Active Air Curtain Flap for Vehicle Bumper Aerodynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air curtains degrade aerodynamics when a vehicle turns, causing increased air resistance due to vortex generation around the wheels, as the airflow hits the protruding tire.
Innovation Solution
An active air curtain apparatus with a duct, flap, and step motor system that adjusts the airflow path based on the vehicle's steering angle, allowing the discharge port to open or close on either side of the bumper to optimize airflow and reduce resistance during turns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional air curtain with fixed discharge port is used, then aerodynamics improvement is achieved when driving straight, but air resistance increases when turning due to vortex generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the discharge port movable through a flap mechanism that can change its position between open and closed states. The flap is rotated by a drive gear and step motor based on steering angle detection, allowing the air curtain system to dynamically adapt its airflow path according to whether the vehicle is driving straight or turning, thereby reducing vortex generation and air resistance during turns
2Stability of the object's composition
If the discharge port remains open during turns, then airflow continuity is maintained, but vortex generation increases around the wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the discharge port state based on vehicle operation conditions. When turning is detected through steering angle sensors, the step motor rotates the drive gear which in turn rotates the flap to close the discharge port, preventing harmful vortex generation while maintaining airflow stability during straight driving
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using steering angle sensors to detect vehicle turning conditions and feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit then actuates the step motor to adjust the flap position accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes airflow by closing the discharge port during turns and opening it during straight driving
Data Source
AI summary
An active air curtain apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a duct that is formed with a suction port, a discharge port, and an air flow path from the section port to the discharge port and that is mounted to the inner surface of a bumper of the vehicle. A flap having a plate shape is operated by being supported and guided by the duct and is configured to open and close the discharge port.