Movable Rear Underbody Panel for Aerodynamic Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cars fail to maintain optimal vertical aerodynamic load and fuel/electrical power consumption due to inadequate adjustment of the lower floor and aerodynamic bottom based on driving conditions and road surface.
Innovation Solution
A car design featuring a rear bottom with a movable portion and an actuator system to adjust its position relative to the frame, controlled by an electronic unit, optimizing aerodynamic load through selective positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the lower floor position is fixed, then the car structure is simple, but the vertical aerodynamic load cannot be adjusted to optimize fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic bottom is divided into a fixed portion and a movable portion that can rotate relative to each other around a fulcrum axis. The movable portion can be selectively positioned between a lowered position (coplanar with the fixed portion) and a lifted position, allowing dynamic adjustment of air deflection and vertical aerodynamic load to optimize fuel consumption under different driving conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerodynamic bottom is segmented into a fixed portion and a movable portion that can independently move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the movable portion to be actuated by electric actuator cylinders to change the air deflection angle, while the fixed portion remains attached to the car frame, providing structural stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the movable portion is always in the lowered position, then the structure is simpler, but the aerodynamic load cannot be adjusted for different driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The movable portion is equipped with electric actuator cylinders that enable it to rotate between a lowered position and a lifted position. An electronic control unit selectively controls the actuators to adjust the air deflection angle according to different driving conditions, providing adaptability while keeping the actuation system relatively simple.
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
Enhances control over aerodynamic load and fuel/electrical power consumption by dynamically adjusting the rear bottom's position, thereby optimizing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a movable portion 17, which has a rectangular shape, is mounted within the frame 14 and extends between the channels 15. The portion 17 is hinged to the portion 12 so as to rotate, relative to the portion 12 and, hence, relative to the car frame 2, around a fulcrum axis 18
Implementation Method 2
The car 1 further comprises an elastic covering layer 20, which is, preferably though not necessarily, made of an elastically deformable material, is mounted under the bottom 5, is fixed to the fixed portion 12 by means of a plurality of fastening screws 21 distributed in the direction 19 and extends on the axis 18 and on at least part of the portion 17
Implementation Method 3
The vertical aerodynamic load acting upon the car depends, in turn, on the deflection undergone by the air flowing under the lower floor from the front area to the rear area of the car
Data Source
AI summary
A car has a support frame defining part of a lower floor of the car, a passenger compartment projecting upwards from the lower floor, a driving engine to move the car, and an aerodynamic bottom, which is at least partly fixed to the support frame, defines part of the lower floor and is provided with a rear bottom, which is mounted in a rear area of the car and has a tilting portion mounted so as to move between at least two operating positions having different inclinations relative to a road surface.