Asymmetric Vehicle Spoiler Stabilizes Aerodynamic Wake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spoiler arrangements for vehicles often result in bi-stable wake dynamics, leading to significant aerodynamic load fluctuations and stability issues, especially in crosswind conditions, which increase aerodynamic drag and compromise driving stability.
Innovation Solution
A spoiler arrangement featuring vertically extending side spoiler sheets with specific geometric configurations, including varying distances from the vehicle's vertical center plane and angled extensions, to stabilize the aerodynamic wake behind the vehicle, thereby enhancing driving stability without increasing aerodynamic drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional spoiler arrangements are used, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but bi-stable wake dynamics cause significant aerodynamic load fluctuations and stability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler arrangement employs asymmetrical positioning of the first and second side spoiler sheets relative to the vehicle's vertical center plane. The first lower point and second lower point are arranged at different distances from the center plane than the corresponding upper points, creating an asymmetrical configuration that stabilizes the wake by preventing bi-stable dynamics while maintaining drag reduction benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The spoiler is divided into multiple segmented components: a first side spoiler sheet with an upper and lower part, and a second side spoiler sheet with corresponding parts. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each segment's position and angle to control different aspects of wake dynamics, addressing both drag and stability requirements
2Reliability
If roof spoiler geometry is added to control wake, then aerodynamic characteristics improve, but driving stability issues arise due to large vertical wake motions
Solution Approach 1:
The side spoiler sheets are positioned to affect specific local regions of the wake flow. The first side spoiler sheet targets the left side wake region while the second side spoiler sheet targets the right side, with their lower parts creating different lateral deviations to locally control flow attachment and separation patterns, thereby stabilizing vertical wake motions without compromising overall aerodynamic performance
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
The described spoiler arrangement effectively stabilizes the aerodynamic wake, improving driving stability and reducing aerodynamic drag by controlling wake dynamics, even in crosswind conditions, across various vehicle geometries.
Implementation Method 1
The two states were predominantly determined by either an attached or separated flow over the rear windscreen in these crosswind conditions
Implementation Method 2
Balancing the wake is also a common approach for decreasing the aerodynamic drag of real passenger vehicles
Data Source
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Figure 5~6b
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a spoiler (1) arrangement for controlling the aerodynamic wake after a driving vehicle comprising: a first side spoiler sheet (2) configured to extend the shape of the vehicle body left side in a general direction backwards, wherein the first side spoiler sheet (2) configured to extend vertically from a first upper point (4) where the vehicle ceiling (10) ends and the left side (11) of the vehicle body begins to a first lower point (6) located along a first transition area (8) between the left side (11) of the vehicle body and the back side (14) of the vehicle body; and a second side spoiler sheet (3) configured to extend the shape of the vehicle body right side in a general direction backwards, wherein the second side spoiler sheet configured to extend vertically from a second upper point (5) where the vehicle ceiling (10) ends and the right side (12) of the vehicle body begins to a second lower point (7) located along a second transition area (9) between the right side of the vehicle body and the back side (14) of the vehicle body; wherein the first lower point (6) and the second lower point (7) are configured to be arranged at a different distance from the vehicle vertical center plane (15) than the first upper point (4) and the second upper point (5), respectively. The disclosure further relates to a vehicle.