Rear aerodynamic structure for cargo bodies and actuation mechanism for the same

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a deployable aerodynamic structure for a cargo body of a vehicle. The aerodynamic structure can include one or more panels that can be mounted to a cargo body of a vehicle and can move between a retracted position and a deployed position using various automated actuation systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A deployable aerodynamic structure for a cargo body of a vehicle comprising:
 one or more panels configured to be mounted to the cargo body and movable between a retracted position and a deployed position,
 wherein in the deployed position, the one or more panels is configured to extend rearwardly away from the cargo body; 
   at least one passive actuator coupled to one of the one or more panels and to a rear of the cargo body,
 wherein the at least one passive actuator is operable to bias the one or more panels toward the deployed position using a biasing force; and 
   at least one active actuator coupled to the one of the one or more panels and to the rear of the cargo body,   wherein the at least one active actuator is operable to overcome the biasing force to move the one or more panels toward the retracted position.   
     
     
         2 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 1  wherein the one or more panels comprise a top panel and a side panel configured to be hingedly mounted respectively on each of a first door and a second door of a pair of doors on the rear of the cargo body. 
     
     
         3 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 1  wherein the at least one active actuator is one of a pneumatic actuator, hydraulic actuator, and an electric actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active actuator is operable to retract the one or more panels in response to receiving a signal, wherein the signal is received responsive to a speed of the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 2 , wherein the top panel includes a hinge that divides the top panel into an inner top panel and an outer top panel, and wherein the outer top panel is configured to be hingedly attached to the side panel. 
     
     
         6 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 2 , further comprising a linkage assembly mounted between the cargo body and one of the one or more panels, wherein the linkage assembly is coupled to the top panel and the cargo body, wherein the at least one active actuator is coupled to the one of the one or more panels via the linkage assembly so that the top panel and the side panel retract concurrently. 
     
     
         7 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 2 , further comprising a linkage assembly mounted between the cargo body and one of the one or more panels, wherein the linkage assembly is coupled to the top panel and the cargo body, wherein the at least one passive actuator is coupled to the one of the one or more panels via the linkage assembly so that the top panel and the side panel deploy concurrently. 
     
     
         8 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one passive actuator comprises at least one of: a spring-loaded cable, a gas spring, a spring-loaded hinge and a mechanical spring. 
     
     
         9 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 5 , further comprising a linkage assembly mounted between the cargo body and one of the one or more panels, wherein the linkage assembly is coupled to the top panel and the side panel, wherein the at least one active actuator is coupled to the one of the one or more panels via the linkage assembly so that the top panel and the side panel retract concurrently, and wherein in the retracted position, the outer top panel folds over the inner top panel. 
     
     
         10 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 9 , wherein in the retracted position, the side panel overlies the top panel. 
     
     
         11 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active actuator is a pneumatic actuator, and wherein the at least one passive actuator is a gas spring mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active actuator is coupled directly to one or more panels, and wherein the at least one passive actuator is coupled directly to the one or more panels. 
     
     
         13 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 1 , wherein the retracted position comprises a fully retracted position and a partially retracted position, wherein in the fully retracted position, the one or more panels are folded against the rear of the cargo body. 
     
     
         14 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active actuator is operable to retract the one or more panels in response to receiving a signal, wherein the signal is received responsive to a direction of movement of the vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active actuator is operable to retract the one or more panels in response to receiving a signal, wherein the signal is received responsive to a sensed proximity of the vehicle to one or more objects. 
     
     
         16 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more panels comprise a top panel and a bottom panel configured to be hingedly mounted respectively on each of a first door and a second door of a pair of doors on the rear of the cargo body, and wherein the deployable aerodynamic structure further comprises a linkage assembly mounted between the cargo body and one of the one or more panels, wherein the linkage assembly is coupled to the top panel and the cargo body, wherein the at least one active actuator is coupled to the one of the one or more panels via the linkage assembly so that the top panel and the bottom panel retract concurrently. 
     
     
         17 . The deployable aerodynamic structure of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more panels comprise a top panel and a bottom panel configured to be hingedly mounted respectively on each of a first door and a second door of a pair of doors on the rear of the cargo body, and wherein the deployable aerodynamic structure further comprises a linkage assembly mounted between the cargo body and one of the one or more panels, wherein the linkage assembly is coupled to the top panel and the cargo body, wherein the at least one passive actuator is coupled to the one of the one or more panels via the linkage assembly so that the top panel and the bottom panel deploy concurrently. 
     
     
         18 . An aerodynamic structure for a vehicle body comprising:
 a panel hingedly mounted on the vehicle body;   at least one inflatable air bladder that is pivotally connected between a portion of the vehicle body and the panel that, in an inflated orientation, maintains the panel in a desired deployed position and that is constructed and arranged to absorb predetermined shock with hinged movement of the panel against biasing pressure of the air bladder.   
     
     
         19 . The aerodynamic structure as set forth in  claim 18  further comprising a valve that depressurizes the air bladder in response to a predetermined impact force on the panel. 
     
     
         20 . The aerodynamic structure as set forth in  claim 19  wherein the panel is an aerodynamic side skirt.