Vehicle Air Skirt Winding Unit for Longitudinal Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional active air skirt apparatuses require additional operation space in the width direction, leading to collisions with the bumper and damage, and have slow deployment times due to rotation in the width direction.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air skirt apparatus with a winding unit that deploys the skirt in a longitudinal direction using a housing, actuator, roller, and links to prevent collisions and reduce deployment time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the skirt is rotated in the width direction by a link unit, then the aerodynamic performance is improved by reducing headwind introduction, but the apparatus requires additional operation space in the width direction causing collision with bumper skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the deployment direction of the skirt from the width direction (lateral rotation) to the longitudinal direction (front-to-back movement). The skirt is moved along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle using a link unit that translates rotational motion into longitudinal displacement, thereby avoiding the need for width direction operation space that causes bumper collision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the skirt laterally as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the approach by moving the skirt in the longitudinal direction. The link unit is configured to push or pull the skirt assembly along the vehicle's length, completely reversing the traditional deployment mechanism to solve the space conflict issue.
2Reliability
If the skirt is rotated in the width direction, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but the bumper and skirt are damaged due to collision with bumper skin
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the deployment direction from lateral (width) to longitudinal (front-to-back), the skirt movement path no longer intersects with the bumper skin. The link unit guides the skirt along the longitudinal axis where sufficient clearance exists, eliminating the collision hazard entirely while maintaining the aerodynamic benefit of reduced headwind introduction.
3Reliability
If the skirt is deployed by rotation in the width direction, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but the deployment time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal deployment mechanism allows for faster actuation compared to lateral rotation. The link unit can rapidly translate the skirt assembly forward or backward along the longitudinal axis using compact actuation mechanisms, reducing the time required to achieve full deployment and improve the responsiveness of the aerodynamic control system.
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
Prevents bumper damage and reduces repair costs by deploying the skirt without additional width space, while improving aerodynamic performance and fuel efficiency through quick deployment.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member which is disposed inside the rolling shaft part and is wound and unwound while the roller body rotates
Data Source
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AI summary
A winding unit, which winds a skirt for blocking inflow of a headwind generated when a vehicle travels, includes an actuator which generates power, a roller which is coupled to the skirt and winds the skirt, a holder coupled to an end portion of the skirt, and a driving link which connects the holder and the actuator and moves the holder using the power generated by the actuator. The winding unit may be improved so that an air skirt apparatus does not require additional operation space in a width direction.