Vehicle Rear Spoiler Sealing Air Guiding Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rear spoiler systems for commercial vehicles are complex, limited in adjustability, and often interfere with the operation of rear doors, leading to increased air resistance and reduced accessibility due to complex connections and limited air guiding element lengths.

Innovation Solution

A rear spoiler device with adjustable air guiding elements that seal against the vehicle's outer surfaces using a sealing means, such as a sealing lip, and a four-bar linkage mechanism for easy adjustment between rest and driving positions, allowing for reduced air resistance by eliminating turbulence and vortex formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If air guiding elements are connected to the hinge area of rear doors, then aerodynamic optimization is achieved, but the pivoting process is impaired and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair resistanceVSAvoidpivoting process
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air guiding element is extracted from the hinge connection and instead connected to the rear door's outer surface. This allows the air guiding element to be adjusted independently without interfering with the hinge pivoting mechanism, resolving the contradiction between aerodynamic optimization and ease of door operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The air guiding element is designed to be adjustable between different positions (retracted and extended) relative to the rear door. This dynamic configuration allows the system to optimize aerodynamics when needed while maintaining full door accessibility when the air guiding element is retracted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If complex locking mechanisms are provided to ensure stability of air currents, then aerodynamic stability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of adjustment increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerodynamic stabilityVSAvoidlocking mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air guiding element utilizes the aerodynamic forces generated during vehicle operation to automatically maintain its extended position and ensure stability of air currents. The design eliminates the need for complex locking mechanisms by allowing the air guiding element to self-stabilize through the very air flows it is designed to manage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If air guiding elements are extended to cover irregularities on the vehicle surface, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but the length of air guiding elements is limited by hinge configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturbulence and vortex formationVSAvoidair guiding element length
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By extracting the air guiding element from the hinge connection, the patent removes the constraint that limited the length of air guiding elements. This allows the air guiding element to be extended sufficiently to cover irregularities on the vehicle surface and effectively reduce turbulence and vortex formation without being constrained by hinge configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Loss of energy

If rear spoiler systems are designed to improve aerodynamics, then fuel consumption is reduced, but accessibility and ease of adjustment are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidadjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air guiding element is designed with adjustable positioning capability, allowing it to be extended or retracted as needed. This dynamic adjustment feature maintains aerodynamic performance when extended while preserving full accessibility and ease of operation when retracted, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and ease of adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution significantly reduces air resistance by sealing irregularities on the vehicle's surface, enabling a clear and easy adjustment process without interfering with the operation of rear doors, thus improving aerodynamics and accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sealing means (61) is provided on the front end region (54) of the air guiding element (15, 25) for sealing contact with the outer surface (3, 4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP3079976B1Rear spoiler device for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 WABCO EURO BVBA SPRL
  • EP3079976B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3079976B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3079976B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a rear spoiler device for a vehicle, which at least comprises: an air-guiding element (25) for extending the contour in particular of a side surface (3) of the vehicle (1) in a driving position, and an adjustment device for adjusting the air-guiding element (25) between the driving position and an inoperative position, wherein a front end (54) of the air-guiding element (25) is provided for bearing against the side surface (3) of the vehicle (1) in the driving position. It is provided here that at least one sealing means (61) for bearing in a sealing manner against the side surface (3) is provided at the front end (54) of the air-guiding element (25), and the adjustment device is provided for pressing the sealing means (61) onto the side surface (3) in the driving position.