Aerodynamic Diffuser Chute and Channels for Car Underbody Downforce
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Solution Overview
Problem
The aerodynamic development of a car's underbody is limited by geometric constraints such as the passenger compartment, engine, fuel tank, exhaust system, and frame structure, which restricts the extension of shaped surfaces needed to create downforce, resulting in suboptimal performance of rear-mounted aerodynamic diffusers compared to racing cars.
Innovation Solution
The car features an underbody with an aerodynamic diffuser that includes a chute with progressive height from front to rear and paired aerodynamic channels that extend from the front wheels to the rear, increasing air flow and reducing turbulence, while being compatible with geometric constraints and integrated into the door design to maintain aerodynamic efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the underbody is shaped to increase downforce using an aerodynamic diffuser, then downforce is improved, but the geometric constraints from the passenger compartment, engine, fuel tank, exhaust system and frame structure limit the extension of shaped surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The underbody is divided into multiple functional zones: a first shaped zone extending from the front wheel axle to the rear wheel axle, and a second shaped zone extending from the rear wheel axle to the rear bumper. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently for downforce generation while accommodating the geometric constraints of the passenger compartment and engine, achieving superior downforce performance without requiring a completely flat underbody.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerodynamic diffuser is extended longitudinally beyond the rear wheel axle to the rear bumper, utilizing the available space in the rear dimension. This extension creates a second shaped zone that continues the downforce-generating geometry, effectively using the longitudinal dimension to overcome the limitations imposed by the passenger compartment and engine constraints.
2Force
If the aerodynamic diffuser is extended further to improve downforce performance, then downforce is improved, but the design becomes more complex and harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The underbody is divided into multiple functional zones: a first shaped zone extending from the front wheel axle to the rear wheel axle, and a second shaped zone extending from the rear wheel axle to the rear bumper. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently for downforce generation while accommodating the geometric constraints of the passenger compartment and engine, achieving superior downforce performance without requiring a completely flat underbody.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the underbody are given different shapes and functions: the first zone (from front wheel axle to rear wheel axle) is shaped to generate downforce while accommodating the passenger compartment and engine, while the second zone (from rear wheel axle to rear bumper) is shaped as an extended aerodynamic diffuser to maximize downforce. This local differentiation allows optimal performance while maintaining manufacturability.
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
This design achieves high downforce with minimal aerodynamic drag, enhancing the car's aerodynamic efficiency and allowing for easier passenger access by integrating aerodynamic channels with the door mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the air flowing underneath the car (i.e. between the underbody of the car and the road surface) crosses the aerodynamic diffuser and progressively increases its volume... and thus tends to gradually reduce its pressure, generating a vacuum under the vehicle as a consequence; such a vacuum creates downforce
Implementation Method 2
a pair of aerodynamic channels, each of which extends longitudinally, leads to a radiator of a 'V'-engine arranged in rear position
Data Source
AI summary
A car having a frame, which supports a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, a passenger compartment, at least one pair of doors, and an underbody which delimits the car on the lower side, faces the road surface, and has an aerodynamic diffuser, which is arranged in a rear position and is provided with a chute having a height with respect to the road surface that progressively increases when longitudinally moving from the front to the rear. The underbody can include a pair of aerodynamic channels, each of which extends longitudinally, leads to the aerodynamic diffuser, is open on the lower side towards the road surface, has a shape of an upside-down “U” in its transverse section and is open underneath towards the road surface and has, in its transverse section, an area that progressively increases when longitudinally moving from the front to the rear.