Aerodynamic Trailer Skirt Fairing with Vented Rear Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional long-haul cargo trailers exhibit suboptimal aerodynamic performance, leading to significant aerodynamic drag, increased fuel consumption, and Nitrogen Oxide emissions due to turbulent airflow, as well as premature wear and noise from transient wind-force loading.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamic trucking system featuring a side skirt fairing, transition, and vented skirt fairing with longitudinal vents, along with a rear exhaust fairing, is designed to minimize drag by promoting laminar airflow and redirecting air around the trailer wheels, using materials like aluminum and polymer-based composites for structural rigidity and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional trailer designs are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but aerodynamic drag increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic system is divided into multiple independent components: front fairing, side skirts, rear fairing, and wheel well covers. Each component can be manufactured separately and attached to the trailer, allowing for modular production while achieving comprehensive aerodynamic improvement along the entire trailer surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends aerodynamic treatment from traditional two-dimensional flat surfaces to three-dimensional contours that follow the trailer's undercarriage geometry. The fairings and skirts create a streamlined envelope that manages airflow in multiple dimensions, reducing turbulence and pressure drag.
2Use of energy by moving object
If aerodynamic fairings are added to reduce drag, then fuel consumption decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic components serve multiple functions simultaneously: the side skirts reduce drag while protecting the trailer undercarriage from road debris; the fairings streamline airflow while reducing wind noise; the wheel well covers manage airflow around wheels while preventing brake overheating. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity through compounded benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The fairings and skirts are designed as thin-walled structures that are lightweight yet sufficiently rigid to maintain aerodynamic shape at highway speeds. These flexible-shell designs minimize added weight while providing the necessary aerodynamic function, thereby reducing the energy penalty of the added components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If solid fairings are used to streamline airflow, then aerodynamic drag reduces, but brake and tire cooling becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The side skirts incorporate localized openings and gaps positioned specifically near the wheel wells to allow cooling airflow to reach brakes and tires. The fairing geometry is locally modified in these areas to maintain overall streamlining while creating targeted airflow paths for thermal management of critical components.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If aerodynamic components are added to reduce turbulence, then emissions decrease, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic components utilize composite materials such as fiberglass-reinforced plastics or aluminum alloys that provide the necessary strength and aerodynamic smoothness while being manufacturable through conventional processes like molding or sheet metal forming. These materials balance performance requirements with manufacturing feasibility and cost considerations.
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 system reduces aerodynamic drag, lowers fuel consumption, decreases emissions, and minimizes wear and noise by maintaining smoother airflow and reducing turbulence around the trailer, while allowing for airflow to cool brakes and tires.
Implementation Method 1
The vented skirt fairing may comprise at least one longitudinal vent configured to allow air to flow therethrough
Implementation Method 2
Conventional trailers develop a substantial amount of turbulent airflow in the region between the axles below the trailer box
Implementation Method 3
An aerodynamic trucking system featuring a side skirt fairing, transition, and vented skirt fairing with longitudinal vents, along with a rear exhaust fairing, is designed to minimize drag by promoting laminar airflow
Implementation Method 4
Most large long-haul cargo trailers exhibit less than optimal aerodynamic performance during highway operation. At highway speeds, conventional trailers develop a substantial amount of turbulent airflow in the region between the axles below the trailer box. This turbulence results in significant aerodynamic drag
Data Source
AI summary
The aerodynamic skirt assembly for attachment to a trailer may comprise a side skirt fairing, a rear skirt fairing, and a secondary treatment. The side skirt fairing may comprise an inner surface and an outer surface. The rear skirt fairing may comprise an inner surface and an outer surface and located aft of the side skirt fairing. The secondary treatment may be coupled to the outer surface of the rear skirt fairing, wherein the secondary treatment is canted outwardly at an angle from the outer surface of the skirt fairing and configured to redirect the air around the at least one rear wheel assembly.