An arrangement of wheels for a bi-directional vehicle may decrease the drag coefficient for the vehicle regardless of a direction of travel of the vehicle. A pair of wheels, each wheel of the pair having a configuration of fins to promote a desired aerodynamic effect, when located at a leading end of the vehicle promotes airflow laterally outboard of the vehicle body. In contrast, the same pair of wheels, when located at a trailing end of the vehicle promotes airflow laterally inboard of the vehicle body.

An arrangement of wheels for a bi-directional vehicle may decrease the drag coefficient for the vehicle regardless of a direction of travel of the vehicle. A pair of wheels, each wheel of the pair having a configuration of fins to promote a desired aerodynamic effect, when located at a leading end of the vehicle promotes airflow laterally outboard of the vehicle body. In contrast, the same pair of wheels, when located at a trailing end of the vehicle promotes airflow laterally inboard of the vehicle body.

A wheel of a vehicle has a rim, a hub portion and at least two spokes connecting the hub portion to the rim. At least one spoke intermediate space between the spokes is at least partially covered by a single-piece cover element. A wing portion of the cover element is deformed axially away from the wheel when heat is supplied. The cover element is connected directly to the wheel, and the single-piece cover element is formed from a single material.

The present invention relates to a plurality of airfoil rim wings, and/or fan-like blades which may be flat or take the form of airfoil wings in a preferred embodiment are attached to an automobile's wheel rims for the extraction of air pressure buildup within the wheel wells during forward movement to improve overall performance, styling and brake cooling. The airfoil rim wings, and/or fan-like blades may either be adhered to a wheel surface or individually or collectively fastened to wheels' hub using open-ended lug nuts, and securing lug bolts. Further, the airfoil rim wings, and/or fan-like blades may be arranged to specific concavity and angel of attack using twistable beveled washers on both sides of the airfoil rim wings, and/or fan-like blades.

An arrangement of wheels for a bi-directional vehicle may decrease the drag coefficient for the vehicle regardless of a direction of travel of the vehicle. A pair of wheels, each wheel of the pair having a configuration of fins to promote a desired aerodynamic effect, when located at a leading end of the vehicle promotes airflow laterally outboard of the vehicle body. In contrast, the same pair of wheels, when located at a trailing end of the vehicle promotes airflow laterally inboard of the vehicle body.

An arrangement of wheels for a bi-directional vehicle may decrease the drag coefficient for the vehicle regardless of a direction of travel of the vehicle. A pair of wheels, each wheel of the pair having a configuration of fins to promote a desired aerodynamic effect, when located at a leading end of the vehicle promotes airflow laterally outboard of the vehicle body. In contrast, the same pair of wheels, when located at a trailing end of the vehicle promotes airflow laterally inboard of the vehicle body.

A variable aerodynamic wheel includes: a spoke wheel having a plurality of spokes connecting a hub and a rim together are spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of through spaces defined between the plurality of spokes to allow air to pass therethrough; a variable flap rotatably disposed in the plurality of through spaces of the spoke wheel, and configured in a shape to cover an associated through space so as to open or close the associated through space according to a rotation angle thereof; and a drive unit disposed in the spoke wheel, and connected to the variable flap such that the rotation angle of the variable flap is adjusted as rotational power is transmitted.

A wheel rim having a central axis and comprising a central hub configured to be fixed to a suspension of a vehicle; a peripheral ring, which is arranged around the hub with a predetermined radial distance from the hub itself and is configured to receive a tire of the vehicle on a radially outermost surface thereof; a plurality of spokes equally spaced angularly from one another around the axis and connecting the peripheral ring to the hub; and at least one projection protruding in a cantilever fashion towards the hub, starting from a radially innermost surface of the peripheral ring, opposite to the radially outermost surface, and defining an airfoil configured to generate, in use, during the forward travel of the vehicle, a channelling of the air towards the outside of the wheel rim.

A vehicle wheel assembly comprises a vehicle wheel having an outboard face with a plurality of windows formed therein and a vehicle wheel cover assembly secured to the vehicle wheel. The wheel cover has a plurality windows formed therein which are configured to be generally aligned with windows of the vehicle wheel. The vehicle wheel cover assembly further including a flap moveably secured in at least one of the windows of the wheel cover. The flap is configured to be movable between an opened position, when an associated speed of a vehicle is at or below a threshold speed, and a closed position, when the associated speed of the vehicle is above the threshold speed.

A vehicle wheel assembly comprises a vehicle wheel having an outboard face with a plurality of windows formed therein and a vehicle wheel cover assembly secured to the vehicle wheel. The wheel cover has a plurality windows formed therein which are configured to be generally aligned with windows of the vehicle wheel. The vehicle wheel cover assembly further including a flap moveably secured in at least one of the windows of the wheel cover. The flap is configured to be movable between an opened position, when an associated speed of a vehicle is at or below a threshold speed, and a closed position, when the associated speed of the vehicle is above the threshold speed.