Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Richard A Berger

David C Caples

Jeffrey L Konchan

David T Renke

Joseph M Polewarczyk

Alexander N Nastov

Vijaya Sirangu

A mudflap-integrated aerodynamic member for improving aerodynamic characteristics of a motor vehicle is described. The motor vehicle includes a vehicle body, a front wheelhouse, and a frame. The mudflap-integrated aerodynamic member includes a mudflap portion configured to attach to the front wheelhouse and cover at least a portion of the front wheelhouse and an elongated air strake attached to and projecting from the mudflap portion. The elongated air strake includes an elongated strake body extending longitudinally with respect to the vehicle body from an outboard edge contiguous with the mudflap portion to an inboard edge adjacent to the vehicle body.

Mudflap aero strake

An assist step assembly includes a linkage assembly including a first linkage member and a second linkage member, an assist step coupled to the linkage assembly and movable from a first assist step position to a second assist step position, an aerodynamic member coupled to the linkage assembly and movable from a first aerodynamic member position to a second aerodynamic member position, a movement mechanism coupled to the aerodynamic member and configured move the aerodynamic member from the first aerodynamic member position to the second aerodynamic member position, and a controller in electronic communication with the movement mechanism, the controller configured to determine an operating condition, determine a position of the assist step based on the operating condition, and generate one or more control signals to move the aerodynamic member from the first aerodynamic member position to the second aerodynamic member position.

Adjustable assist step for aerodynamic improvement

A vehicle includes a first member and a second member moveable relative to the first member. A compliant member is compressible between the first member and the second member. A compression control device is attached to one of the first member and the second member for engaging another of the first member and the second member, or the compliant member. The compression control device is moveable between a first position and a second position. When disposed in the first position, the compression control device is not engaged with the first member, the second member, or the compliant member, and allows compression of the compliant member into a first compressive state. When disposed in the second position, the compression control device is engaged with one of the first member, the second member, or the compliant member, and is operable to compress the compliant member into a second compressive state.

Closure system for a vehicle

A dual-strake assembly can be coupled to the underbody of the vehicle in order to maximize the downforce-to-drag ratio, thereby enhancing the vehicle aerodynamic efficiency. The dual-strake assembly includes a first strake and a second strake having different curvatures. The second strake has a chord length. Each of the first and second strakes has a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first edges of the first and second strakes are spaced apart from each other so as to define a gap, which has a gap distance measured from the first edge of the first strake to the first edge of the second strake. The gap distance is equal to or less than twenty-five percent of the chord length. The camber of the first strake is less than the camber of the second strake.

Dual-strake assembly

A wing assembly for a vehicle includes a pivotable elongate wing member. The wing member extends from a first end to a second end, and is configured to pivot relative to a pivot axis between a first position and a second position. The pivot axis extends from the first end to the second end. The wing assembly further includes a first endplate pivotably coupled to the first end and a second endplate pivotably coupled to the second end. The first endplate has a first endplate position relative to the pivot axis, and is configured to maintain the first endplate position independent of wing member position. The second endplate has a second endplate position relative to the pivot axis, and is configured to maintain the second endplate position independent of wing member position.

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Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

Richard A Berger