Front Active Spoiler with Reduction Gear Torque Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle spoilers are inefficient in reducing drag and lift across varying vehicle speeds, and they often compromise on size, weight, and cost due to the complexity of their mechanical components.
Innovation Solution
A front active spoiler apparatus utilizing a reduction gear and link mechanism to increase operating torque, with a compact motor and a duct configuration that adjusts air flow based on vehicle speed, allowing for reduced drag and lift through active operation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a motor is used to operate the spoiler lip, then the spoiler can be actively controlled to reduce drag and lift, but the size and weight of the motor increase the overall apparatus size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a direct-drive motor system with a mechanical advantage system using a reduction gear and link mechanism. The motor operates the rotation shaft, which through the reduction gear increases torque, and the link mechanism translates this rotational motion into linear motion of the spoiler lip. This mechanical substitution allows a smaller, lighter motor to achieve the required operating force on the spoiler lip.
2Weight of moving object
If a reduction gear and link mechanism are used to increase operating torque, then the motor size can be reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is segmented into distinct functional components: a motor for generating rotational motion, a reduction gear for torque multiplication, a rotation shaft for motion transmission, and a link mechanism for converting rotational motion to linear motion of the spoiler lip. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall design by distributing the functional requirements across multiple specialized elements.
3Productivity
If the duct inlet is oriented toward the front and outlet toward the underbody, then drag reduction effect is improved, but the housing design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is designed with an asymmetric configuration where the inlet is positioned on the front surface of the housing and the outlet opens to the rear lower side, creating a directional airflow path from front to underbody. This dynamic airflow configuration allows the system to actively manage air flow under the vehicle body, reducing drag by controlling the pressure distribution. The asymmetric duct design, while adding some design complexity, enables superior aerodynamic performance compared to symmetric or simple openings.
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 effectively reduces drag and lift across different vehicle speeds, enhancing aerodynamic performance while minimizing the size and weight of the spoiler, thereby improving fuel efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a reduction gear and link mechanism are used to increase an operating torque of the spoiler
Implementation Method 2
a duct configured to guide air flow... the inlet of a duct provided as an air passageway to be oriented toward the front of the vehicle and the outlet of the duct to be oriented toward the underbody side
Data Source
AI summary
A front active spoiler apparatus for a vehicle may include a spoiler housing fixed to a front end module and having a duct protruding forwards and configured to guide air flow; a spoiler lip configured to operate to open or close the duct; an actuator configured to connect the spoiler housing and the spoiler lip to operate the spoiler lip; and a controller configured to control the operation of the actuator using vehicle speed information.