TEXTILE TIRE FOR LOWERING THE DRAG OF VEHICLES

Abstract

A textile tire for lowering the drag of vehicles with a vehicle side and a rear side, wherein a holding device for fastening the textile tire to a vehicle is arranged on the vehicle side, and the textile tire has a filled state and an emptied state, may include a stabilizer arranged in the interior, air ducts provided in the interior, an outer ring on the rear wall, an outlet valve provided on the underside, a suitable sliding guide, and a ventilating device which is driven by the slipstream.

Claims

1. Inflatable textile bag (40) for lowering the drag of vehicles (30), having a vehicle side (47) and a rear side (46), wherein a holding apparatus (70) for fastening the inflatable textile bag (40) to a vehicle (30) is disposed on the vehicle side (47), and the inflatable textile bag (40) has a filled state and an emptied state, wherein a stabilizer (20), which keeps its shape but is resilient inward, and comprises at least one stabilizer surface element (3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18) having a component that extends perpendicular to the surface of the inflatable textile bag (40) is provided in the interior of the inflatable textile bag (40), which element is connected with the inflatable textile bag (40) by way of a connection line (22).

2. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 1, wherein at least one stabilizer surface element (3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18) has at least one hole (23).

3. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 1, wherein the connection line (22) lies in the interior of the inflatable textile bag (40).

4. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one stabilizer surface element (3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18) is configured to be textile or movable perpendicular to its surface.

5. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable textile bag (40) has not only a rear wall (41) but also an outer wall (42) having a top side (43), a bottom side (44), two horizontal sides (45), and the rear side (46).

6. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one stabilizer surface element (3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18) contacts the rear wall (42) and/or the outer wall (41) of the inflatable textile bag (40) at the connection line (22) and/or with a perpendicular component.

7. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 5, wherein at least one inflatable bag surface element (1, 2), the rear wall (42), and at least one further inflatable bag surface element (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17) represent the outer wall (41).

8. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one stabilizer surface element (3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18) is connected with two of the inflatable bag surface elements (1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17) that represent the rear wall (42) or the outer wall (41) and/or, if the outer wall (41) is represented by at least two surface elements (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17), is connected with these two surface elements (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17).

9. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one stabilizer surface element (3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18) is connected at least with the rear wall (42), as well as with the outer wall (41) on at least two of its edges (24).

10. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one stabilizer surface element (3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18) is under constant tension in the filled state and, in particular, has no kinks.

11. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one stabilizer surface element (3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18) is connected with other stabilizer surface elements (3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18) or with inflatable bag surface elements (1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17) only at its edges (24).

12. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one stabilizer surface element (3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18), for example the stabilizer surface element (18) as a central element, divides the interior of the inflatable textile bag (40).

13. Inflatable textile bag (40) for lowering the drag of vehicles (30), having a vehicle side (47) and a rear side (46), wherein a holding apparatus (70) for fastening the inflatable textile bag (40) to a vehicle (30) is disposed on the vehicle side (47), and the inflatable textile bag (40) has a filled state and an emptied state, wherein at least one air channel (25) having openings (29) into the inflatable textile bag (40) is disposed in the interior of the inflatable textile bag (40).

14. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 13, wherein the air channel (25) is configured as a preferably inherently stable and/or perforated air hose (26).

15. Inflatable textile bag (40) for lowering the drag of vehicles (30), having a vehicle side (47) and a rear side (46), wherein a holding apparatus (70) for fastening the inflatable textile bag (40) to a vehicle (30) is disposed on the vehicle side (47), and the inflatable textile bag (40) has a filled state and an emptied state, wherein the inflatable textile bag (40) has a textile rear wall (42) on its vehicle side (47), which wall is curved inward in the filled state and/or comprises a stabilized outer ring (79).

16. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 15, wherein the outer ring (79) is connected with the rear wall (42) and/or with an outer wall (41) in a planar manner, or is worked into the rear wall (42) and/or into an outer wall (41).

17. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 15, wherein the outer ring (79) is configured to be flexible.

18. Inflatable textile bag (40) according claim 15, wherein the depth of the curvature amounts to between half and twice the width of the outer ring (79) and/or greater than 5% of the length of the inflatable textile bag (40) between the vehicle side (47) and the rear side (46) in the filled state.

19. Inflatable textile bag (40) for lowering the drag of vehicles (30), having a vehicle side (47) and a rear side (46), wherein a holding apparatus (70) for fastening the inflatable textile bag (40) to a vehicle (30) is disposed on the vehicle side (47), and the inflatable textile bag (40) has a filled state and an emptied state, wherein an outlet valve (27) is provided on an underside (44) of the inflatable textile bag (40).

20. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 19, wherein the outlet valve (27) is provided at the lowest point of the underside (44) in the filled state.

21. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 19, wherein the outlet valve (27) is configured to be passive.

22. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 19, wherein the outlet valve (27) is formed by an implodable hose (28).

