DEFLECTOR STRUCTURE

Abstract

A deflector structure for a truck unit having a cab, the deflector structure being configured to form a barrier surrounding at least part of the gap between the cab and a trailer to be towed by the truck unit, the deflector structure comprising a flexible frame fixed to the cab, the flexible frame comprising a plurality of bouncy cushions extending rearwardly towards the trailer at least in an inflated configuration, and at least a flexible canvas held by the flexible frame and/or by the cab and guided by the bouncy cushions to form the barrier.

Claims

1. A deflector structure for a truck unit having a cab, the deflector structure being configured to form a barrier surrounding at least part of a gap between the cab and a trailer to be towed by the truck unit, the deflector structure comprising: a flexible frame fixed to the cab, the flexible frame comprising a plurality of bouncy cushions extending rearwardly towards the trailer at least in an inflated configuration; and at least a flexible canvas held by the flexible frame and/or by the cab and guided by the bouncy cushions to form the barrier.

2. The deflector structure of claim 1, wherein the inflated configuration of at least one of the bouncy cushions of the flexible frame is adjustable.

3. The deflector structure of claim 1, wherein the flexible frame comprises a plurality of pairs of substantially parallel bouncy cushions between which the flexible canvas passes, being notably pinched between them.

4. The deflector structure of claim 1, wherein the bouncy cushions are configured to have at least one partially inflated configuration and/or one not-inflated configuration and one fully inflated configuration, the inflated configuration being a partially inflated configuration or a fully inflated configuration.

5. The deflector structure of claim 1, wherein at least one bouncy cushion has a substantially elongated external shape, at least in the inflated configuration.

6. The deflector structure of claim 1, wherein at least one bouncy cushion has an external shape configured such that in the inflated configuration, it forms at least one curvature, in particular an external shape of at least one bouncy cushion comprises a groove in a not-inflated or partially inflated configuration in such a way that in a full inflated configuration, it forms a curvature at the place of the groove.

7. The deflector structure of claim 3, wherein, in a pair of substantially parallel bouncy cushions, one of them is shorter than the other one, at least in the inflated configuration.

8. The deflector structure of claim 1, wherein at least two bouncy cushions are aligned with each other, a free end of one of them facing an end of the other one.

9. The deflector structure of claim 8, wherein the at least two bouncy cushions that are aligned with each other have different shapes and/or lengths, at least in the inflated configuration.

10. The deflector structure of claim 1, wherein the flexible frame comprises a plurality of single bouncy cushions guiding the flexible canvas and being distant from one another.

11. The deflector structure of claim 1, further comprising at least one rigid arm, preferably at least two rigid arms, each of the rigid arm(s) being fixed to a bouncy cushion, preferably to a free end thereof, and a pivot to which the rigid arm(s) is or are pivotably attached in such a way that each rigid arm is guiding and holding in the inflated configuration the bouncy cushion to which it is fixed.

12. The deflector structure of claim 1, further comprising at least one adjustable tightened string configured to hold the deflector structure in the inflated configuration, according to dimensions and shape of the gap.

13. A truck unit comprising the deflector structure of claim 1, wherein the truck unit is configured to hold the deflector structure and to inflate the bouncy cushions from a not-inflated or partly inflated configuration to a partly inflated configuration or full inflated configuration.

14. The truck unit of claim 13, wherein the pneumatic system of the truck unit is configured to inflate the bouncy cushions.

15. A method for adjusting the deflector structure of claim 1, comprising: calculating the dimensions and shape of the gap between the cab and the trailer; based on the dimensions and shape of the gap, determining an inflated configuration of the deflector structure in order to form a barrier surrounding at least part of the gap; and inflating the bouncy cushions of the deflector structure to obtain the determined inflated configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of aspects of the disclosure cited as examples.

[0049] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a truck unit according to prior art.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a truck unit towing a trailer, according to prior art.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a truck unit towing a trailer according to prior art.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a truck unit according to one example.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a schematic rear view of a deflector structure according to one example.

[0054] FIG. 6 is an isolated schematic partial side view of an example of deflector structure according to one example.

[0055] FIG. 7 is an isolated schematic partial side view of an example of deflector structure according to one example.

[0056] FIG. 8 is an isolated schematic partial side view of an example of deflector structure according to one example.

[0057] FIG. 9 is an isolated schematic partial side view of an example of deflector structure according to one example.

[0058] FIG. 10 is an isolated schematic partial side view of an example of deflector structure according to one example.

[0059] FIG. 11 is an isolated schematic partial side view of an example of deflector structure according to one example.

[0060] FIG. 12 is an isolated schematic partial side view of an example of deflector structure according to one example.

[0061] FIG. 13 is an isolated schematic partial side view of an example of deflector structure according to one example.

