DRIVING MECHANISM FOR AN ACTIVE FRONT SPLITTER

Abstract

A driving mechanism for an active front splitter comprising a framework and an electric motor mounted in the middle of the framework. Each of the two ends of the framework is provided with a transmission mechanism which connects the electric motor and the active front splitter and is connected to the framework through a movable connection. The driving mechanism according to the invention is able to control the movement of the active front splitter, so as to achieve the expected aerodynamic performance of an assembled automobile while ensuring its trafficability.

Claims

1. A driving mechanism for an active front splitter, comprising a framework and an electric motor mounted in the middle of the framework, each of the two ends of the framework being provided with a transmission mechanism which connects the electric motor and the active front splitter and is connected to the framework through a movable connection.

2. The driving mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the transmission mechanism comprises: a main shaft, which is connected with the electric motor; a connecting rod, which is fixed to the active front splitter; a first swing arm, one end of which being connected with the main shaft and the other end being fixedly connected with the connecting rod; and a second swing arm, one end of which being fixedly connected with the connecting rod and the other end being pivotally connected with a pivot arranged on the end of the framework, the first swing arm being driven by the main shaft and drives the connecting rod to move along a trajectory defined by the first and second swing arms.

3. The driving mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the main shaft is integrally formed in plastic and comprises a reinforcing structure to reduce the loss of torque.

4. The driving mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a side mounting plate is provided at each end of the framework, the transmission mechanism being mounted on the side mounting plate.

5. The driving mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the transmission mechanism is connected to the active front splitter via a support arranged on the active front splitter.

6. The driving mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the driving mechanism is mounted on a lower beam by means of a mounting plate.

7. The driving mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a motor protecting housing is mounted to the electric motor.

8. The driving mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a mechanism protecting cover is mounted to each end of the framework.

9. A front splitter assembly, comprising a fixed front splitter and an active front splitter which is driven by the driving mechanism according to claim 1.

10. The front splitter assembly according to claim 9, wherein the active front splitter is provided on its outer face with a protrusion that creates a zero-clearance fit with the fixed front splitter.

11. The driving mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the active front splitter comprises a back plate and a decorative plate attached or bonded thereto, a protrusion being provided on the decorative plate and creates a zero-clearance fit with the fixed front splitter.

12. The driving mechanism according to claim 2, wherein a side mounting plate is provided at each end of the framework, the transmission mechanism being mounted on the side mounting plate.

13. The driving mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the transmission mechanism is connected to the active front splitter via a support arranged on the active front splitter.

14. The driving mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the driving mechanism is mounted on a lower beam by means of a mounting plate.

15. The driving mechanism according to claim 2, wherein a motor protecting housing is mounted to the electric motor.

16. The driving mechanism according to claim 2, wherein a mechanism protecting cover is mounted to each end of the framework.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a fixed-type front splitter of the prior art.

[0024] FIG. 2(a) is a schematic view of an active front splitter according to the invention.

[0025] FIG. 2(b) is an assembled view of a driving mechanism according to the invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the assembly of a driving mechanism according to the invention and an active front splitter.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a driving mechanism for an active front splitter according to the invention.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a main shaft of a driving mechanism for an active front splitter according to the invention.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the fitting between an active front splitter according to the invention and a fixed front splitter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0030] The following provides preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings and provides detailed descriptions.

[0031] In the present embodiment, an active front splitter is added to a fixed front splitter, so as to compensate the reduced dimension along Z direction in the middle due to the trafficability requirements of the assembled automobile. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the active front splitter 16 extends rearward behind the fixed front splitter 15 along the X direction, and is exposed below a bumper skin 14.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the driving mechanism 18 for an active front splitter according to the invention is connected with the lower beam 12 of the assembled automobile, and is mounted on the active front splitter 16 in the reverse X direction.

[0033] An exploded view of the assembly of the driving mechanism according to the invention and the active front splitter is shown in FIG. 3. The driving mechanism 18 comprises an electric motor 1, a framework 2, side mounting plates 7 and transmission mechanisms 19. The transmission mechanism 19 is pivotally connected with each of the two ends of the framework 2, to which the side mounting plate 7 is mounted. The electric motor 1 is mounted in the middle part of the framework 2.

