Non-Flat Aerodynamic Devices for Ground Vehicle Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing aerodynamic drag on ground vehicles are inefficient, particularly in addressing the wake and turbulence generated behind vehicles, and often add weight or require maintenance, failing to significantly reduce energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The use of non-flat devices with varying geometries, such as hemispherical or wavelike shapes, installed in patterns on the vehicle or its accessories to alter pressure gradients and direct air streams, creating a faster path and reducing drag by utilizing the Coandă effect and brachistochrone geometry to minimize turbulence and wake size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional straight or angled side skirts are used to control air flow, then aerodynamic drag is reduced to some extent, but the wake size behind the vehicle is not sufficiently reduced and energy consumption is not significantly decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved, non-flat devices with varying geometries (such as hemispherical or wavelike shapes) installed in patterns on the vehicle exterior. These curved surfaces utilize the Coandă effect to redirect air streams along the vehicle surface, creating a faster path and reducing wake size more effectively than traditional flat side skirts, thereby significantly decreasing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the air control devices from flat surfaces to non-flat surfaces with varying curvatures. By installing devices with different geometries in specific patterns, the air flow parameters (velocity, pressure gradients) are optimized to reduce wake size and drag more effectively, addressing the insufficient efficiency of traditional side skirts.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If after-market aerodynamic products are added to improve drag efficiency, then aerodynamic performance is enhanced, but vehicle weight increases and maintenance requirements arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air control function into multiple small, discrete non-flat devices installed in patterns across the vehicle exterior. This segmentation allows the aerodynamic benefits to be achieved through distributed small components rather than large heavy structures, minimizing weight addition while maintaining effective drag reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple geometric devices (hemispherical or wavelike shapes) that can be manufactured economically and installed as lightweight attachments. These devices provide effective aerodynamic modification without the complexity and weight of traditional after-market aerodynamic products.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional side skirts are installed to break wake into smaller sizes, then some drag reduction is achieved, but the air flow control is insufficient behind the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies non-flat devices with specific curved geometries at particular locations and patterns on the vehicle exterior where air flow control is most needed. This localized application of curved surfaces optimizes the Coandă effect in critical regions, providing reliable and effective wake control and drag reduction that conventional side skirts cannot achieve.
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
This approach reduces aerodynamic drag and energy consumption by providing a forward assistive push, improving fuel efficiency and maintaining a lightweight, low-maintenance solution that does not hinder vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of devices cause an airstream traveling along the side of the vehicle to curve behind the vehicle and provide a push in the forward direction
Implementation Method 2
alter pressure gradients and direct air streams, creating a faster path and reducing drag
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for reducing an amount of aerodynamic drag generated within a rear area of a vehicle includes positioning or manufacturing a plurality of devices in a selected pattern on at an exterior surface of the vehicle or a surface of an accessory attached to the vehicle, where each of the plurality of devices includes a flat surface and one or more non-flat surfaces, and the plurality of devices cause an airstream traveling along the side of the vehicle to curve behind the vehicle and provide a push in the forward direction.