Active Air Deflector for Trailer Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sport utility and crossover vehicles towing trailers experience reduced fuel economy due to the trailers' large frontal area and sharp corners, which create excess drag on the tow vehicle.
Innovation Solution
An active air deflector system for vehicles that includes a movable deflection member and actuators, controlled by sensors and a controller, which automatically adjusts its position to deflect airflow and reduce drag by determining optimal deployment angles based on the trailer's frontal area and hitch load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a trailer with large frontal area is towed, then the towing capacity is satisfied, but drag on the tow vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
An air deflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the tow vehicle and the trailer. This deflector redirects airflow to wrap around the trailer rather than impinge directly on its frontal surface, reducing pressure drag while maintaining the ability to tow the trailer. The deflector acts as a mediator that modifies the aerodynamic interaction between the vehicle and trailer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the deflection member is made movable and adjustable, then drag reduction is optimized for different trailers, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air deflector is designed with movable components that can dynamically adjust their position and angle. The deflection member can pivot and extend/retract to adapt to different trailer sizes and shapes. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to optimize aerodynamic performance for various towing configurations while managing complexity through controlled movement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect trailer presence, size, and position, providing feedback to a control system. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the deflection member's position and angle to optimize drag reduction for the specific trailer being towed. This closed-loop control enables adaptability without requiring manual intervention.
3Loss of energy
If the deflection member is extended further, then drag reduction improves, but hitch load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the deflection member's geometric parameters (extension distance, angle, position) to achieve the best balance between drag reduction and hitch load. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system maximizes aerodynamic benefit while keeping the additional force on the hitch within acceptable limits. The optimal parameters are determined through computational analysis and physical testing.
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 effectively reduces drag on the trailer, improving the fuel economy of the towing vehicle by optimizing the deflection member's position in real-time based on sensor data and hitch load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an active air deflector system for vehicles that includes a movable deflection member and actuators, controlled by sensors and a controller, which automatically adjusts its position to deflect airflow and reduce drag
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a first vehicle having a deflection system, a control system includes a controller electronically connected to the deflection system, and a first tow connection, the deflection system including a movable deflection member and at least one actuator coupled to the deflection member, providing a second vehicle coupled to the first vehicle, the second vehicle having a second tow connection, providing at least one sensor coupled to the first vehicle and electronically connected to the control system, the at least one sensor configured to capture data corresponding to a frontal area of the second vehicle, monitoring, by the controller, sensor data received from the at least one sensor, and automatically generating, by the controller, a control signal to control the at least one actuator.