(19)
(11)EP 3 059 146 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
09.09.2020 Bulletin 2020/37

(21)Application number: 16156157.6

(22)Date of filing:  17.02.2016
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B62D 35/00(2006.01)
B62D 37/02(2006.01)

(54)

CAR PROVIDED WITH A REAR SPOILER

FAHRZEUG MIT HECKSPOILER

AUTOMOBILE ÉQUIPÉE D'UN BECQUET ARRIÈRE


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 19.02.2015 IT BO20150084

(43)Date of publication of application:
24.08.2016 Bulletin 2016/34

(73)Proprietor: FERRARI S.p.A.
41100 Modena (IT)

(72)Inventor:
  • CARDILE, Enrico
    41043 FORMIGINE (IT)

(74)Representative: Maccagnan, Matteo et al
Studio Torta S.p.A. Via Viotti, 9
10121 Torino
10121 Torino (IT)


(56)References cited: : 
WO-A2-2014/020342
JP-U- H0 388 989
JP-A- H03 125 677
US-A- 5 346 274
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION



    [0001] The present invention relates to a car provided with a rear spoiler.

    PRIOR ART



    [0002] In high-performance cars the aerodynamics are designed to generate a strong negative lift (i.e., a strong downforce) while at the same time reducing drag to a minimum. Thus, the aerodynamic efficiency of a car is measured as a function of the ratio between the negative lift and the corresponding drag: the higher this ratio, the greater the aerodynamic efficiency of the car.

    [0003] In order to increase the negative lift on the rear axle, a method known in the prior art consists of mounting a rear spoiler, i.e., an aerodynamic element projecting from the outline of the car body that deflects the air flow upwards. It is important to note that the rear spoiler is an element that extends upwards from the car body and constitutes a seamless extension of said car body; thus, the air flow is forced to bypass the rear spoiler, i.e. to pass over the rear spoiler without any possibility of passing beneath said rear spoiler.

    [0004] Alternatively, instead of mounting a rear spoiler to the car body, it is possible to mount a rear wing, which comprises at least one winged profile arranged at a certain distance from the rest of the car body and is usually supported by a central support or by two lateral supports; the air flow hits the winged profile on both its upper surface and its lower surface, generating a downforce according to the same principle of physics that explains how aeroplanes fly. However, a rear wing is a relatively bulky element and may be associated with several drawbacks (such as higher production costs, reduced rear visibility, restricted access to the rear compartment, which may house the engine or a boot) .

    [0005] Patent application WO2014020342A1 and patent US5346274A describe a car comprising a rear spoiler that is integral with the car body, is arranged in a rear position and projects from the outline of the car body to deflect the air flow upwards so that the air flow skims over an upper surface of said rear spoiler; the rear spoiler comprises a through aerodynamic duct which starts in an inlet opening arranged in correspondence with an initial end of the rear spoiler and ends in an outlet opening arranged in correspondence with a final end of the rear spoiler so that a part of the air flow hitting the rear spoiler flows above the rear spoiler skimming over the upper surface of said rear spoiler and the remaining part of the air flow hitting the rear spoiler flows through the rear spoiler crossing the aerodynamic duct. In particular, in patent application WO2014020342A1 the aerodynamic duct has a constant cross-section which remains the same along the entire length of said aerodynamic duct, while in patent US5346274A the aerodynamic duct has a continuously variable cross-section which continuously varies along the entire length of said aerodynamic duct.

    DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION



    [0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a car provided with a rear spoiler, said car having good aerodynamic efficiency in the rear part and, at the same time, being easy and economical to produce.

    [0007] According to the present invention there is provided a car provided with a rear spoiler according to that set forth in the appended claims.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0008] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating a nonlimiting embodiment thereof, in which:
    • figure 1 is a front perspective view of a car produced according to the present invention;
    • figure 2 is a perspective view of a rear part of the car of figure 1;
    • figure 3 is a plan view of a rear part of the car of figure 1;
    • figure 4 is a rear view of the car of figure 1; and
    • figure 5 is a longitudinal section along the line V-V of the car of figure 1.

    PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION



    [0009] In figure 1, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a car powered by means of an internal combustion engine arranged in a central position. The car 1 comprises a chassis, which supports the internal combustion engine, a pair of front wheels 2, and a pair of rear wheels 3.

    [0010] Between the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3 there is a passenger compartment 4 which is accessed through a pair of doors 5. Behind the passenger compartment 4 and in a central position there is an engine compartment 6 (partially illustrated in figures 2, 3 and 4) which houses the internal combustion engine.

    [0011] The chassis is covered by a car body 7 which comprises, among other things, the doors 5, a transparent windscreen 8 which delimits the passenger compartment 4 at the front and a roof 9 that delimits the passenger compartment 4 on the upper side. Connected to the car body 7 is a rear spoiler 10 (illustrated in figures 2, 3 and 4) which is a continuation of the car body 7. Furthermore, the car body 7 comprises a rear panel system 11 (illustrated in figures 2, 3 and 4), which joins the roof 9 to the rear area, closes the engine compartment 6 at the top and ends in correspondence with the rear spoiler 10.

    [0012] As illustrated in figures 2 to 5, the rear spoiler 10 is integral with the car body 7, constitutes a seamless continuation of the car body 7, is arranged in a rear position and projects from the outline of the car body 7 to deflect the air flow upwards so that the air flow skims over an upper surface 12 of said rear spoiler 10. The rear spoiler 10 comprises a through aerodynamic duct 13 which starts in an inlet opening 14 arranged in correspondence with an initial (front) end of the rear spoiler 10 and ends in an outlet opening 15 arranged in correspondence with a final (rear) end of the rear spoiler 10 so that (as is clearly illustrated in figure 5) a part of the air flow hitting the rear spoiler 10 flows above the rear spoiler 10 skimming over the upper surface 12 of said rear spoiler 10 and the remaining part of the air flow hitting the rear spoiler 10 flows through the rear spoiler 10 crossing the aerodynamic duct 13.

    [0013] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the rear spoiler 10 comprises a single aerodynamic duct 13; according to a different and perfectly equivalent embodiment, the rear spoiler 10 comprises two or three aerodynamic ducts 13 arranged side by side and separated from one another by a corresponding dividing wall.

    [0014] According to that illustrated in figure 5, the aerodynamic duct 13 has, on the inside, a narrowing 16, which locally reduces the area of the cross section (i.e., only along a short section of the length when compared to the entire length of the aerodynamic duct 13). According to the invention illustrated in figure 5, the area of the cross section of the aerodynamic duct 13 is substantially constant along the entire length of the aerodynamic duct 13 with the sole exception of the narrowing 16; as a consequence, the area of the cross section of the aerodynamic duct 13 upstream of the narrowing 16 is substantially equal to the area of the cross section of the aerodynamic duct 13 downstream of the narrowing 16.

    [0015] According to the invention illustrated in the accompanying figures, the narrowing 16 of the aerodynamic duct 13 consists of a deflector profile 17 that projects towards the inside of the aerodynamic duct 13. According to the invention, the deflector profile 17 is movable so as to change its position on the inside of the aerodynamic duct 13; in particular, it is provided with an actuator 18 (for example an electric motor) that is mechanically connected to the deflector profile 17 so as to move the position of the deflector profile 17 on the inside of the aerodynamic duct 13 between a position of maximum incidence (and thus maximum narrowing) and a position of minimum incidence (thus of minimum narrowing). Changing the position of the deflector profile 17 changes the impact of the narrowing 16 in the aerodynamic duct 13 and thus changes the air flow rate through the aerodynamic duct 13 (the greater the narrowing, the lower the air flow rate through the aerodynamic duct 13) in relation to the air flow rate over the rear spoiler 10; as a consequence, by changing the position of the deflector profile 17 it is possible to increase/decrease the negative lift (i.e., the downforce) generated by the rear spoiler 10 and at the same time decrease/increase the drag generated by the rear spoiler 10. Thus, by changing the position of the deflector profile 17 it is possible to adjust (optimise) the aerodynamic action of the rear spoiler 10 in relation to the state of motion of the car 1.

