Active Rear Diffuser for Vehicle Aerodynamic Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerodynamic control systems for vehicles face challenges in improving aerodynamic performance and fuel efficiency while maintaining a low visible profile and design integrity, as increased ground clearance and slit-shaped holes provide limited benefits and are aesthetically and cost-advantageous but restrict design flexibility and aerodynamic enhancement.
Innovation Solution
An active rear diffuser system integrated with the rear bumper, featuring a panel-shaped diffuser that adjusts its angle and position using dual cylinder devices, allowing optimal air flow diffusion and exhaust management based on vehicle speed, thereby enhancing aerodynamic performance without increasing visible exposure or design compromise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the ground clearance of the lower end of the rear bumper is increased to improve aerodynamic performance, then air flow diffusion is improved, but the visible amount of the lower part of the vehicle increases which is disadvantageous for design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a movable diffuser that can dynamically adjust its position and angle based on vehicle speed. At high speeds, the diffuser extends downward to improve aerodynamic performance by enhancing air flow diffusion. At low speeds, the diffuser retracts to maintain a clean design appearance with minimal visible lower profile. This dynamic adjustment mechanism resolves the contradiction between aerodynamic performance and design aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the diffuser structure by adjusting its vertical position and angular orientation. The diffuser can vary its ground clearance and flow diffusion angle depending on driving conditions. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize aerodynamic performance when needed while maintaining design integrity during normal operation, effectively resolving the contradiction between performance and appearance.
2Ease of manufacture
If a slit-shaped hole is applied to the lower end of the rear bumper to exhaust air, then production cost is reduced, but the aerodynamic performance improvement is minimal and the hole is always visible which is disadvantageous for design
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a fixed slit-shaped hole, the patent employs a movable diffuser structure that can actively adjust its configuration. The diffuser includes a movable panel that can change its angle and position to optimize air flow exhaust based on vehicle speed and driving conditions. This dynamic capability significantly improves aerodynamic performance compared to a static hole, while still being manufacturable with reasonable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser is divided into multiple segments including a movable panel and a fixed structure. This segmentation allows the movable portion to adjust independently for optimal aerodynamic performance while the fixed structure provides structural support. The segmented design enables better air flow control compared to a simple hole, addressing the performance limitation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a flap-type active rear diffuser is used to control flow diffusion angle at high speed, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but the diffuser flap moves based on the lower end surface of a conventional bumper which restricts the increase in flow diffusion angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an additional degree of freedom by allowing the diffuser to move not only in angle but also in vertical position. The movable diffuser can adjust its distance from the bumper surface, creating a two-dimensional adjustment capability (position + angle) compared to the conventional one-dimensional angular adjustment. This enables a much wider range of flow diffusion angles and better adaptability to different driving conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable diffuser system that can change both its vertical position and angular orientation based on real-time driving conditions. The movable panel is actuated by a control system that adjusts the diffuser configuration optimally for different vehicle speeds and aerodynamic requirements. This dynamic control provides superior adaptability and a wider range of flow diffusion angles compared to conventional fixed or singly-adjustable diffusers.
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 air resistance, improves fuel efficiency, and enhances driving stability by optimizing air flow diffusion angles and exhaust amounts, maintaining design integrity and reducing the lift coefficient, thus achieving better aerodynamic balance and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser being a panel-shaped member which means a member integrated with a rear bumper of a vehicle prior to operation, and forming a bumper surface together with the rear bumper when viewed from the rear side of the vehicle, and descending during driving of the vehicle at a high speed so as to be controlled to various angles
Implementation Method 2
the generated vacuum pulls the vehicle frame at the back, and thus the vehicle meets with air resistance
Implementation Method 3
a diffuser driving unit configured so as to connect a vehicle frame panel in a front of the rear bumper to the diffuser, supporting the diffuser on the vehicle frame panel, and adjusting upward and downward movement of the diffuser and an angle of the diffuser
Data Source
AI summary
An aerodynamic control system for vehicles may improve aerodynamic performance of a vehicle and enhance fuel efficiency and driving stability of the vehicle. The aerodynamic control system includes a diffuser combined with a rear bumper at an ascending position so as to constitute part of a bumper surface of the rear bumper and separated from the rear bumper at a descending position so as to pass air exhausted from a lower part of the vehicle to a rear part of the vehicle along upper and lower surfaces of the diffuser, and a diffuser driving unit that connects a vehicle frame panel in a front of the rear bumper to the diffuser, supporting the diffuser on the vehicle frame panel, and adjusting upward and downward movement of the diffuser and the angle of the diffuser.