Remote Air Guiding Element Actuation via Door Lock Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerodynamically effective devices for motor vehicles, such as rear spoilers or rear wings, often require manual entry to adjust positions, limiting operating comfort and security, especially when adjusting to an inoperative position for safety or maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamically effective device for motor vehicles with an air guiding element that can be adjusted between positions using a control device with an actuating device operable from outside the vehicle, integrated into a door lock or as a portable transmitter, allowing remote or non-contact operation, ensuring secure and convenient adjustment to the inoperative position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the air guiding element is adjusted manually from inside the vehicle, then the device structure remains simple, but the operating comfort and security are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock system is given multiple functions: it not only performs its traditional locking function but also serves as an actuating device for the air guiding element. When the door lock is operated (key insertion, handle movement, or electronic activation), it triggers the driving device to adjust the air guiding element to the inoperative position. This integration eliminates the need for separate interior controls while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
A control device acts as an intermediary between the door lock operation and the driving device. The control device receives signals from the door lock actuation and commands the driving device to move the air guiding element accordingly. This intermediary layer enables remote operation while keeping the overall system architecture manageable and modular.
2Reliability
If the air guiding element remains in the operative position for extended periods, then aerodynamic performance is maintained, but the risk of vandalism and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts the air guiding element to the inoperative position when the vehicle is locked or when the door lock is operated, before the vehicle is parked or left unattended. This preliminary action prevents potential vandalism and safety hazards by securing the movable aerodynamic component in a protected position before the vehicle is left.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guiding element transitions from a static component to a dynamic one that automatically responds to vehicle locking states. The element can switch between operative and inoperative positions based on real-time conditions (driving speed, locking state), optimizing both aerodynamic performance during operation and security during parking.
3Ease of operation
If a separate actuating device is added for remote operation, then operating comfort is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock system is given multiple functions: it not only performs its traditional locking function but also serves as an actuating device for the air guiding element. When the door lock is operated (key insertion, handle movement, or electronic activation), it triggers the driving device to adjust the air guiding element to the inoperative position. This integration eliminates the need for separate interior controls while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating function for the air guiding element is merged with the existing door lock mechanism. The control device combines the door lock signal processing with the air guiding element control logic, creating a unified system that uses the same hardware infrastructure for both locking and aerodynamic component adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
An aerodynamically effective device for a motor vehicle has an air guiding element, which can be adjusted between an inoperative position and at least one operative position, a drive unit for adjusting the air guiding element and a control device for controlling the drive unit. The control device has an actuating device for actuating the drive unit. The actuating device can be operated from outside the motor vehicle.