Adjustable Vehicle Spoiler for Dynamic Cornering Downforce
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive aerodynamic solutions fail to dynamically adjust aerodynamic downforce during vehicle cornering, leading to instability and reduced high-speed performance.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable spoiler assembly with a wing-shaped body and a mechanism to rotate its axis, controlled by an electronic controller, which adjusts based on detected yaw rate, wheel speed, and airflow velocity to optimize downforce during cornering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed spoiler is used, then aerodynamic downforce is provided, but the downforce cannot be dynamically adjusted during cornering
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler assembly incorporates a rotation mechanism that allows the wing-shaped body to dynamically change its angle relative to the vehicle body during cornering. The spoiler axis rotates about a vertical axis, enabling the downforce direction to adapt to yaw rate changes, thus resolving the contradiction between providing adjustable downforce and maintaining structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect yaw rate and cornering conditions, providing feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the spoiler assembly automatically adjusts its angle to optimize downforce during cornering, achieving adaptability through a closed-loop control system
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rear spoiler is added to reduce lift and increase stability, then high-speed stability is improved, but drag increases due to turbulent flow
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler assembly dynamically adjusts its angle based on detected yaw rate and cornering conditions. During straight-line high-speed travel, the spoiler maintains a stable configuration to reduce lift. During cornering, it rotates to generate directional downforce, optimizing the balance between stability and drag reduction across different operating conditions
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
Enhances vehicle stability and traction by dynamically varying aerodynamic downforce in response to cornering conditions, improving handling and high-speed performance.
Implementation Method 1
a wing-shaped body arranged along a spoiler axis that is parallel to the body plane and configured to control a movement of the ambient airflow along the longitudinal body axis
Implementation Method 2
a mechanism configured to rotate the wing-shaped body to thereby vary an angle of the spoiler axis relative to the longitudinal body axis
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged in a body plane and having a longitudinal body axis. The vehicle also has a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The vehicle additionally includes a spoiler assembly. The spoiler assembly includes a wing-shaped body arranged along a spoiler axis that is parallel to the body plane and configured to control a movement of the ambient airflow along the longitudinal body axis. The spoiler assembly also includes a stanchion connecting the wing-shaped body to the vehicle body. The spoiler assembly additionally includes a mechanism configured to rotate the wing-shaped body to thereby vary an angle of the spoiler axis relative to the longitudinal body axis.