Extendable Rear Spoiler With Separate Underflow Guard

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air guide devices for motor vehicles occupy excessive space when in their rest position and lack effectiveness in preventing air flow underneath the spoiler blade, which affects downforce generation, especially at high speeds.

Innovation Solution

Designing the air guide device with a separate underflow guard and adjustable spoiler blade connected by a precision-adjusting mechanism, such as a lever or spindle drive, allowing for compact storage and enhanced aerodynamic performance in the extended position, with a sealing element to prevent air flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the air guide device is designed as an integral part with the spoiler blade, then the structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but the device occupies excessive space when in the rest position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide device is divided into separate components: the spoiler blade and the underflow guard are designed as independent elements that can be adjusted separately. This segmentation allows the underflow guard to be retracted into a compact position when not in use, minimizing storage space requirements while maintaining structural functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates an adjusting mechanism that enables dynamic repositioning of the underflow guard relative to the spoiler blade. The guard can be extended to prevent air flow underneath the blade when needed, and retracted to a compact position for minimal storage space, providing adaptability between different operational states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the underflow guard is designed as an integral part of the spoiler blade, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the device cannot prevent air flow underneath the spoiler blade effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the underflow guard from the spoiler blade into independent components, the design achieves precise control over air flow prevention. The guard can be independently adjusted to optimally block air underneath the blade, improving reliability of the air flow prevention function while allowing for modular manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adjusting mechanism acts as an intermediary between the spoiler blade and the underflow guard, enabling precise positioning of the guard to effectively seal the gap underneath the blade. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable air flow prevention while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If the air guide device is extended to prevent air flow underneath the spoiler blade, then downforce generation is improved, but the device occupies excessive space when in the rest position

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedownforceVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The underflow guard is designed as a dynamic component that can be extended when downforce is needed and retracted when not in use. The adjusting mechanism enables the guard to be positioned to prevent air flow underneath the spoiler blade, maximizing downforce generation, and then retracted into a compact position for minimal storage space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The underflow guard is designed to nest underneath the spoiler blade when in the retracted position. This nesting arrangement allows the guard to be stored in a compact configuration within the available space, minimizing the volume occupied by the device when downforce generation is not required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If a sealing element is added to prevent air flow underneath the spoiler blade, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic performanceVSAvoidcomponent complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible sealing lip is attached to the trailing side of the underflow guard. This flexible sealing element conformally contacts the spoiler blade to prevent air flow underneath, significantly improving aerodynamic performance and downforce generation. The flexibility of the sealing lip allows it to adapt to slight variations in positioning while maintaining an effective seal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible sealing lip is designed to automatically conform to the spoiler blade surface through its inherent elasticity, requiring no additional adjustment mechanisms or complex control systems. The sealing element self-adjusts to maintain contact and prevent air flow, improving aerodynamic performance without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8226153B2Air guide device

Publication Date: 2012.07.24 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

An air guide device, especially an extendable and retractable rear spoiler on a motor vehicle, with an adjustable air guide element and at least one, also adjustable, flow element designed as an underflow guard. The flow element is designed as a component separate from the air guide element and is connected to it by an adjusting mechanism.