Coordinated Aero Control for Grille Shutters and Movable Flaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle aerodynamic systems, such as active grille shutters, cause variations in tire contact pressure and lift when operated, affecting vehicle handling.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle aerodynamic controller with a ventilation adjuster, aerodynamic unit, and calculation processor that controls the operation of an active grille shutter and movable flaps to maintain consistent tire contact pressure and balance lift across the vehicle's front and rear parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the active grille shutter is operated to adjust ventilation, then the heat exchanger efficiency is enhanced, but the tire contact pressure and lift vary, affecting vehicle handling
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic control system is divided into multiple independent components: a front aerodynamic unit (movable flap) and a rear aerodynamic unit (movable spoiler), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the system to independently adjust front and rear aerodynamic forces to compensate for the handling variations caused by grille shutter operation, while maintaining the heat exchanger efficiency benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operational parameters of multiple aerodynamic components simultaneously. When the grille shutter opens or closes, the control unit adjusts the opening degree of the movable flap and the angle of the movable spoiler in coordination, creating a combined aerodynamic effect that maintains tire contact pressure and handling stability while preserving the ventilation control function.
2Productivity
If the ventilation adjuster covers the lower portion or entirety of the grill, then the amount of air to be discharged is adjusted, but the aerodynamic balance is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of multiple aerodynamic components into a coordinated control system. The movable flap and movable spoiler operate in conjunction with the ventilation adjuster, combining their aerodynamic effects to achieve both air discharge control and aerodynamic balance. The control unit integrates the operations of all three components to ensure that adjusting ventilation does not compromise aerodynamic stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback signals from sensors monitoring vehicle state, grille shutter position, and aerodynamic conditions. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the movable flap and movable spoiler positions to maintain aerodynamic balance while achieving the desired air discharge rate, creating a closed-loop control system that resolves the contradiction between ventilation adjustment and aerodynamic stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle aerodynamic controller includes a ventilation adjuster, an aerodynamic unit, and a calculation processor. The ventilation adjuster is provided in a front surface of a vehicle body and configured to cover a lower portion or an entirety of a grill covering an opening provided in the front surface of the vehicle body. The aerodynamic unit is provided on the vehicle body at a different level from the ventilation adjuster and configured to be displaced between a retracted position and a deployed position. The calculation processor is configured to control operation of the ventilation adjuster and operation of the aerodynamic unit. The calculation processor is configured to allow the ventilation adjuster to cover the lower portion or the entirety of the grill, while displacing the aerodynamic unit from the retracted position toward the deployed position.