Sunroof Flow Deflector With Movable Spoiler for Cabin Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road vehicles face issues with fixed spoilers projecting upwards when the sunroof is closed, and the operating devices for movable spoilers are complex and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A road vehicle design featuring a movable air flow deflector that moves between lifted and lowered positions using a pneumatic or electric operating device, integrated with the sunroof mechanism to deflect air outside the passenger compartment, and is made of flexible or elastically deformable material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed spoiler projects upwards from the upper cross-member, then air flow is diverted outside the passenger compartment, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is made movable instead of fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between a lifted configuration (diverting air flow) and a lowered configuration (aerodynamic position). This dynamic element replaces complex operating devices with a simpler mechanism that achieves the same air flow management function.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoiler's position parameter is changed from fixed to variable, enabling it to adapt between two states: lifted position for air flow diversion and lowered position for reduced complexity. This parameter change allows the system to achieve air flow management without requiring complex continuous adjustment mechanisms.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable spoiler with operating device is used, then air flow diversion is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable spoiler with simple operating device replaces complex continuous adjustment mechanisms. The spoiler can move between two positions (lifted and lowered) using a straightforward actuating mechanism, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining air flow diversion capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex operating device is extracted and replaced with a simpler mechanism. The spoiler is designed to be movable with minimal actuation requirements, removing unnecessary complexity from the operating device while preserving the essential air flow diversion function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the spoiler projects upwards continuously, then air flow is diverted, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates when sunroof is closed
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler dynamically changes its position based on sunroof operation. When the sunroof is open, the spoiler is in the lifted position to divert air flow. When the sunroof is closed, the spoiler lowers to become substantially coplanar with the cross-member, improving aesthetic appearance while maintaining the capability to divert air flow when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoiler alternates between two positions (lifted and lowered) corresponding to sunroof operation cycles. This periodic adjustment allows the system to maintain both aesthetic appearance during normal closed-sunroof operation and functional air flow diversion when the sunroof is open.
Data Source
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AI summary
A road vehicle is provided with a passenger compartment (4) that is delimited by a front windshield (11) inserted in a support ring (12) and a sunroof (15), which can be coupled to an upper cross member (14) of the support ring (12), and a covering band (17), which extends along at least part of the upper cross member (14), and has a fixed portion (18; 32) fixed on the upper cross member (14) and at least one movable portion (19; 33) configured to move, relative to the fixed portion (18; 32) and under the thrust of a pneumatic or electric operating device (21; 34; 27; 35), between a lowered position and a lifted position, wherein the movable portion (19; 33) is inclined upwards relative to the fixed portion (18; 32) to deflect the air flow flowing along the front windshield (11) out of the passenger compartment (4) while the road vehicle is being driven.