Active front splitter for automobile

Abstract

An active front splitter for automobile is movably connected to a splitter support by a spindle support at each of its two ends. A driving mechanism being mounted to the splitter support at each of its two ends, an electric motor being mounted in the middle of the splitter support. The driving mechanism is driven by the electric motor and fixedly connected with the active front splitter so that the active front splitter is driven by the driving mechanism to rotate around a spindle fixed to the splitter support between a forwardly extended position and a retreated position. Thus, while ensuring the trafficability of the assembled automobile, it is possible to reduce wind drag so that the expected aerodynamic performance can be achieved.

Claims

1. An active front splitter assembly for automobile, comprising: a front splitter, a splitter support, wherein the front splitter is rotatably connected to the splitter support by spindle supports fixed at two ends of the front splitter, a driving mechanism being mounted to each end of the splitter support, and an electric motor being mounted in the middle of the splitter support, wherein the driving mechanism is driven by the electric motor and fixedly connected with the front splitter, so that the front splitter is driven by the driving mechanism to rotate around a spindle fixed to the splitter support between a forwardly extended position and a retreated position, wherein the driving mechanism comprises: a primary driving rod connected with the electric motor; a secondary driving rod fixed to the primary driving rod; a first connecting rod moveably connected with the secondary driving rod and pivotally connected to the splitter support; and a second connecting rod pivotally connected to the first connecting rod and fixed to the front splitter.

2. The active front splitter assembly according to claim 1, wherein one end of the first connecting rod is pivotally connected with the splitter support and the other end is hinged with the second connecting rod.

3. The active front splitter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the secondary driving rod is provided with a slider, the first connecting rod is provided with a sliding slot in which the slider slides so as to rotate the first connecting rod relative to the splitter support.

4. The active front splitter assembly according to claim 1, wherein, when the front splitter is in the forwardly extended position, the angle between the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod is 180° and the angle between the secondary driving rod and the first connecting rod is 90°.

5. The active front splitter assembly according to claim 1, wherein, when the front splitter is in the retreated position, the angle between the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod is smaller than 90° and the secondary driving rod and the first connecting rod are substantially parallel to each other.

6. The active front splitter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the front splitter comprises an inner panel and an outer panel which is bonded to an external surface of the inner panel.

7. The active front splitter assembly according to claim 1, wherein an anti-wearing plate is screwed at each of the two ends of the splitter support.

8. The active front splitter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor is provided with a motor cover.

9. The active front splitter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the driving mechanism is provided with a sand prevention cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an active front splitter according to the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an active front splitter according to the invention in a forwardly extended position.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an active front splitter according to the invention in a retreated position.

(4) FIG. 4 is an assembled view of an active front splitter according to the invention and an anti-wearing plate.

(5) FIG. 5 is an assembled view of a sand prevention cover according to the invention and a motor cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(6) The following provides preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings and provides detailed descriptions.

(7) As shown in FIG. 1, an active front splitter for automobile comprises a splitter support 1, a spindle support 2, a driving mechanism 3, an electric motor 4, an inner panel 5 of the front splitter, and an outer panel 6 of the front splitter. The splitter support 1 is provided with the driving mechanism 3 at each of its two ends, and the electric motor 4 at its middle. One end of the spindle supports 2 is hinged to the splitter support 1, and the other end of them is fixed to the inner panel 5 of the front splitter. The inner panel 5 and the outer panel 6 of the front splitter are bonded together by an adhesive tape.

(8) The driving mechanism 3 comprises a primary driving rod 30, a secondary driving rod 31, a first connecting rod 32 and a second connecting rod 33. The primary driving rod 30 is mounted inside the splitter support 1, with one end connected to the electric motor 4, and the other end fixed with the secondary driving rod 31. One end of the first connecting rod 32 is pivotally connected with the splitter support 1. The other end of the first connecting rod 32 is pivotally connected with, for example hinged with, the second connecting rod 33 via a pivot 11, so that the second connecting rod 33 can rotate around the pivot 11. The other end of the second connecting rod 33 is fixed to the inner panel 5 of the front splitter. The first connecting rod 32 comprises a sliding slot 10 in the middle. In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding slot 10 is an elongated slot extending in the longitudinal direction of the first connecting rod 32. The secondary driving rod 31 comprises a slider 13. The slider 13 is able to slide inside the sliding slot 10.

(9) The active front splitter according to the invention works as follows: the electric motor 4 drives the primary driving rod 30 to rotate, which in turn drives the secondary driving rod 31 to rotate. By means of the cooperation between the slider 13 carried by the secondary driving rod 31 and the sliding slot 10 in the first connecting rod 32, the first connecting rod 32 is driven to rotate around its pivot relative to the splitter support 1. The second connecting rod 33 is driven to move, thus driving the active front splitter to rotate around its spindle on the splitter support 1. When the automobile runs normally, the active front splitter is moved to the forwardly extended position. At this moment, the ground clearance of the automobile is reduced, thus reducing the amount of air entering the automobile's chassis, increasing the downforce thus reducing the wind drag. When encountering an obstacle or a rugged road surface, the active front splitter is moved to the retreated position. At this moment, the ground clearance of the automobile is increased so that the automobile can successfully pass.

(10) As shown in FIG. 2, when the angle between the first connecting rod 32 and the second connecting rod 33 is 180° and the angle between the secondary driving rod 31 and the first connecting rod 32 is 90°, the active front splitter is in the forwardly extended position. At this moment, the first and second connecting rods are aligned and the secondary driving rod 31 is perpendicular to this line, no rotation torque due to exterior force applied to the active front splitter 2 can be transmitted to the pivots. Thus, the driving mechanism 3 is in a self-locked state. Thanks to the locked state, the driving mechanism 3 can sustain relatively high wind pressure and impact forces of debris, thus improving the safety and stability of the mechanism.

(11) As shown in FIG. 3, when the angle between the first connecting rod 32 and the second connecting rod 33 is smaller than 90° and the secondary driving rod 31 and the first connecting rod 32 are substantially parallel to each other, the active front splitter is in the retreated position. At this moment, the active front splitter has completely retreated. The trafficabiity requirements of the automobile are satisfied.

(12) Considering the aesthetic requirements, the active front splitter of the present embodiment comprises an inner panel 5 and an outer panel 6 bonded together by an adhesive tape. Of course, it is also possible that the active front splitter according to the invention does not have an outer panel.

(13) In the present embodiment, the splitter support 1 is further provided with an anti-wearing plate 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the anti-wearing plate is mounted to the splitter support 1 by a screw and has a form that is easy to produce. It can enhance the endurance of the active front splitter and facilitate the production and assembly at the same time.

(14) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the electric motor 4 is provided with a motor cover 7, and each driving mechanism 3 is provided with a sand prevention cover 8. The covers are used for protecting, respectively, the electric motor and the driving mechanisms against impacts of debris. Therefore, the structure of the active front splitter is effectively protected during use. Both the active front splitter 1 and the electric motor 4 are provided with threaded holes 13, and the motor cover 7 and the sand prevention covers 8 are respectively mounted to the electric motor 4 and the driving mechanisms by screws.

(15) The foregoing descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various changes may be further made to the foregoing embodiments of the present invention. That is, a simple, equivalent change and modification made according to the claims of this application and the content of the specification of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention. What is not described in detail in the present invention all belongs to common technologies.