23. Inflatable textile bag (40) for lowering the drag of vehicles (30), having a vehicle side (47) and a rear side (46), wherein a holding apparatus (70) for fastening the inflatable textile bag (40) to a vehicle (30) is disposed on the vehicle side (47), and the inflatable textile bag (40) has a filled state and an emptied state, wherein the holding apparatus (70) comprises two rails, for example keder rails (83), having a first component of a two-component holder, in order to be able to connect the inflatable textile bag (40) with a second component of the two-component holder disposed on a rear side (34) of a vehicle (30), and/or wherein the holding apparatus (70) comprises a tensioning device that acts on the inflatable textile bag (40) parallel to its rear side (46) and has a tensioning and a relaxed position.

24. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 23, wherein the holder and the tensioning device have common modules.

25. Inflatable textile bag (40) for lowering the drag of vehicles (30), having a vehicle side (47) and a rear side (46), wherein a holding apparatus (70) for fastening the inflatable textile bag (40) to a vehicle (30) is disposed on the vehicle side (47), and the inflatable textile bag (40) has a filled state and an emptied state, wherein the holding apparatus (70) comprises a stationary holding device (72) on the vehicle side and a sliding guide (73) on the inflatable textile bag side, which guide can particularly be displaced upward.

26. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 25, wherein the sliding guide (73) comprises a sliding block guide (74).

27. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 25, wherein the sliding guide (73) comprises a keder guide (75).

28. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 27, wherein the keder guide (75) has two first keder rails (83) on the holding device side, which rails are spaced apart from one another either by the width or the height of the vehicle side (47), and has first keder rails (83) that reach over the height or the width of the vehicle side (47) accordingly, and, on the inflatable textile bag side, has keders (81) that are disposed in the first keder rails (83), at least in the filled state of the inflatable textile bag (40).

29. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 28, wherein the two first keder rails (83) are aligned in a first plane, and the keder guide (75) has two second keder rails (84), which are disposed in a second plane that is angled away relative to the first plane, wherein in each instance, one of the second keder rails (84) is assigned, in each instance, to a first keder rail (83) and the associated keder (81), and the keder (81) can run from the first keder rail (83) into the second keder rail (84) and back.

30. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 29, wherein a curved keder rail (85), which is preferably inclined in the direction of curvature, is disposed between at least one of the two first keder rails (83) and the associated second keder rail (84).

31. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 27, wherein at least one of the keders (81) of the keder guide (75) has a keder flap (82), which is surrounded by a keder bead (86) and is connected with the inflatable textile bag (40).

32. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 25, comprising a drive (61) for the sliding guide (73).

33. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 32, wherein the drive (61) is active on both sides of the inflatable textile bag (40), parallel to the rear side (46).

34. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 33, wherein the drive (61) comprises at least two drive motors, wherein one of the drive motors, in each instance, is disposed on one side of the inflatable textile bag (40), in each instance, and wherein one of the two drive motors is controlled as the master and the other of the two drive motors is controlled as the slave.

35. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 32, wherein the drive (61) comprises a bidirectional winding drum (68) on which a circumferential cable (69) or two oppositely directed cables (69) are wound up alternately.

36. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 35, wherein the cable (69) or the cables (69) is/are configured to be self-tensioning.

37. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 32, wherein cables (69) are disposed on both sides of the inflatable textile bag (40) and/or the cables (69) and the inflatable textile bag (40), if applicable also with inclusion of a drive carriage (80), represent a circumferential drive cable.

38. Inflatable textile bag (40) for lowering the drag of vehicles (30), having a vehicle side (47) and a rear side (46), wherein a holding apparatus (70) for fastening the inflatable textile bag (40) to a vehicle (30) is disposed on the vehicle side (47), and the inflatable textile bag (40) has a filled state and an emptied state, wherein the inflatable textile bag (40) is connected with a venting device driven by the travel air stream of a motor vehicle.

39. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 38, wherein the venting device is a filling and venting evacuation device (50) driven by the travel air stream.

40. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 38, wherein the venting device comprises an air inlet (51), a Venturi nozzle (52) having a suction chamber (55) that is connected with the interior of the inflatable textile bag (40), and an air outlet (53).

41. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 39, wherein a retention device (99) that optionally retains the air stream (57) flowing through the Venturi nozzle (52), and/or an opening (98) that can be selectively opened and closed into the suction chamber (55) is provided between the air inlet (51) and the air outlet (53), preferably between the Venturi nozzle (52) and the air outlet (53).

42. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 40, wherein a filter arrangement (56) and/or a check valve (63) is/are provided between the air inlet (51) and the Venturi nozzle (52).

43. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 40, wherein the air inlet (51) is configured to be conical.

44. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 40, wherein means (49) for regulating the opening cross-section of the air inlet (51) are provided at the air inlet (51).

45. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 37, wherein the drive carriage (80) carries the filling and/or venting device (50).

46. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 1, comprising a heater (89).

47. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable textile bag (40) and, in particular, its rear wall (42) are configured to be indivisible.

48. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable textile bag (40) and, in particular, its rear wall (42) are configured to be divisible.

49. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 48, wherein an openable and closable connection element is disposed at the division of the inflatable textile bag (40).

50. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 1, comprising a quick-action vent, which comprises an openable and closable quick-action vent opening in a wall of the inflatable textile bag (40).

51. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 49, wherein the openable and closable quick-action vent opening or the openable and closable connection element is provided on a connection line between surface elements, such as, for example, between stabilizer surface elements (3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18) and/or inflatable bag surface elements (1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17) among one another.

52. Inflatable textile bag (40) according to claim 49, wherein the openable and closable quick-action vent opening or the openable and closable connection element is represented by a two-component closure system, such as a zipper (39), a planar hook-and-loop closure or the like.

Description

[0138] Further advantages, aims and characteristics of the present invention will be explained using the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are also shown, in particular, in the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows:

[0139] FIG. 1 in a schematic side view, a vehicle with an inflatable textile bag fastened to it by way of a holding apparatus;

[0140] FIG. 2 the inflatable textile bag according to FIG. 1 in a perspective elevation line representation from the rear side, at an upward slant;

[0141] FIG. 3 the inflatable textile bag according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in a perspective elevation line representation from the vehicle side, at an upward slant;

[0142] FIG. 4 a cutting pattern for the inflatable textile bag according to FIGS. 1 to 3;

[0143] FIG. 5a the left side and, with broken lines, the right side of the inflatable textile bag according to FIGS. 1 to 4 in an exploded view from a perspective similar to FIG. 2;

[0144] FIG. 5b the left side of the inflatable textile bag according to FIGS. 1 to 4 from the inside;

[0145] FIG. 6 a cutting pattern for a further inflatable textile bag;

[0146] FIG. 7a the inflatable textile bag according to FIG. 6 in a representation similar to FIG. 5a;

[0147] FIG. 7b the inflatable textile bag according to FIG. 6 in a representation similar to FIG. 5b;

[0148] FIG. 8 a cutting pattern for a further inflatable textile bag;

[0149] FIG. 9a the inflatable textile bag according to FIG. 8 in a representation similar to FIGS. 5a and 7a;

[0150] FIG. 9b the inflatable textile bag according to FIG. 8 in a representation similar to FIGS. 5b and 7b;

[0151] FIG. 10 an inflatable textile bag similar to the inflatable textile bag shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, with an air channel and holes and with an outlet valve, in a representation similar to FIG. 6;

[0152] FIG. 11 a perspective detail view of the air channel according to FIG. 10;

[0153] FIG. 12 the outlet valve according to FIG. 10 in the open state;

[0154] FIG. 13 the outlet valve according to FIG. 10 in the closed state;

[0155] FIG. 14 the holding apparatus according to FIG. 1 in a schematic and broken side view;

[0156] FIG. 15 a detail enlargement XV of a bidirectional winding drum from FIG. 14, and a schematic top view of the same;

[0157] FIG. 16 a detail enlargement XVI of a keder guide from FIG. 14;

[0158] FIG. 17 a section through FIG. 16;

[0159] FIG. 18 a holding apparatus as an alternative to the holding apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 14, in a representation similar to FIG. 14;

[0160] FIG. 19 a detail enlargement XIX of a sliding block guide from FIG. 18;

[0161] FIG. 20 the arrangement according to FIG. 19 in section;

[0162] FIG. 21 a view from the vehicle side to the rear side of the arrangement according to FIGS. 19 and 20;

[0163] FIG. 22 a detail enlargement XXII of a self-tensioning Bowden cable arrangement according to FIGS. 14 and 18;

[0164] FIG. 23 a schematic sectional view of a filling and/or venting device in the suction-application state;

[0165] FIG. 24 the arrangement according to FIG. 23 in the pressure-building state;

[0166] FIG. 25 a schematic illustration of a controller for an inflatable textile bag and its holding apparatus;

[0167] FIG. 26 a component of a two-component holder and a tensioning device at the rear of a vehicle;

[0168] FIG. 27 a section through an inflatable textile bag held by the holder and tensioned by the tensioning device, along the line XXVII-XXVII in FIG. 26.

[0169] The vehicle 30, which is configured as a commercial vehicle and is shown in FIG. 1, carries a box body 31 and has a frame structure 32, to which an inflatable textile bag 40 is attached, which, in a filled state, can lower the drag of the vehicle 30 in known manner when the vehicle is moving in the direction of its front side 33.

[0170] The vehicle 30 furthermore has a rear side 34, on which the inflatable textile bag 40 is provided, which accordingly has a vehicle side 47 facing the vehicle 30, which corresponds, in terms of its orientation, to the front side 33 of the vehicle 30, and a rear side 46, which corresponds, in terms of its orientation, to the rear side 34 of the vehicle 30.

[0171] As illustrated, in particular, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inflatable textile bag 40 has an outer wall 41 and a rear wall 42, wherein the rear wall 42 can be found essentially on the vehicle side 47 of the inflatable textile bag 40, while the outer wall 41 faces in the direction of the rear side 46.

