Tire Deflector Vertical Wall Angle for Aerodynamic Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire deflector structures fail to effectively reduce air resistance by allowing traveling air to enter the wheel house, thereby not sufficiently improving the coefficient of air resistance (Cd value).
Innovation Solution
A tire deflector device with a deflector positioned on the bottom portion of a vehicle in front of the front wheel, featuring a guide surface and a vertical wall portion with a downwardly extending surface, where the angle between the vertical wall and an imaginary orthogonal plane ranges from 20 to 45 degrees, directing air flow to prevent entry into the wheel house.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional tire deflector structure with a bulging portion is used to guide traveling air, then the brake device is cooled by traveling air, but traveling air is positively drawn into the wheel house and disturbs the airflow around the vehicle side surface, failing to sufficiently improve the Cd value
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector is divided into multiple functional sections: a first air guide portion with a moderately inclined surface for initial air direction, and a second air guide portion with a substantially horizontal guide surface and vertical wall portion for precise air flow control. This segmentation allows different zones to perform specialized functions - cooling the brake while preventing wheel house air intake - thereby resolving the contradiction between brake cooling and air resistance reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension control element (the vertical wall portion extending downwardly from the guide surface) to manage air flow in the vertical direction. By controlling the angle of the vertical wall portion (20-45 degrees from the orthogonal plane), the design prevents air from entering the wheel house while maintaining brake cooling, thus eliminating airflow disturbance without sacrificing thermal management
2Ease of manufacture
If the vertical wall portion angle is too steep or too flat, then manufacturing is simplified, but air flow control effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies an optimal angular range (20-45 degrees) for the vertical wall portion relative to the orthogonal plane of the guide surface. This parameter optimization balances aerodynamic performance with manufacturing feasibility - angles within this range effectively prevent air from entering the wheel house while remaining practical for fabrication processes
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 suppresses air flow into the wheel house, improving the Cd value by deflecting air outward and preventing swirls, thus enhancing aerodynamic performance.
Implementation Method 1
The deflector includes a guide surface extending substantially horizontally in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and a vertical wall portion including a surface extending downwardly on a rear portion of the guide surface and extending in a vehicle width direction
Implementation Method 2
An angle defined by a lower portion of a vertical wall portion including at least a lower end of the vertical wall portion and an imaginary orthogonal plane orthogonal to the guide surface lies within a range from 20 degrees to 45 degrees
Data Source
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AI summary
A tire deflector device configured such that a deflector is disposed on a bottom portion of a vehicle in front of a front wheel is provided. The deflector includes a guide surface extending substantially horizontally in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and a vertical wall portion including a surface extending downwardly on a rear portion of the guide surface and extending in a vehicle width direction. An angle defined by a lower portion of a vertical wall portion including at least a lower end of the vertical wall portion and an imaginary orthogonal plane orthogonal to the guide surface lies within a range from 20 degrees to 45 degrees.