Active Canard Angle Control for Vehicle Drag and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerodynamic systems fail to dynamically control air resistance and stability of motor vehicles during operation.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamic system for motor vehicles featuring canards with actuators that rotate about perpendicular axes, controlled by sensors and controllers to adjust angles in response to vehicle conditions, enhancing stability and air resistance management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a canard's position and orientation is fixed relative to the motor vehicle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the aerodynamic system cannot dynamically control air resistance and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The canard is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamically adjustable one through the integration of actuators that enable real-time rotation about multiple axes. This allows the aerodynamic surface to adapt its position and orientation based on driving conditions, resolving the contradiction between fixed simplicity and dynamic adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect vehicle state parameters and feed this information to controllers, which then adjust the canard's position through actuators. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables dynamic control of air resistance and stability while maintaining systematic coordination, addressing the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
2Reliability
If actuators are added to rotate the canard about perpendicular axes, then dynamic control of air resistance and stability is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent components: sensors for detection, controllers for processing, and actuators for execution. The actuators themselves are divided into multiple units that can rotate the canard about different axes independently. This segmentation allows complex stability control functions to be achieved through coordinated simple components, managing the complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The canard assembly with multiple actuators serves multiple aerodynamic functions simultaneously: controlling air resistance, managing vehicle stability, and potentially influencing lift characteristics. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by consolidating multiple control objectives into a single integrated aerodynamic surface system.
3Reliability
If the canard is rotated to different angles dynamically, then air resistance and stability are controlled, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The canard's rotation is not continuous but occurs periodically or discontinuously based on changing driving conditions. The control system monitors vehicle state and activates actuators only when aerodynamic adjustments are necessary, rather than maintaining constant motion. This periodic action reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective aerodynamic control when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the angular position parameter of the canard to optimize aerodynamic performance. By adjusting this single geometric parameter, the system achieves control over air resistance and stability without requiring continuous energy input. The actuators consume energy only during transition between angles, not during maintenance of position, reducing overall energy consumption while preserving control effectiveness.
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 dynamically adjusts canard angles to enhance vehicle stability and reduce air resistance, improving driving performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more actuators being configured at least to rotate the first canard about a rotational axis generally perpendicular to the first surface of the body
Data Source
AI summary
An aerodynamic system can include a first canard extending from a first surface of a body of an automobile; one or more actuators operably coupled to the first canard, the one or more actuators being configured at least to rotate the first canard about a rotational axis generally perpendicular to the first surface of the body; one or more controllers in operable communication with at least the one or more actuators, wherein the one or more controllers are configured at least to: send at least a first command signal to the one or more actuators to rotate the first canard from a first angle to a second angle; send at least a second command signal to the one or more actuators to rotate the first canard from the second angle to a third angle; wherein the third angle is different than the first angle and the second angle.