Overlapping Louver Mudflap for Low-Drag Particle Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mudflaps for trucks and trailers compromise aerodynamic performance while failing to effectively deflect solid and liquid projections to the ground.

Innovation Solution

A mudflap design featuring overlapping, inclined louvers with specific angle ranges (30°-65° and 5°-85°) that deflect airflow and projections downward, minimizing aerodynamic drag while maximizing protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional mudflaps are installed to protect against wheel projections, then environmental protection is improved, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates due to increased drag

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle projection protectionVSAvoidaerodynamic drag

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The mudflap is segmented into multiple inclined louvers (at least three louvers) arranged in a stacked configuration. Each louver is inclined at a specific angle (10° to 45° relative to the horizontal plane) to deflect particles downward while allowing air to pass through the gaps between louvers, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag compared to solid traditional mudflaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the mudflap structure have different properties: the louvers are inclined to optimize particle deflection locally, while the gaps between louvers allow aerodynamic flow. The louver inclination angle is specifically optimized (10°-45°) to balance particle diversion efficiency with aerodynamic performance in different regions of the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If solid mudflaps are used to block particles, then particle deviation efficiency is improved, but aerodynamic drag increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle blocking efficiencyVSAvoidaerodynamic drag

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The mudflap employs a porous-like structure with multiple gaps between inclined louvers instead of a solid continuous surface. This allows air to pass through the structure, significantly reducing aerodynamic drag while the inclined louvers maintain particle blocking efficiency by directing particles downward at optimal angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If louver inclination angle is increased to improve particle deflection, then particle deviation efficiency is improved, but aerodynamic drag increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle deflection efficiencyVSAvoidaerodynamic drag

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The louver inclination angle is optimized within a specific range (10° to 45° relative to the horizontal plane) to achieve the best balance between particle deflection efficiency and aerodynamic drag. This parameter optimization ensures that particles are effectively directed downward while maintaining acceptable aerodynamic performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If fewer louvers are used to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but particle protection coverage is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelouver quantityVSAvoidprotection coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design achieves a balance between environmental protection and reduced aerodynamic drag by effectively deflecting particles and liquids to the ground, enhancing the mudflap's efficiency and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

Both portions together deflect downwards air flow and solid particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow deflection:

Implementation Method 2

effectively directing solid and liquid particles to the ground, preventing them from being thrown horizontally

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParticle deflection:

Data Source

PatentUS12630230B2Mudflap with overlapping inclined louvers

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

A mudflap for a truck or a trailer, the mudflap comprising a frame, attached to a support in the vehicle, a front side being oriented toward the wheel, and a rear side oriented away from the wheel, the frame having a left upright, a right upright, a top cross member, a bottom cross member, a plurality of louvers, each louver having ends fixedly attached to the left and right uprights, each louver comprising a first louver portion having a leading free edge and a second louver portion, the second louver portion extending from the first louver portion, the first louver portion being inclined with regard to a horizontal direction by a first angle comprised between 40° and 55°, and the second louver portion being inclined with regard to first louver portion by a second angle.