Contoured Side Splitter Assembly for Vehicle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
High performance motor vehicles experience reduced stability and peak cornering speed due to rapid changes in front tire grip caused by varying lift forces generated during braking, pitch, and yaw, leading to high pitch sensitivity and decreased driver confidence.
Innovation Solution
A contoured side splitter assembly with a wicker section and underwing design that extends upward and rearward, forming specific included angles to manage airflow and reduce lift, enhancing stability and cornering speed by creating a low-pressure area beneath the underwing for increased downforce production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the front splitter is extended beyond the fascia to reduce exposure to airflow, then vehicle stability and cornering speed are improved, but drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side splitter is divided into distinct functional sections: a vertical section extending upward from the front splitter, a wicker section extending upward and rearward, and an underwing section extending inward. Each section manages airflow in a specific zone, allowing the overall structure to reduce lift without requiring excessive extension that would increase drag.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the side splitter are designed with specific geometries optimized for their local airflow management functions. The vertical section addresses airflow at the front edge, the wicker section manages airflow over the wheel well area, and the underwing controls airflow beneath the vehicle. This localized optimization achieves stability improvement with minimal drag penalty.
2Force
If the wicker section is designed to extend upward and rearward at specific angles, then lift reduction and downforce production are improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wicker section is designed with curved surfaces that smoothly guide airflow upward and rearward. The curved geometry naturally generates low-pressure zones that produce downforce without requiring complex mechanical structures or adjustable components. The specific angle range (75-105 degrees) optimizes the curvature effect for maximum downforce with minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The side splitter transitions from a primarily horizontal front splitter structure to a three-dimensional structure with vertical and rearward-extending sections. This dimensional expansion creates multiple surfaces that interact with airflow from different directions, generating downforce through combined aerodynamic effects rather than relying on a single complex mechanism.
3Reliability
If the side splitter reduces exposure to airflow, then pitch sensitivity is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The side splitter structure is segmented into distinct sections (vertical, wicker, and underwing) that independently manage airflow in different zones. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while collectively reducing overall pitch sensitivity, achieving reliability improvement without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The side splitter proactively manages airflow before it can cause adverse pitch effects. By extending the vertical and wicker sections upward and rearward, the structure intercepts and redirects airflow in advance, preventing the generation of lift forces that would cause pitch sensitivity. This preliminary airflow management achieves reliability improvement with a relatively simple fixed structure.
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 side splitter assembly improves vehicle stability and peak cornering speed by minimizing lift changes and maintaining driver confidence with negligible drag cost, as it reduces exposure to airflow and optimizes airflow around the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
high pressure regions are generated on tire surfaces exposed to free-stream airflow. These high pressure regions generate a positive lifting force acting upon the motor vehicle
Implementation Method 2
creating a low-pressure area beneath the underwing for increased downforce production
Data Source
AI summary
A front splitter assembly includes a front splitter having a first end and a second end, a first side splitter at the first end and a second side splitter at the second end. Each side splitter includes a contoured body. In one embodiment each side splitter includes an underwing extending between the extension section and the wicker section inboard of the end plate of the side splitter. A related method of improving stability and peak cornering speed of a motor vehicle is also provided.