Vehicle Side Mirror Airflow Duct for Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle side mirrors increase drag due to their size and shape, leading to reduced aerodynamics and increased fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
The side mirror design includes an inlet on the front and an outlet at the rear, with an airflow duct between the cap and shroud, directing airflow around the mirror assembly to reduce drag, and optimizing the surface area ratio of the inlet to outlet for improved aerodynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional side mirrors are used with traditional size and shape, then the driver's ability to view surrounding objects is assisted, but increased drag is created on the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The side mirror incorporates an airflow duct system with specifically designed inlet and outlet openings that change the airflow parameters around the mirror assembly. The duct routes air from the inlet, around the mirror housing, and exits through the outlet, transforming the airflow pattern to reduce turbulence and drag while maintaining mirror functionality
Solution Approach 2:
An airflow duct acts as an intermediary element between the incoming airflow and the mirror housing. This duct mediates the airflow by channeling it around the mirror assembly in a controlled manner, reducing the direct impact of air on the mirror housing and thereby decreasing drag and energy loss
2Ease of operation
If side mirrors extend outwardly from the vehicle to assist viewing, then visibility is improved, but the vehicle aerodynamics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow duct system changes the aerodynamic parameters by creating a controlled flow path around the mirror assembly. The inlet and outlet positioning, along with the duct geometry, modify airflow velocity and pressure distribution to reduce wake formation and improve overall vehicle aerodynamics while preserving visibility function
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional mirror housing design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but aerodynamic drag is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror housing is segmented into distinct functional components: the cap with inlet opening, the airflow duct, the housing with outlet opening, and the mirror assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining manufacturability, as each part can be produced separately and assembled
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 design reduces drag and enhances fuel efficiency by routing airflow through the mirror, generating turbulence zones that minimize the wake behind the mirror, resulting in improved aerodynamics and fuel economy.
Implementation Method 1
An airflow duct, which connects the inlet and the outlet, is formed between an interior surface of the cap and an exterior surface of a shroud disposed between the housing and the mirror assembly. Airflow entering the inlet travels through the airflow duct around the mirror assembly to the outlet, thus reducing drag on the vehicle.
Implementation Method 2
The outlet can direct the air exiting the outlet radially inward toward a center of the mirror assembly such that zones of turbulence are generated immediately adjacent to a rear surface of the mirror assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle side mirror includes: a mirror assembly including a mirror facing a rearward direction; a housing having a rearward-facing opening defining an interior space which receives at least a portion of the mirror assembly, exposing the mirror assembly from the rearward direction; a cap covering a front portion of the housing, the cap having an inlet formed therethrough; and a shroud disposed between the cap and the housing that is configured to direct air passing through the inlet around the mirror assembly to an outlet defined by an opening between a rear end of the cap and a rear end of the shroud.