Bonnet Spoiler and Grille Ducting to Cut Vehicle Front Drag

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle airflow modification devices fail to effectively reduce the size of the zone of high pressure on the front of vehicles with a substantially flat front face, leading to increased aerodynamic drag and potential issues with pedestrian safety.

Innovation Solution

An aerodynamic apparatus comprising a bonnet spoiler and grille that redirects airflow over a curved upper portion of the grille, creating an airflow duct with a converging and diverging region, which increases airflow velocity and reduces the aerodynamic height of the vehicle front face, thereby minimizing the high-pressure zone and enhancing aerodynamic efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a substantially flat front face is used for the vehicle, then pedestrian safety is improved, but aerodynamic drag increases due to the large high-pressure zone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepedestrian safetyVSAvoidaerodynamic drag

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a curved upper portion to the grille that redirects airflow smoothly over the bonnet. This curvature creates an airflow duct that guides air from the front of the vehicle over the bonnet surface, reducing the size of the high-pressure zone and minimizing aerodynamic drag while preserving the flat front face design for pedestrian safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a vertical dimension to airflow management by creating an airflow duct that extends from the grille upward and over the bonnet. This three-dimensional airflow path redirects air in a manner that reduces pressure buildup at the front while maintaining the flat front face geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of energy

If the aerodynamic height of the vehicle front face is reduced, then aerodynamic drag decreases, but the front face structure must be modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic dragVSAvoidfront face structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The curved upper portion of the grille is designed to smoothly redirect airflow without requiring complex structural modifications to the front face. The curvature creates an effective aerodynamic height reduction by guiding air over the bonnet, achieving drag reduction while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Loss of energy

If airflow is redirected over the bonnet, then the high-pressure zone is reduced, but airflow attachment must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh-pressure zoneVSAvoidairflow attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The curved upper portion of the grille is specifically designed to redirect airflow smoothly along the bonnet surface, maintaining attached flow throughout the duct. This curvature prevents flow separation while reducing the high-pressure zone size, ensuring reliable airflow attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies airflow parameters by creating a controlled duct that manages pressure and velocity distribution. The curved geometry changes the flow path and pressure gradient, ensuring smooth airflow attachment while reducing the overall high-pressure zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution reduces the aerodynamic height of the vehicle by 50-100 mm without lowering the front face, resulting in decreased aerodynamic drag and improved airflow attachment to the vehicle, while also mitigating soiling on the rear screen and enhancing pedestrian safety features.

Implementation Method 1

redirects airflow over a curved upper portion of the grille, creating an airflow duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow redirection:

Implementation Method 2

creating an airflow duct with a converging and diverging region, which increases airflow velocity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConverging and diverging flow:

Implementation Method 3

reduces the aerodynamic drag and minimising the size of the zone of high pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic drag reduction: Drag

Data Source

PatentUS11299218B2Aerodynamic apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD

AI summary

An aerodynamic apparatus (10) for a vehicle (2), the aerodynamic apparatus comprising: a bonnet (12) having a leading edge (18) and a trailing edge (34); a bonnet spoiler (14) having a leading edge (30) and a trailing edge (32), and being positionable vertically above the bonnet (12) and separated therefrom to form an airflow duct (22) therebetween; and a grille (16) comprising a trailing edge (20) and a front face separated by a curved upper portion (28), wherein the trailing edge (20) of the grille (16) is positionable adjacent to the leading edge (18) of the bonnet (12).