AERODYNAMIC DRAG REDUCING APPARATUS

摘要

An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is adapted for mounting behind a vehicle. The aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus includes a side panel, an actuator arrangement, a top panel, and an interconnecting member. The side panel is adapted to move between a deployed position and a stowed position. The actuator is mounted between the side panel and the vehicle. The top panel is adapted to move between a deployed position and a stowed position. The interconnecting member is connected between the side panel and the top panel. The interconnecting member coordinates movement between the side and top panels such that they each move together between the deployed positions and the stowed positions, respectively. One or more of the panels may be mounted to a door of the vehicle via deformable hinges and/or deformably mounted hinges and thereby allow the door to open compactly against a side of the vehicle by deforming the panels, the hinges, and/or the mounts of the hinges.

主权项

1. An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus adapted for mounting behind a vehicle, the aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus comprising:
a side panel adapted to move between a deployed position and a stowed position; an actuator arrangement connected between a first connection to the side panel and a second connection to the vehicle, the actuator arrangement defining an actuator extension axis between the first connection and the second connection; a top panel adapted to move between a deployed position and a stowed position; and an interconnecting member connected between the side panel and the top panel; wherein the interconnecting member coordinates movement between the side and top panels such that they each move together between the deployed positions and the stowed positions, respectively.