    [0016] According to that illustrated in figure 5, the rear spoiler 10 has a cross section of a triangular shape and has the upper surface 12 over which the air flow flowing above the rear spoiler 10 skims, a lower surface 19 which delimits the aerodynamic duct 13 on the upper side, and a rear surface 20.

    [0017] According to that illustrated in figure 5, the rear panel system 11 ends in correspondence with the rear spoiler 10 and is joined without discontinuity (i.e., without any gaps and with no abrupt slope gradient variations) to a lower surface 21 of the aerodynamic duct 13. Preferably, the rear panel system 11 has the same inclination as the lower surface 21 of the aerodynamic duct 13 at least close to the rear spoiler 10.

    [0018] According to a preferred (but not binding) embodiment illustrated in figures 2 and 3, the car body 7 comprises two side boards 22, which are arranged on opposite sides of the rear panel system 11 and are arranged so as to converge in order to progressively reduce the distance between them as they get closer to the rear spoiler 10. In particular, the two side boards 22 end in correspondence with lateral edges of the inlet opening 14 of the aerodynamic duct 13.

    [0019] According to a preferred (but not binding) embodiment illustrated in figures 2, 3 and 5, the rear panel system 11 comprises a fixed panel 23 arranged in correspondence with the rear spoiler 10 and a movable panel 24 which is arranged between the roof 9 and the panel 23 and constitutes a hood of the engine compartment 6.

    [0020] Numerous advantages are achieved with the car 1 described above.

    [0021] First, the rear spoiler 10 described above achieves good aerodynamic efficiency, i.e., it has a very favourable ratio between the negative lift and the corresponding drag. This result is achieved owing to the presence of the aerodynamic duct 13 thanks to which it is possible to increase the aerodynamic recompression in correspondence with the rear panel system 11 increasing the negative lift (i.e. downforce) without any significant increase in drag.

    [0022] Moreover, notwithstanding the relatively small size of the rear spoiler 10 described above, it is capable of generating a very high negative lift force. This result is also achieved owing to the presence of the aerodynamic duct 13 thanks to which it is possible to increase the aerodynamic recompression in correspondence with the rear panel system 11 increasing the negative lift (i.e. downforce) without having to increase the size of the rear spoiler 10.

    [0023] The aerodynamic action of the rear spoiler 10 described above can be adjusted easily, quickly and accurately by increasing or decreasing the negative lift that is generated, in real-time.

    [0024] Lastly, the rear spoiler 10 described above is easy and economical to produce, in that it may be entirely made by appropriately shaping existing components of the car body 7 (i.e. without the need for any additional components other than the deflector profile 17 and the respective actuator 18 of the deflector profile 17).


    Claims

    1. A car (1) comprising:

    a car body (7); and

    a rear spoiler (10), which is integral with the car body (7), is arranged in a rear position and projects from the outline of the car body (7) to deflect the air flow upwards so that the air flow skims over an upper surface (12) of said rear spoiler (10);

    wherein the rear spoiler (10) comprises at least one through aerodynamic duct (13), which starts in an inlet opening (14) arranged in correspondence with an initial end of the rear spoiler (10) and ends in an outlet opening (15) arranged in correspondence with a final end of the rear spoiler (10), so that a part of the air flow hitting the rear spoiler (10) flows above the rear spoiler (10) skimming over the upper surface (12) of said rear spoiler (10) and the remaining part of the air flow hitting the rear spoiler (10) flows through the rear spoiler (10) crossing the aerodynamic duct (13); the car (1) is characterised in that:

    the aerodynamic duct (13) has, on the inside, a narrowing (16), which is arranged in a central position along the aerodynamic duct (13) and reduces the area of the cross section locally, i.e. only along a short section of the length when compared to the entire length of the aerodynamic duct (13);

    the area of the cross section of the aerodynamic duct (13) is substantially constant along the entire extension of the aerodynamic duct (13), with the sole exception of the narrowing (16), so that the area of the cross section of the aerodynamic duct (13) upstream of the narrowing (16) is equal to the area of the cross section of the aerodynamic duct (13) downstream of the narrowing (16);

    the narrowing (16) consists of a deflector profile (17) that projects towards the inside of the aerodynamic duct (13); and

    the deflector profile (17) is movable so as to change its position on the inside of the aerodynamic duct (13).


