Movable Air Guide Element with Gap-Closing Protection for Vehicle Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air guide devices for motor vehicles create additional aerodynamic drag due to the formation of a channel between the air guide element and the body, leading to air flow separations and vortices.
Innovation Solution
An air guide device with a movable air guide element and a protection element that can partially or completely close the gap between the air guide element and the body, reducing aerodynamic drag by preventing airflow behind the air guide element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the air guide element is spaced apart from the body in the operating position to extend over the flow guide surface, then the aerodynamic flow guidance is improved, but additional aerodynamic drag is caused due to channel formation and flow separations at the edges
Solution Approach 1:
A protection element is introduced as an intermediary component between the air guide element and the vehicle body. This protection element closes the gap formed during operation, preventing harmful flow separations and vortices at the edges while allowing the air guide element to maintain its extended position for flow guidance. The protection element acts as a mediator that eliminates the harmful effect of the gap without requiring the air guide element to be retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide device is divided into functionally independent segments: the air guide element for flow guidance and the protection element for gap closure. These segments can operate independently - the air guide element extends to improve aerodynamics while the protection element closes the gap to prevent drag, allowing each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
2Productivity
If the air guide element is completely spaced apart from the body to form a channel, then the flow guidance along the body side surface is improved, but vortices are generated at the channel edges causing increased drag
Solution Approach 1:
The protection element serves as a mediator that eliminates the harmful vortices and flow separations generated at the channel edges. By closing the gap between the air guide element and the body, the protection element prevents the formation of vortices while allowing the air guide element to maintain its extended position for optimal flow guidance and fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap between the air guide element and the body, which initially causes harmful vortices and drag, is transformed into a beneficial configuration by introducing the protection element. The protection element closes this gap, converting the harmful vortex-generating structure into a streamlined configuration that reduces drag while maintaining the aerodynamic benefits of the extended air guide element.
3Loss of energy
If the air guide element is arranged flush with the body in the inoperative position, then the aerodynamic drag is minimized, but the flow guidance function is not activated
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide element is designed to be movable between an inoperative position (flush with the body) and an operative extended position. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions - minimizing drag when the function is not needed and optimizing fuel efficiency when activated, while the protection element ensures that the extended position does not generate harmful vortices.
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 reduces aerodynamic drag by minimizing airflow separations and vortices, enhancing the vehicle's stability and fuel efficiency, especially at medium to high speeds.
Implementation Method 1
additional aerodynamic drag is caused since the air guide elements in their operating position are completely spaced apart from the body, as a result of which a channel is formed between the air guide element and the body, the edges of the channel itself being able to produce separations in the air flow and therefore vortices
Implementation Method 2
the edges of the channel itself being able to produce separations in the air flow and therefore vortices
Implementation Method 3
the air guide element being designed as at least part of a rear side part of a body of the motor vehicle so as to be movable relative to the remaining body
Data Source
AI summary
An air guide device for a motor vehicle having an air guide element and a movement mechanism. The air guide element forming a rear side part of a body of the motor vehicle so as to be movable relative to the remaining body. The air guide element is movable between an inoperative position and at least one operating end position. The air guide element, in its inoperative position, is flush with the remaining body. The rear side part has a flow guide surface which faces an environment of the motor vehicle and along which air flows. The air guide element has a surface which is at least part of the flow guide surface. The air guide element, in its operating end position, is configured to extend the flow guide surface along a body longitudinal axis (X) of the body.