An active rocker aerodynamic shield (12) integrated into an automated running board (14) for a motor vehicle. By using the existing automated running board linkages (24, 26) as a mounting location for the aerodynamic panels (16) of the shield (12), the addition of a dedicated motor, linkage/pivot, and vehicle attachment scheme is no longer needed for the aerodynamic benefit since components can be shared. The moving linkages (24, 26) are used as attachment points for the aerodynamic panel(s) (16) to limit the flow of air to the under-body of a vehicle. When the running board (14) is in its stowed position, the aerodynamic panel (16) is also stowed out of the line of sight and airflow. When the benefit of the aerodynamic panel (16) is desired, the running board (14) moves to the deployed position, orienting the aerodynamic panel (16) in a position to reduce the amount of airflow under the vehicle.

An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a composite material selectively movable between an inactive position and an active position, and a control to apply a voltage to the composite material in response to a vehicle panel moving from a closed position to an open position to move the composite material to the active position to mitigate wind throb.

A vehicular aerodynamic device includes a towing detection unit configured to detect whether a towed vehicle is being towed by a vehicle; a flow adjusting device including a flow adjusting member and being configured such that the flow adjusting member is moved between a retracted position and a deployed position; and a flow adjusting device control unit configured to i) determine whether the towing detection unit detects that the towed vehicle is being towed, ii) determine a kind of the towed vehicle, and iii) control operation of the flow adjusting device in accordance with the determined kind of the towed vehicle or a traveling mode selected through operation performed by an occupant in the vehicle.

Embodiments provide a gap reducer and a method of mounting the gap reducer to a vehicle. Such method includes attaching operably a bi-modulus bending member to a first vehicle in a cantilevered configuration along a vertical side of the first vehicle, where a cantilevered end of the bi-modulus bending member is arranged to extend within a gap arranged between the first vehicle and a second vehicle when the first and second vehicles are coupled. The bi-modulus bending member comprises an elongate bending element configured to elastically buckle and bend to a buckled configuration when a force component exceeds a threshold buckling force, and to elastically return to an unbuckled configuration when the force component is reduced below the threshold buckling force. A gap reducer panel is operably coupled to the bi-modulus bending member, the gap reducer panel having a length extending primarily in a vertical direction.

The invention relates to a system for a land vehicle (100), in particular for a truck or a truck trailer. The system is attached to the lower surface of the vehicle so as to lie opposite the roadway surface at the rear portion of the truck and comprises at least one part which is inclined in the longitudinal direction and extends rearwards in a tapering manner towards the rear part of the vehicle (100). At least one element (2, 12, 22) is arranged between the roadway surface and the inclined wall (3) substantially at the end of the inclined wall (3) after the last axle of the vehicle, wherein the horizontal axis of the at least one element (2, 12, 22) has substantially the same inclination as the inclined wall (3).

One embodiment comprises a fairing assembly adapted to couple to a vehicle, the assembly comprising: a support arm mountable to a frame rail of a vehicle and a fairing adapter adapted to mount a fairing to the support arm. The fairing adapter is rotatably coupled to the support arm and is rotatable from a first orientation corresponding to an aerodynamic position to a second orientation corresponding to a first access position. The fairing adapter may also be rotatable to a third orientation corresponding to a second access position. The assembly further comprises a releasable lock to lock the fairing adapter in the first orientation and releasable to allow the fairing adapter to rotate to the second orientation or the third orientation.

An inwardly disposed vehicle skirt panel assembly disposed laterally inset toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The vehicle skirt panel assembly is suspended underneath a rearward body component of a truck or semitrailer, extending forwards in front of a rearward wheel assembly. The vehicle skirt panel assembly stabilizes otherwise laterally displaced air passing under the central portion of the moving vehicle, further increasing the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle. Maintaining air generally static while passing under the vehicle increases the effective pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce drag thereon.

An inwardly disposed vehicle skirt panel assembly disposed laterally inset toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The vehicle skirt panel assembly is suspended underneath a rearward body component of a truck or semitrailer, extending forwards in front of a rearward wheel assembly. The vehicle skirt panel assembly stabilizes otherwise laterally displaced air passing under the central portion of the moving vehicle, further increasing the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle. Maintaining air generally static while passing under the vehicle increases the effective pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce drag thereon.

A vehicle trailer assembly includes a moveable bracket or frame member mounted to a trailer at a location outboard from one or more rear wheels of the trailer; and at least one undercarriage skirt wall at least partially affixed to the moveable bracket or frame member positioned along a bottom portion of a trailer. The at least one undercarriage skirt wall is selectively positioned laterally around the one or more rear wheels of the trailer, and the at least one undercarriage skirt wall is retractable in at least one direction to expose a portion of an underside of the trailer and/or the one or more rear wheels of the trailer. Another vehicle trailer assembly includes at least one undercarriage skirt wall positioned on a bottom side portion of the trailer. The at least one undercarriage skirt wall may be made of a pliable material.

A rear fairing assembly for a cargo enclosure includes a fairing bracket configured to be coupled to an enclosure wall of the cargo enclosure. In addition, the rear fairing assembly includes a separate fairing skin supported relative to the enclosure wall via the fairing bracket.