Movable Wind Deflector with Curved Guide Track

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing movable wind deflector assemblies for open roof vehicles create aerodynamic inefficiencies due to gaps between the wind deflector body and the roof opening, leading to disturbing wind noises.

Innovation Solution

A movable wind deflector assembly with a mechanism allowing the wind deflector arm and body to move forward in the longitudinal direction, utilizing a movable hinge point and a guide pin with a curved track to minimize the gap, enabling optimal aerodynamic positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the wind deflector arm pivots around a fixed hinge point, then the wind deflector body can be positioned to block the roof opening, but a gap is created between the wind deflector body and the forward edge of the roof opening causing wind noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind noiseVSAvoidaerodynamic positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge point is made movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, transforming from a fixed pivot to a dynamic positioning system. This allows the wind deflector body to be adjusted forward to minimize the gap with the roof opening edge, reducing wind noise while maintaining operational flexibility through the curvilinear guide track

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A curvilinear guide track serves as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed vehicle structure and the movable wind deflector arm. The guide pin moving along this track enables the hinge point to follow a predetermined curved path, achieving optimal aerodynamic positioning while simplifying the control mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the wind deflector arm is extended to a higher position, then the wind deflector body blocks more of the roof opening, but the gap between the wind deflector body and roof opening edge increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind noiseVSAvoidgap geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The guide track is designed with a curvilinear path that coordinates the longitudinal and vertical movements of the wind deflector arm. This curved trajectory ensures that as the arm extends vertically to block the roof opening, the hinge point simultaneously moves forward in the longitudinal direction, maintaining minimal gap geometry throughout the range of motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS8353557B2Movable wind deflector

Publication Date: 2013.01.15 INALFA ROOF SYST GROUP

AI summary

A movable wind deflector assembly for use in an open roof construction for a vehicle comprises at least one pivoting wind deflector arm that with a first end is pivotally connected to the vehicle at a hinge point and at its opposite second end carries a wind deflector body extending in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The wind deflector assembly further comprises an operating mechanism for moving the wind deflector arm and wind deflector body forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.