Active Air Dam Linkage With Releasable Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air dams on vehicles are prone to damage from sporadic impacts with obstacles, and existing designs either fail to retract fully or transfer significant force to the linkage, leading to potential damage and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
An active air dam system with a selectively releasable connector and/or biasing structure that allows the air dam to pivot rearwardly upon exceeding a threshold force, preventing damage to the linkage by releasing the connection and allowing the air dam to pivot rearwardly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the air dam is deployed at higher speeds to improve aerodynamics, then fuel efficiency and aerodynamic drag are improved, but the air dam remains vulnerable to impact damage from obstacles on the road
Solution Approach 1:
The air dam system transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic deployable structure that can move between stored and deployed positions. The linkage mechanism enables the air dam to be positioned optimally for aerodynamics at high speeds while being protectable at low speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The control system proactively deploys or retracts the air dam based on predicted driving conditions and speed thresholds before impact scenarios occur. This preliminary positioning prevents damage by keeping the air dam retracted during low-speed obstacle-prone situations
2Loss of energy
If the air dam is fixedly suspended to maintain aerodynamic performance, then aerodynamic characteristics are improved, but the air dam is damaged upon impact with curbs or road obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The air dam structure transitions from fixed to dynamically positionable, allowing it to be retracted from vulnerable positions when obstacles are detected or during low-speed operation, thereby preventing impact damage while maintaining aerodynamic benefits during high-speed cruise
Solution Approach 2:
The air dam is divided into separable components connected by linkages and connectors, allowing the air dam to be disconnected from its mounting position upon impact to prevent damage to the main structure, while enabling reconnection after the threat passes
3Reliability
If the air dam is made extendible and deployed at higher speeds to avoid low-speed obstacles, then impact damage is reduced, but the air dam may still strike smaller obstacles and the linkage system becomes vulnerable to force transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The selectively releasable connector acts as a pre-positioned protective mechanism that will fail in preference to the linkage system. This sacrificial component absorbs impact forces by disconnecting the air dam from the linkage, preventing force transfer that would damage the more critical linkage structures
Solution Approach 2:
The selectively releasable connector is designed as a sacrificial, replaceable component that can fail or disconnect during impact events. This disposable element protects the expensive and critical linkage system by taking the damage in its place, requiring only simple replacement rather than complex repairs
Data Source
AI summary
An active air dam system with a mounting bracket for mounting beneath the vehicle; a linkage having an air dam mounting portion; and an air dam. The linkage moves between stored and deployed positions. The air dam is connected by a pivotal connector and a selectively releasable connector, which cooperate to maintain a fixed relationship between the air dam and the air dam mounting portion. The connector releases its connection in response to a force exceeding a threshold, thus enabling the air dam striking an object in an active position thereof to pivot rearwardly. The system may have a biasing structure for biasing the air dam forwardly about the pivotal connector, thus enabling the air dam when striking an object in the active position thereof to pivot rearwardly and return pivoting forwardly.