Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

David Dominguez

Joshua R Auden

Jason D Fahland

Samantha J Bray

Edward T Heil

Eric Edward Krueger

Hualin Tan

Steven A Opiteck

Chris Morgan

Kevin Irwin

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for mitigating turbulent air for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, a vehicle includes one or more downforce elements, one or more sensors, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to obtain one or more parameter values for the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The processor is processor coupled to the one or more sensors, and is configured to at least facilitate determining whether turbulent air for the vehicle is likely using the parameters, and adjusting a downforce for the vehicle, during operation of the vehicle, by providing instructions for controlling the one or more downforce elements when it is determined that turbulent air for the vehicle is likely.

Turbulent air mitigation for vehicles

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling lift for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, a vehicle includes a body, one or more sensors, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to measure values pertaining to one or more parameter values for a vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors, and is configured to at least facilitate determining whether an unplanned lift of the body of the vehicle is likely using the parameters, and implementing one or more control measures when it is determined that the unplanned lift of the body of the vehicle is likely.

Method for controlling vehicle lift

A multi-wheeled vehicle employing an active aerodynamic control system is described. A method for controlling the vehicle and the active aerodynamic control system includes determining states of parameters related to ride and handling of the vehicle, and determining a current tractive effort based upon the states of parameters related to ride and handling of the vehicle. A desired tractive effort is determined based upon an operator desired acceleration, and an available tractive effort is determined based upon an available downforce transferable to the wheels from the active aerodynamic control system and downforces of the wheels. The active aerodynamic control system controls the downforce on one of the wheels to control the current tractive effort responsive to the desired tractive effort.

Method and apparatus for controlling vehicle tractive effort

A dive-plane system for a vehicle includes first and second dive-planes. The vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first vehicle body end facing oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion and first and second lateral body sides. The first dive-plane is mounted to the first lateral body side proximate the first body end to generate an aerodynamic downforce on the first body end at the first lateral body side. The second dive-plane is mounted to the second lateral body side proximate the first body end and configured to generate an aerodynamic downforce on the first body end at the second lateral body side. The dive-plane system also includes a mechanism configured to selectively and individually shift each of the first and second dive-planes relative to the vehicle body to adjust a magnitude of the aerodynamic downforce generated by each dive-plane on the first vehicle body end.

Active dive-planes for a motor vehicle

The vehicle has a vehicle body including a first body end facing incident ambient airflow, a second body end opposite of the first body end, an underbody section spanning a distance between the first and second body ends, and vehicle subsystem arranged proximate the underbody section. A panel is moveably mounted to the underbody section and configured to regulate access of an underbody portion of the incident airflow to the subsystem. A mechanism is configured to shift the panel to selectively expose at least a part of the subsystem to the underbody portion of the incident airflow and shield the subsystem to thereby enhance aerodynamics of the vehicle body. A sensor detects a vehicle operating parameter and communicates the detected operating parameter to a controller. The controller is configured to regulate the mechanism and thereby shift the panel in response to the detected vehicle operating parameter.

Control of airflow relative to a vehicle via active underbody panel(s)

A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis with a first vehicle body end configured to face incident ambient airflow. The system includes an aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body and configured to generate a downforce thereon via controlling the incident ambient airflow. The system also includes an adjustable flap arranged at the aerodynamic-aid element. The adjustable flap is configured to shift relative to the aerodynamic-aid element and thereby control movement of the incident ambient airflow relative to the aerodynamic-aid element. The system additionally includes a mechanism configured to vary position of the adjustable flap relative to the aerodynamic-aid element and thereby vary a magnitude of downforce generated by the aerodynamic-aid element.

