Vehicle Front Sensor Cover and Air Guide for Lower Drag
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle front structures with sensors on the front grille experience air flow disturbances due to windshield cover members, leading to deteriorated air resistance coefficients.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front structure design featuring a cover member and an air guide member that covers and guides airflow smoothly past sensors, including a tapered air guide member to minimize rear-side disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a windshield cover member is provided to cover the sensor on the front grille, then the sensor is protected, but the air flow is disturbed on the vehicle rear side of the cover member, which deteriorates the air resistance coefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is divided into a first cover portion and a second cover portion that are positioned at different depths. The first cover portion covers the upper surface of the sensor, while the second cover portion covers the lower surface. This segmentation allows the air guide member to be disposed between them, guiding air flow smoothly along the sensor without creating significant disturbance, thus protecting the sensor while maintaining acceptable aerodynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
An air guide member is introduced as an intermediary element between the cover member and the sensor. This air guide member has a specific shape that guides air flow smoothly along the sensor surface, preventing direct turbulent flow against the sensor. It acts as a mediator that allows the cover member to protect the sensor while minimizing the adverse effect on air resistance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover member is provided to cover the sensor, then the sensor is protected from external factors, but the air flow disturbance increases drag on the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide member is designed with a curved surface that follows the contour of the sensor. This curved geometry allows air to flow smoothly around the sensor rather than creating sharp edges that would generate turbulence and drag. The spheroidal/curved shape minimizes flow separation and reduces energy loss, thus protecting the sensor while minimizing drag increase.
3Reliability
If the cover member completely covers the sensor, then maximum protection is achieved, but the air resistance coefficient deteriorates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing a complete solid cover over the sensor, the invention uses a localized cover structure with specific openings and an air guide member positioned strategically. The cover member has a first cover portion and a second cover portion that leave gaps for air flow, and the air guide member locally manages the air flow path. This local quality approach provides sufficient sensor protection while allowing air to pass through, thereby maintaining a better air resistance coefficient.
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
Improves the air resistance coefficient by smoothing airflow around sensors, reducing drag and enhancing vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
an air guide member disposed on a vehicle rear side with respect to the sensor... be inclined so as to be positioned downward toward the vehicle rear side when viewed from a side... to improve an air resistance coefficient
Data Source
AI summary
The vehicle front structure includes a front bumper cover having an opening, and a millimeter wave radar and a camera disposed in a region corresponding to the opening. The vehicle front structure includes a cover member disposed on the vehicle front side with respect to the millimeter-wave radar and the camera and provided so as to cover the millimeter-wave radar and the camera, and an air guide member disposed on the vehicle rear side with respect to the millimeter-wave radar and the camera.