Open-Top Automobile Flow Channel for Wind Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Open-top 'barchetta' type automobiles lack effective wind protection, as conventional windbreaks are limited in size and thus ineffective in preventing direct wind impact on the driver, similar to the absence of a windshield.
Innovation Solution
An open-top automobile design featuring a flow channel and protruding edges that divert wind flows upwards, creating a secondary air flow to deflect the main wind flow away from the driver's face, mimicking the function of a windshield without its physical presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional windbreaks are used in open-top automobiles, then some wind protection is provided, but the windbreaks must be kept small in size to remain below the visibility plan for homologation, resulting in limited effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow channel that redirects air flow in a three-dimensional path around the driver's head, rather than relying on a two-dimensional windbreak surface. The channel creates a curved flow path that goes over the driver's head and exits at the rear, utilizing spatial dimensionality to achieve protection without requiring large visible structures in the front view.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow channel acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the oncoming air flow and the driver. Instead of directly blocking wind with a large windbreak, the channel gently guides and redirects the air flow around the driver's head, creating a protective effect through intermediate air flow manipulation rather than direct physical barrier.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a real windshield is used to provide effective wind protection, then wind protection effectiveness is improved, but weight and costs increase due to additional components for cleaning, de-icing and defogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential wind protection function from the traditional windshield structure. By removing the need for a solid windshield and its associated systems (wipers, heaters, defoggers), the invention retains only the core function of protecting the driver from wind while eliminating the heavy and complex components associated with conventional windshields.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by manipulating air flow through the flow channel to achieve wind protection. Instead of using a solid physical barrier (windshield), the system uses controlled air flow redirection to create a protective effect, leveraging fluid dynamics to replace heavy mechanical structures with a lightweight aerodynamic solution.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a real windshield is used to provide effective wind protection, then wind protection effectiveness is improved, but costs increase due to additional components for cleaning, de-icing and defogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential wind protection function from the traditional windshield structure. By removing the need for a solid windshield and its associated systems (wipers, heaters, defoggers), the invention retains only the core function of protecting the driver from wind while eliminating the heavy and complex components associated with conventional windshields.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by manipulating air flow through the flow channel to achieve wind protection. Instead of using a solid physical barrier (windshield), the system uses controlled air flow redirection to create a protective effect, leveraging fluid dynamics to replace heavy mechanical structures with a lightweight aerodynamic solution.
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 design significantly improves comfort by creating a calm air bubble around the driver, enhancing protection from wind at various speeds and reducing the need for additional windscreen-related components, resulting in weight and cost savings.
Implementation Method 1
a flow channel (16) formed at the front of the driver area (6) and having an inlet opening (18) fed by the outside air while the automobile (1) is travelling and an outlet opening (19) facing upwards. The flow channel (16) extends in part at the bottom of the flow surface (15) to generate, while travelling, a secondary air flow (F2) directed, at the outlet opening (19), transversely to the main flow (F1) and incident on this latter to divert it upwards
Implementation Method 2
a secondary air flow (F2) directed, at the outlet opening (19), transversely to the main flow (F1) and incident on this latter to divert it upwards and avoid a direct impact of the main air flow (F1) on the face of the driver in the driver area (6)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Open-top automobile (1) comprising an outer body (4) and a driver area (6) open at the front, in which the outer body (4) has a flow surface (15) that when the automobile (1) is travelling is touched by a main air flow (F1) directed towards the driver area (6); the outer body (4) comprises a flow channel (16), in front of the driver area (6) and having an inlet opening (18), fed by the outside air when the automobile (1) is travelling, and an outlet opening (19) facing upwards; the flow channel (16) extends in part at the bottom of the flow surface (15) to generate when travelling a secondary air flow (F2) directed, at the outlet opening (19), transversely to the main flow (F1) and incident on this latter to divert it upwards and avoid a direct impact of the main air flow (F1) on the face of the driver.