CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/594,827, filed December 5, 2017. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an aerodynamic vehicle surface used at the rear of a vehicle. More particularly the present invention relates to an improved design for a so called“spoiler” used in the rear upper surface area of a sport utility vehicle (SUV), minivan, cargo van, station wagon, cab of a pickup truck or any other vehicle type where the rear surface of the vehicle creates a significant turbulence region (wake) behind the vehicle. For simplicity we will refer to the vehicle as an SUV, but it should be understood that the description / invention applies to any vehicle with significant turbulent wake behind it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

So called“spoilers” are known for use in vehicles for providing aerodynamic and styling benefits to various vehicles. In SUV type vehicles the spoiler is typically provided at the upper lift gate area wherein it is either attached to the roof or to the top of the lift gate of this type of vehicle.

The use of spoilers on SUV type vehicles reduces turbulent wake at the back area of SUVs thereby reducing coefficient of drag (Cd) and improving fuel economy. It also provides other benefits such as reducing accumulation of dirt on the rear window and wind noise reduction. The spoiler also often contains electronics such as antennas, brake signal indicator lamps and other electric components. Other electronic components may be mounted to the vehicle in the vicinity, such as roof mounted antennae. Therefore, consideration must always be given to providing space for electronics and components when designing spoilers used in a lift gate.

Rear spoilers have been designed and implemented attempting to combine aerodynamic improvement with providing enhanced cleaning for the rear window (backlight). Unfortunately such designs typically do not provide sufficient cleaning improvement and at the same time adversely affect aerodynamic benefits of the spoiler. Therefore, it is desired in the art to provide an improved spoiler for a vehicle, and in particular a SUV vehicle, which provides improved aerodynamics for a vehicle. It is also desirable to have a spoiler which provides benefits as to design, attachment and packaging within the lift gate area and includes better backlight cleaning characteristics. Additional benefits desired include allowing for additional space for electronics packaging in this area of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a multi surface spoiler for a lift gate or roof of an SUV vehicle, minivan, cargo van, station wagon, cab of a pickup truck or any other vehicle type where the rear surface of the vehicle creates a significant turbulence region (wake) behind the vehicle.

The spoiler includes a first spoiler surface attached to the upper trailing area of a vehicle having a turbulence creating area. At least a second spoiler member having upper and lower surfaces spaced from the first lower surface for providing accelerated flow of air over said upper and lower surfaces is provided. Accelerated flow of air between said first spoiler surface and the lower surface of said second spoiler member is provided in the construction.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figures 1A-1 D are perspective views of the multi surface spoiler for a lift gate of an SUV vehicle;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the multi surface spoiler for a lift gate of an SUV vehicle;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the lower spoiler portion showing the connection points for the stanchions shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1 B; Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1 B;

Figures 6A and 6B are side perspective views of examples of some of the prior art spoilers with only aero benefit, and those attempting to combine aero and backlight cleaning benefit;

Figures 7 A and 7B show an illustrative view of the airflow enhancements utilizing the spoiler of the present invention, shown in Figure 7B, versus the airflow of a conventional SUV spoiler arrangement shown in Figure 7A;

Figures 8A-8C are illustrative of sectional views showing alternate embodiments of the present invention;

Figures 9A-9C are perspective views of an alternate embodiment of an open ended spoiler in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 10 is an alternate embodiment of the spoiler of the present invention showing the use of closed ends and no internal stanchions;

Figure 11 is an alternate embodiment of the spoiler of the present invention showing the use of closed ends and one internal stanchion; and,

Figure 12 is an alternate embodiment of the spoiler of the present invention showing the use of closed ends and multiple internal stanchions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

Referring now to the figures and more particularly to Figures 1A-1 D, 2 and 3, a multi surface spoiler for an upper trailing area of a vehicle having a turbulence creating area is provided and generally shown at 10. Vehicles having rear turbulence areas typically have a large area at the rear end which is slanted or substantially vertical, wherein substantial turbulence is created at the rear of the vehicle when driving the vehicle. Vehicles where the spoiler of the present invention is particularly useful include SUV vehicles, minivans, station wagons, cargo vans, and a cab of a pickup truck or the like.

