Swirl Generator Air Deflector for Freight Cab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air deflectors for freight vehicle cabs are either too large, increasing air resistance and fuel consumption, or too tall, which is not feasible for vehicles with low chassis height due to limited space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A compact swirl generator with a downwardly open duct connected to the cab corner, curving around the corner to guide airflow without disturbing it significantly, capturing and converting it into a swirling flow that prevents cab side dirtying while minimizing air resistance and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a relatively large air deflector is used to prevent dirtying of the cab side, then the effectiveness of preventing dirtying is improved, but the air resistance and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air deflector is divided into a curved shield portion and a separate swirl generator portion. The curved shield guides the air flow around the corner, while the swirl generator creates a swirling flow to prevent dirtying. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the overall size and air resistance while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The swirl generator acts as an intermediary that converts the air flow into a swirling pattern. This swirling flow serves as a mediator between the air flow and the cab side, creating a protective barrier that prevents dirtying without requiring a large deflector structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a relatively large height of guiderail is used to ensure sufficient deflected flow, then the effectiveness of preventing dirtying is improved, but the space requirements increase and it becomes unusable for vehicles with low chassis height
Solution Approach 1:
The swirl generator is designed to work with the dynamic air flow generated by vehicle movement. Rather than relying on a fixed, tall guiderail structure, the swirl generator uses the kinetic energy of the passing air to create the necessary swirling flow, making it adaptable to various chassis heights and springing characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the approach from using a tall vertical structure to using a compact swirl generator that operates within the available space. The swirl generator converts linear air flow into rotational flow, changing the flow parameters to achieve the same protective effect without increasing height.
3Loss of energy
If a compact swirl generator is used to minimize air resistance, then the air resistance and weight are reduced, but the space for accommodation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The swirl generator utilizes the horizontal space along the cab corner rather than requiring vertical space. By extending the duct curvingly round the corner from the front of the cab to the side of the cab, the design accommodates the swirl generator in the available horizontal volume, minimizing air resistance while fitting within constrained spaces.
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 reduces air resistance and weight, effectively prevents cab side dirtying from wheel housing emissions, and is adaptable to various truck models with different springing characteristics and space constraints, allowing for easy retrofitting on existing vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
A swirl generator comprising a duct which is open downwards, is connected to the corner of the cab and extends curvingly round the corner from the front of the cab to the side of the cab
Implementation Method 2
The open duct disturbs the air flow minimally and thereby minimises the air resistance
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An air deflector (50) at a front corner (24) of a cab (20) of a freight vehicle (10), comprising a swirl generator (50) which converts an air flow induced by the vehicle's forward movement to a swirling flow (v) which follows a side (26) of the vehicle (10) situated adjacent to the corner (24) and prevents dirtying of the side (26) from below. The swirl generator (50) comprises a duct (52) which is open downwards, is connected to the cab comer (24), extends curvingly round the corner (24) from the cab front to the cab side (26) and comprises partly an upper end surface (56) and partly opposite sides (58, 60) which are directed downwards, at least one of these sides having a free lower end edge (54).