[0172] The inflatable textile bag 40 can furthermore be associated with a top side 43 and an underside 44, which are aligned in accordance with the top side and the underside of the vehicle 30; this does not require further explanations. The same holds true for two horizontal sides 45, which are aligned in accordance with the horizontal sides of the vehicle.

[0173] In this regard, FIGS. 2 and 3 likewise show the inflatable textile bag 40 in the filled state, in which the rear wall is curved in the direction of the rear side 46, as represented by contour lines in FIGS. 2 and 3. This curvature corresponds, in terms of its height, to approximately 7% of the longitudinal expanse of the inflatable textile bag 40 from the rear side 46 to the vehicle side 47, wherein other dimensions are also conceivable here, depending on the concrete implementation.

[0174] Furthermore, an outer ring 79 is provided on the rear wall 42, which ring surrounds the curvature and stabilizes the edge of the inflatable textile bag 40 on its vehicle side 47.

[0175] The inflatable textile bag 40 is composed of inflatable bag surface elements 1, 2 for the rear wall 42, and of inflatable bag surface elements 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 17 for the outer wall 41, wherein the inflatable bag surface elements 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 serve to form a side wall, the predominant direction component of which is oriented parallel to the horizontal side 45. A top wall having a predominant alignment toward the top side 43 is formed by the inflatable bag surface elements 12 and 13, and a bottom wall, which is oriented essentially parallel to the underside 44, is formed by the inflatable bag surface element 14. In the present exemplary embodiments, the inflatable bag surface element 17 represents the rear side.

[0176] The corresponding approaches can be found, in particular, in FIGS. 4 and 5, as well as in 6 and 7, wherein a somewhat shorter inflatable textile bag 40 is provided in FIGS. 8 and 9, in which individual inflatable bag surface elements have been dispensed with and, in particular, the inflatable bag surface element 17 for the rear side 46 is configured to be significantly larger.

[0177] As is directly evident, the inflatable bag surface elements 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 17 are each formed from textile material, which is selected to be essentially air-impermeable. Furthermore, the inflatable bag surface elements 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 17 are connected with one another by way of seams.

[0178] Alternatively, instead of seams, of course, other types of connection, such as adhesive lines or weld lines, for example, can be used accordingly.

[0179] As is directly evident from FIGS. 4 to 9, the inflatable textile bag 40 has a symmetrical structure, wherein in FIGS. 5a and 5b, 7a and 7b, or 9a and 9b, in each instance, essentially only the left side (L) is shown. The right side (R) is only shown in the cutting patterns of FIGS. 4, 6, and 8, and is merely shown with a broken line in FIGS. 5a, 7a, and 9a.

[0180] A stabilizer 20 is disposed within the inflatable textile bag 40 and consists of stabilizer surface elements 3, 4, 5, 15, 16, and 18, wherein the stabilizer surface element 18 serves as a central element and divides the right side of the inflatable textile bag 40 from the left side. The central element 18 reaches from the rear wall 42 all the way to the inflatable bag surface element 17 for the rear side 46, and is otherwise connected both with the top wall and the bottom wall. If, in an alternative embodiment, two jointly active inflatable textile bags 40 are to be disposed on the vehicle 30, it would be conceivable, for example, to put on two similarly cut inflatable bag surface elements instead of the central element 18, which are then connected with the divided rear wall 42 and with the remainder of the outer wall 41 of the respective inflatable textile bag 40, in each instance, so as to become an integral part of the outer wall 41 of the respective inflatable textile bag 40. Even then, one stabilizer 20 formed by the stabilizer surface elements 3, 4, 5, 15, and 16 remains within each of the two inflatable textile bags 40, in each instance, wherein it is understood that if necessary, a supplemental central element 18 can then still be inserted into each of the inflatable textile bags 40.

[0181] The stabilizer surface elements 3, 4, 5, 15, and 16 are also each connected with the rear wall 42, in each instance and connected with the outer wall 41 of the inflatable textile bag 40 on at least two edges. They meet at the central element 18 with their counterparts of the partial inflatable bags that lie on the other side, in each instance, so that in particular, symmetrical forces also act on the central element 18, and this element can also act in particularly stabilizing manner.

[0182] The cutouts of the surface elements as a whole are selected in such a manner that in the filled state, the rear wall 42 has a curvature, in operationally reliable manner, as has already been explained above.

[0183] The stabilizer surface elements 3, 4, 5, 15, 16, and 18 are connected with one another or with the outer wall 41 and the rear wall 42 of the inflatable textile bag 40 by way of seams, in each instance. In different embodiments, adhesive connections or welded connections or similar types of connection can also be used here.

[0184] In this regard, the stabilizer surface elements 3, 4, 5, 15, 16, and 18 are aligned in such a way that they are essentially only subject to tensile stress, wherein with the exception of the central element 18, all the stabilizer surface elements 3, 4, 5, 15, and 16 are connected with other stabilizer surface elements 18 or the outer wall 41 or the rear wall 42 only at their edges 24.