     
    2. A car (1) according to claim 1, wherein an actuator (18) is provided, which is mechanically connected to the deflector profile (17) so as to move the position of the deflector profile (17) on the inside of the aerodynamic duct (13) .
     
    3. A car (1) according to claim 1 and 2, wherein the rear spoiler (10) has a cross section with a triangular shape and has the upper surface (12), over which the air flow flowing above the rear spoiler (10) skims, a lower surface (18), which delimits the aerodynamic duct (13) on the upper side, and a rear surface (20).
     
    4. A car (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the car body (7) comprises:

    a roof (9), which delimits a passenger compartment (4) on the upper side; and

    a rear panel system (11), which joins the roof (9) to the rear area, ends in correspondence with the rear spoiler (10), and is joined, without discontinuity, to a lower surface (21) of the aerodynamic duct (13) .


     
    5. A car (1) according to claim 4, wherein the rear panel system (11) has the same inclination as the lower surface (21) of the aerodynamic duct (13) at least close to the rear spoiler (10).
     
    6. A car (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the car body (7) comprises two side boards (22), which are arranged on opposite sides of the rear panel system (11) and are arranged so as to converge in order to progressively reduce the distance between them as they get closer to the rear spoiler (10).
     
    7. A car (1) according to claim 6, wherein the two side boards (22) end in correspondence with lateral edges of the inlet opening (14) of the aerodynamic duct (13) .
     
    8. A car (1) according to one of the claims from 4 to 7, wherein the rear panel system (11) comprises a first fixed panel (23), which is arranged in correspondence with the rear spoiler (10), and a second movable panel (24), which is arranged between the roof (9) and the first panel (23).
     
    9. A car (1) according to claim 8, wherein:

    at least one engine compartment (6) is provided, which houses an engine and is arranged behind the passenger compartment (4); and

    the second panel (24) makes up a hood of the engine compartment (6).


     


    Ansprüche

    1. Auto (1), das aufweist:

    eine Autokarosserie (7); und

    einen Heckspoiler (10), der mit der Autokarosserie (7) einteilig ist, in einer Heckposition angeordnet ist und von der Kontur der Autokarosserie (7) vorsteht, um den Luftstrom nach oben abzulenken, so dass der Luftstrom eine obere Fläche (12) des Heckspoilers (10) überstreicht;

    wobei der Heckspoiler (10) mindestens einen durchgehenden aerodynamischen Kanal (13) aufweist, der in einer Einlassöffnung (14) beginnt, die in Entsprechung zu einem Anfangsende des Heckspoilers (10) angeordnet ist, und in einer Auslass-öffnung (15) endet, die in Entsprechung zu einem Abschlussende des Heckspoilers (10) angeordnet ist, so dass ein Teil des auf den Heckspoiler (10) treffenden Luftstroms über dem Heckspoiler (10) strömt, wobei er die obere Fläche (12) des Heckspoilers (10) überstreicht, und der übrige Teil des auf den Heckspoiler (10) treffenden Luftstroms den Heckspoiler (10) durchströmt, wobei er den aerodynamischen Kanal (13) durchquert; wobei das Auto (1) dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass:

    der aerodynamische Kanal (13) auf der Innenseite eine Verengung (16) hat, die in einer Mittelposition entlang des aerodynamischen Kanals (13) angeordnet ist und die Fläche des Querschnitts lokal verkleinert, d. h. nur entlang eines kurzen Teilstücks der Länge im Vergleich zur Gesamtlänge des aerodynamischen Kanals (13);

