Cargo Container Rear Air Duct for Slipstream Suction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerodynamic deflectors for box-shaped vehicles are often vehicle-specific, require separate assembly, are labor-intensive, and may only function above certain speeds, while convoy driving in a slipstream poses safety risks and efficiency gains depend on networked vehicles, lacking in practicality and safety under various traffic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A rear air deflection device for freight containers that deflects incoming air into a slipstream zone, reducing suction effect by directing air through an air duct with varying cross-sectional areas and angles, minimizing additional resistance and enhancing aerodynamic efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If existing aerodynamic deflectors are used for box-shaped vehicles, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved above certain speeds, but the device complexity and assembly labor increase due to multiple separate parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple aerodynamic functions (front gap cover, rear diffuser, and air deflection) into a single integrated rear air deflection device that attaches to the cargo container. This eliminates the need for multiple separate parts while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency above 40 km/h.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear air deflection device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an air deflector, a rear spoiler, and a diffuser component. This multi-functional design improves aerodynamic performance without requiring additional separate components for each function.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional aerodynamic devices are installed on cargo containers, then aerodynamic efficiency improves, but the ease of manufacture and retrofitting deteriorates due to complex assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic system is segmented into a modular rear air deflection device that can be independently manufactured and then attached to the cargo container. This allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components while maintaining overall aerodynamic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable or flexible elements that adapt to different cargo container types and driving conditions, allowing a single design to serve multiple applications without requiring custom manufacturing for each vehicle type.
3Use of energy by moving object
If vehicles drive in convoy in the slipstream to reduce wind resistance, then fuel consumption decreases, but safety risks increase due to reduced safety distance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on convoy driving where the following vehicle benefits from the leading vehicle's slipstream, this invention converts the harmful suction effect in the cargo container's own slipstream into a beneficial force by actively managing airflow to reduce drag, eliminating the need for reduced safety distances.
4Ease of manufacture
If the air duct cross-sectional area remains constant, then manufacturing is simpler, but the aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient air deflection into the slipstream zone
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct features a varying cross-sectional area that is optimized for different locations: a larger inlet area to capture sufficient air, and a smaller outlet area positioned strategically to deflect air effectively into the slipstream zone. This local optimization maximizes aerodynamic efficiency while keeping the overall design manufacturable.
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
Reduces fuel consumption and pollutant emissions by 30-40% by minimizing the slipstream suction effect, with minimal manufacturing effort and easy retrofitting, ensuring aerodynamic improvements without increasing overall resistance.
Implementation Method 1
aerodynamic efficiency of the motor vehicle or the cargo container is improved in that the suction effect in the slipstream area of the cargo container is reduced
Implementation Method 2
deflecting the incoming air, which flows along the cargo container in the forward operating state of the motor vehicle, at or in the region of the rear of the cargo container into the slipstream behind the cargo container
Data Source
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AI summary
Rear air deflection device (100) for a freight container (210) of a motor vehicle (200) for deflecting incoming air (310) in a forward operating state of the motor vehicle (200) into a slipstream zone (220) of the freight container (210), the rear air deflection device (100) comprising: an air duct (110) which extends in a longitudinal direction between an air inlet opening (120) and an air outlet opening (130) with an air duct length (111), which extends in a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction with an air duct width (112), and which extends orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and orthogonal to the transverse direction with an air duct height (113), wherein the air duct (110) is designed to deflect the incoming air (310) through the air duct (110) from the air inlet opening (120) to the air outlet opening (130) towards the slipstream zone (220) of the cargo container (210),wherein the air inlet opening (120) has a first cross-sectional area (121) and the air outlet opening (130) has a second cross-sectional area (131), wherein the second cross-sectional area (131) is smaller than the first cross-sectional area (121), characterized in that a surface normal (132) of the second cross-sectional area (131) is inclined relative to a surface normal (122) of the first cross-sectional area (121) by an angle of inclination (140), so that the air (320) flowing through the air duct (110) in the forward operating state of the motor vehicle (200) is deflected at the second cross-sectional area (131) at the air outlet opening (130) of the air duct (110) in the direction of the slipstream zone (220) of the cargo container (210).