[0062] FIG. 14 is a schematic top view of an exemplary truck unit towing a trailer according to one example, with arms in a first position.

[0063] FIG. 15 is a schematic top view the truck unit towing a trailer according to the example of FIG. 14, with arms in a second position.

[0064] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a truck unit according to one example.

[0065] FIG. 17 is a schematic to view of a truck unit towing a trailer according to one example.

[0066] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a method for adjusting a deflector structure, according to one example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Aspects set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.

[0068] FIG. 3 shows a truck unit 1 towing a trailer 2. This truck unit 1 is electrically powered in this example. The gap G between truck cab 4 and trailer 2 is bigger than gap G of FIG. 2. The deflector 3 of prior art is too short for closing such gap G, with the double arrow showing the distance D between the truck cab 4 and the trailer 2.

[0069] FIG. 4 shows a truck unit 10 according to an example of the disclosure. The truck unit 10 comprises a cab 14 and is configured to tow a trailer 12 not shown in this figure, but similar to the one of FIG. 3 and leaving a space or gap between the truck cab 14 and the trailer to be towed similar to gap G. The truck unit 10 comprises a deflector structure 13 configured to form at least partly a barrier surrounding the gap, similar to gap G of FIG. 3, between the cab 14 and the trailer 12 to be towed by the truck unit 10. The deflector structure 13 comprises a flexible frame 15 fixed to the cab 14, the flexible frame 15 comprising a plurality of bouncy cushions 16 extending rearwardly towards the trailer at least in an inflated configuration. The deflector structure 13 also comprises at least a flexible canvas 17 held by the flexible frame 15 and/or by the cab 14 and being guided by the bouncy cushions 16.

[0070] The deflector structure 13 may improve ergonomics of the truck unit 10 when towing the trailer 12, especially but not exclusively when the truck unit 10 is electrically powered. Furthermore, the deflector structure 13 is light.

[0071] The truck unit 10 comprises a chassis 11 to which the trailer 12 is to be attached.

[0072] The cab 14 comprises a rear side 18 to which the flexible frame 15, notably at least part of the bouncy cushions 16 and/or the flexible canvas 17, may be fixed. The cab 14 comprises in this example of FIG. 4, on an upper side 19, a rigid deflector 20 to the rear side 33 of which at least part of the bouncy cushions 16 and/or the flexible canvas 17 may be fixed.

[0073] The flexible canvas 17 may be a cloth, for example a water-repellant cloth, the cloth being waterproof or not, having at least one layer, for example one layer. The cloth may be made of a synthetic material, for example reinforced on an external side so as to be tear resistant. The flexible canvas 17 may be fixed to the flexible frame 15. The bouncy cushions 16 may be made of a waterproof flexible cloth. The bouncy cushions 16 may not be elastically deformable. In some examples, the flexible frame 15 and the flexible canvas 17 may be made of a single piece.

[0074] The bouncy cushions 16 may be inflated with gas, especially with ambient air. In the example of FIG. 4, the inflated configuration of the bouncy cushions 16 of the flexible frame 15 is not adjustable.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5, the deflector structure 13 may be U-shaped, extending according to three sides, one upper side 21 and two lateral sides 22 and 23. Upper side 21 and lateral side 22 are visible in FIG. 4. In these examples, the deflector structure 13 is not provided to extend along a chassis 11 of the truck unit 10 but only forms a barrier laterally and above the gap between the cab 14 and the trailer 12, when in place and in an inflated configuration. The lateral sides 22 and 23 may extend substantially vertically. The upper side 21 extends substantially horizontally in this example.

[0076] The flexible frame 15 comprises a plurality of, in this example four, pairs 25 of substantially parallel bouncy cushions 16 between which the flexible canvas 17 passes, being notably pinched between them. In this example, the bouncy cushions 16 of a same pair 25 are close to each other and are distant from bouncy cushions 16 of another pair 25. The flexible canvas 17 may be maintained between several pairs 25 of bouncy cushions 16. The flexible canvas 17 is, in this example, tensed in the inflated configuration of the bouncy cushions 16.

[0077] The flexible frame 15 comprises a pair 25 of bouncy cushions 16 at each corner 26 and 27 between the upper side 21 and the lateral sides 22 and 23 and a pair 25 of bouncy cushions 16 in each lateral side 22 or 23, in this example in a lower portion thereof.

[0078] In this example, the bouncy cushions 16 have a circular cross section in an inflated configuration.

[0079] In some examples, the inflated configuration of at least one bouncy cushion 16, preferably of several or all bouncy cushions 16, of the flexible frame 15 may be adjustable.