[0185] In this manner, the stabilizer surface elements 3, 4, 5, 15, and 16 can act on the outer wall 41 and the rear wall 42 in particularly stable manner, in terms of their surface. This also holds true for the central element 18, since this is subject to stress by way of the other stabilizer surface elements 3, 4, 5, 15, and 16, in terms of its surface, and subject to a load symmetrically and uniformly from both sides, in each instance.

[0186] In this regard, connection of the stabilizer surface elements 3, 4, 5, 15, and 16 takes place only at their edges 24, by way of connection lines 22, wherein only the stabilizer surface elements 3 and 18 have common connection lines 22 with connection lines between inflatable bag surface elements 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 17, while the remaining stabilizer surface elements 4, 5, 15, and 16 intersect the connection lines of the inflatable bag surface elements and, in this way, have a particularly stabilizing effect.

[0187] The inflatable bag surface element 14, which forms the bottom wall, has an opening 19 at its lowest point, in each instance, which opening is used for an outlet valve 27, as is shown as an example in FIGS. 10, 12, and 13.

[0188] In this regard, the outlet valve 27 is represented by an implodable hose 28, which is open at pressure 58, so that any dirt, condensate, penetrated water or other foreign bodies can drop out of the inflatable textile bag 40. If the inflatable textile bag 40 is vented and a suction 59 is produced, the hose 28 will implode and the outlet valve 27 will close autonomously. In this regard, no separate control is necessary, and therefore the outlet valve 27 can be referred to as being passive.

[0189] The inflatable textile bag 40 can also have an air channel 25, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, which can be represented by an air hose 26 having openings 29. By means of such an air hose 26 or air channel 25, it can be ensured, in operationally reliable manner, that air passes into or from any chambers which are caused by the stabilizer 20 within the inflatable textile bag 40.

[0190] In this regard, it is conceivable that the air channel 25 is freely suspended within the inflatable textile bag 40. Alternatively, however, the channel can be connected, in targeted manner, for example, with an air inlet 21, which is provided in the inflatable textile bag 40, and by means of which the bag can be filled and/or vented.

[0191] Likewise, holes 23 can be provided in the stabilizer surface elements 3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18, which holes, as is shown as an example using the stabilizer surface elements 16, 3, and 5 in FIG. 10, can ensure air passage between the chambers mentioned above.

[0192] Depending on the concrete embodiment, the air channel 25 or the air hose 26 can be disposed in such holes 23. The air channel 25 can likewise be worked into the stabilizer surface elements 3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18, in sealed manner, so that it is then no longer possible to speak of holes 23 in the sense of ventilation made possible directly by them when speaking of the openings in the stabilizer surface elements 3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18 which are then necessary.

[0193] It is understood that a plurality of holes 23 can also be provided in different embodiments, as long as a corresponding inherent stability of the stabilizer surface elements 3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 18 is not impaired.

[0194] In the connection between the inflatable bag surface elements 6 and 10 or 7 and 8, zippers 39 are provided in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 10, which zippers serve as a quick-action vent and release a quick-action vent opening when they are opened. In this way, for example in the event of an accident, rapid emptying of the inflatable textile bag (40) can be made possible. In this regard, the zipper 39 between the surface elements 7 and 8 is easily accessible even from below, while the upper zipper 39 between the inflatable bag surface elements 6 and 10 is then also easily accessible when the underside of the inflatable bag is emptied, to a great extent.

[0195] Furthermore, the corresponding air channel 25, the holes 23 and the outlet valve 27 can also be used to advantage in the inflatable textile bag 40 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9, as well as in other inflatable textile bags.

[0196] The inflatable textile bag 40 is fastened onto the vehicle 30 by means of a holding apparatus 70, which has a carrier 71 as a fixed holding device 72, which carrier or device is firmly connected to the frame construction 32 of the commercial vehicle 30. It is understood that in different embodiments, the carrier 21 can also be provided in the frame structure of the vehicle 30 itself.

[0197] So as to expose the rear side 34 of the vehicle 30 as required, the inflatable textile bag 40 is fastened to the holding device 72 via a sliding guide 73.

[0198] In the exemplary embodiment shown in detail in FIGS. 14 to 17, the sliding guide 73 is configured as a keder guide 75 and comprises a separate guide rail 76 for a drive carriage 80, by way of which the inflatable textile bag 40 is moved in the keder guide. In addition to the guide rail 76, the carrier 71 also carries a first keder rail 83 and a second keder rail 84, as well as a curved keder rail 85, which guarantees a uniform transition between the first and the second keder rail 83, 84, wherein for this purpose the keder guide 75 is inclined in the direction of curvature in the region of the curved keder rail, as is illustrated as an example in FIG. 17. In this regard, the small flag pointing away from the first keder rail 83 is oriented parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle 30, and thereby the angle can be recognized on the basis of the alignment of the associated keder flap 82 of the keder 81.

