Electro-mechanical Film for Vehicle Aerodynamic Vortex Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerodynamic systems for motor vehicles fail to completely eliminate turbulence at vortex zones, leading to energy loss and increased energy consumption, and often require aesthetically undesirable shape adaptations of bodywork parts.
Innovation Solution
An electro-mechanical system that generates vibration waves using electro-mechanical means, such as loudspeakers or piezoelectric materials, overmolded into bodywork parts, creates pressure waves to counteract vortices and promote airflow reattachment without altering the vehicle's shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If shape adaptations of bodywork parts are used to improve airflow, then turbulence is reduced, but aesthetic appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical shape adaptations of bodywork parts with an electro-mechanical system consisting of a film that generates vibration waves. This substitution allows turbulence control through controlled vibrations rather than permanent structural modifications, preserving the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle bodywork while reducing energy loss from turbulence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the film material, transitioning it between relaxed and tensioned states through electrical signals. By controlling the tension and vibration frequency of the film, the system can generate pressure waves that counteract turbulence without altering the visual appearance of the vehicle exterior.
2Loss of energy
If trailing edges are refined or extended to reduce turbulence, then airflow is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin, flexible film that can be integrated into existing bodywork parts without requiring complex structural modifications. The film serves as an active aerodynamic element that can be controlled electrically, replacing the need for extended or refined trailing edges while maintaining simplicity in the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The film serves multiple functions: it acts as both an aesthetic cover that blends with the bodywork and an active aerodynamic control element. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by combining structural and functional roles in a single component, eliminating the need for separate trailing edge modifications.
3Reliability
If bodywork parts are shaped to eliminate vortices, then turbulence is reduced, but manufacturing flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic element (the controllable film) that can adapt its behavior in real-time through electrical control. This allows the system to maintain flow stability under varying conditions without requiring fixed, complex geometric shapes, thereby preserving manufacturing flexibility and design freedom for the bodywork parts.
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 system effectively reduces turbulence and noise, allowing for improved aerodynamics without compromising aesthetics by using electro-mechanical means to generate pressure waves that oppose vortices, thereby enhancing airflow and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
electro-mechanical means arranged in the vicinity of a vortex zone of the vehicle, capable of transforming electricity into vibration waves
Implementation Method 2
the electro-mechanical means can create acoustic waves by vibration of the bodywork part. Thus, the bodywork part constitutes a solid, porous or interstitial vibrating surface or membrane, which generates or transmits pressure waves opposed to those of the vortices
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The system has an electro-mechanical unit (26) that is arranged at neighborhood of swirl zones (40, 42) of a motor vehicle. The unit transmits vibratory pressure waves opposite to swirl, for allowing the air to enter in the zones. The unit comprises a film that is molded in a body part (14) e.g. roof, of the vehicle. The body part is placed in an incidence damage zone of the vehicle. The unit is formed of a loudspeaker generating the waves that circulate through an orifice, which is provided between a rear hatch and a top of the vehicle. An independent claim is also included for an assembly of a motor vehicle body part and an aerodynamic system.