[0080] The bouncy cushions 16 may be configured to have at least one partially inflated configuration and/or one not-inflated configuration and one fully inflated configuration, said inflated configuration being a partially inflated configuration or a fully inflated configuration. There may be several inflated configurations of a bouncy cushion 16. In a partially inflated configuration, such as shown in FIG. 6, the pressure inside the bouncy cushions 16 is less than the maximum pressure, and the bouncy cushions 16 have a shortened shape.

[0081] In the fully inflated configuration as in the example of FIG. 7, the pressure inside the bouncy cushions 16 is equal to the maximum pressure. The maximum pressure may be a pressure be put within the bouncy cushion 16 that can allow to obtain the fully inflated configuration without creating plastic deformation of the bouncy cushion 16 or without damaging, for example tearing, the bouncy cushion 16.

[0082] In the examples of FIGS. 6 and 7, bouncy cushions 16 have a substantially elongated external shape, at least in the inflated configuration. In such case, the bouncy cushion 16 extends between one first end 28 fixed to the cab 14 and one second end 29 being a free end.

[0083] In these examples, the bouncy cushions 16 have a shape of a tube. The cross section of such a tube may be circular or have another section shape, may be constant or not. The section of said at least one bouncy cushion, for example of the tube forming the bouncy cushion, is constant in these examples.

[0084] In a variant, the cross section of said at least one bouncy cushion may vary.

[0085] In the example shown in FIG. 8, the bouncy cushions 16 have an external shape configured such that in the inflated configuration, it forms at least one curvature.

[0086] The flexible frame 15 shown in FIG. 8 comprises a pair 25 of substantially parallel bouncy cushions 16 between which the flexible canvas 17 passes. One of the bouncy cushions 16 is shorter than the other one, at least in the inflated configuration, as shown in FIG. 8. Such an arrangement, with one bouncy cushion 16 being shorter than the other one, may be made by an inflated configuration of one bouncy cushion 16 being different, i.e., by injecting more or less gas, from the inflated configuration of the other one. Alternatively, or in combination, such an arrangement may be due to the shape of the bouncy cushions 16, one being for example shorter than the other one in a not-inflated state. Such an arrangement may be provided for adjusting the shape of the deflector structure 13.

[0087] The second end 29 of the bouncy cushions 16 is not perpendicular to the elongated part thereof in this example of FIG. 8 but inclined relative to the elongated part.

[0088] At least two bouncy cushions 16 may be aligned with each other, a second end 29 of one of them facing another first end 30 of the other bouncy cushion 16, and the second end 29 and the other first end 30 for example being in contact with one another. This is the case in examples shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. In such cases, one of the bouncy cushions 16 of the pair 25 has only one bouncy cushion 16 and the other of the bouncy cushions 16 of the pair 25 has two aligned bouncy cushions 16. The aligned bouncy cushions 16 may allow more adaptability of the shape of the deflector structure 13.

[0089] The said at least two bouncy cushions 16, namely 16a and 16b, that are aligned with each other have the same length and the same shape in the examples shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Such a configuration with two aligned bouncy cushions 16a, 16b may exist in a pair 25 of bouncy cushions 16 of the flexible frame 15, as is the case in the examples shown in FIG. 9 to 11. In FIG. 9, the bouncy cushions 16 are in a shortened state, being partially inflated. In FIG. 10, the bouncy cushions 16 are in an extended state, being fully inflated.

[0090] In the example shown in FIG. 11, the bouncy cushions 16a and 16b have different shapes and lengths, at least in the inflated configuration.

[0091] The inflated configuration of the bouncy cushions 16 of the flexible frame 15, for example of two aligned bouncy cushions 16 and/or of two bouncy cushions 16 substantially parallel and close together, may be different and specific for each bouncy cushion 16.

[0092] The flexible frame 15 may comprise a plurality of single bouncy cushions 16 guiding the flexible canvas 17 and being distant from one another. In such case shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the section of the single bouncy cushions 16 may be large enough to have some stiffness to hold the flexible canvas for example.

[0093] In the particular example of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, an external shape of the bouncy cushion 16 comprises a groove 31 in a not-inflated or partially inflated configuration shown in FIG. 12 in such a way that in a full inflated configuration shown in FIG. 13, it forms a curvature 32 at the place of the groove. The external shape of at least one bouncy cushion 16 may similarly comprise several grooves.

[0094] In an example shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the deflector structure 13 has to form a barrier at least partly around the gap G due to the distance D between the truck cab 14 and the trailer 12. In this example, the deflector structure 13, which is U-shaped as in the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, further comprises at least one rigid arm 35, in this example at least two rigid arms 35. Each of the rigid arms 35 is fixed to a bouncy cushion 16, in this example to a free end 29 thereof. The rigid arms 35 are pivotably attached to a pivot 36 in such a way that each rigid arm 35 is guiding and holding in said inflated configuration the bouncy cushion 16 to which it is fixed, after pivoting from a position shown in FIG. 14 to a position shown in FIG. 15 according to the dotted curved double arrow shown in this figure. The pivot 36 may be fixed to the chassis 11 of the truck unit 10, for example extending vertically from the chassis 11, in this example in a central part of the chassis 11 relative to the lateral sides of the chassis 11. In this example, the rigid arms 35 extend symmetrically relative to a central longitudinal vertical plane P of the chassis, from the pivot 36 to the lateral sides of the truck unit 10.

