An apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag in a gap between a tractor and a trailer comprises a frame assembly and a panel assembly. The frame assembly includes a vertical member extending upwardly from a base, and two arms extending horizontally from the vertical member. The horizontal arms support a cylindrical member which rotates about its longitudinal axis and is biased by a biasing member so as to apply torque to the cylindrical member. The panel assembly is attached to the cylindrical member proximate a leading edge of the panel and includes a wheel offset from a trailing edge of the panel and gliding strips on an inner surface of the panel body. The inner surface of the panel body is in contact with a surface of the trailer proximate the wheel when the tractor is attached to and pulling the trailer.

An active side panel assembly having at least one deployable panel (22) and at least one actuator (30). The deployable panel deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements and provides valuable reduction in vehicle drag, thereby reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. Additionally, it allows for the system to retract so the vehicle can still meet ground clearances, ramp angles, off-road requirements, etc. The active side panel provides a fully deployable system with object detection, declutching of the actuator to help prevent damage, and communication with the vehicle to determine proper deployment and function.

A side skirt assembly for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer, particularly to a trailer frame comprising transverse structural support members extending between sides of the trailer. The side skirt assembly comprises an elongated skirt panel, an elongated support and one or more skirt support members. The side skirt assemble comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The elongated support is coupled to the elongated skirt panel on the inner surface thereof proximate an upper edge of the elongated skirt panel and extends at least a portion of the length of the elongated skirt panel. The more skirt support members couple the elongated skirt panel to a corresponding one or more or of the transverse structural support members.

A laterally extending aerodynamic deflector panel disposed upstream in front of an otherwise exposed uppermost portion of a vehicle wheel assembly, and arranged to divert headwinds from otherwise impinging upon drag-magnified uppermost wheel surfaces to thereby minimize overall vehicle drag.

An active aero panel assembly including at least one deployable panel, at least one drive mechanism, and at least one actuator. The active aero panel assembly improves aerodynamics.

A variable fender garnish structure of a vehicle is provided and includes a fender garnish coupled to an outer edge part of a wheel guard of a vehicle and made with a shape covering a wheel of the vehicle, a flap member positioned in the rear part of the fender garnish and rotatably coupled to the fender garnish, a driving member rotating the flap member, and a controller driving the driving member to control whether the flap member is rotated or not.

Apparatuses and methods reducing the amount of drag on a vehicle are disclosed. In some embodiments, the proposed apparatuses are configured to remain stowed in a sidewall of the vehicle when not in use, thereby maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle, while in other embodiments the apparatus is static and fixed along the sides of the vehicle. In one example, an aerodynamic apparatus includes a tapered structure, in which an inner side panel is substantially planar, and an outer side panel has a convex curvature.

A cover device for a side sill of a passenger vehicle has a sill cover which includes first and second cover elements which are arranged in a length region of the side sill below a door opening and are coupled moveably to one another and a drive unit via which the cover elements are jointly displaceable between a first functional position and a second functional position. The first cover element is pivotable about a first axis and the second cover element is displaceable about a second axis. The second cover element is mounted so as to pivot about the second axis by a bearing device on the first cover element. The displacement movement of the second cover element relative to the first cover element is positively controlled by a slotted link.

A side skirt assembly for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer, particularly to a trailer frame comprising transverse structural support members extending between sides of the trailer. The side skirt assembly comprises an elongated skirt panel, an elongated support and one or more skirt support members. The side skirt assemble comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The elongated support is coupled to the elongated skirt panel on the inner surface thereof proximate an upper edge of the elongated skirt panel and extends at least a portion of the length of the elongated skirt panel. The more skirt support members couple the elongated skirt panel to a corresponding one or more or of the transverse structural support members.

A fairing assembly comprising: a support arm mountable to a frame rail of a vehicle, the support arm comprising a first portion having a first outwardly extending protrusion and a second portion adapted to be received by the first portion, the second portion comprising a distal portion; a fairing adapter adapted to mount a fairing to the support arm, the fairing adapter rotatably coupled to the support arm and rotatable from a first orientation corresponding to an aerodynamic position to a second orientation, the fairing adapter defining a first channel adapted to capture the first outwardly extending protrusion when the fairing adapter is in the first orientation to prevent second portion of the support arm from separating from the first portion of the support arm; and a releasable lock to lock the fairing adapter in the first orientation.