Adjustable Air-Guiding Devices for Vehicle Aerodynamic Trade-Offs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling airflow over motor vehicles do not effectively manage air resistance, lift balance, and downforce across different driving modes, such as economical, performance, and sport driving modes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the strategic positioning of air-guiding devices like rear and front diffusers and spoilers, which transition between retracted, horizontal, inclined, and deployed positions to optimize airflow for each driving mode, minimizing air resistance, achieving optimal lift balance, and maximizing downforce as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the rear diffuser and rear spoiler are positioned for economical driving (minimizing air resistance), then fuel efficiency is improved, but downforce and driving dynamics performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoiddownforce

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the air-guiding devices (front diffuser, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler) adjustable between multiple positions. The front diffuser can be in a retracted or deployed position, the rear diffuser can be in a first or second position, and the rear spoiler can be in a first, second, or third position. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to optimize airflow characteristics for different driving modes, achieving low air resistance for fuel efficiency in economical mode while generating sufficient downforce for driving dynamics in sport mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Force

If the rear diffuser and rear spoiler are positioned for sport driving mode (maximizing downforce), then driving dynamics are improved, but air resistance increases reducing fuel efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedownforceVSAvoidfuel efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the positions of multiple air-guiding devices to optimize performance characteristics. For sport driving mode, the front diffuser is deployed, the rear diffuser is in the second position, and the rear spoiler is in the third position, creating aggressive airflow patterns that maximize downforce at the expense of increased air resistance and fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the air-guiding devices by adjusting their positions. The rear diffuser transitions between first and second positions, and the rear spoiler transitions between first, second, and third positions, fundamentally altering the airflow characteristics and pressure distribution to generate maximum downforce for sport driving conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple air-guiding devices are used to optimize airflow for different driving modes, then driving performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving mode adaptabilityVSAvoidair-guiding device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the airflow control system into three independent air-guiding devices: front diffuser, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler. Each device can be adjusted independently to specific positions, allowing granular control over different aspects of airflow. This segmentation enables versatile adaptation to various driving modes while managing complexity through modular, independent control of each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach allows for defined and advantageous airflow configurations in economical, performance, and sport driving modes, enhancing fuel efficiency, driving dynamics, and downforce, thereby improving the vehicle's operational performance across various driving conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an air resistance of the motor vehicle is minimized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic drag: Drag

Implementation Method 2

an optimum lift balance in terms of driving dynamics is set at the front and rear axles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLift: Aerofoil

Implementation Method 3

front-axle downforce and rear-axle downforce of the motor vehicle are maximized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDownforce: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentUS9308950B2Method and control device for operating a motor vehicle having multiple air-guiding devices

Publication Date: 2016.04.12 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A method for operating a motor vehicle (10) includes selecting one of an economical driving mode in which an air resistance is minimized, a performance driving mode in which an optimum lift balance is set at the front and rear axles, and a sport driving mode in which front and rear axle downforces are maximized. The rear diffuser (12) and the rear spoiler (12) are transferred into first deployed positions when the economical driving mode is selected. The rear diffuser (12) and the rear spoiler (13) are transferred into second deployed positions when the performance driving mode is selected. The rear diffuser (12) is transferred into a retracted rear diffuser position and the rear spoiler (13) is transferred into a third deployed rear spoiler position when the sport driving mode is selected.