[0034] The transmission mechanism 19 comprises a main shaft 4, a connecting rod 6, a first swing arm 20 and a second swing arm 21. One end of the main shaft 4 is connected with the electric motor 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the other end of the main shaft 4 is mounted to the side mounting plate 7 and connected with the first swing arm 20. The first swing arm 20 is at the same time fixedly connected with the connecting rod 6. The connecting rod 6 is also fixedly connected with the second swing arm 21. In addition, the second swing arm 21 is pivotally connected to a pivot 5 arranged on the side mounting plate 7, so that the second swing arm 21 is able to rotate around the pivot 5.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the main shaft. The end connected with the electric motor 1 is a torque input end 40. The end fixedly connected with the first swing arm 20 is a torque output end 41. A torque transmitting rod 42 connects the two ends, which may be made in two types of structure:

[0036] The first type is a separated structure. The torque input end 40 and the torque output end 41 are formed by a plastic injection process on the torque transmitting rod 42 which is a metallic rod. This type of structure can reduce to the maximum the loss of torque during transmission.

[0037] The second type is an integral structure, i.e., integrally formed by plastic injection with the torque input end 40 and the torque output end 41. The torque transmitting rod 42 has a reinforcing structure to reduce the torsion of the rod itself, thus reducing the loss of torque. The reinforcing structure may include hollowed parts or reinforcing ribs.

[0038] The active front splitter 16 comprises a decorative plate 8, a back plate 11, and a mounting support 10. The decorative plate 8 and the back plate 11 are bonded together by gluing or a 3M tape. The mounting support 10 is mounted on the back plate 11 and is connected with the connecting rod 6.

[0039] Once all parts are mounted, the driving mechanism 18 is mounted on a mounting metal plate 9, which is welded to the lower beam 12.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the electric motor 1 is provided with a protecting cover 3, and the mounting framework 2 is provided with a mechanism protecting cover 13 at each of its two ends.

[0041] After mounting, the driving mechanism 18 according to the invention needs to be calibrated. By calibrating the position and length of the second swing arm 21, the moving trajectory of the active front splitter can be changed. With the assistance of computer simulations, the position and length of the torque transmitting rod 42 are finally determined so that the performance of the active front splitter is maximized.

[0042] The main shaft 4 drives the active front splitter 16 to move as follows: the main shaft 4 rotates and outputs a torque to drive the first swing arm 20 to rotate around its end fixed with the main shaft 4. The first swing arm thus drives the connecting rod 6 which in turn drives the second swing arm 21 to rotate around the pivot 5. As such, the connecting rod 6 moves along a trajectory that is defined under the collective limitation of the swing arms 20 and 21. In a preferred embodiment, the active front splitter 16 is driven to move in an inclined direction between Z and X directions. When an automobile runs normally, the front splitter moves to a forwardly extended state and the ground clearance is reduced. The amount of air entering below the chassis of the automobile can thus be reduced and the downforce of the automobile is increased. Therefore, the wind drag is reduced, so that the aerodynamic performance of the assembled automobile is enhanced. When encountering an obstacle or rugged road surface, the active front splitter moves to a retreated state. At this moment, the ground clearance of the automobile is increased so that the automobile is able to pass successfully.

[0043] Further, considering the aesthetics aspect and sealing requirements, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a protrusion 23 is provided on the decorative plate 8 of the active front splitter, so that the active front splitter 16 is fitted to the fixed front splitter 15 with zero clearance. This design can effectively reduce the deformation of the fixed front splitter 15 under the pressure of high speed wind, and enhance the sealing between the active front splitter 16 and the fixed front splitter 15, so that an assembled automobile achieves expected aerodynamic performance.

[0044] In other embodiments of the invention, a fully active front splitter, instead of the assembly of an active front splitter and a fixed front splitter, can also be used. In such embodiments with fully active front splitter, the trafficability of the automobile is enhanced while ensuring the enhancement of its aerodynamic performance.

[0045] The foregoing descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, but 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.