Airflow Deflector Position Detection via Magnetic Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airflow deflectors struggle to accurately detect the rotational position and stopped position of the airflow deflecting body, especially when the driving section is malfunctioning or not operational.
Innovation Solution
An airflow deflector system that includes a rotatable airflow deflecting body supported by a vehicle body, a driving section for rotating the body between extended and retracted positions, a detecting device to identify the rotational position independently of the driving section's operation, and stopper mechanisms to prevent unwanted rotation, allowing for self-locking at predetermined positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the driving section is used to rotate the airflow deflecting body, then the airflow deflecting body can be positioned between extended and retracted positions, but the system cannot accurately detect the rotational position and stopped position when the driving section malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical motor-driven detection system with a passive magnetic detection system. A magnet is attached to the airflow deflecting body, and a magnetic sensor detects its position without requiring the driving section to be operational. This substitution allows position detection independent of the driving section's operational status, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow deflecting body itself carries the magnet that enables its own position detection. The magnetic field generated by the magnet on the deflecting body is detected by the magnetic sensor, allowing the system to self-monitor its position without external intervention or reliance on the driving section, thereby improving detection reliability while maintaining simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the airflow deflecting body is allowed to rotate freely, then it can reach extended and retracted positions, but it may rotate to unintended positions causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using magnetic attraction between the magnet on the airflow deflecting body and the magnetic sensor to create a holding force that prevents unintended rotation. The magnetic interaction creates natural stopping points at the extended and retracted positions, counteracting any forces that might cause the body to rotate to malfunction positions, thus ensuring position control reliability while maintaining rotation freedom during actuation.
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
Enables accurate detection of the airflow deflecting body's position and prevents unintended rotation, ensuring reliable operation even when the driving section is faulty, and maintains airflow direction to reduce air resistance and lift.
Implementation Method 1
a detecting device that detects a rotational position of the airflow deflecting body irrespective of operation of the driving section
Data Source
AI summary
An airflow deflector has: an airflow deflecting body supported at a vehicle body of a vehicle so as to be able to rotate between an extended position at a lower side of the vehicle body of the vehicle and a retracted position at the vehicle body side; a driving section generating driving force for rotating the airflow deflecting body; a detecting device detecting a rotational position of the airflow deflecting body irrespective of operation of the driving section; and a rotational position recognizing section that, when judging that the rotational position detected by the detecting device has not changed throughout a threshold time period, judges that the airflow deflecting body has stopped rotating.