Deployable Air Dam with Movable NACA Ducts for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deployable and fixed air dams for automotive vehicles obstruct airflow to under-hood and under-body components, reducing heat dissipation and increasing aerodynamic drag, which limits the ability to provide increased airflow when needed.
Innovation Solution
A deployable air dam with movable air flow openings and doors actuated by an electric actuator system, allowing for controlled airflow through NACA ducts to under-hood and under-body components, enabling the panel to move between deployed and undeployed positions while managing airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the air dam panel is deployed to reduce aerodynamic drag, then aerodynamic drag is reduced and fuel economy is improved, but airflow to under-hood and under-body components is blocked and heat dissipation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air dam panel is segmented into multiple sections with independent controllable openings. Each section can be selectively opened or closed to regulate airflow to specific components while maintaining the overall air dam structure for drag reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The air dam transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic deployable structure with movable panels and controllable openings. The panel can be deployed to reduce drag and the openings can be selectively opened or closed to control airflow to components as needed.
2Temperature
If the air dam panel is retracted to the undeployed position, then airflow to under-hood and under-body components is improved, but aerodynamic drag increases and fuel economy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The air dam system dynamically adjusts between deployed and undeployed positions, and within the deployed position, selectively opens or closes specific openings to balance drag reduction with heat dissipation requirements based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state parameters of the air dam by deploying the panel to reduce drag, and when heat dissipation is needed, it opens specific openings to restore airflow to components without requiring full retraction of the panel.
3Loss of energy
If a fixed air dam is used to reduce aerodynamic drag, then drag is reduced, but the air dam cannot provide increased airflow to components when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed air dam is transformed into a segmented, controllable structure with multiple independently operable openings. This allows selective airflow control to different components while maintaining the drag-reducing air dam configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The air dam evolves from a completely fixed structure to a dynamically controllable structure where specific openings can be opened or closed independently, providing adaptability for airflow management while the overall panel remains deployed for drag reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
An air dam for an automotive vehicle has panel wherein the panel extends vertically down from a bottom of a bumper of the vehicle when in the deployed position. The panel has at least one openable and closable air flow opening therein. In an aspect, each air flow opening opens to a mouth of a duct that extends rearwardly form the panel. In an aspect, the panel has a plurality of air flow openings and ducts. In an aspect, the air dam is a deployable air dam.