The multi surface spoiler 10 has a first spoiler surface 12 on a first spoiler member generally indicated at 13 which first spoiler member 13 is attached to the upper trailing area 14 of the vehicle 16 and at least a second spoiler member 18 having upper 20 and lower 22 surfaces spaced from the first spoiler surface 12 for providing accelerated flow of air over said upper 20 and lower 22 surfaces and between said first spoiler surface 12 and the lower surface of said second spoiler member 18. The second spoiler member 18 is connected to the first spoiler surface 12 by way of a plurality of support stanchions 24. Referring to Figures 10-12, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art the number of stanchions may vary from no stanchions where the end walls are used to support the upper wing as shown in Figure 10, one stanchion 24 as shown in Figure 11 and multiple stanchions as shown in Figure 12. The horizontal cross section of a stanchion may be in the airfoil shape or other suitable shape as to reduce aerodynamic drag and mitigate wind noise.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, an exploded view of an embodiment of the assembly of the present invention is shown. The stanchions 24 include an upper attachment head 40 with holes 42 in which fasteners are used to attach the stanchion 24 to the lower surface 22 of second spoiler member 18. While fasteners are shown it is to be appreciated that adhesives, rivets bolts, self-tapping screws and/or combinations of these can be used for attaching the stanchion 24 to the second spoiler member 18 the stanchion 24 includes an intermediate leg 44 connected to a base 46. Base 46 includes an attachment flange 48. The attachment flange 48 is configured for being inserted into an attachment aperture 50 in a recessed area 52 of the first spoiler surface 12 of first spoiler member 13. The second spoiler member 18 has downwardly extending attachment flanges 54 and 56 which are configured to mate and attach to downwardly extending flanges 58 and 60 by way of adhesive or for instance fasteners inserted through holes 62 in the flanges 58 and 60. A CHSML aperture 64 is formed in spoiler member 13. Suitable attachment structures 66 and bosses 68 are provided for attachment of the lower spoiler member to the vehicle body or lift gate.

In a preferred embodiment, the multi surface spoiler 10, the first spoiler surface 12 and the second spoiler member 18 have a laterally outer edge 26 which is closed by a wall member 28. In a more preferred embodiment the first spoiler surface 12 and said second spoiler member 18 are also closed by a wall member 28a on an opposite lateral end 26a.

Referring now to Figures 9A-9C in an alternate embodiment of a spoiler 1 10 the outer lateral sides 126 and 126a are open however the convergence from front to back narrowing between the surfaces to the trailing edge provides for improved accelerated flow of air for reducing turbulence. Thus the spoilers of the present invention provide a narrower area at the trailing edge for outlet of air than the leading edge for providing accelerated air flow in the spoilers of the present invention. In order to provide beneficial flow the ratio of the area encompassing the leading edges“A” of the spoiler member to the trailing edges“B” is greater than 1 to one and generally of from about 1.25 to 1 to about 5 to one; typically from about 1.5 to 1 to about 3 to 1 and preferably 1.75 to 1 to about 2.25 to one with a 2 to one area ration being particularly preferred.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 in an illustrative embodiment the first spoiler surface 12 and said second spoiler member 18 are configured to provide an energized flow of air over the surfaces by the first spoiler surface including a trailing edge 30 by way of a transition from an upper surface 32 to an extended lower surface 34 adjacent but under said upper surface 32 forming an elongated tail portion 36.

The second spoiler member 18 has a leading edge 18a and a trailing edgel 8b with respect to airflow over said spoiler 10. The trailing edgel 8b is closer to said first spoiler surface at the trailing edge 30 than the leading edge 18a to provide accelerated flow over the surfaces and reducing turbulent wake area and directing it down and away from the backlight (rear glass) for enhanced rear window cleaning and aerodynamic benefits including reduced noise and reduced rear air turbulence. In order to provide beneficial flow the ratio of the area encompassing the leading edge area“A” of the multi surface spoiler to the trailing edge area“B” is greater than 1 to one and generally of from about 1.25 to 1 to about 5 to one; typically from about 1.5 to 1 to about 3 to 1 and preferably 1.75 to 1 to about 2.25 to 1 with a ratio of about 2 to 1 area being particularly preferred.

Referring to Figures 8A-8C in alternate embodiment at least second spoiler member includes a plurality of spoiler members 10a and 10b that are stacked on top of each other and with either closed or open ends with stanchions connecting them. Thus, in embodiment 10a two spoiler“wings” are stacked and in embodiment 10b three spoiler “wings” are stacked. It will be appreciated that these are cross sectional illustrations and that the lateral ends are either closed or open in the preferred embodiments of these spoiler designs of Figures 8A-8C as described above. It is to be appreciated that the space at the trailing edge between each of the wings it less than the space between the leading edge of each wing such that an accelerated air flow is provided during forward movement of the vehicle.

As shown in Figure 7B and the airflow at the rear end of an SUV vehicle using the multi surface spoiler 10 of the present invention is enhanced with less turbulence shown at 70 as compared to the much greater turbulence airflow 72 of a conventional spoiler assembly shown in Figure 7A . Also the present invention provides additional areas for electrical packages antennas and other components over traditional designs. The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.