Adjustable Air Guide Device for Motor Vehicle Roof Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air guide devices on motor vehicles fail to individually adjust downforce generation in response to changes in the sliding/tilting roof position, leading to reduced aerodynamic efficiency and downforce when the roof is open.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable air guide device actuated by a control unit that detects the sliding/tilting roof position, using a central electric motor with coaxial flexible drive shafts and a self-locking spindle drive mechanism to adjust the air guide element's angle of incidence, ensuring optimal downforce generation regardless of the roof's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the air guide device is kept in a fixed extended position, then downforce is generated at high speeds, but the aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates when the sliding/tilting roof is opened due to air stream separation
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide device is made dynamically adjustable through a drive device that can change its position between retracted and extended states. The control unit receives signals from the roof position sensor and automatically adjusts the air guide device's extension position to match the roof position, transforming a static component into a dynamic one that adapts to different aerodynamic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A roof position sensor detects the current position of the sliding/tilting roof and transmits this information to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback signal and accordingly adjusts the air guide device's position via the drive device, creating a closed-loop feedback system that ensures the air guide device is always in the optimal position for the current roof configuration.
2Force
If the air guide device is extended farther when the roof is open, then downforce is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives signals from the roof position sensor, processes the roof position information, determines the appropriate air guide device position based on stored characteristic values, and actuates the drive device accordingly. This multi-functional approach consolidates control logic into a single component, managing system complexity while achieving adaptive downforce generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the position parameter of the air guide device based on the roof position parameter. The control unit stores characteristic values that define the relationship between roof position and optimal air guide device position, allowing the system to adapt to different aerodynamic conditions by adjusting positional parameters rather than requiring complex mechanical redesign.
3Power
If a self-locking lever mechanism is used to support the air guide surface, then smaller and less powerful drives can be used, but the positioning precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical self-locking lever mechanism with an electronically controlled drive device actuated by a control unit. This substitution allows for more precise positioning control through electronic actuation while maintaining the ability to use relatively small drives, as the electronic control can achieve precise positioning without relying solely on mechanical self-locking features.
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 solution allows for precise adjustment of the air guide device to maintain or enhance downforce generation when the sliding/tilting roof is open, reducing noise and production costs while improving driving dynamics.
Implementation Method 1
The adjusting mechanism comprises a spindle drive and several interacting adjusting levers. A spindle drive of this type usually has a threaded spindle, occasionally also called a leading screw, which cooperates with a threaded nut to convert a rotational movement into a translational movement.
Implementation Method 2
the drive device of the air guide device comprises a central electric motor with two coaxial and flexible drive shafts
Implementation Method 3
Air guide devices on motor vehicles, especially on sports cars, are sufficiently well known and usually serve to generate downforce as the vehicle is being driven to improve the vehicle's grip on the road.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle with at least one air guide device, which can be extended by means of a drive device, and which can be adjusted to at least one intermediate position between a maximally extended and a completely retracted position. The motor vehicle comprises an adjustable sliding/tilting roof, wherein a control unit is provided, which is designed so that it acts on an air guide element of the air guide device as a function of the position of the sliding/tilting roof.