[0199] In this exemplary embodiment, the slanted orientation of the keder rail is found throughout, both in the curved keder rail 85 and in the first and second keder rail 83, 84; this is simple in terms of design and, when the inflatable textile bag 40 is under tension, leads only to insignificant turbulences or tensions.

[0200] As is evident, in particular, from FIG. 17, the outer ring 79 is worked into the rear wall 42, and, together with the outer wall 41, surrounds the keder flap 82, which in turn reaches into the keder rail 83, 84, 85, and surrounds a keder bead 86, by means of which operationally reliable stay of the keder flap 82 in the keder guide 75 is guaranteed.

[0201] A drive 61 having a controller 62 (see FIG. 25) is used as the positioning system 60, wherein the drive has a bidirectional winding drum 68, on which two cables 69 are wound up bidirectionally, wherein one of the cables 69 acts on the drive carriage 80 in pulling manner, while the other of the two cables 69 is connected with the keder bead 86 from the side of the inflatable textile bag that faces away from the drive carriage. Furthermore, the drive carriage 80 is likewise connected with the keder bead 86, so that in this manner, a closed or circumferential cable is produced and the inflatable textile bag 40 can be displaced, by way of the drive 61, in both directions of the keder rails 83, 84, 85, along the sliding guide 73 formed in this way.

[0202] In the sliding guide 73 shown in FIGS. 18 to 21, a sliding block guide 74 is used instead of a keder guide 75, in which the inflatable textile bag is connected with multiple sliding guide carriages 77, as illustrated in detail, as an example, in FIGS. 19 to 21. Furthermore, in this arrangement, the carrier 71 of the holding apparatus 70 serves directly as a guide rail for the drive carriage 80, wherein the carrier 71 furthermore also has a guide rail 78 for the sliding block carriages 77, so that the latter can be displaced along the carrier 71 and therefore along the sliding guide 73.

[0203] The drive 81 of the associated positioning system 60 essentially corresponds to the drive 61 or the positioning system 60 of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 14, so that repetitions are dispensed with in this regard.

[0204] Fastening of the sliding block carriages 77 to the inflatable textile bag 40 is also structured in relatively similar manner, wherein here, clips engage around the outer wall 41, and the outer ring 79 worked into the rear wall 42 in turn encloses one of the clamping jaws jointly together with the outer wall 41, and this accordingly guarantees a very stable connection.

[0205] Both in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 14 and in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 15, a self-tensioning Bowden cable, which comprises a steel core 65 with a Bowden cable sheath 64, is provided in the circumferential overall cable, which, in particular, comprises the cables 69; it is configured to be self-tensioning in known, manner, by way of a Bowden cable tensioning spring 66, by means of a guide cylinder on the winding drum side, i.e. a reciprocal guide cylinder 67. In this manner, the entire cable can be provided with a uniform tensile force.

[0206] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 18, the cables 69 are fastened to the sliding block carriage 77 or to the outer sliding block carriage 77 by way of a cable fastener 87.

[0207] For filling and venting, the exemplary embodiments presented here have a filling and/or venting device 50, which is shown in detail in FIGS. 23 and 24 and comprises an air inlet 51, a Venturi nozzle 52, and an air outlet 53.

[0208] In this exemplary embodiment, the air inlet 51, the Venturi nozzle 52, and the air outlet 53 are configured in a nozzle body 54, which is provided on the drive carriage 80, so that the filling and/or venting device 15 remains in a defined position with regard to the inflatable textile bag 40 and can be firmly connected with the bag at its air inlet 41.

[0209] In alternative embodiments, the filling and/or venting device 50 can be provided at a different position on the vehicle 30, so as to then guide air to the inflatable textile bag 40 by way of a hose or to empty it by suction, for example. Then a single filling and/or venting device 50 can also be sufficient, for filling and/or venting the left side and the right side of the inflatable textile bag 40.

[0210] The Venturi nozzle 52 has an acceleration chamber 38 and an expansion chamber 37, in known manner, wherein the expansion chamber 37 also serves, in particular, for slowing down the air stream 57 when it leaves the filling and/or venting device 50 through the air outlet 53, so that the air resistance of the vehicle 30 is not unnecessarily increased.

[0211] In addition, the Venturi nozzle 52 has a suction chamber 55, which, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, is connected with the acceleration chamber 38 by way of a perforated wall and thereby guarantees good flow guidance of the air stream 57 through the Venturi nozzle 52 over a particularly long distance. It is understood that other embodiments of Venturi nozzles are also conceivable here in different embodiments.

[0212] A retention device 99 is provided in the vicinity of the air outlet 53, which device is implemented by way of a control flap 36. The control flap 36 can block the air outlet 53, at least in part, and thereby backup of the air by the Venturi nozzle 52 takes place, and this leads to the result that the air from the expansion chamber 37 gets into the suction chamber 55, so as to put the inflatable textile bag 40 under pressure 58 in this manner. An opening 98 is also provided behind the Venturi nozzle 52, which opening connects the air stream 57 or the expansion chamber 37 with the intake chamber 55, so that air can also be made available to the inflatable textile bag 40 as pressure 58 in this manner.

