Morphing Spoiler Skin for Low-Drag Body Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable spoilers for vehicles increase air resistance during low-speed driving and adversely affect the vehicle's exterior design due to separation from the body, compromising driving performance and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A spoiler with a morphing skin featuring a soft outer skin composed of polypropylene and urethane, which includes a fixed and variable skin portion connected by actuators that allow the variable skin to transition between spaced and contact positions with the vehicle body, minimizing separation and maintaining design consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a variable spoiler protrudes during high-speed driving, then stability and braking force are improved, but air resistance increases during low-speed driving
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is designed with a variable configuration that can dynamically change its position and shape. During high-speed driving, the spoiler protrudes to provide stability and braking force. During low-speed driving, the spoiler is accommodated to minimize air resistance. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between needing stability at high speeds and minimizing drag at low speeds.
2Reliability
If a separate member spoiler is used for variable positioning, then high-speed stability is improved, but exterior design consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is integrated with the vehicle body as a unified structure rather than being a separate member. The skin portion is continuously formed with the vehicle body surface, eliminating visible separation lines and maintaining exterior design consistency. This merging approach allows the spoiler to provide high-speed stability while preserving the aesthetic continuity of the vehicle exterior.
3Power
If a separate member spoiler is accommodated during low-speed driving, then high-speed performance is improved, but air resistance increases due to separation
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler skin is continuously integrated with the vehicle body surface, eliminating separation lines and gaps. This continuous surface configuration reduces turbulence and air resistance during low-speed driving while still allowing the spoiler to be positioned for optimal braking force during high-speed driving.
4Strength
If a rigid spoiler structure is used, then structural strength is improved, but exterior design flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is constructed with a skin portion made of soft, flexible material that can elastically deform. This flexible skin allows the spoiler to be accommodated flush with the vehicle body during low-speed driving and to protrude during high-speed driving, providing both structural integrity and exterior design flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a spoiler with a morphing skin including: a vehicle body; a soft outer skin including a fixed skin portion attached to the vehicle body and a variable skin portion connected to the fixed skin portion and not attached to the vehicle body; and one or more actuators configured to press the variable skin portion to be deformed between a first position spaced apart from the vehicle body and a second position in contact with the vehicle body.