Cross-flow Fan Drag Reduction for Land Vehicle Aerodynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The trucking industry faces challenges in reducing aerodynamic drag on land vehicles, which contributes significantly to fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, despite advancements in fuel economy and the introduction of electric trucks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of drag reduction devices on land vehicles, specifically fan assemblies with cross-flow fans and air foils, are integrated into the trailer units to redirect air flow and minimize resistance, thereby reducing air friction and pressure friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fan assemblies with cross-flow fans and air foils are added to redirect air flow, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fan assemblies as intermediary devices that actively manipulate air flow between the vehicle and surrounding environment. These fans act as mediators that redirect air to reduce drag, rather than directly modifying the vehicle's aerodynamic shape. The air foils serve as additional intermediaries that guide and optimize the redirected air flow patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by using fan assemblies to generate controlled air flow and utilizing air foils to manipulate atmospheric pressure distributions around the vehicle. This approach leverages fluid dynamics to reduce aerodynamic drag, transforming the problem from a structural modification task to a fluid control task.
2Use of energy by moving object
If drag reduction devices are integrated into trailer units, then fuel consumption is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drag reduction system is segmented into modular fan assemblies that can be independently manufactured and installed on trailer units. This segmentation allows for standardized production of discrete components rather than custom-built integrated systems, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan assemblies are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as drag reduction devices and potentially as air intake or cooling systems. This universality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby lowering overall manufacturing costs while achieving fuel economy improvements.
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
These devices significantly reduce fuel or energy consumption by optimizing air flow around the vehicle, leading to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
Implementation Method 1
cross-flow fans configured to move air from a front portion of the trailer unit to a rear portion of the trailer unit
Implementation Method 2
air foils configured to work in conjunction with the cross-flow fans to move air from a front portion of the trailer unit to a rear portion of the trailer unit
Data Source
AI summary
A drag reduction device for improving drag efficiency on a land vehicle includes one or more drag reduction devices that are coupled to an exterior portion or contained internally within the vehicle. The drag reduction devices include one or more fan assemblies each contained within a respective housing. The fan assemblies all include, in general, cross-flow fans and air foils that are configured to adjust the movement of air over and around the trailer unit as the land vehicle is being driven along a surface during normal use, and thus provide reduced resistance from air friction and pressure friction and contribute significantly to reduced fuel or other energy consumption as the land vehicle is being driven along a surface during normal use. The fan blades and air foils can be plasma-controlled.