Steering-Linked Wheel Cover Holder for Low-Drag Wheel Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles experience increased aerodynamic drag due to turbulent airflow through wheel housing openings, which reduces energy efficiency, especially at high velocities.
Innovation Solution
A wheel cover holder that is turnable relative to the vehicle, configured to hold air-guiding covers, such as wheel and butterfly hole covers, which adjust their position based on the turning angle of the wheel to streamline airflow and reduce drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the wheel cover holder remains in a neutral position, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but the wheel cannot be turned over large angles without contact
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel cover holder is designed to be dynamically adjustable between a neutral position (for aerodynamic efficiency) and a turned position (for steering maneuverability). The system transitions from a static to a dynamic configuration based on operational requirements, allowing the holder to remain neutral during straight driving and rotate when the wheel needs to turn at large angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the wheel cover holder based on the turning angle of the wheel. When the wheel turning angle exceeds a predetermined threshold, the holder rotates to follow the wheel; when the angle is below the threshold, the holder remains in the neutral position. This parameter-based control optimizes both aerodynamic performance and steering capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wheel cover holder turns along with the wheel, then the wheel can turn over large angles, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel cover holder is designed to be dynamically adjustable between a neutral position (for aerodynamic efficiency) and a turned position (for steering maneuverability). The system transitions from a static to a dynamic configuration based on operational requirements, allowing the holder to remain neutral during straight driving and rotate when the wheel needs to turn at large angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the wheel cover holder based on the turning angle of the wheel. When the wheel turning angle exceeds a predetermined threshold, the holder rotates to follow the wheel; when the angle is below the threshold, the holder remains in the neutral position. This parameter-based control optimizes both aerodynamic performance and steering capability.
3Measurement precision
If a dedicated actuator is used for the wheel cover holder, then the holder can be precisely controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel cover holder system utilizes the existing wheel turning mechanism and steering sensor system to control the holder's position. Instead of adding a dedicated actuator, the system leverages the wheel's own movement and the existing sensor network to automatically adjust the holder, thereby achieving precise control without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing wheel steering mechanism and sensor system serve dual purposes: controlling the wheel direction and controlling the wheel cover holder position. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for a separate dedicated actuator, reducing system complexity while maintaining precise control capability.
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 effectively minimizes aerodynamic drag by maintaining a neutral position at small turning angles and adjusting with the wheel at larger angles, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
Aerodynamic drag in particular is the cause of reduced energy efficiency, especially at high velocities of the vehicle, as the aerodynamic drag increases by the square of the velocity. By shaping the body of the vehicle in an aerodynamically efficient way, aerodynamic drag can be decreased
Implementation Method 2
A wheel housing opening on the side of the vehicle, as well as an opening on the bottom of the vehicle which allows a wheel to turn within the wheel housing, cause turbulent airflow, which increases the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The invention pertains to a wheel cover holder (4) for a wheel (3) of a vehicle (25), which wheel (3) is turnable relative to the vehicle (25) over a turning angle (a), wherein the wheel cover holder (4) is configured to hold at least one air-guiding cover (5, 14); the wheel cover holder (4) being configured to be connected to a steering mechanism (13) of the wheel (3) such that the wheel cover holder is turnable by the steering mechanism (13) during the steering of the wheel (3), wherein the wheel cover holder (4) is configured to turn along with the wheel (3) if the turning angle (a) is greater than a turning angle threshold, and to remain in a neutral position if the turning angle (a) is smaller than the turning angle threshold. The invention further pertains to a vehicle (25) comprising such a wheel cover holder (4).