Active Vehicle Aerodynamics for Transient Downforce Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current active aerodynamics systems for high-performance vehicles, particularly hypercars, fail to accurately manage extreme transient conditions due to their reliance on vehicle speed alone, neglecting other dynamic parameters that significantly influence vehicle behavior, leading to inadequate response times and aerodynamic force variations necessary for handling the high accelerations and decelerations of these vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An active aerodynamics system that incorporates management and control means to adjust the front and rear aerodynamic assemblies based on real-time dynamic parameters such as ride height, acceleration, and steering angles, using sensors, elaborating units, and actuators to dynamically alter the configuration of aerodynamic elements like flaps, wing-shaped elements, and diffusers to optimize downforce distribution and airflow, independent of linear speed, and capable of managing transient conditions across multiple axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If active aerodynamics systems adjust aerodynamic force based on vehicle speed alone, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot accurately manage extreme transient conditions and weight transfer in hypercars
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors multiple dynamic parameters including ride height variations, lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, and steering angle, using this feedback to dynamically adjust aerodynamic device configurations. This multi-parameter feedback approach enables accurate management of extreme transient conditions while maintaining system adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static speed-based control to dynamic multi-parameter control, allowing aerodynamic devices to adapt in real-time to changing vehicle conditions. The aerodynamic devices themselves are designed to be dynamically adjustable, changing their configuration based on the complex interplay of multiple measured parameters rather than simple speed thresholds.
2Productivity
If aerodynamic devices are fixed in configuration, then the system complexity is reduced, but the vehicle cannot optimize downforce distribution during cornering, braking, or acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic system is divided into multiple independent adjustable devices including front wings, rear wings, diffusers, and spoilers, each capable of independent configuration. This segmentation allows targeted adjustment of downforce distribution at different locations on the vehicle, enabling precise control during cornering, braking, and acceleration without requiring complete system reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a single coordinated system that simultaneously manages drag reduction, downforce generation, and weight transfer compensation. The same sensor network and control unit that monitor ride height and acceleration also drive the aerodynamic devices, creating a multi-functional system that handles various driving conditions through unified control logic.
3Measurement precision
If the system responds only to linear speed changes, then the response time is reduced, but the system fails to account for weight transfer and lateral dynamics during transient maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements comprehensive feedback from multiple sensor types including ride height sensors, acceleration sensors, and steering angle sensors. This multi-source feedback provides precise measurement of the vehicle's dynamic state, capturing weight transfer and lateral dynamics that speed-only systems would miss. The control system processes this detailed feedback to make informed adjustments to aerodynamic device configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary that integrates data from diverse sensor sources and translates this information into coordinated actuator commands. Rather than directly connecting each sensor to each actuator, the control system processes and correlates multiple parameter streams, identifying the appropriate aerodynamic adjustments needed based on the combined information from ride height, acceleration, and steering angle measurements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances vehicle dynamics during extreme maneuvers by providing precise control over aerodynamic forces, improving cornering, braking, and cooling efficiency, while maintaining optimal aerodynamic loads for enhanced stability and responsiveness, effectively addressing the limitations of existing systems in managing high-performance vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
accurate balancing and determination of aerodynamic lift and drag
Implementation Method 2
generate a significant aerodynamic force in a very short period of time, and in particular a significant variation of aerodynamic downforce
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle comprises a front end and a rear end respectively located at a front height and at a rear height, a front aero assembly associated to the front end to generate a front aerodynamic force and a rear aero assembly associated to the rear end to generate a rear aerodynamic force; the vehicle further comprises management and control means active on the front aero assembly and/or on the rear aero assembly so as to contain and/or limit, under transient conditions comprising at least a longitudinal and/or lateral acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle occurring from the condition of travel at a given constant speed, variations of front height and/or rear height to being respectively greater or equal to a front end threshold height and a rear end threshold height.