Tailgate Spoiler Segmentation for Aerodynamic Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spoilers for motor vehicle tailgates face limitations in aerodynamic and styling freedom due to constraints in the injection molding process, lack of structural reinforcement, and visibility issues with the bezel assembly, particularly when integrating a third brake light.
Innovation Solution
A spoiler design featuring a thermoplastic styling skin supported by a reinforcing element that forms a hollow body and includes a housing for technical equipment, allowing for increased protrusion length and improved assembly compatibility with the bezel, using a notch-rib system for positioning and fixing, and removable fixings for enhanced structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the spoiler protrusion length is increased for aerodynamic and styling freedom, then the aerodynamic performance and styling are improved, but the injection molding flow length constraint is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is divided into two separate components: a styling skin and a reinforcing element. The styling skin can be designed with any protrusion length for aerodynamic and styling purposes, while the reinforcing element remains a separate, manufacturable component that provides structural support and integrates with the tailgate.
Solution Approach 2:
The styling skin is designed to fit over and be attached to the reinforcing element, creating a nested structure where the skin extends beyond the reinforcing element to achieve the desired protrusion length without requiring the entire assembly to be molded as one piece.
2Strength
If the spoiler is assembled before the bezel bonding operation, then the spoiler can structurally reinforce the tailgate, but the bezel feed path is blocked and the upper edge of the bezel remains visible
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is segmented into a reinforcing element that attaches to the tailgate and a styling skin that attaches to the reinforcing element. This allows the reinforcing element to be installed first for structural reinforcement, while the styling skin can be adjusted or removed to facilitate bezel assembly, and the protruding part can hide the bezel upper edge.
3Device complexity
If the spoiler skin is made as a single part directly fixed to the tailgate, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the structural reinforcement is insufficient and the skin is very deformable
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler combines two different materials: a thermoplastic styling skin and a reinforcing element made of a more rigid material. This composite structure provides both the aesthetic and aerodynamic properties of the skin and the structural reinforcement of the supporting element.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a spoiler (1) for a tailgate (2) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that the spoiler comprises: a custom skin (3) providing the spoiler with an external appearance and projecting towards the rear of the vehicle so as to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle; and an element (4) for reinforcing the custom skin (3), which is secured to the custom skin (3), comprising means (5) for attaching to the tailgate (2), and comprising towards the rear of the vehicle at least one recess (6) which can accommodate technical equipment (7).