[0213] In this regard, in this exemplary embodiment, the opening 98 can likewise be opened and closed by the control flap 36, but this can also be implemented differently in different exemplary embodiments.

[0214] Because the control flap 36 both opens the opening 98 and also because the control flap 36 makes the retention device 99 act with a retention effect by closing or reducing the size of the air outlet 53, pressure 58 for the inflatable textile bag 40 can be made available in particularly effective manner. The same also holds true for suction 49, in that the control flap 36 closes the opening 98 and releases the air outlet 53, so that the Venturi effect can become active directly.

[0215] A filter arrangement 56 is provided downstream from the air inlet 51 and upstream from the Venturi nozzle 52, which arrangement is implemented by means of deflection plates 88 in this exemplary embodiment. In this regard, the sharp directional reversals at the deflection plates 88 are used for elimination of dirt particles, water or similar foreign bodies, wherein these are then guided through a dirt deflector 35 by way of a small fault air stream; in this exemplary embodiment, this deflector is represented solely by holes.

[0216] It is understood that in other exemplary embodiments, different filter arrangements can also be used instead of the filter arrangement 56, such as, for example, net-like filters or cyclone filters, wherein the filter arrangement 56 has proven to be structurally simple and also to be very reliable under different weather conditions.

[0217] Each of the filter arrangements furthermore acts to slow down the flow, and this is also guaranteed, in particular, by means of a check valve 63, which is provided on the air inlet 51. In the present exemplary embodiment, the check valve 63 is merely weight-loaded. In different embodiments, it can also be spring-loaded.

[0218] The check valve furthermore guarantees that as few foreign bodies as possible pass through the air inlet 51 when the vehicle is at a standstill.

[0219] In the present exemplary embodiment, the deflection plates 88 are provided with a heater 89, by means of which both the nozzle body 54 and the air stream 57 can be heated. This serves for avoiding possible icing and for minimizing possible condensation effects. It is understood that other types of heaters can also be provided in different embodiments. In particular, a heater can also be present at a different location. Heating of the air stream 57 and, in particular, of the air entering the inflatable textile bag 40 also has the advantage, in particular, that icing and condensates can be minimized in the inflatable textile bag 40.

[0220] Furthermore, regulating means 59, by means of which the opening cross-section of the air inlet 51 can be changed, are provided on the air inlet 51.

[0221] In the present exemplary embodiment, the regulating means 49 comprise an inflow flap 48, and this represents particularly simple structural implementation of the regulating means 49.

[0222] Furthermore, the inflow flap 48 is beveled, so that a conical air inlet 51 can be guaranteed, thereby making it possible to furthermore reduce turbulences and to maximize the dynamic pressure.

[0223] If the inflow flap 48 is raised in order to reduce the air flow 57 passing through the filling and/or venting device 50 and, in particular, also to reduce the air stream getting into the inflatable textile bag 40, the conical configuration of the inflow flap 48 makes it possible for part of the air stream to be guided past the air inlet 51, so that unnecessary reduction of the air resistance of the overall arrangement can be avoided.

[0224] It is understood that the afore mentioned holding device 72, the drive 61, and the drive carriage 80 as well as the filling and/or venting device 50 are correspondingly provided on each vehicle side of the vehicle 30, i.e. in relation to both the right and the left part of the inflatable textile bag, but this does not necessarily have to be the case in other embodiments.

[0225] The control unit 90, which has already been briefly explained above, is preferably configured as a microcontroller, although conventional electric circuits can also be used here. In this regard, the control unit 90 communicates with the filling and/or venting device 50, in order to fill or empty the inflatable textile bag 40 (91). The filling and/or venting device 50, on the other hand, reports its status regarding whether the inflatable textile bag 40 is filled or emptied (92).

[0226] With reference to the positioning system 60, the control unit 90 communicates with the positioning system 60 and commands it to move out or in (93). The positioning system 60 reports its status as being moved out or in (94).

[0227] The control unit 90 furthermore takes into account the speed 96 of the vehicle 30 and the air pressure 97 in the inflatable textile bag 40, with regard to its communication with the filling and/or venting device 50 and the positioning system 60, in order to be able to intervene accordingly, depending on the requirements.

[0228] Furthermore, manual moving in or out 95 is provided as a command input for the control unit 90.

[0229] Further control possibilities can also be provided in the control unit 90. It is likewise conceivable to connect supplemental controllers ahead of or after the control unit 90.

[0230] As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the inflatable textile bag 40 can be fastened to and removed from the rear 34 of the vehicle 30 by way of the keder rails 83, in quick and simple manner, if the rails carry a first component 101 of a tensioning and holding device 100 of the holding apparatus 70.

[0231] The second component 102 of the tensioning and holding device 100 can then be fastened to the rear 34 of the vehicle 30 and, in particular, to its doors 109.

