BMW Adjustable Aero Patents Revealed

[advrider]

Adjustable aerodynamic elements have been moving more and more into the automotive world as of late, from the flaps on the Pagani Huayra supercar on down to the front shutters on the Chevy Cruze aimed at improving fuel efficiency. The motorcycle world recently saw the first application of the technology in production with the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello, which features active aerodynamics to improve rider wind protection. Recent patent filings by BMW show that they, too, are delving into the technology, as revealed by MCN.

BMW has previously patented active aerodynamic elements, but geared more towards racing, while their recent filings appear to be more street or adventure bike related. MCN speculates that the aerodynamic elements will be part of a new generation of GS models, with leaked names indicating ‘R1300GS’, ‘R1400GS’ and ‘M1300GS’ nomenclature. The patent drawings apparently show the elements mounted to an R1250GS.

Image: BMW patent

The Moto Guzzi system is an active system, deploying when the speed and rider settings dictate, while the BMW patents show a design that works more passively, retracting when acted upon by the wind itself. The drawings show spring-loaded flaps that, when retracted by wind pressure, minimize drag. When extended at lower speeds, the flaps are supposed to provide wind protection to the rider.

The spring-loaded layout is designed to be less complex than an electronically controlled servo setup like that on the Moto Guzzi, and will inevitably weigh less, as well. The spring weight could be changed depending on the application and aerodynamic requirements, with the idea that the flaps would remain fully open up until about 30 mph (48 km/h), and be fully retracted by about 75 mph (129 km/h).

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