Selective control of vehicle aerodynamics

A vehicle employing an active aerodynamic control system is described. A method for controlling the active aerodynamic control system includes determining a target acceleration downforce associated with an acceleration request and vehicle speed, determining a target braking downforce associated with a braking request and vehicle speed, and determining a target cornering downforce associated with a cornering request and vehicle speed. A maximum downforce request and a second greatest downforce request of the target acceleration downforce, the target braking downforce, and the target cornering downforce are determined. A preferred front/rear distribution of downforce is determined based upon the maximum downforce request and the second greatest downforce request. The active aerodynamic control system is controlled based upon the preferred front/rear distribution of downforce and the maximum downforce request.

Method and apparatus for controlling vehicle downforce

A splitter system for a vehicle includes a splitter body having a first splitter body side-section and a second splitter body side-section. The vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal body axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face incident ambient airflow. The splitter body is mounted at the first vehicle body end to generate an aerodynamic downforce thereon when the vehicle is in motion. A mechanism is configured to selectively and individually shift each of the first splitter body side-section and the second splitter body side-section relative to the first vehicle body end. The shifting of the splitter body side-sections by the mechanism in turn adjusts the aerodynamic downforce generated by the splitter body side-sections on the first vehicle body end.

Active splitter for a motor vehicle

A splitter system for a vehicle includes a splitter body having a first splitter body. The vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal body axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow. The splitter body is moveably mounted at the first vehicle body end and generates an aerodynamic downforce on the first vehicle body end when the vehicle is in motion. The splitter system also includes a mechanism configured to selectively translate the splitter body along the longitudinal body axis away from the first vehicle body end into the incident airflow and toward the first vehicle body end out of the incident airflow. The translation of the splitter body by the mechanism in turn adjusts the aerodynamic downforce generated by the splitter body on the first vehicle body end.

A vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The vehicle additionally includes a spoiler assembly mounted to the vehicle body. The spoiler assembly includes a spoiler body arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The spoiler assembly also includes a mechanism configured to vary a position of the spoiler body relative to the first vehicle body end. Such varying of the position of the spoiler body relative to the first vehicle body end is intended to control a movement of the ambient airflow relative to the vehicle body.

Actively controlled spoiler for a motor vehicle

A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body having a front end facing an ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The system includes an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body. The system also includes a mechanism configured to vary a position of the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element relative to the vehicle body and thereby control movement of the airflow. The system additionally includes a sensor configured to detect a height of the vehicle body relative to a predetermined reference frame and a controller configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of the detected vehicle body height. The controller is also configured to determine a ride-height of the vehicle using the detected vehicle body height and to regulate the mechanism in response to the determined ride-height to control aerodynamics of the vehicle.

Vehicle ride-height determination for control of vehicle aerodynamics

A vehicle includes an engine generating exhaust gas flow and a vehicle body having a first body end facing oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion and an opposite second body end. A vehicle underbody section spans a distance between the first and second body ends. A diffuser disposed at the second body end controls an underbody airflow portion past the second body end. An exhaust duct discharges the exhaust gas via a duct outlet arranged between the underbody section and the diffuser. A first diffuser aperture aligns with the duct outlet for discharging the exhaust gas from the outlet to the ambient. A second diffuser aperture pulls at least a fraction of the underbody airflow over the duct outlet and through the first aperture. The first and second apertures accelerate the pulled underbody airflow to increase a downforce on the vehicle body at the second body end.

Downforce generation system for a vehicle

A system is disclosed for controlling an incident ambient airflow in a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body with a first vehicle body end configured to face the incident ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The system includes a duct providing a conduit for the incident airflow into the vehicle body. The system also includes a shutter assembly configured to control the airflow through the duct and thereby regulate a downforce acting on the first vehicle body end. The shutter assembly may include an adjustable louver, a mechanism configured to select the position for the louver between and inclusive of fully opened and fully closed, and a controller configured to regulate the mechanism. The vehicle may also have a heat-absorbing subassembly, and the duct can provide a conduit for the incident airflow to the heat-absorbing subassembly for cooling thereof.

Growing community of inventors

Tucson, AZ, United States of America

David Dominguez