    die Fläche des Querschnitts des aerodynamischen Kanals (13) entlang der gesamten Ausdehnung des aerodynamischen Kanals (13) mit der einzigen Ausnahme der Verengung (16) im Wesentlichen konstant ist, so dass die Fläche des Querschnitts des aerodynamischen Kanals (13) stromaufwärts der Verengung (16) gleich der Fläche des Querschnitts des aerodynamischen Kanals (13) stromabwärts der Verengung (16) ist;

    die Verengung (16) aus einem Deflektorprofil (17) besteht, das zur Innenseite des aerodynamischen Kanals (13) vorsteht; und

    das Deflektorprofil (17) beweglich ist, um seine Position auf der Innenseite des aerodynamischen Kanals (13) zu ändern.


     
    2. Auto (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei ein Aktor (18) vorgesehen ist, der mit dem Deflektorprofil (17) mechanisch verbunden ist, um die Position des Deflektorprofils (17) auf der Innenseite des aerodynamischen Kanals (13) zu bewegen.
     
    3. Auto (1) nach Anspruch 1 und 2, wobei der Heckspoiler (10) einen Querschnitt mit einer Dreieckform hat und die obere Fläche (12), über die der über den Heckspoiler (10) strömende Luftstrom überstreicht, eine untere Fläche (18), die den aerodynamischen Kanal (13) auf der Oberseite begrenzt, und eine Rückfläche (20) hat.
     
    4. Auto (1) nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, wobei die Autokarosserie (7) aufweist:

    ein Dach (9), das einen Fahrgastraum (4) auf der Oberseite begrenzt; und

    ein Heckpanelsystem (11), das an das Dach (9) am Heckbereich anschließt, in Entsprechung zum Heckspoiler (10) endet und ohne Diskontinuität an eine untere Fläche (21) des aerodynamischen Kanals (13) anschließt.


     
    5. Auto (1) nach Anspruch 4, wobei das Heckpanelsystem (11) die gleiche Neigung wie die untere Fläche (21) des aerodynamischen Kanals (13) mindestens nahe am Heckspoiler (10) hat.
     
    6. Auto (1) nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, wobei die Autokarosserie (7) zwei Seitenwände (22) aufweist, die auf Gegenseiten des Heckpanelsystems (11) angeordnet sind und so angeordnet sind, dass sie aufeinander zulaufen, um den Abstand zwischen ihnen bei Annäherung an den Heckspoiler (10) zunehmend zu verkleinern.
     
    7. Auto (1) nach Anspruch 6, wobei die beiden Seitenwände (22) in Entsprechung zu Querkanten der Einlassöffnung (14) des aerodynamischen Kanals (13) enden.
     
    8. Auto (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 7, wobei das Heckpanelsystem (11) aufweist: ein erstes feststehendes Panel (23), das in Entsprechung zum Heckspoiler (10) angeordnet ist, und ein zweites bewegliches Panel (24), das zwischen dem Dach (9) und dem ersten Panel (23) angeordnet ist.
     
    9. Auto (1) nach Anspruch 8, wobei:

    mindestens ein Motorraum (6) vorgesehen ist, der einen Motor beherbergt und hinter dem Fahrgastraum (4) angeordnet ist; und

    das zweite Panel (24) eine Haube des Motorraums (6) bildet.


