Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an aerodynamic panel which reduces air friction generated under the vehicle during driving and thus provides fuel saving in the vehicles when mounted on the lower base of a motor vehicle.

Background of the Invention

The aerodynamic panel enables the lower bases of the vehicles to have a smooth surface by being mounted on this part, and thus enables the friction occurring due to air during driving to be reduced. Upon the decrease in friction, the vehicle can move more comfortably and fuel saving is achieved. The wider the surface area of the said panel is, the more the losses can be reduced. However, the arms on the assembly line and even carrying the vehicle during production of the vehicle can prevent the panel from being mounted under the vehicle. For this reason, several empty areas through which the carrying arms can pass should be present on the aerodynamic panel. United States Patent Document no US2013200656, an application known in the state of the art, discloses an aerodynamic panel. The said aerodynamic panel is coupled to a thermal shield including a plurality of expansion joints. By means of the said thermal shield, the aerodynamic panel is not affected by the heat changes from the engine and the exhaust. Furthermore, there is a opening for enabling easy mounting.

There is no study about reducing the openings that should be on the aerodynamic panels designed today after the production of the vehicle.

Summary of the Invention The objective of the present invention is to provide an under vehicle aerodynamic panel which reduces friction during driving.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an under vehicle aerodynamic panel which has an opening thereon such that it will not prevent the carrying arms from functioning.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide an under vehicle aerodynamic panel comprising an additional panel which enables the opening to be made smaller by being added to the panel after the assembly of the vehicle is completed.

Detailed Description of the Invention

An under vehicle aerodynamic panel developed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is the perspective view of one embodiment of the inventive under vehicle aerodynamic panel.

Figure 2 is the perspective view of the additional panel attached to the body of the inventive aerodynamic panel.

Figure 3 is the perspective view of the additional panel attached to the body of the inventive aerodynamic panel in folded state.

Figure 4 is the perspective view of folding tab and folding hole of the inventive aerodynamic panel.

Figure 5 is the perspective view of fixing tab on the body of the inventive aerodynamic panel.

Figure 6 is the lateral cross-sectional view of the additional panel attached to the body of the inventive aerodynamic panel in folded state.

Figure 7 is the perspective view of another embodiment of the inventive under vehicle aerodynamic panel. Figure 8 is the top perspective view of the additional panel of the inventive aerodynamic panel.

Figure 9 is the bottom perspective view of the body and the additional panel of the inventive aerodynamic panel.

Figure 10 is the bottom perspective view of the additional panel attached to the body of the inventive aerodynamic panel.

The components shown in the figures are each given reference numerals as follows:

1. Under vehicle aerodynamic panel

2. Body

3. Emptied area

4. Additional panel

5. Opening

6. Folding tab

7. Folding hole

8. Fixing tab

9. Fixing hole

10. Aquaplaning member

11. Extension

12. Mounting member

The inventive under vehicle aerodynamic panel (1) essentially comprises:

at least one body (2) which covers the bottom of the vehicle,

- at least one emptied area (3) which enables the carrying arms to hold on to the vehicle when the vehicle is on the assembly line, and which is located on the body (2),

at least one additional panel (4) which is placed on the emptied area (3) on the body (2) after the vehicles goes out of the production line,

- at least one opening (5) which is located on the additional panel (4) and which allows the car lifter being placed under the vehicle, at least one mounting member (12) which enables the additional panel (4) to be fixed on the body (2).

The body (2) is in form of a plate which reduces air friction created under the vehicle during driving by being mounted on the lower base of the vehicle, and thus enables fuel saving. By means of the emptied area (3) present on the body (2), the carrying arms pass inside the body (2) while the assembly of the vehicle continues, and thus the vehicle is moved. Such area (3) on the body (2) is required in this respect.

The additional panel (4) is in form of a removable plate which is used in filling the emptied area (3) formed on the body (2) after the production. Therefore, the surface area of the inventive aerodynamic panel (1) is expanded more and the fuel saving can be increased.

In one embodiment of the invention, the additional panel (4) can be folded towards the upper surface of the body (2), and it can be fixed in this way. In this embodiment of the invention, at least one folding tab (6) provided on the body (2) engages into at least one folding hole (7) provided on the additional panel (4) and holds on to the additional panel (4), therefore the additional panel (4) enabled to be fixed on the body (2) reversely (Figure 3 and 6). When the said additional panel (4) is connected with the body (2) in order to expand the surface area of the panel (1), the fixing member (8) provided on the body (2) engages into the fixing hole (9) on the additional panel (4). Furthermore, the mounting of the additional panel (4) to the body (2) is realized via at least one mounting member (12) (Figure 2)·

In another embodiment of the invention, there is at least one extension (11) on the additional panel (2) and at least one aquaplaning member (10) on the body (2) in a form such that the said extension (1 1) can pass through. The extension (1 1) is in shape of a planar protrusion extending as connected to the additional panel (4). The aquaplaning member (10) has the same thickness with the extension (1 1), and it is in form of a slipping channel which enables the extension (1 1) to be held here when it is pushed inside. Upon the extension (1 1) passes through the aquaplaning member (10), the additional panel (4) is connected with the body (2). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there are two extensions (11) and two aquaplaning members (10) (Figures 9 and 10). After the extensions (11) are placed on the aquaplaning members (10), the additional panel (4) is enabled to be fixed by mounting on the body (2) via the mounting members (12). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there are two mounting members (12) and they are in form of bolts.

The inventive under vehicle aerodynamic panel (1) the surface area of which can be expanded by means of the removable additional panel (4) creates a planar structure under the vehicle, and thus reduces the friction force of the air passing under the vehicle during driving. Therefore, the power needed for the vehicle to move also decreases, and fuel saving can be provided.