Air channels and wind turbines systems are provided for cooling vehicle parts and storing electrical energy in a vehicle battery. The vehicle may have a battery, a braking system, an air duct with wind turbines and a generator. The air duct has an inlet portion for receiving an airflow, a body portion having wind turbines, and an outlet portion for directing the airflow to the braking system. A generator converts kinetic energy of the wind turbines to electrical energy stored in the battery. The wind turbines can be positioned in an air duct extending from a front bumper to an area proximal to one or more wheels to enhance vehicle aerodynamics. Alternatively, the wind turbines can be positioned in openings between grill shutters to generate energy and cool a radiator. Alternatively, the wind turbines can be positioned proximal to powertrain or drivetrain components for cooling and generating electrical energy.

A bumper having at least one embossment being formed extending counter to the vehicle traveling direction and the embossment having a base surface, a rear face, an internal inner face, and an external inner face. The base surface is formed as a step and the rear face has at least one first vent hole. The first vent hole is connected to a vent passage and the vent passage comprises a vent passage longitudinal axis that forms an acute angle with the vehicle traveling direction.

A crossmember (20) for a front bumper of a motor vehicle (10) has at least one throughflow opening for air. At least one exit-air opening (51, 52) is provided on a rear side (44) of the crossmember (20) to accommodate a discharge of exit air from a cooler of the motor vehicle.

An apparatus for improving aerodynamic characteristics of a vehicle is provided. In particular, the apparatus includes grill shutter and a bumper lip that are operated simultaneously using one actuator and power transfer mechanism based on a vehicle speed.

A bumper absorber structure comprising a bumper reinforcement; a bumper cover that is equipped with an air intake opening; an air introduction path that is disposed on a rear side of the bumper cover and that introduces air from the air intake opening toward the vehicle rear side; a grille shutter that is disposed at the air introduction path and on a rear side of the bumper reinforcement and that opens and closes the air introduction path; and a bumper absorber that is attached to a front side of the bumper reinforcement, that is spaced apart from the bumper cover, that forms, together with the bumper reinforcement, a part of the air introduction path, and that has a front side surface on which is formed a raised portion that is in contact with or in close proximity to a back surface of the bumper cover.

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle beam, such as a longitudinal beam and/or a crossbeam, in particular a bumper beam, wherein the motor vehicle beam is formed as a hollow component having a closed cross section for the passage of gas, in particular air.

A system for powering an active grille shutter assembly comprising a linkage system connected to a shutter, a generator connected to the shutter, an energy storage device connected to the generator, an electric motor connected to and powered by the energy storage device, and connected to the linkage system, and a controller connected to the energy storage device and the electric motor. The position of the shutter is adjusted by the linkage system, the position of the linkage system is adjusted by the electric motor, the operation of the electric motor is controlled by the controller, the electric motor is powered by energy stored in the energy storage device, and the energy storage device receives energy from the operation of the generator.

An apparatus for improving aerodynamic characteristics of a vehicle is provided. In particular, the apparatus includes grill shutter and a bumper lip that are operated simultaneously using one actuator and power transfer mechanism based on a vehicle speed.

Air channels and wind turbines systems are provided for cooling vehicle parts and storing electrical energy in a vehicle battery. The vehicle may have a battery, a braking system, an air duct with wind turbines and a generator. The air duct has an inlet portion for receiving an airflow, a body portion having wind turbines, and an outlet portion for directing the airflow to the braking system. A generator converts kinetic energy of the wind turbines to electrical energy stored in the battery. The wind turbines can be positioned in an air duct extending from a front bumper to an area proximal to one or more wheels to enhance vehicle aerodynamics. Alternatively, the wind turbines can be positioned in openings between grill shutters to generate energy and cool a radiator. Alternatively, the wind turbines can be positioned proximal to powertrain or drivetrain components for cooling and generating electrical energy.

A bumper having at least one embossment being formed extending counter to the vehicle traveling direction and the embossment having a base surface, a rear face, an internal inner face, and an external inner face. The base surface is formed as a step and the rear face has at least one first vent hole. The first vent hole is connected to a vent passage and the vent passage comprises a vent passage longitudinal axis that forms an acute angle with the vehicle traveling direction.