Adjustable Air Guiding Element for Vehicle Downthrust and Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air guiding devices for motor vehicles either reduce lift force but increase fuel consumption at high speeds or fail to provide sufficient downthrust in sporty driving situations, while also not optimizing fuel efficiency in other conditions.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable air guiding device with a planar element that can pivot into different positions to increase downthrust or reduce air resistance, depending on driving conditions, using a combination of angles and actuator systems to manage its deployment in relation to the vehicle's roof line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the air guiding device is adjusted into a deployed position to increase downthrust, then the downthrust is improved, but the fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air guiding device is made dynamically adjustable between a rest position (aligned with roof line) and a deployed position (pivoted up at an angle) to change its interaction with air flow. This allows the system to adapt its aerodynamic properties based on driving conditions, switching between fuel-efficient mode (rest position) and high-downthrust mode (deployed position) as needed
2Use of energy by moving object
If the air guiding device is adjusted into a lowered position to reduce air resistance, then the fuel consumption is reduced, but the downthrust decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device can be adjusted to a lowered position where the air guiding element pivots down below the roof line, reducing its projection into the air flow. This minimizes aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption during normal driving conditions when maximum downthrust is not required
3Force
If a fixed air guiding device is used to reduce lift force, then the transmission of force from driving forces to the road is improved, but the fuel consumption at high speeds increases
Solution Approach 1:
Unlike fixed devices, this invention provides dynamic adjustability between rest and deployed positions, allowing optimization for different speed ranges and driving conditions, thereby avoiding the continuous fuel penalty imposed by fixed aerodynamic devices
4Adaptability or versatility
If the air guiding element is made adjustable between multiple positions, then the adaptability to different driving situations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air guiding device is segmented into discrete adjustable positions (rest position aligned with roof line, deployed position at upward angle, and lowered position below roof line), allowing controlled adjustment to different driving situations while maintaining manageable structural complexity through defined positional states
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 device achieves increased downthrust in sport mode while reducing fuel consumption and air resistance in normal driving conditions, offering customizable settings for various driving scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the air guiding element projects to a greater extent into the air flow around the vehicle and increases the downthrust
Implementation Method 2
the air guiding element projects to a lesser extent into the air flow around the vehicle and reduces the air resistance
Data Source
AI summary
An air guiding device is provided at a rear end of a motor vehicle and has at least one planar air guiding element that is adjustable from a rest position into a deployed position through a first angle and that is adjustable from the rest position into a lowered position through a second angle.