Automobile Wheel Housing Deflector with Ribs for Rigidity Flexibility Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional deflector structures for automobile front wheel housings face challenges in balancing rigidity to withstand loads from the front side while maintaining flexibility to absorb unintended loads from the rear side, which affects air resistance and structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A deflector structure comprising a cover member and a deflector with a flexible main body and rear-surface ribs that support the deflector from the rear when loaded from the front, and allow bending towards the front when loaded from the rear, using a combination of materials like hard synthetic resin for the cover member and soft synthetic resin for the deflector, with strategically placed front-surface ribs to enhance flexibility and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the deflector is made rigid to withstand loads from the front side, then it can effectively suppress wind flow into the front wheel housing, but it cannot absorb unintended loads from the rear side without damage
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector is divided into multiple functional segments: a base portion for mounting, a main body for wind suppression, and multiple ribs (front-surface ribs and rear-surface ribs) for structural support. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the main body remains flexible while the ribs provide targeted rigidity where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the deflector have different structural properties. The front-surface ribs and rear-surface ribs are positioned at specific locations to provide local reinforcement. The ribs extend in the vehicle upward/downward direction and contact the cover member at strategic points, creating local rigidity zones that withstand front loads while leaving the main body flexible for rear load absorption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the deflector main body is made flexible to absorb rear loads, then it can prevent damage from unintended rear side impacts, but it cannot effectively suppress wind flow from the front side
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector structure separates the load-bearing function (performed by the ribs that contact the cover member) from the wind-suppression function (performed by the main body). The ribs are segmented elements that provide structural support while the continuous main body maintains flexibility for aerodynamic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector combines materials with different properties - the main body uses soft synthetic resin for flexibility and wind flow management, while the ribs and cover member interface provide rigid support points. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of flexibility and rigidity in different functional zones.
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 structure effectively suppresses wind flow into the front wheel housing, maintains structural integrity by preventing excessive deformation, and ensures stable air straightening performance by balancing rigidity and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the deflector main body is about to deform so as to be bent toward the vehicle rear side. In this case, since the rear-surface ribs are in contact with the lower surface of the cover member, the rear-surface ribs can support the deflector main body from the vehicle rear side.
Implementation Method 2
when the load is applied from the vehicle rear side to the deflector main body, the deflector main body is about to deform so as to be bent toward the vehicle front side. In this case, since the rear-surface ribs can easily separate from the lower surface of the cover member, the rear-surface ribs can deform so as to be bent toward the vehicle front side together with the deflector main body.
Data Source
AI summary
A deflector structure of an automobile includes: a liner extended portion covering a lower-surface opening located at a front side of a wheel housing; and a deflector attached to the liner extended portion. The deflector is integrally configured by: a deflector base portion attached to the liner extended portion through a bolt and a resin clip; and a plate-shaped deflector main body extending from a rear end of the deflector base portion to a vehicle lower side and having flexibility and a thickness in a forward/rearward direction. A plurality of rear-surface ribs each extending in an upward/downward direction are formed on a rear surface of the deflector main body at predetermined intervals in a width direction, upper ends of the rear-surface ribs being in contact with a lower surface of the liner extended portion.