Actuated Tonneau Cover Geometry for Lower Vehicle Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems, particularly those with cargo beds, face challenges in reducing aerodynamic drag, which affects operational efficiency and battery power consumption in electrified vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes a tonneau cover with an actuator assembly capable of transitioning between a lowered and tilted position, utilizing a diffuser and wedge-shaped sides to manage airflow, thereby reducing drag coefficients, and an automatic adjustment method based on vehicle speed to optimize aerodynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tonneau cover is kept in the lowered position for easy cargo access, then cargo bed accessibility is improved, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tonneau cover is designed to be dynamically adjustable between lowered and tilted positions using an actuator assembly. This allows the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements - lowered for cargo access and tilted for aerodynamic efficiency - resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameter of the tonneau cover (its angle/position) to optimize performance. By transitioning from a horizontal lowered position to a tilted position with wedge-shaped sides, the aerodynamic parameters improve, reducing drag while maintaining cargo accessibility through controlled parameter adjustment.
2Loss of energy
If the tonneau cover is tilted to reduce drag coefficient, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but cargo bed accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator assembly enables the tonneau cover to dynamically transition between tilted and lowered positions. When aerodynamic efficiency is prioritized, the cover tilts to reduce drag; when cargo access is needed, it returns to the lowered position, making accessibility deteriorate only when necessary for performance optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic adjustment of the tonneau cover position based on operational conditions. The cover alternates between tilted (aerodynamic) and lowered (accessible) states, allowing the system to periodically optimize for drag reduction while maintaining cargo accessibility during loading/unloading cycles.
3Device complexity
If a fixed tonneau cover design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different driving conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tonneau cover system incorporates dynamic elements (actuator assembly, movable cover) that allow adaptation to different driving conditions. While this increases device complexity compared to a fixed design, it enables the system to adjust its aerodynamic profile based on speed and operational requirements, improving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable tonneau cover serves multiple functions: it provides cargo coverage in both lowered and tilted positions, enables aerodynamic optimization at high speeds, and maintains accessibility when needed. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by delivering adaptability across various driving and operational conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system includes a tonneau cover, and an actuator assembly that transitions the tonneau cover back-and-forth between a lowered position and a tilted position. The tonneau cover covers a cargo bed of a vehicle when the tonneau cover is in the lowered position and when the tonneau cover is in the tilted position.