Pivoting Wing Drag Reduction Device for Vehicle Rear Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drag reduction devices for land vehicles, such as trucks and tractor-trailer rigs, often impede the ability to open rear doors and require manual intervention, and they have a bulky profile that poses risks during loading and unloading operations, especially in tight spaces like shipping/receiving locations.
Innovation Solution
A drag reduction device featuring wing assemblies that pivot upward when the rear door is open and downward when closed, utilizing a spring-based assembly to automatically deploy and stow, ensuring the wing clears the top wall without obstructing door access and incorporating a break-away feature to prevent damage during maneuvering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a drag reduction device is mounted on the rear of a vehicle body, then drag is reduced, but the device obstructs access to the rear doors
Solution Approach 1:
The drag reduction device is designed with movable wings that can dynamically change position between a deployed configuration (when doors are closed) to reduce drag, and a retracted configuration (when doors are open) to clear the top wall and allow access. The spring assembly automatically transitions the device between these states based on door position.
Solution Approach 2:
The drag reduction device is mounted within the confines of the rear door assembly, with the wing structure nesting against the top wall when retracted. This allows the device to occupy minimal space when not in use while still providing effective drag reduction when deployed.
2Loss of energy
If a drag reduction device is mounted on the rear of a vehicle body, then drag is reduced, but the device has a bulky profile that poses risks during loading and unloading operations
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a bulky deployed profile that reduces drag to a compact retracted profile that clears the top wall, eliminating the safety hazard during loading/unloading operations. The spring mechanism ensures automatic retraction when doors are opened, removing the dangerous protruding elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The drag reduction device is divided into multiple wing segments that can independently pivot and retract. This segmentation allows the structure to collapse into a compact form when retracted, reducing the overall profile and eliminating the bulky appearance that creates safety risks.
3Extent of automation
If a spring-based automatic deployment assembly is used, then manual intervention is eliminated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly is designed to automatically respond to door position changes, using the door's movement itself to trigger the deployment or retraction of the drag reduction wings. The system serves itself by converting the mechanical energy from door movement into the appropriate wing configuration without requiring external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-based deployment mechanism is integrated directly into the existing door assembly structure, combining the drag reduction function with the door mounting system. This merging approach adds automation functionality while utilizing the existing structural framework, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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 device effectively reduces drag while allowing full access to the rear doors, enhancing safety and operational efficiency by automatically adjusting its position based on door usage and preventing damage during vehicle maneuvering.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a spring-based assembly to automatically deploy and stow
Data Source
AI summary
A drag reducing device for a vehicle body having a top wall and a door pivotably mounted to the rear of the body to open toward a side wall of the body, includes a wing sized and configured to turn airflow across the top wall of the body, the wing having a trailing edge and a proximal edge; and an assembly mounted to the door and configured for pivoting the wing so that the trailing edge of the wing is pivoted upward to a position above the top wall of the vehicle body when the door is open and for pivoting the wing so that the trailing edge of the wing is pivoted downward to a position below the top wall of the vehicle body when the door is closed. A break-away feature is provided that allows the wing to pivot downward when the deployed wing is contacted.