Vehicle Spoiler Blade Positioning Means

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rear spoilers for vehicles face issues with unwanted contacts between the aerodynamic blade and the main body due to manufacturing variability and vibrations, leading to potential damage and requiring complex manual adjustments that are not scalable for industrial production.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of positioning means, such as sliders made of velvet or polyoxymethylene, that limit and guide the movement of the blade between retracted and extended positions, reducing the risk of damage and eliminating the need for manual adjustments by ensuring a direct relationship between the blade and the main body, independent of the kinematic system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the blade is allowed to move freely between retracted and extended positions, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but the risk of unwanted contacts and damage between the blade and main body increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerodynamic performanceVSAvoidrisk of damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces positioning means as intermediary elements between the blade and the main body. These positioning means act as mediators that guide the blade's movement and prevent direct unwanted contacts while allowing the blade to move freely between retracted and extended positions for aerodynamic performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustments are performed to align the blade with the main body, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity and production time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidadjustment system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning means are designed to automatically guide and position the blade relative to the main body during assembly. This self-positioning capability eliminates the need for complex manual adjustments and operator intervention, reducing both device complexity and production time while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the gap between the blade and main body is reduced to prevent contacts, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to stricter tolerance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning means serve as intermediary elements that maintain an optimal gap between the blade and main body. These intermediaries prevent direct contacts while allowing for standard manufacturing tolerances, thus improving reliability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the blade movement is constrained to prevent vibrations from causing damage, then the reliability is improved, but the aerodynamic performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration resistanceVSAvoidaerodynamic performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning means act as intermediaries that allow the blade to move sufficiently to achieve aerodynamic performance while simultaneously constraining excessive movements that could cause vibration-induced damage. This balanced approach maintains both reliability and aerodynamic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4008614B1Spoiler for a vehicle comprising a movable blade
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 SUSPA
  • EP4008614B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4008614B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a rear spoiler (1) for a vehicle. The rear spoiler (1) comprises: - a main body (2) defining a cavity and comprising an opening, - a blade (3) movably mounted between a retracted position inside the cavity and an extended position wherein at least a part of the blade (3) is outside of the cavity and through the opening, and - positioning means (4) configured to limit a movement of the blade (3) with respect to the spoiler (1) in at least one direction when the blade (3) is in the retracted position and/or in the extended position and/or during a movement of the blade (3) between the retracted and extended position