Permeable Wind Deflector for Truck Gap Turbulence and Air Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind deflector systems for vehicles fail to prevent turbulence between a pulling vehicle and a pulled vehicle while allowing sufficient fresh air supply to auxiliary units in the gap, leading to high fuel consumption and potential brake system failures due to inflated airbags requiring compressor power.
Innovation Solution
A wind deflector system featuring at least one deflector element with an air-permeable surface section, designed to reduce turbulence and ensure fresh air supply, comprising a base body with adjustable air permeability to meet the requirements of auxiliary units, using materials like woven fabrics, mesh-like structures, or grid-like materials to minimize vortex formation and enhance air permeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the gap is covered with air deflectors to reduce turbulence, then fuel consumption decreases, but auxiliary units in the gap do not receive sufficient fresh air supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous or permeable materials in the wind deflector system to allow controlled air passage. The deflector elements are designed with permeable structures that enable fresh air to flow through to auxiliary units while still maintaining sufficient turbulence reduction for energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind deflector system implements local quality by creating different permeability zones. Certain areas of the deflector elements have higher permeability to supply fresh air to auxiliary units, while other areas maintain lower permeability to effectively reduce turbulence and save fuel.
2Quantity of substance
If the gap is left open to supply fresh air to auxiliary units, then auxiliary units receive sufficient air, but turbulence increases and fuel consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous or permeable materials in the wind deflector system to allow controlled air passage. The deflector elements are designed with permeable structures that enable fresh air to flow through to auxiliary units while still maintaining sufficient turbulence reduction for energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind deflector system implements local quality by creating different permeability zones. Certain areas of the deflector elements have higher permeability to supply fresh air to auxiliary units, while other areas maintain lower permeability to effectively reduce turbulence and save fuel.
3Loss of energy
If an inflatable airbag is used to bridge the gap, then turbulence is reduced, but compressor power requirements increase and brake system reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inflatable airbag component from the wind deflector system and replaces it with rigid or semi-rigid deflector elements. This eliminates the dependency on compressor power for inflation and avoids the reliability issues associated with airbag leakage and brake system interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex inflatable airbag system with simpler, more reliable deflector elements that do not require continuous compression or inflation. The solid or semi-rigid structure eliminates the need for air supply systems and reduces maintenance requirements.
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
The system significantly reduces turbulence and fuel consumption while ensuring auxiliary units receive sufficient fresh air, preventing brake system failures by maintaining compressor efficiency and improving driving stability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one deflector element (22) which is attachable to a vehicle, wherein the at least one deflector element (22) comprises a base body (24) with at least one air-permeable surface section (26)
Data Source
AI summary
A wind deflector system for at least partially covering a gap between a pulling vehicle and a pulled vehicle coupled to the pulling vehicle is described, having at least one deflector element attachable to a vehicle. At least one deflector element includes a base body with at least one air-permeable surface section.