Rotatable Wheel Deflector for Drag Reduction and Obstacle Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle wheel aerodynamic deflectors are either ineffective in reducing drag or prone to damage from obstacles due to their fixed design, which increases fuel consumption and ecological impact.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamic deflector device with a rotatable deflecting wall and actuator that can move between retracted and deployed positions, optimized for reduced bulk and electrical consumption, allowing it to be less disturbed by air flow and protect itself from obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed deflector is placed in front of the wheel, then turbulence in the wheel housing is reduced, but the deflector risks being damaged when crossing obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt between deployed and retracted positions. The deflecting wall can pivot about an axis parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, enabling it to be raised when obstacles are detected and lowered for aerodynamic optimization, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining aerodynamic performance and avoiding obstacle damage
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the deflecting wall is changed dynamically based on driving conditions. By adjusting the wall's angular position between retracted and deployed states, the system optimizes aerodynamic performance when needed while protecting the structure when obstacles are present
2Loss of energy
If a deflector device with actuator is used to enable movement between retracted and deployed positions, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but the bulk and electrical consumption of the actuator increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deflecting wall performs a partial rotation about an axis parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis rather than a complete 90-degree movement. This partial action reduces the work required by the actuator, thereby decreasing electrical consumption while still achieving the necessary aerodynamic effect
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation angle parameter of the deflecting wall is optimized to provide sufficient aerodynamic benefit while minimizing the energy required for actuation. By changing the wall's position parameter only to the extent necessary for aerodynamic optimization, the actuator's electrical consumption is reduced
3Use of energy by moving object
If the deflecting wall is mounted rotatably about an axis parallel to the support's longitudinal axis, then the design of the actuator is optimized in terms of bulk and electrical consumption, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables the deflecting wall to move between positions, provides structural support, and allows for compact integration with the vehicle body. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the rotational mechanism
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 aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption while maintaining protection from obstacles by optimizing the design of the actuator and ensuring the deflecting wall deploys only when necessary, enhancing the vehicle's aerodynamics and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a deflecting wall mounted on a support so as to be movable between, on the one hand, a retracted position in which, in the mounted state, said deflecting wall is raised with respect to the support, and, on the other hand, a deployed position in which, in the mounted state, said deflecting wall is lowered with respect to the support
Data Source
AI summary
An aerodynamic deflector device for a wheel of a motor vehicle, including: a support that is elongate and designed to be mounted on a motor vehicle; a deflecting wall mounted such that it is movable on the support between a retracted position in which the deflecting wall is raised in relation to the support in the mounted state, and a deployed position in which the deflecting wall is lowered in relation to the support in the mounted state; and an actuator designed to move the deflecting wall between the retracted and deployed positions. The deflecting wall is mounted such that it can be rotatably moved on the support about an axis of rotation oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support and driven by the actuator.