Concave Air Deflector for Wheel Drag Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerodynamic solutions for reducing drag on motor vehicles, such as air deflectors, either have limitations in applicability, increase production costs, or pose reliability issues, and fail to efficiently and economically modify air flow around wheels and wheel arches.
Innovation Solution
An air deflector with an inclined concave profile, featuring a cross-section that increases in height and width from front to rear, made of a rigid and elastically deformable material, positioned offset towards the interior of the vehicle to deflect air downwards and laterally, optimizing airflow around wheels and wheel arches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If an air deflector with a front face is mounted under the vehicle upstream of the wheels, then the aerodynamic drag is reduced, but the height under the floor is reduced which is detrimental to ground clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The air deflector employs a concave profile on its front face and side faces, creating curved surfaces that effectively modify air flow around the wheels. This curvature allows the deflector to redirect airflow while maintaining a compact form that preserves ground clearance, resolving the contradiction between drag reduction and height maintenance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If movable air deflector elements are used to dynamically modify flow according to vehicle speed, then the aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air deflector is designed as a fixed structure that passively adapts to different operating conditions through its specific geometric profile. The concave surfaces automatically optimize airflow modification across various speeds without requiring active control systems, mechanisms, or energy input, thereby eliminating the complexity and cost associated with movable elements.
3Loss of energy
If the air deflector cross section increases gradually from front to rear, then the volume of air impacted is increased improving drag reduction, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air deflector utilizes a gradual change in cross-sectional dimensions from front to rear, creating an optimized flow modification volume. This progressive parameter change allows effective aerodynamic performance while maintaining manufacturability through standard molding techniques, as the gradual transition avoids abrupt geometric changes that would complicate production.
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
Effectively reduces aerodynamic drag by modifying air flow, increasing the volume of air impacted and reducing air overpressure, while maintaining ground clearance and resisting road shocks.
Implementation Method 1
the flow of air generally rushes into the wheel arches and air separations can be observed downstream of these wheel arches
Implementation Method 2
the separation of the air flow makes it possible to generate an air wake at reduced pressure
Implementation Method 3
the wheels of a motor vehicle exert an overpressure of air on their front face which generates a resistive drag force
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an air deflector (4) intended to be mounted under a motor vehicle, in front of a wheel of said vehicle, with a view to reduce the aerodynamic drag at said wheel, wherein said air deflector (4) comprises: an angled front surface (12) having a concave profile ; two side surfaces (14; 14') on either side of the front surface (12), respectively; wherein at least one of the two side surfaces (14; 14') has a concave profile. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising at least one such air deflector (4).