Aerodynamic Flap With Over-Center Spring Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerodynamic devices for motor vehicles are vulnerable to damage from vertical impacts with obstacles, such as curbs or small animals, which can cause the flap to collide with and potentially damage the actuator and transmission mechanism.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamic device featuring a flap with a fixed and mobile portion connected by an over-center spring, allowing the mobile portion to shift from a normal to an emergency position upon exceeding a force threshold, thereby decoupling from the actuator and transmission mechanism to absorb impact forces and prevent damage, while maintaining a stable position to avoid noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flap is kept in the extended position to maintain aerodynamic performance, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but the risk of collision damage to the actuator and transmission mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flap is divided into a fixed portion and a mobile portion that can move independently. The mobile portion can decouple from the actuator and transmission mechanism when collision risk is detected, while the fixed portion remains in place to maintain aerodynamic function. This segmentation allows the system to protect against damage while preserving aerodynamic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the mobile portion can change its coupling state with the actuator. When collision risk is detected, the mobile portion dynamically decouples to avoid damage; when safe, it recouples to restore full aerodynamic function. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining performance and avoiding damage.
2Strength
If the mobile portion decouples from the actuator to prevent damage during impact, then protection against damage is improved, but the aerodynamic function may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flap into fixed and mobile portions, the system allows the mobile portion to decouple for impact protection while the fixed portion maintains aerodynamic function. This ensures that aerodynamic performance is preserved even when the mobile portion is in the emergency position.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile portion acts as an intermediary between the aerodynamic flap structure and the actuator mechanism. During impact, it absorbs the shock and decouples to protect the actuator, then recouples afterward to restore full functionality. This intermediary role allows the system to withstand impact while maintaining aerodynamic function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a coupling mechanism is used to maintain flap position, then position stability is improved, but the complexity of the transmission mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into a fixed coupling point and a mobile coupling portion. This allows the mobile portion to decouple during impact while the fixed portion maintains position stability. The segmentation simplifies the overall mechanism by allowing selective coupling rather than requiring a complex fully-coupled system.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling state changes from coupled to decoupled based on impact detection. This parameter change allows the system to achieve position stability when needed while reducing complexity during impact events. The mobile portion transitions between coupled and decoupled states, optimizing both stability and simplicity.
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 solution effectively prevents damage to the actuator and transmission mechanism during vertical impacts and maintains a stable flap position, reducing noise and ensuring the aerodynamic device's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an over-center spring coupling the fixed portion and the mobile portion of the flap, exerting a force on the mobile portion such that said mobile portion is maintained in one of the operation positions. The over-center spring allows the movement of the mobile portion of the flap to the emergency position when the mobile portion receives an impact with a vertical force component exceeding a force threshold of the over-center spring.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
Aerodynamic device for a motor vehicle, comprising a flap (2) movable between an extended position and a retracted position, a rotating actuator, and a transmission mechanism coupled to the actuator and configured for transmitting the movement of the actuator to the flap (2). In the event that the flap (2) receives an impact when said flap (2) is arranged in the extended position, the aerodynamic device is configured for preventing the actuator and/or transmission mechanism from being damaged. To that end, the flap (2) comprises a fixed portion (20) coupled to the transmission mechanism, and a mobile portion (21) coupled to the fixed portion (20) in a manner that is movable between a normal operation position and an emergency operation position, and the aerodynamic device comprises an over-center spring (5) coupling the fixed portion (20) and the mobile portion (21) of the flap (2) and exerting a force on the mobile portion (21) such that said mobile portion (21) is maintained in one of the operation positions. Furthermore, the over-center spring (5) allows the movement of the mobile portion (21) of the flap (2) to the emergency operation position when the mobile portion (21) receives an impact with a vertical force component exceeding a force threshold of the over-center spring (5).