Deformable Air Deflector Assembly With Low-Clearance Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current air deflectors for vehicles are hindered by the need for manual adjustment, which requires physical access to the rear of the cab, leading to increased weight and aerodynamic drag due to clearance issues and the use of heavy hinges.

Innovation Solution

An air deflector assembly with a support frame having a fixed and movable part, a deformable panel, and a positioning device, such as a linear actuator, allowing for adjustable and aerodynamically optimized positioning without the need for large hinges, minimizing clearance and drag.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rotating hinge mechanism is used to adjust the angular position of the air deflector, then the deflector can be adapted to different trailers, but the hinge must be big and heavy to withstand the deflector load, increasing the weight of the deflector

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to different trailersVSAvoidweight of deflector

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air deflector is divided into a fixed part and a movable part that can independently adjust. The movable part is supported by a linear actuator rather than a heavy rotating hinge, segmenting the adjustment function from the main structure and reducing the weight burden on the hinge mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional rotating hinge mechanism is replaced with a linear actuator system. The linear actuator provides precise positional adjustment without requiring the large moment arm and structural mass needed for a rotating hinge to withstand deflector loads at various angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rotating hinge mechanism is used to adjust the angular position of the air deflector, then the deflector can be adapted to different trailers, but sufficient clearance must exist between the cab roof and the deflector to execute rotation, causing aerodynamic drag

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to different trailersVSAvoidaerodynamic drag

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air deflector is segmented into fixed and movable parts that can adjust independently. This segmentation allows the movable part to be positioned precisely without requiring rotational clearance, as the linear actuator moves the panel directly into position rather than rotating it around a hinge axis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating hinge mechanism is replaced with a linear actuator system that eliminates the need for rotational clearance. The linear actuator pushes or pulls the movable panel directly, allowing the deflector to be positioned close to the cab roof without requiring space for arc-shaped rotation paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a rotating hinge mechanism is used to adjust the angular position of the air deflector, then the deflector can be adapted to different trailers, but the driver must physically go at the rear of the cab each time adjustment is needed, reducing ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to different trailersVSAvoidease of adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air deflector adjustment system is equipped with an automated linear actuator that can be controlled from inside the cab. The system serves itself by automatically positioning the movable panel without requiring the driver to manually access the rear of the vehicle, making the adjustment process as convenient as operating other vehicle controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual adjustment mechanism is replaced with an automated linear actuator system controlled by a switch inside the cab. This substitution eliminates the need for physical access to the rear of the vehicle, transforming the adjustment process from a manual task requiring driver exit to an automated control function accessible from the driver's seat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4378804B1An air deflector assembly for a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.01.07 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

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AI summary

The invention relates to an air deflector assembly (10) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising: - a support frame (11) having a fixed part (111a, 111b, 113a, 113b) and a movable part (112a, 112b), the movable part being hingedly connected to the fixed part, - a positioning device (13) permitting to the movable part (112a, 112b) to be moved between a rectracted position and a selected one of several inclined positions, - a deflector panel (12) supported by the support frame (11), characterized in that the deflector panel (12) is deformable such that its profile changes when the movable part (112a, 112b) moves from its retracted position to its selected inclined position