface which is adapted to rest on a front flanged surface of an axle of the vehicle and the rear end has two mounting holes (520, 522, 526,528);
a first attachment (502) attached on a left side of the rear end of the first flat sheet (532); and
a second attachment (508) attached on a right-side of the rear end of the second flat sheet (534).
7. The axle cover (500) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first attachment (502) includes two holes (504, 506) corresponding to the two mounting holes (520, 522) on the rear end of the first flat sheet frame (532), and the second attachment (508) includes two holes (510, 512) corresponding to the two mounting holes (526, 528) on the rear end of the second flat sheet frame (534).
8. The axle cover (500) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first attachment (502) is attached with the first flat sheet frame (532) by fasteners through the holes (504, 506) of the first attachment (502) and the two mounting

holes (520, 522) of the rear end of the first flat sheet (532), wherein the second attachment (508) is attached with the second flat sheet frame (534) by fasteners through the holes (510, 512) of the second attachment (508) and the two mounting holes (526, 528) on the rear end of the second flat sheet (534).
9. The axle cover (500) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rear end of each
of the two flat sheet frames (533, 534) is angled so as to match rear
bumper diffuser angle.
10. The axle cover (500) as claimed in claim 6, wherein front end of the
first attachment (502) and the second attachment (508) has a bend profile
which is adapted to rest on a rear flanged surface (228) of the axle of the
vehicle.