Deployable Sheet Aerodynamic Device for Vehicle Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerodynamic solutions for vehicles and trailers, such as air foils and deflector shields, often interfere with door access, add length or width, and complicate removal, failing to provide a seamless integration that maintains normal door opening capabilities and does not increase vehicle dimensions.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamic device comprising sheet materials mounted to vehicle/trailer walls, which can be easily deployed and stored without adding width, featuring a curved shape that extends beyond the rear edge to reduce wind resistance, and can be inserted between wall portions to maintain cargo space access and door functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If rigid structures like air foils are permanently mounted to improve aerodynamic properties, then wind resistance is reduced, but door access is interfered with and vehicle length is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic device is designed to be movable rather than permanently fixed. It can be positioned in a deployed state during transport to reduce wind resistance, and moved to a retracted state when door access is needed, allowing the same structure to serve both aerodynamic and access requirements without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The aerodynamic device is divided into separable components that can be independently positioned. The device can be detached from the vehicle or repositioned along the vehicle body, allowing it to be removed from the door access area when needed while maintaining aerodynamic functionality in transport position
2Object-affected harmful factors
If rigid structures like air foils are permanently mounted to improve aerodynamic properties, then wind resistance is reduced, but vehicle length is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic device utilizes the vertical dimension by being mounted on the upper rear corners of the vehicle body. Instead of extending horizontally along the vehicle length like traditional air foils, this device projects upward and backward at an angle, achieving aerodynamic benefits while occupying minimal horizontal space and not increasing vehicle length restrictions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sheet materials are deployed to extend beyond wall portion to reduce wind resistance, then aerodynamic properties are improved, but vehicle width is increased when stored
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet materials are designed as dynamically deployable structures that extend beyond the vehicle width only when in the deployed aerodynamic position. When stored or retracted, the sheet materials fold back or collapse to align with the vehicle's normal width profile, eliminating the width increase problem while maintaining aerodynamic functionality when needed
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 solution effectively reduces wind resistance while allowing for easy installation and removal without affecting the vehicle's dimensions or door operation, providing a versatile and efficient aerodynamic enhancement.
Implementation Method 1
an aerodynamic device arranged for mounting to a vehicle or a trailer for reducing the wind resistance of the vehicle/trailer
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an aerodynamic device arranged for mounting to a vehicle or a trailer (4) for reducing its wind resistance. The aerodynamic device comprises at least one sheet material (1, 2, 3) arranged to be mounted to the vehicle/trailer (4) and associated with a corresponding wall portion (13, 14, 26) of the vehicle/trailer (4). Each wall portion (13, 14, 26) has an outer surface (15, 16, 27) and an inner surface (17, 18, 28) and extends towards the rear (19) of the vehicle/trailer. In a deployed first state (S1), each sheet material (1, 2, 3) is arranged to at least partly extend beyond a rearmost position (20, 21, 29) of said wall portion (13, 14, 26). In a stored second state (S2), each sheet material (1, 2, 3) is arranged to be inserted such that is faces towards the inner surface (17, 18, 28). The present invention also relates to a vehicle or a trailer (4) comprising said aerodynamic device.