     


    Revendications

    1. Voiture (1) comprenant :

    une carrosserie de voiture (7) ; et

    un becquet arrière (10) qui est solidaire avec la carrosserie de voiture (7), est agencé dans une position arrière et fait saillie du tracé de la carrosserie de voiture (7) pour dévier le flux d'air vers le haut de sorte que le flux d'air glisse sur une surface supérieure (12) dudit becquet arrière (10) ;

    dans laquelle le becquet arrière (10) comprend au moins un conduit aérodynamique débouchant (13) qui commence par une ouverture d'entrée (14) agencée en correspondance avec une extrémité initiale du becquet arrière (10) et se termine par une ouverture de sortie (15) agencée en correspondance avec une extrémité finale du becquet arrière (10), de sorte qu'une partie du flux d'air heurtant le becquet arrière (10) s'écoule au-dessus du becquet arrière (10) en glissant sur la surface supérieure (12) dudit becquet arrière (10) et la partie résiduelle du flux d'air heurtant le becquet arrière (10) s'écoule à travers le becquet arrière (10) en traversant le conduit aérodynamique (13) ; la voiture (1) étant caractérisée en ce que :

    le conduit aérodynamique (13) a, à l'intérieur, un rétrécissement (16), qui est agencé dans une position centrale le long du conduit aérodynamique (13) et réduit la surface de la section transversale localement, c'est-à-dire uniquement le long d'une section courte de la longueur par rapport à toute la longueur du conduit aérodynamique (13) ;

    la surface de la section transversale du conduit aérodynamique (13) est sensiblement constante le long de toute l'extension du conduit aérodynamique (13), à la seule exception du rétrécissement (16), de sorte que la surface de la section transversale du conduit aérodynamique (13) en amont du rétrécissement (16) est égale à la surface de la section transversale du conduit aérodynamique (13) en aval du rétrécissement (16) ;

    le rétrécissement (16) se compose d'un profilé de déflecteur (17) qui fait saillie vers l'intérieur du conduit aérodynamique (13) ; et

    le profilé de déflecteur (17) est mobile afin de modifier sa position à l'intérieur du conduit aérodynamique (13) .


     
    2. Voiture (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle un actionneur (18) est prévu, qui est mécaniquement raccordé au profilé de déflecteur (17) afin de déplacer la position du profilé de déflecteur (17) à l'intérieur du conduit aérodynamique (13).
     
    3. Voiture (1) selon les revendications 1 et 2, dans laquelle le becquet arrière (10) a une section transversale avec une forme triangulaire et a la surface supérieure (1) sur laquelle le flux d'air s'écoulant au-dessus du becquet arrière (10) glisse, une surface inférieure (18) qui délimite le conduit aérodynamique (13) sur le côté supérieur, et une surface arrière (20).
     
    4. Voiture (1) selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans laquelle la carrosserie de voiture (7) comprend :

    un toit (9) qui délimite un compartiment de passagers (4) sur le côté supérieur ; et

    un système de panneau arrière (11) qui assemble le toit (9) à la zone arrière, se termine en correspondance avec le becquet arrière (10) et est assemblé, sans discontinuité, à une surface inférieure (21) du conduit aérodynamique (13).


     
    5. Voiture (1) selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle le système de panneau arrière (11) a la même inclinaison que la surface inférieure (21) du conduit aérodynamique (13) au moins à proximité du becquet arrière (10) .
     
    6. Voiture (1) selon la revendication 4 ou 5, dans laquelle la carrosserie de voiture (7) comprend deux ridelles latérales (22) qui sont agencées sur les côtés opposés du système de panneau arrière (11) et sont agencées afin de converger pour réduire progressivement la distance entre elles lorsqu'elles se rapprochent du becquet arrière (10) .
     
    7. Voiture (1) selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle les deux ridelles latérales (22) se terminent en correspondance des bords latéraux de l'ouverture d'entrée (14) du conduit aérodynamique (13).
     
    8. Voiture (1) selon l'une des revendications 4 à 7, dans laquelle le système de panneau arrière (11) comprend un premier panneau fixe (23) qui est agencé en correspondance avec le becquet arrière (10), et un second panneau mobile (24) qui est agencé entre le toit (9) et le premier panneau (23).
     
    9. Voiture (1) selon la revendication 8, dans laquelle :

    au moins un compartiment de moteur (6) est prévu, qui loge un moteur et est agencé derrière le compartiment de passagers (4) ; et

    le second panneau (24) compose un capot du compartiment de moteur (6).


     




    Drawing




















    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description