Vehicle Aerodynamic Assemblies with Integrated Drainage Channels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle aerodynamic assemblies, such as rear wings and spoilers, face issues with water accumulation during rainfall or car washes, leading to surface degradation, mold/mildew, and reduced aesthetics if not properly managed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating drainage channels within the aerodynamic assembly, specifically through end plates and airfoil outboard edge portions, allowing water to flow from the top surface to the bottom surface, with angled slopes and strategically positioned inlets and outlets to facilitate passive water management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If drainage channels are incorporated into the aerodynamic assembly, then water accumulation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic assembly is segmented into functional zones with drainage channels integrated at specific locations (end plates and airfoil edges). This segmentation allows water management to be addressed through localized structural modifications rather than requiring a complete redesign of the entire assembly, thus preventing water accumulation while minimizing overall complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage channels are merged with the existing structural components of the aerodynamic assembly, specifically the end plates and airfoil edges. By combining the drainage function with structural elements already present in the design, the patent achieves water management capabilities without adding separate, independent drainage systems that would significantly increase device complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If drainage channels are formed through end plates and airfoil edges, then water drainage is enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage channels are designed to be formed during the manufacturing process itself, rather than requiring post-manufacturing modifications. The channel geometries, inlet positions, and outlet positions are predetermined in the tooling and molding processes, allowing water drainage functionality to be built into the components during initial fabrication. This preliminary action approach enables effective water drainage while maintaining reasonable manufacturing precision standards.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple drainage channels are positioned in rows, then water management effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is segmented into multiple channels arranged in rows at strategic locations throughout the aerodynamic assembly. This segmentation distributes water collection and drainage points across different areas, improving overall water management effectiveness by capturing water from multiple zones simultaneously while maintaining a modular, organized structure that doesn't excessively increase 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
Effectively prevents water accumulation, maintaining the surface finish and aesthetics of the aerodynamic assembly by allowing water to drain away, thereby reducing customer dissatisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
a first drainage channel extending through at least one of the first end plate and the outboard edge portion of the airfoil
Implementation Method 2
the airfoil includes a downward slope that is sloped at an angle between an apex of the airfoil and the outboard edge portion of the airfoil
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle aerodynamic assembly includes a first end plate, an airfoil including an outboard edge portion contiguous with the first end plate, and a first drainage channel extending through at least one of the first end plate and the outboard edge portion of the airfoil. The aerodynamic assembly may be mounted to a deck lid of a vehicle.