[0095] In an example shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the deflector structure 13 further comprises at least one adjustable tightened string 38 configured to hold the deflector structure 13 in the inflated configuration, according to dimensions and shape of the gap. In such example, the deflector structure 13 comprises several adjustable tightened strings 38 configured to hold the flexible frame 15 and/or the flexible canvas 17. In such case, the strings 38 may be fixed on the one hand to several points 39 of the flexible frame 15 and/or flexible canvas 17 and on the other hand to at least one attachment point 40 and tightened in an inflated configuration of the flexible frame 15.

[0096] Arm(s) and string(s) may be simultaneously present in a same deflector structure 13.

[0097] The truck unit 10 is configured to hold the deflector structure 13 and to inflate the bouncy cushions 16 from a not-inflated or partly inflated configuration to a partly inflated configuration or full inflated configuration. It may improve ergonomics of a truck having a truck unit towing a trailer. A technical benefit may include the lightness of such a deflector structure 13. It is possible to adjust the deflector structure 13 to a couple truck unit 10-trailer 12. When changing the trailer 12 to be towed by the truck unit 10, an adjustment of the deflector structure 13 to the new cab 14-trailer 12 gap may be made by inflating more or less gas within all or part of the bouncy cushions 16.

[0098] In some examples, the existing pneumatic system of the truck unit 10 may be configured to inflate the bouncy cushions 16. Bringing the deflector structure 13 onto the truck unit 10 may be easy, with the fixation of the deflector structure 10 and the addition of a tube system between the pneumatic system and the bouncy cushions 16.

[0099] The truck unit 10 may comprise a fastening system for fastening the deflector structure 13 to the cab 14. Different phases of a method for adjusting a deflector structure 13 are shown in FIG. 17. The method comprises a/calculating the dimensions and shape of the gap between the cab 14 and the trailer 12, then b/based on the dimensions and shape of said gap, determining an inflated configuration of the deflector structure 13 in order to form a barrier surrounding said gap, and then c/inflating the bouncy cushions 16 of said deflector structure 13 to obtain said determined inflated configuration.

[0100] A technical benefit of this aspect may be able to adapt a deflector structure 13 mounted on a truck unit to a particular trailer to be towed by the truck unit.

[0101] This method may be implemented only once when a new trailer 12 to be towed is attached to the truck unit 10. The method may be implemented when starting an engine of the truck unit 10. Then, when the engine is stopped, the deflector structure 13 may be kept in the determined inflated configuration. Alternatively, the deflector structure 13 may be deflated to a not-inflated configuration and stored in one or several housings, for example, automatically or manually. Then, when the engine is restarted, with the same trailer 12 being attached to the truck unit 10, the deflector structure 13 may be kept in the determined inflated configuration or re-inflated in the determined inflated configuration. Such determined inflated configuration is stored in a memory. In such case, the two first phases of the method, which are machine learning phases, are not reiterated. It is only when another trailer 12 is attached to the truck unit 10 that the whole method may be implemented again.

[0102] In particular to implement the method, the truck unit 10 may comprise a tube system between the pneumatic system and the bouncy cushions so as to inject gas, for example air, within the bouncy cushions 16. The tubes of the tube system may have a diameter less than 10 mm, for example comprised between around 5 mm and 6 mm.

[0103] The truck unit 10 may comprise at least part of a camera and/or sensors for measuring distances in the surroundings, at least one gas valve to be opened or closed, a control system for receiving data from the camera and/or sensors, calculating and determining an inflated configuration of the deflector structure 13 and for controlling the injection of gas, especially air, in the bouncy cushions in order to obtain the determined inflated configuration of the deflector structure. The control system may also be configured to control a movement of the rigid arm(s) if any, and/or a tightening of the string(s) when present.

[0104] The truck unit 10 may also comprise at least one housing for housing at least part of the deflector structure, at least in a not inflated configuration. Such housing(s) may comprise a box fixed to a rear side of the cab.

[0105] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms comprises, comprising, includes, and/or including when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0106] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0107] Relative terms such as below or above or upper or lower or horizontal or vertical may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being connected or coupled to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly connected or directly coupled to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0108] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0109] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the aspects described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed aspects for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the inventive concepts being set forth in the following claims.