[0232] In the present exemplary embodiment, the first component 101 comprises a groove 107 on the keder rail 83, while the second component 102 comprises an associated tongue 108, which is provided on a tensioning and holding lever 103. Multiple tensioning and holding levers 103 are seated on a tensioning shaft 104, which is rotatably fastened to the door 109 by means of fastenings 105, and carries an actuating lever 106 in the vicinity of the underside of the vehicle 30.

[0233] Corresponding arrangements are located mirror-symmetrically on both doors 109, so that the keder rails 83, in which the inflatable textile bag 40 is held by way of the keders 81, is merely laid into the groove 107, and the position of the actuating lever 106 has to be changed in such a manner that the tensioning and holding lever 103 makes contact with the door. On the basis of the overall geometry, this then leads to tensioning of the inflatable textile bag.

[0234] It is understood that, if applicable, the tensioning lever can also be provided on the inflatable textile bag 40 or, on the inflatable textile bag side, on the two-component tensioning and holding device 100. Then one component of the two-component tensioning and holding device 100, which component is immovably fastened to the vehicle 30, is sufficient.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0235] 1 inflatable bag surface element for rear wall 42 [0236] 2 inflatable bag surface element for rear wall 42 [0237] 3 stabilizer surface element [0238] 4 stabilizer surface element [0239] 5 stabilizer surface element [0240] 6 inflatable bag surface element for side wall [0241] 7 inflatable bag surface element for side wall [0242] 8 inflatable bag surface element for side wall [0243] 9 inflatable bag surface element for side wall [0244] 10 inflatable bag surface element for side wall [0245] 11 inflatable bag surface element for side wall [0246] 12 inflatable bag surface element for top wall [0247] 13 inflatable bag surface element for top wall [0248] 14 inflatable bag surface element for bottom wall [0249] 15 stabilizer surface element [0250] 16 stabilizer surface element [0251] 17 inflatable bag surface element for rear side 46 [0252] 18 stabilizer surface element as central element [0253] 19 opening in the inflatable bag surface element 14 [0254] 20 stabilizer [0255] 21 air inlet [0256] 22 connection line [0257] 23 hole [0258] 24 edge [0259] 25 air channel [0260] 26 air hose [0261] 27 outlet valve [0262] 28 implodable hose [0263] 29 openings of the air channel 25 [0264] 30 vehicle [0265] 31 vehicle box body [0266] 32 frame construction of the commercial vehicle 30 [0267] 33 front side of the vehicle 30 [0268] 34 rear side of the vehicle 30 [0269] 35 dirt deflector [0270] 36 control flap [0271] 37 expansion chamber [0272] 38 acceleration chamber [0273] 39 zipper [0274] 40 inflatable textile bag [0275] 41 outer wall [0276] 42 rear wall [0277] 43 top side [0278] 44 bottom side [0279] 45 horizontal side [0280] 46 rear side [0281] 47 vehicle side [0282] 48 inflow flap [0283] 49 regulating means [0284] 50 filling and/or venting device [0285] 51 air inlet [0286] 52 Venturi nozzle [0287] 53 air outlet [0288] 54 nozzle body [0289] 55 intake chamber [0290] 56 filter arrangement [0291] 57 air stream [0292] 58 pressure [0293] 59 suction [0294] 60 positioning system [0295] 61 drive [0296] 62 controller [0297] 63 check valve [0298] 64 Bowden cable sheath [0299] 65 steel core [0300] 66 Bowden cable tensioning spring [0301] 67 guide cylinder on the shaft side/counter-side [0302] 68 bidirectional winding drum [0303] 69 cable [0304] 70 holding apparatus [0305] 71 carrier [0306] 72 holding device [0307] 73 sliding guide [0308] 74 sliding block guide [0309] 75 keder guide [0310] 76 guide rail for drive carriage 80 [0311] 77 sliding block carriage [0312] 78 guide rail for sliding block carriage 77 [0313] 79 outer ring [0314] 80 drive carriage [0315] 81 keder [0316] 82 keder flap [0317] 83 first keder rail [0318] 84 second keder rail [0319] 85 curved keder rail [0320] 86 keder bead [0321] 87 cable fastener [0322] 88 deflection plate [0323] 89 heater [0324] 90 control unit/microcontroller [0325] 91 inflatable textile bag 40 filling/emptying [0326] 92 inflatable textile bag 40 filled/emptied [0327] 93 positioning system 60 move out/move in [0328] 94 positioning system 60 moved out/moved in [0329] 95 manual moving out/moving in [0330] 96 speed [0331] 97 air pressure in the inflatable textile bag 40 [0332] 98 opening [0333] 99 retention device [0334] R right part of the inflatable textile bag 40 [0335] L left part of the inflatable textile bag 40 [0336] 100 tensioning and holding device [0337] 101 first component of the tensioning and holding device 100 [0338] 102 second component of the tensioning and holding device 100 [0339] 103 tensioning and holding lever [0340] 104 tensioning shaft [0341] 105 fastener [0342] 106 actuating lever [0343] 107 groove [0344] 108 tongue [0345] 109 door of the vehicle 30