Adjustable Aerodynamic Assembly with Movable Blocking Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerodynamic systems in vehicles lack the ability to dynamically adjust their interaction with airflow to optimize aerodynamics, downforce, and ground clearance, leading to inefficiencies in drag reduction, downforce enhancement, and fuel efficiency, especially in varying terrain conditions.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable aerodynamic assembly featuring a support structure, a movable blocking member with an actuator and detection member, which can change positions to interact with or retract from airflow, and includes sensors and a controller to determine and adjust its position based on detected conditions, allowing for real-time optimization of airflow interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the blocking member is extended to interact with airflow for aerodynamic optimization, then downforce and drag reduction are improved, but ground clearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is made movable between extended and retracted positions through an actuator system, allowing the aerodynamic surface to dynamically adjust its position. This enables the system to optimize downforce by extending the blocking member during high-performance driving while maintaining ground clearance by retracting it during normal operation or when terrain requires additional clearance.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the blocking member is extended to reduce drag and enhance aerodynamics, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases due to addition of actuator and detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A detection member is coupled to the blocking member to determine whether the surface is detected, providing feedback information to a controller. This feedback mechanism enables automatic control of the actuator to position the blocking member optimally based on detected conditions, allowing the system to improve fuel efficiency through aerodynamic optimization while managing complexity through automated control logic.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the blocking member is made movable between extended and retracted positions for dynamic aerodynamic adjustment, then adaptability to varying terrain conditions is improved, but reliability is reduced due to moving parts and potential detection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The detection member is configured to determine whether the surface of the blocking member is detected before actuation occurs, providing a safety check mechanism. This preliminary detection ensures that the blocking member is properly positioned and detected before the actuator attempts to move it, preventing potential failures from undetected positional errors or mechanical issues, thereby cushioning against reliability problems while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable aerodynamic assembly includes a support structure and a blocking member supported by the support structure. The blocking member is movable between an extended position in which the blocking member is disposed transverse to the support structure to interact with an airflow and a retracted position in which the blocking member retracts to minimize interaction with the airflow. The adjustable aerodynamic assembly also includes an actuator coupled to the blocking member and configured to move the blocking member to the extended and retracted positions, and a detection member coupled to the blocking member and configured to determine whether a surface of the blocking member is detected. A method of monitoring the adjustable aerodynamic assembly includes determining whether the surface of the blocking member is detected via the detection member. The method also includes selectively activating the actuator to move the blocking member to the extended and retracted positions.