Rear Spoiler Charge Air Cooler Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear spoilers for motor vehicles do not effectively enhance air supply to charge air coolers in an aerodynamically advantageous manner, leading to suboptimal cooling and increased air resistance.
Innovation Solution
A charge air cooler is integrated with the rear spoiler, allowing it to be adjustable between inoperative and operative positions, with a vertical, transverse arrangement that enables horizontal airflow through the cooler when extended, eliminating the need for pressure-loss inducing air guides and utilizing ram air for enhanced cooling airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cooling air feeds are arranged horizontally below the spoiler, then cooling air can be supplied to the charge air cooler, but air guides are required which cause pressure losses
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the air guides from the system by integrating the charge air cooler directly into the rear spoiler structure. Cooling air is supplied directly to the cooler through the spoiler's internal channels without requiring separate air guide components, thereby removing the source of pressure losses while maintaining cooling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge air cooler is merged with the rear spoiler into a single integrated structure. The cooler is positioned within the spoiler's air channel, allowing the spoiler to serve dual functions: aerodynamic control and cooling air distribution. This integration eliminates the need for separate air guides and reduces system complexity.
2Productivity
If cooling air is discharged downward, then cooling function is achieved, but rear axial uplift increases adversely affecting aerodynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the discharge direction from vertical (downward) to horizontal. The charge air cooler is oriented such that cooling air flows horizontally through the spoiler structure and is discharged laterally. This dimensional change in flow direction eliminates the adverse rear axial uplift while maintaining effective cooling through the horizontal airflow path.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the charge air cooler is integrated into the rear spoiler, then aerodynamic advantages are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rear spoiler is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: aerodynamic flow control and cooling air distribution. The spoiler structure incorporates internal channels that guide cooling air to the charge air cooler, allowing a single component to serve dual purposes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cooling structures, thereby limiting the increase in 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
This configuration improves aerodynamics, increases cooling air throughput, reduces air resistance, and maintains uplift neutrality by ensuring efficient horizontal airflow and heat protection, while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
the charge air cooler in the extended state is acted upon frontally by ram air to obtain high cooling air throughputs
Implementation Method 2
cooling air can flow through the charge air cooler when the rear spoiler is in the extended operative position
Data Source
AI summary
A rear spoiler of a motor vehicle is coupled to a charge air cooler that is arranged vertically in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The rear spoiler together with the charge air cooler is adjustable into an inoperative and an operative position. The charge air cooler has an active position when the rear spoiler is in the operative position so that cooling air can flow through the charge air cooler.