Displaceable Air Guiding Element for Motor Vehicle Rear Region

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle air directing devices fail to provide effective flow guidance behind the rear wheel housing, leading to inefficient airflow management in the lateral rear region.

Innovation Solution

A displaceable air guiding element with a guide and drive unit, allowing the flow guide surface to transition from a retracted rest position to an extended operating position, where it guides airflow rearward and outward, ensuring flush integration with the rear body member for optimal airflow management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed air directing device is used behind the rear wheel housing, then the structure is simple, but the flow guidance effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow guidance effectivenessVSAvoidair directing device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air directing device is designed as a movable component that can be displaced between a retracted rest position and an extended operating position. The air guiding element includes a flow guide surface that can be moved to different locations behind the rear wheel housing, allowing the device to adapt to different airflow conditions and provide more effective flow guidance than a fixed structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position of the flow guide surface is changed as a key parameter. By displacing the air guiding element to different locations (both rearward in longitudinal direction and outward in transverse direction), the device optimizes airflow management by adjusting the spatial parameters of the flow guidance surface according to operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the flow guide surface is extended outward, then airflow management is improved, but the device occupies more space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow management efficiencyVSAvoidlateral rear region space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The air guiding element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be retracted when not needed and extended when airflow management is required. This dynamic capability enables the device to provide effective airflow management only when necessary, minimizing the space occupied in the lateral rear region during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The air guiding element can be retracted into the lateral rear region structure when not in use, similar to a nested doll configuration. This allows the device to occupy minimal space during storage or non-operational states while still providing full functionality when the flow guide surface is extended to its operating position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If the air directing device is made movable, then flow guidance is optimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow guidance qualityVSAvoidair directing device mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air directing device incorporates movable components including a displaceable air guiding element and an associated drive mechanism. This dynamic design allows the flow guide surface to be positioned optimally for different airflow conditions, improving flow guidance quality through controlled movement rather than relying on complex fixed multi-component structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables particularly advantageous flow guidance behind the rear wheel housing by ensuring the flow guide surface is extended and aligned correctly, preventing airflow debonding and improving overall airflow efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an air directing device (13) that is used to guide flow in the lateral rear region behind a rear wheel housing (12) of the motor vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow guidance:

Data Source

PatentUS20240343319A1Lateral rear region of a motor vehicle comprising an air directing device, and motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A lateral rear region of a motor vehicle has a rear body member which extends at least behind a rear wheel housing of the motor vehicle, an air directing device, and an air guidance element of the air directing device. The air guidance element is displaceable relative to the rear body member between a rest position in which it is retracted into the lateral rear region and an operating position in which it is extended out of the lateral rear region in such a way that, in the retracted rest position of the air guidance element, a flow guide surface of the air guidance element is covered by the rear body member. In the extended operating position of the air guidance element, the flow guide surface of the air guidance element is displaced towards the rear, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.