Retractable air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag

摘要

An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least two air deflection elements each coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door that the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. The air deflection elements are preferably arranged above, below and on either side of the rear-facing door of the vehicle, with at least the latter two air deflection elements having matching configurations. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.

主权项

1. A drag reduction apparatus for the rear end of a cargo-carrying compartment of a cargo-hauling ground vehicle, said cargo-carrying compartment being characterized by a rear wall formed by substantially planar wall portions arranged above, below and on opposite sides of an opening with at least one door disposed therein, the drag reduction apparatus comprising two non-planar air deflection elements, and a plurality of support members associated with each said air deflection element and coupling each said air deflection element to a respective associated portion of the exterior surface of said cargo-carrying compartment that is adjacent and substantially orthogonal to said rear wall, each said air deflection element comprising a housing member and an elongating member, said housing member having a leading edge and a trailing edge and said elongating member being selectively displaceable between a retracted position and at least one deployed position wherein at least a portion of said elongating member extends from said housing member, said plurality of associated support members allowing selective movement of each said air deflection element between a proximal position and at least one distal position, wherein in said proximal position the leading edge of each respective housing member is substantially flush with said associated portion of said exterior surface and the trailing edge of each respective housing member substantially abuts said associated portion of said exterior surface, and wherein said two air deflection elements comprise the left-side air deflection element and the right-side air deflection element for said vehicle.