Vehicle sunroof wind deflector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016288632-A1
Application number	US-201514675463-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 31, 2015
Priority date	Mar 31, 2015
Publication date	Oct 6, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A sunroof wind deflector for a vehicle includes a leading edge, a trailing edge and an outer surface extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The outer surface has a radius of curvature that changes along a length thereof so as to attenuate shear layer spreading.

First claim

1 . A sunroof wind deflector for a vehicle, comprising:
a leading edge configured to be disposed adjacent a leading edge of an opening of a roof of the vehicle; a trailing edge; and an outer surface extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the outer surface having a radius of curvature that changes along a length thereof so as to attenuate shear layer spreading.

2 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 1 , wherein
the trailing edge includes a notched portion defining notches.

3 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 2 , wherein
the notches extend in a vehicle rearward direction.

4 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 3 , wherein
each notch of the notches defines a peak and a thickness of the peak tapers in the vehicle rearward direction.

5 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 2 , wherein
the notched portion is disposed between a pair of un-notched portions located adjacent side edges of the outer surface.

6 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 1 , further comprising
first and second end surfaces, at least a rear portion of each of the first and second end surfaces extending substantially perpendicular to the outer surface.

7 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 6 , wherein
the first and second end surfaces are curved at a front portion thereof.

8 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 6 , wherein
the outer surface is a curved surface.

9 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 1 , wherein
the outer surface includes at least one protrusion.

10 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 9 , wherein
the at least one protrusion is arcuate and configured to cause a laminar separation bubble so as to increase a freestream at a top of the at least one protrusion.

11 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 9 , wherein
the at least one protrusion protrudes less than 10 μm above the outer surface.

12 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 9 , wherein
the at least one protrusion is a plurality of protrusions, and a first protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is disposed closer to the leading edge than a second protrusion of the plurality of protrusions.

13 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 12 , wherein
the outer surface includes first and second side edges and the first and second protrusions extend between the first and second side edges.

14 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 13 , wherein
the first and second protrusions extend between the first and second side edges so as to be parallel.

15 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 1 , wherein
the sunroof wind deflector is configured to have a predetermined height between 27 mm and 34 mm from the outer surface to the roof of the vehicle.

16 . The sunroof wind deflector according to claim 1 , wherein
the sunroof wind deflector is configured to form an angle between 5 and 45 degrees between the outer surface and the roof of the vehicle.

17 . A vehicle roof assembly, comprising:
a vehicle roof defining a roof opening; a moveable roof portion disposed to be selectively position within the roof opening and in an a position so as to expose the roof opening; and a sunroof wind deflector including a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an outer surface extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the outer surface having a radius of curvature that changes along a length thereof so as to attenuate shear layer spreading.

18 . The vehicle roof assembly according to claim 17 , wherein
the sunroof wind deflector is configured to be retractable into the roof opening.

19 . The vehicle roof assembly according to claim 17 , wherein
the trailing edge is disposed between 27 mm and 34 mm above a roof of a vehicle such that wind passing over the sunroof wind deflector contacts the roof in an area to a rear of a sunroof opening.

20 . The vehicle roof assembly according to claim 17 , wherein
the outer surface outer surface forms an angle between 5 and 45 degrees relative to a roof of the vehicle.

Assignees

• Nissan North America Inc

Inventors

• Sinha Sumon
• Kavarana Farokh
• Williams Dan
• Asao Kazuya

Classifications

• B60J7/22 Primary

  Wind deflectors for open roofs · CPC title

• B62D35/00

  Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining · CPC title