Airflow Deflector with Cutout for Wheel Sidewall Guidance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airflow deflectors for vehicles are inadequate in effectively redirecting airflow around the wheel housing to minimize drag, as they often fail to fully guide airflow around the outer sidewall of the wheel, leading to turbulence and increased aerodynamic resistance.

Innovation Solution

The airflow deflector extends both laterally and vertically from the inner fender, featuring a curved flow surface with an obliquely-outward angled portion and a cutout at the outboard end to guide airflow around the outer sidewall of the front wheel, ensuring efficient airflow redirection and reduced drag.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a conventional airflow deflector is used, then the structure is simple, but airflow guidance around the wheel is inadequate leading to increased drag and turbulence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow impact on wheelVSAvoidguide member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member features a curved flow surface with an obliquely-outward angled portion that smoothly redirects airflow around the wheel. The curved geometry follows the natural flow of air, reducing turbulence and drag compared to flat or angular deflector designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide member is divided into distinct functional portions: an inboard end portion spaced from the inner sidewall, an outboard end portion with a cutout for the outer sidewall, and an obliquely-outward angled portion between them. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific airflow guidance function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the guide member extends closer to the wheel sidewalls, then airflow coverage is improved, but the risk of airflow striking the wheel increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow coverage around wheelVSAvoidairflow turbulence

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the guide member have different spatial relationships to the wheel: the inboard end is spaced from the inner sidewall, while the outboard end includes a cutout that approaches the outer sidewall. This localized variation in positioning optimizes airflow guidance on each side of the wheel without compromising overall performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The obliquely-outward angled portion acts as an intermediary element that gradually transitions airflow from the vertical flow direction to a lateral direction around the wheel. This intermediate angled section prevents direct airflow impact on the wheel while maintaining effective airflow coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If the airflow deflector redirects airflow laterally, then drag is reduced, but turbulence may increase without proper guidance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair dragVSAvoidairflow turbulence

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The curved flow surface with obliquely-outward angled portion provides a smooth transition path for airflow redirection. This curved geometry minimizes flow separation and turbulence while effectively directing air laterally around the wheel, reducing drag without creating excessive turbulence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

This design significantly improves aerodynamic performance by effectively guiding airflow around the wheel, reducing turbulence and drag, and enhancing the vehicle's overall efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The guide member has an obliquely-outward angled portion directed toward an outer sidewall of the front wheel. The outboard end portion of the flow surface includes a cutout to guide airflow around the outer sidewall of the front wheel.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow guidance:

Implementation Method 2

redirecting the airflow in order to prevent the airflow from striking the wheel and other rearward components, thereby reducing air drag of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic drag reduction: Drag

Data Source

PatentUS10933927B2Airflow deflector for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An airflow deflector for a vehicle protrudes downward from an inner fender having a wheel housing that houses a front wheel. The airflow deflector includes an airflow guide member extending in both a lateral direction and a vertical direction of the vehicle and provided in front of the wheel housing. The guide member has an inboard end portion and an outboard end portion. The inboard end portion is spaced inboard from an inner sidewall of the front wheel and the outboard end portion is spaced inboard from an outer sidewall of the front wheel. The outboard end portion includes a cutout to guide airflow around the outer sidewall of the front wheel.