Dynamic Vehicle Mudguards Resolving Drag and Debris Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle mudguards increase aerodynamic drag, leading to reduced fuel economy and emissions performance, while existing solutions fail to effectively reduce drag while maintaining debris protection.
Innovation Solution
Dynamic vehicle mudguards with pivotable portions that transition from a default position to an aerodynamic position based on vehicle conditions, reducing frontal area exposure to airflow and utilizing biasing members or active control systems to manage this transition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional fixed mudguards are used, then debris protection is maintained, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mudguard incorporates a movable second portion that can pivot between a default position (providing debris protection) and an aerodynamic position (reducing drag). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different vehicle operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining protection and reducing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameter of the mudguard's frontal area by pivoting the second portion. When transitioning from the default position to the aerodynamic position, the effective frontal area exposed to airflow is reduced, thereby changing the aerodynamic parameters to reduce drag while maintaining the capability for debris protection when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If aerodynamic position is maintained, then fuel economy improves, but debris protection capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable second portion allows the mudguard to dynamically switch between protecting the vehicle body from debris (default position) and reducing aerodynamic drag (aerodynamic position). This dynamic capability enables the system to optimize fuel economy during cruising while maintaining protection when accelerating or encountering debris.
Solution Approach 2:
The mudguard can periodically transition between default and aerodynamic positions based on vehicle operating conditions such as speed, acceleration, and road conditions. This periodic adjustment optimizes the balance between fuel economy and debris protection throughout the vehicle's operation cycle.
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 dynamic mudguards reduce aerodynamic drag, enhancing fuel economy and emissions performance by minimizing frontal area exposure during motion while maintaining debris protection in the default position.
Implementation Method 1
the spring biases the second portion to the default position
Data Source
AI summary
Dynamic vehicle mudguards are provided. A dynamic vehicle mudguard for attachment to a vehicle includes a first portion, a second portion, and a hinge portion. The hinge portion is coupled to the first portion, and the second portion is coupled to the hinge portion and separated from the first portion. When the dynamic vehicle mudguard is installed on the vehicle, the second portion is pivotable relative to the first portion about a pivot axis from a default position to an aerodynamic position, wherein the pivot axis extends vertically.