Vehicle Front Fairing Structure for Solar Panel Integration

Solution Overview

Problem

The aerodynamically efficient design of vehicle front ends, particularly in recreational vehicles, poses challenges for integrating features like solar panels due to their compound curved surfaces, making installation difficult and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A front fairing structure is attached above the windshield, featuring a flatter upper surface with recesses and channels, allowing for easier attachment and integration of solar panels, lights, and sensors, and providing a more efficient area for generating electricity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the vehicle front end is designed with a compound curved surface for aerodynamic efficiency, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but the difficulty of installing solar panels and other features increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The front fairing is divided into multiple surfaces including a first surface, second surface, third surface, and fourth surface that collectively form the aerodynamic shape. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for both aerodynamics and feature installation, with flat portions provided on specific surfaces for mounting solar panels and other features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fairing incorporates both curved surfaces (for aerodynamic efficiency) and flat portions (for easy feature installation) in different locations. The flat portions are strategically positioned on the first, second, third, and fourth surfaces to provide optimal mounting areas for solar panels, lights, and sensors while maintaining the overall aerodynamic shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If solar panels are installed on a compound curved surface, then aerodynamic efficiency is maintained, but the effective area for energy generation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic efficiencyVSAvoidenergy generation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fairing incorporates both curved surfaces (for aerodynamic efficiency) and flat portions (for easy feature installation) in different locations. The flat portions are strategically positioned on the first, second, third, and fourth surfaces to provide optimal mounting areas for solar panels, lights, and sensors while maintaining the overall aerodynamic shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12528547B2Front fairings for vehicles

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 WINNEBAGO IND INC

AI summary

A front fairing structure for attaching to a vehicle above its windshield. The front fairing structure defines a lower surface and an upper surface. The upper surface has a flatter geometry compared to the lower surface. One or more solar panels can be coupled to the upper surface of the front fairing structure.