Movable Spoiler with Flexible Bellows for Airflow Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle front structures with movable spoilers face issues such as air inlet blockage, oscillation, and risk of immobilization during small frontal impacts due to their design and deployment mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle front structure featuring a movable plate with a flexible bellows connecting its front edge to the shield, allowing deployment between high and low positions, and controlled by a camshaft and return springs, ensuring safe and reliable operation without relying on vehicle speed for movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the spoiler uses a vertical wall arranged against the rear of the shield in the high position, then the spoiler can be articulated between high and low positions, but the vertical wall partially blocks the air inlets present in the shield
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is divided into a rear vertical wall portion and a front horizontal flap portion. The rear wall is hinged to the shield while the front flap is connected via flexible bellows, allowing the front portion to be segmented away from the air inlet path while maintaining the articulation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The front edge of the movable element is connected to the underside of the shield by flexible bellows, allowing the spoiler to deploy in a horizontal dimension rather than purely vertical. This dimensional change enables the spoiler to lower without the front edge blocking air inlets.
2Productivity
If the spoiler deployment relies on vehicle speed and aerodynamic control, then the spoiler can move between positions, but the spoiler oscillates between high and low positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces aerodynamic control with a mechanical control system comprising a camshaft and cam lobes. The camshaft, driven by the vehicle's timing belt or chain, mechanically pushes the spoiler downward at specific engine speeds, eliminating reliance on aerodynamic forces and preventing oscillation.
Solution Approach 2:
The return springs automatically return the spoiler to its initial position after deployment, and the camshaft mechanism self-regulates deployment timing based on engine speed, eliminating the need for external control systems.
3Productivity
If the spoiler is arranged to pass from high to low position based on vehicle speed, then the spoiler can reduce drag at high speed, but in the event of a small frontal impact the spoiler turns over entirely and ends up under the wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible bellows connected to the front edge of the movable element act as a cushioning element that absorbs impact forces. In the event of a frontal collision, the bellows compress and allow the spoiler to deform rather than overturn completely, preventing the spoiler from ending up under the wheels.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of flexible bellows instead of rigid connections allows the spoiler to flex and deform during impact. This flexibility prevents catastrophic failure and ensures the spoiler remains attached to the vehicle structure even during small frontal impacts.
4Productivity
If the movable element has a large vertical size in the high position, then the spoiler can provide adequate aerodynamic surface area, but it blocks ventilation openings located at the level of the shield
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler deployment is changed from a vertical motion to a horizontal motion. The front edge of the movable element is connected via flexible bellows to the underside of the shield, allowing the spoiler to extend horizontally rearward rather than vertically upward, thus maintaining aerodynamic surface area without blocking ventilation openings.
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 solution minimizes vertical space usage, prevents air inlet blockage, reduces oscillation, and retains the spoiler in place during impacts, enhancing safety and reliability by controlling deployment through mechanical means rather than speed-dependent mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a front edge of said movable element is connected to an underside of the shield by a flexible bellows, said movable element being movable between: a high position in which its front edge bears against said lower face of the shield, the flexible bellows being folded back on itself between said lower face and the movable element, and a low position in which its front edge is separated from said underside of the shield, the flexible bellows being deployed
Implementation Method 2
return means of said movable element from the low position to the high position, in particular elastic return means
Implementation Method 3
a camshaft mounted on the front structure substantially parallel to the axis of articulation of said movable element and arranged so that the cams are in contact with the movable element in order to move said movable element from the high position to the low position
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle front structure (10) including a bumper (12) and a movable element, in particular a movable plate (14), a rear edge (14b) of which is hingedly connected to said front structure so as to hinge about a transverse pin (Y1) located to the rear of the bumper, characterised in that a front edge (14a) of said movable element (14) is connected to a lower surface (12a) of the bumper via a flexible dust boot (16), said movable element (14) being movable between: a high position in which the front edge (14a) thereof abuts said lower surface (12a) of the bumper, the flexible dust boot (16) being folded back between said lower surface (12a) and the movable element (14); and a low position in which the front edge (14a) thereof is spaced apart from said lower surface (12a) of the bumper, the flexible dust boot (16) being deployed, and in that the structure includes means (20) for controlling the movement of said movable element (14) at least from the high position to the low position.