Rotating Deflector Wall for Vehicle Aerodynamic Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air flow management systems for vehicles, particularly in SUVs, face inefficiencies due to limited deployment height of deflector walls, leading to suboptimal aerodynamic performance and increased energy consumption, and active systems requiring obstacle anticipation are costly and energy-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A rotating deflector wall system mounted on a vehicle upstream of the wheel, with a guide system and actuating mechanism allowing the deflector wall to retract upon obstacle contact, optimizing air flow diversion and maintaining stability during deployment and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the deployment height of the deflector wall is increased to improve aerodynamic performance, then air flow diversion is optimized, but the risk of impact on obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector wall is made dynamically adjustable in height through an actuating system that can extend or retract the wall based on driving conditions. This allows the system to optimize aerodynamic performance when needed while reducing impact risk when obstacles are present, resolving the contradiction between fixed height limitations and performance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The deployment height parameter of the deflector wall is made variable rather than fixed. By changing the height parameter dynamically according to operating conditions, the system achieves optimal aerodynamic performance when the wall is extended while minimizing obstacle impact risk when retracted
2Productivity
If passive deflector systems are used to limit air entering the wheelhouse, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but the deployment height is limited to 50mm
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static passive deflector to a dynamic active system that can adjust its deployment height. The actuating system enables the deflector wall to extend beyond the limited 50mm passive height when high aerodynamic performance is needed, while maintaining the ability to retract when obstacles are detected
3Productivity
If active deflector systems with obstacle anticipation are implemented to vary deployment height, then aerodynamic performance is optimized, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses passive obstacle detection through the deflector wall's physical contact with obstacles, eliminating the need for complex active sensing systems. When the wall contacts an obstacle, it naturally retracts or the system responds to the contact signal, providing obstacle avoidance functionality without requiring anticipation systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining performance optimization
Data Source
AI summary
An air flow management device for a vehicle includes a support and at least one deflector wall supported by an actuating system mounted on the support and configured to move the deflector wall along a predefined trajectory relative to the support between a retracted position and a deployed position. The deflector wall is mounted to rotate relative to the support about an axis of rotation so as to be able to retract in case of contact of the deflector wall with an obstacle.