Dynamic Wheel-Well Cover Linkage for Steering-Adapted Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drag reducing devices for motor vehicle wheels, particularly front steering wheels, are not fully adapted to steering movements and do not effectively improve aerodynamic performance.
Innovation Solution
A drag reducing device comprising a wheel-well cover with a pivotal linkage and a sliding linkage that accommodates vertical and rotational movements of the wheel, allowing it to cover the wheel-well and adjust to steering inputs, thereby improving aerodynamic profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a wheel-well cover is used to close the wheel-arch gap, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but the device becomes complex and difficult to adapt to steering wheel movements
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel-well cover is transformed from a static component to a dynamic one through the linkage mechanism. The pivotal linkage connects the cover to the steering knuckle, enabling it to rotate and follow the steering wheel's angular movements. The sliding linkage allows vertical movement to maintain coverage during suspension travel. This dynamic adaptation ensures continuous aerodynamic coverage without requiring an overly complex fixed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the wheel-well cover to the steering system, accommodates vertical suspension movement, and enables angular rotation during steering. By integrating these functions into a single mechanism, the patent reduces overall system complexity while achieving comprehensive wheel-arch coverage under various operating conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the wheel-well cover is fixed to accommodate vertical motion, then it maintains aerodynamic coverage, but it cannot adapt to steering movements
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism transforms the fixed wheel-well cover into a dynamic component capable of both vertical and angular movements. The pivotal linkage enables rotation during steering, while the sliding linkage maintains vertical coverage during suspension travel. This dynamic design allows the cover to adapt to multiple degrees of freedom of the wheel assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism acts as an intermediary between the fixed vehicle body and the moving wheel assembly. It transfers and accommodates the complex movements (vertical suspension travel and angular steering rotation) while maintaining continuous aerodynamic coverage. The intermediary mechanism decouples the fixed mount from the moving cover, enabling adaptive coverage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing drag reducing devices are used, then some aerodynamic improvement is achieved, but they are not fully adapted to steering wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel-well cover is transformed from a static component to a dynamic one through the linkage mechanism. The pivotal linkage connects the cover to the steering knuckle, enabling it to rotate and follow the steering wheel's angular movements. The sliding linkage allows vertical movement to maintain coverage during suspension travel. This dynamic adaptation ensures continuous aerodynamic coverage without requiring an overly complex fixed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism acts as an intermediary between the fixed vehicle body and the moving wheel assembly. It transfers and accommodates the complex movements (vertical suspension travel and angular steering rotation) while maintaining continuous aerodynamic coverage. The intermediary mechanism decouples the fixed mount from the moving cover, enabling adaptive coverage.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drag reducing device (10) for a motor vehicle having a vehicle body and at least one substantially semi-circular wheel-well for receiving a wheel capable of vertical and rotational movements with regards to the vehicle body, said vehicle comprising unsprung masses (108) associated with the at least one wheel; Wherein the drag reducing device (10) comprises a wheel-well cover (12) configured to cover at least a portion of the wheel and of the wheel-well, a pivotal linkage (16) pivotally connecting the wheel-well cover (12) to the vehicle body, and a sliding linkage (14) slidingly connecting the wheel-well cover (12) to an element of the unsprung masses (108) with one degree of freedom oriented in the vertical movement of the said at least one wheel.