Spring-Loaded Spoiler Wing Actuator Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for lifting and lowering vehicle spoilers or wings are complex, space-consuming, and expensive, often becoming inoperable shortly after installation.
Innovation Solution
A spoiler wing extension and retraction system featuring a vehicle mounting assembly connected to a linear-motion device with an extendable shaft, allowing for the lifting and lowering of the spoiler wing, and a spoiler wing control unit to manage the system's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex electro-mechanical or hydraulic systems are used to lift and lower spoiler wings, then the spoiler wing can be extended and retracted, but the system becomes space-consuming, expensive, and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electro-mechanical systems (scissor lift gear) and hydraulic systems (pump, tubing, cylinders) with a simple mechanical spring-loaded arm mechanism. The spring provides the lifting force automatically when the spoiler weight is applied, eliminating the need for motors, hydraulics, and complex control systems while improving reliability and reducing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded arm mechanism uses the weight of the spoiler wing itself to compress the spring during installation, storing potential energy that automatically extends the arm to lift the spoiler to the correct height. The system serves itself without requiring external power sources, control units, or complex actuation mechanisms.
2Ease of manufacture
If hydraulic fluid systems with high pressure pumps and tubing are used, then the spoiler wing can be extended and retracted, but the system becomes expensive and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates expensive hydraulic components (high pressure pumps, tubing, spring loaded cylinders) by using a simple mechanical spring-loaded arm. The spring mechanism requires no assembly of multiple precision components, reducing manufacturing complexity and installation cost while maintaining the spoiler extension and retraction function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed height airfoil spoiler wings are used, then the system is simple, but aerodynamic performance cannot be optimized for different driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed-height spoiler to a dynamically adjustable spoiler using a spring-loaded arm mechanism. The spoiler can be extended to various heights and positions along the arm's arc of motion, allowing optimization of aerodynamic performance for different driving conditions while maintaining mechanical simplicity through the self-adjusting spring system.
Data Source
AI summary
A spoiler wing extension and retraction system, includes a vehicle mounting assembly, including a circular insert, a spider clamp flange, a clamp bolt and nut, and fasteners, seal and spacer plates; a linear-motion device, including a main body and an extendable shaft; an intermediate attachment assembly; such that the extendable shaft connects to a spoiler wing of a vehicle, such that the linear-motion device lifts and lowers the spoiler wing. A spoiler wing control system includes a spoiler wing extension and retraction system connected to a spoiler wing control unit, including a processor, a non-transitory memory, an input/output component, a linear-motion controller, and a data bus, such that the linear-motion controller is configured to control the linear-motion device of the spoiler wing extension and retraction system.