Adjustable Downforce Elements for Turbulent Air Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-performance vehicles face challenges in maintaining downforce balance due to turbulent air, which can disrupt performance and stability, especially during cornering or racing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising sensors and a processor that obtain parameter values to determine the likelihood of turbulent air and adjust downforce elements, such as wings or spoilers, to mitigate its effects, ensuring balanced airflow and improved handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If downforce elements (wings, airfoils) are used to generate downforce for improving lateral capability, then vehicle performance and cornering capability are improved, but turbulent air causes imbalance in downforce and reduces stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the downforce elements adjustable rather than fixed. The system continuously monitors vehicle parameters (speed, steering angle, yaw rate) and dynamically adjusts the downforce element angles to maintain optimal downforce balance. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt to changing turbulent air conditions while maintaining the beneficial downforce effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the downforce elements (angle of attack, deployment position) based on detected turbulent air conditions. By modifying these parameters in real-time according to vehicle operating conditions and turbulence detection, the system maintains stable downforce balance while preserving the performance-enhancing downforce effect.
2Device complexity
If fixed downforce elements are used to maintain simple structure, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot adapt to turbulent air conditions causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to detect vehicle parameters (speed, steering angle, yaw rate) and turbulent air conditions, then using this information to automatically adjust downforce element positions. This closed-loop control system provides adaptability to turbulent air while keeping the control logic integrated and manageable, resolving the contradiction between complexity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the downforce control system multi-functional by integrating multiple functions into a single system: turbulence detection, parameter monitoring, and dynamic adjustment. This universal approach allows the system to handle various driving conditions and turbulent air scenarios without requiring separate specialized systems, balancing adaptability with controlled complexity.
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 system effectively adjusts downforce in real-time to maintain vehicle stability and performance by compensating for turbulent air, enhancing cornering capabilities and preventing imbalance, thereby improving overall vehicle handling and balance.
Implementation Method 1
certain performance vehicles utilize airfoils, wings, or other devices to generate downforce for the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for mitigating turbulent air for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, a vehicle includes one or more downforce elements, one or more sensors, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to obtain one or more parameter values for the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The processor is processor coupled to the one or more sensors, and is configured to at least facilitate determining whether turbulent air for the vehicle is likely using the parameters, and adjusting a downforce for the vehicle, during operation of the vehicle, by providing instructions for controlling the one or more downforce elements when it is determined that turbulent air for the vehicle is likely.