Movable Aerodynamic Deflector System for Road Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fixed aerodynamic deflectors on road vehicles are prone to damage due to shocks during docking, leading to high repair and immobilization costs, and their effectiveness is limited by size constraints, resulting in suboptimal aerodynamic efficiency and increased fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A movable aerodynamic deflector system mounted on rear doors, using articulated connecting rods and an actuating cylinder to facilitate deployment and folding, allowing for extended dimensions and reduced risk of damage, with rollers or pads to prevent contact damage during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If fixed aerodynamic deflectors are attached to the rear frame, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but the deflectors are prone to damage during docking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the deflector movable rather than fixed. The deflector can be positioned in a deployed state during driving to reduce aerodynamic drag, and folded against the rear door during docking operations to avoid damage. This dynamic positioning capability resolves the contradiction between needing the deflector extended for aerodynamic efficiency and retracted for protection during vulnerable operations.
2Reliability
If the deflector is made retractable or folding, then damage risk is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the deflector mounting system with the rear door structure. The coupling system integrates the deflector attachment with the door's existing hinge and movement mechanisms, allowing the deflector to fold against the door when it opens. This merging approach reduces overall system complexity by utilizing the door's natural movement rather than requiring a separate complex retraction mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector system utilizes the self-service principle by automatically folding against the rear door through the coupling mechanism when the door opens. This self-actuating behavior eliminates the need for additional actuators or complex control systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining the protective function.
3Loss of energy
If fixed deflectors exceed twenty centimeters beyond maximum body length, then aerodynamic efficiency improves, but regulatory compliance is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic positioning capability allows the deflector to exceed regulatory length limits when deployed for aerodynamic efficiency during driving, while automatically returning to compliance when folded against the rear door during docking or stationary periods. This temporal separation of extended and retracted states resolves the contradiction between needing longer deflectors for aerodynamic performance and maintaining compliance with maximum length regulations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The bodywork comprises two vertical sides 14, a roof 16, and a floor partially delimiting an interior loading space, and a rear reinforcement frame 22 fixed at least to the sides 14. The bodywork also comprises: - two rear doors 30, 32 for closing access to said loading space, each movable and rotatable on the rear frame 22 between a closed position and an extreme open position, - two deflectors 36, 38 each mounted on one of the rear doors, and - at least one coupling system 44 of each deflector to the associated rear door for the movable mounting of said deflector between a position folded against said rear door and a deployed position, each coupling system comprising at least first and second connecting rods 50 articulated to said deflector and to said rear door.