Segmented Trailer Side Skirt Fairing Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional long-haul cargo trailers exhibit suboptimal aerodynamic performance due to turbulent airflow under the trailer, leading to increased aerodynamic drag, fuel consumption, and NOx emissions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of side skirt fairing segments positioned underneath the trailer body and forward of the rear wheel assemblies, which direct airflow to reduce drag-producing interactions with the undercarriage components, utilizing aerodynamic shapes such as air foils with converging leading and trailing edges to manage airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional rectangular trailer design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but aerodynamic drag increases due to turbulent airflow under the trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The side skirt fairing is divided into multiple segments (first side skirt segment, second side skirt segment, third side skirt segment) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled together. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of individual components while achieving the complex aerodynamic shape needed to reduce turbulent airflow under the trailer.
2Use of energy by moving object
If side skirt fairing segments are added to reduce aerodynamic drag, then fuel efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing is segmented into multiple sections that can be independently manufactured and assembled, making the complex aerodynamic component more manageable in terms of production and installation while achieving the desired fuel efficiency improvements through reduced drag.
Solution Approach 2:
The side skirt fairing extends vertically from the bottom surface of the trailer toward the side panels, adding a vertical dimension to the airflow management system. This three-dimensional configuration allows the fairing to effectively guide airflow along the sides of the trailer, reducing turbulence under the trailer and improving fuel efficiency.
3Force
If aerodynamic fairing segments are positioned under the trailer, then aerodynamic performance improves, but ease of installation and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the fairing into multiple segments allows each segment to be separately installed and removed, making maintenance and installation tasks more manageable while preserving the aerodynamic benefits of the complete fairing assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The fairing segments are positioned to extend only partially along the length of the trailer (forward of the rear wheel assemblies rather than covering the entire trailer length), providing sufficient aerodynamic benefit while simplifying installation and maintenance compared to a full-length fairing.
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 solution significantly reduces aerodynamic drag, enhancing fuel efficiency and minimizing NOx emissions by improving airflow management under the trailer.
Implementation Method 1
At highway speeds, these conventional trailers develop a substantial amount of turbulent airflow in the region between the axles of the wheel assembles below the trailer box. This turbulence results in significant aerodynamic drag
Implementation Method 2
these conventional trailers develop a substantial amount of turbulent airflow in the region between the axles of the wheel assembles below the trailer box
Implementation Method 3
utilizing aerodynamic shapes such as air foils with converging leading and trailing edges to manage airflow
Data Source
AI summary
To improve the aerodynamic efficiency of a vehicle trailer, one or more aerodynamic components are positioned on the trailer. In some examples described herein, the one or more aerodynamic components are in the form of side skirt fairing segments, which are positioned underneath the trailer and forward of the wheel assembles. In use, the one or more side skirt fairing segments improve air flow underneath the trailer and in the vicinity of the wheel assemblies, thereby reducing drag.