Adaptable Air-Guiding Apparatus for Vehicle Wing Downforce and Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wing designs fail to effectively allocate inflowing air for both downforce production and charge air cooling, leading to reduced downforce at high speeds due to insufficient air allocation for underflow.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle substructure with an adaptable air-guiding apparatus that divides inflowing air into wing and structure air flows, allowing for flexible adjustment of the dividing ratio using interchangeable and adjustable air-guiding elements, ensuring optimal downforce and cooling performance based on driving conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a flow edge is used to divide inflowing air into underflow and charge air cooling portions, then charge air cooling is improved, but downforce is reduced at high speeds due to insufficient air allocation for underflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable air-guiding elements that can change their position or configuration based on driving conditions. This allows the air flow division ratio between underflow and charge air cooling to be adapted in real-time, resolving the contradiction by providing sufficient air to the wing for downforce generation at high speeds while maintaining adequate cooling airflow at lower speeds or under high engine load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of air flow distribution by using adjustable air-guiding elements that can modify the dividing ratio between wing air flow and structure air flow. This parameter adjustment allows optimization of both downforce and charge air cooling performance under different operating conditions, eliminating the fixed trade-off imposed by conventional flow edges.
2Force
If as large an amount as possible of air is supplied to the wing for underflow, then downforce is improved, but charge air cooling performance deteriorates due to insufficient air availability
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable air-guiding elements enable dynamic allocation of air flow between the wing and charge air cooling system. Depending on driving conditions, the system can shift air flow priority to maintain both downforce and cooling performance, rather than being constrained by a fixed division ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The air-guiding apparatus serves multiple functions: it directs air flow to the wing for downforce generation, provides cooling air to vehicle components, and can adapt its configuration to optimize either function based on operational requirements. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing the same system to serve both purposes effectively under different conditions.
3Device complexity
If a fixed flow edge configuration is used to divide air flow, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different driving conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable air-guiding elements that can modify their configuration based on driving conditions. This dynamic capability enhances adaptability without requiring overly complex systems, as the adjustment mechanism is integrated into the existing air-guiding structure rather than adding entirely separate control systems.
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 adaptable air-guiding system enhances downforce production while maintaining sufficient cooling airflow, improving driving behavior and ground adhesion at high speeds by dynamically adjusting the air allocation according to changing aerodynamic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one wing device for producing at least one underflow and at least one overflow from inflowing air to improve the downforce
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle substructure includes at least one wing device for producing at least one underflow and at least one overflow from inflowing air to improve a downforce, the at least one wing device having at least one air-guiding apparatus for dividing the inflowing air into at least one wing air flow for the underflow of the wing device and into at least one structure air flow for at least one vehicle component. The air-guiding apparatus includes at least one adaptable air-guiding element. A dividing ratio of the at least one wing air flow and the at least one structure air flow can be flexibly set by at least one adaptation of the air guiding element.