Air-Guiding Element With Gearwheel Transmission for Aerodynamic Adjustment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-guiding elements in motor vehicles are limited in their ability to reduce air resistance due to their linear deployment, which restricts the effect on airflow and does not fully utilize the available installation space.

Innovation Solution

An air-guiding element with a surface element and a longitudinally displaceable carrier element, equipped with a gearwheel transmission and slide tracks, allowing for adjustable longitudinal, lateral, and angular displacement to effectively interact with airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If air-guiding elements are deployed linearly from the vehicle rear, then they can be positioned in the airflow to affect lateral flow, but the effect on airflow is limited and air resistance reduction is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow control capabilityVSAvoidair resistance reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The air-guiding element is designed with multiple degrees of freedom including longitudinal displacement via gearwheel transmission, lateral movement, and angular adjustment. This dynamic configuration allows the element to adapt its position and orientation to optimize airflow control, transforming the static linear deployment limitation into a multi-dimensional adjustable system that can respond to varying airflow conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from one-dimensional linear deployment to multi-dimensional positioning by adding longitudinal displacement capability through the gearwheel transmission mechanism. This enables the air-guiding element to move not only laterally but also longitudinally and angularly, creating a three-dimensional adjustment space that significantly enhances airflow manipulation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If air-guiding elements are made longitudinally displaceable with gearwheel transmission, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gearwheel transmission mechanism replaces more complex multi-component linear actuation systems with a simpler, more reliable mechanical gear-rack interface. This substitution maintains positioning precision while reducing the number of moving parts and control systems required, thereby lowering overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The gearwheel transmission mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides longitudinal displacement control, enables positioning precision, and can be integrated with the lateral and angular adjustment mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each degree of freedom, thereby reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the surface element is guided through a fixed opening, then protection against dirt and water is achieved, but displacement and angular adjustment range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against dirt and waterVSAvoiddisplacement and angular adjustment range

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The air-guiding element incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including longitudinal displacement via gearwheel transmission and angular adjustment through slide tracks with sliding blocks. These dynamic capabilities allow the element to move beyond fixed opening constraints while maintaining protection, as the opening can be positioned optimally while the element adjusts its full range of motion independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The air-guiding element is divided into separable functional components: the surface element that interacts with airflow, the carrier element that provides structural support, and the drive mechanisms that enable adjustment. This segmentation allows the surface element to be guided through a protected opening while the carrier and drive mechanisms provide the necessary displacement and angular adjustment ranges independent of the opening constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250042485A1Air-guiding element and motor vehicle comprising an air-guiding element

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

An air guiding element with a surface element and a longitudinally displaceable carrier element. The surface element is articulated to the carrier element in a movably mounted manner, furthermore with a drive element with a gearwheel. The carrier element can be driven in a longitudinally displaceable manner by the gearwheel transmission in such a way that a rack of the gearwheel transmission is connected to the drive element in a drivable manner via a spur gear and the rack is in driving connection with the carrier element.