Aerodynamic Underride Guard with Angled Air Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Trailer fairings and crash attenuators fail to effectively reduce aerodynamic drag and prevent underriding in collisions, particularly due to non-aerodynamic features like landing gear and wheel assemblies, and existing solutions do not adequately address these issues simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

An aerodynamic crash attenuating underride guard with angled sections to deflect air, crash attenuating middle sections to prevent underriding, and compartments for storage, designed to reduce drag and enhance safety by directing airflow and preventing vehicles from under riding the trailer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional landing gear and wheel assemblies are used, then structural support and mobility are provided, but aerodynamic drag increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic dragVSAvoidlanding gear structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The aerodynamic fairing completely encloses the landing gear structure, nesting the non-aerodynamic components within a streamlined outer shell. This allows the complex landing gear to be hidden inside an aerodynamic envelope, reducing drag while maintaining structural functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The fairing uses a streamlined shell structure that contours around the landing gear and wheel assemblies. The shell is designed with smooth surfaces and aerodynamic shaping to minimize air resistance, while still providing protective enclosure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If underride guards are added to prevent vehicle underriding, then collision safety improves, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision safetyVSAvoidaerodynamic drag

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The underride guard function is merged with the aerodynamic fairing structure. The same streamlined enclosure that reduces drag also serves as the underride protection barrier, eliminating the need for separate underride guard components and maintaining aerodynamic continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fairing structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides aerodynamic streamlining, underride protection, and structural support. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the aerodynamic component also serve as the safety device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If fairings are added to improve aerodynamics, then drag reduction is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic dragVSAvoidfairing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fairing is designed to perform multiple functions: aerodynamic drag reduction, underride protection, structural support, and even incorporating storage compartments. By making the fairing multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the aerodynamic requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of energy

If the underride guard is designed to be aerodynamic, then drag is reduced, but crash attenuation capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic dragVSAvoidcrash attenuation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fairing incorporates localized crash attenuation features such as energy-absorbing materials or structures at critical impact zones, while maintaining streamlined aerodynamic surfaces in other areas. This allows different parts of the same structure to have different functional qualities - aerodynamic where needed for drag reduction and reinforced where needed for crash protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 reduces aerodynamic drag, enhances safety by preventing underriding, and provides storage compartments, improving both the efficiency of trailer transport and collision protection.

Implementation Method 1

The aerodynamic underride guard comprises an angled front section fore of the trailer landing gear, a crash attenuating middle section located between the trailer landing gear and the trailer wheel assembly, and an angled rear section located in proximity to the trailer wheel assembly. The front angled section deflects air away from the non-aerodynamic features of the trailer landing gear. The rear angled section deflects air away from the non-aerodynamic features of the trailer wheel assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow deflection: Aerodynamic Heating

Data Source

PatentUS7780224B2Crash attenuating underride guard

Publication Date: 2010.08.24 VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORP

AI summary

An aerodynamic underride guard comprising an angled front section located ahead of the trailer landing gear, a crash attenuating middle section located between the trailer landing gear and the trailer wheel assembly, and an angled rear section located in proximity to the trailer wheel assembly. The front angled section deflects air away from the non-aerodynamic features of the trailer landing gear. The rear angled section deflects air away from the non-aerodynamic features of the trailer wheel assembly, and the crash attenuating middle section can prevent vehicles from under riding the trailer.