Resilient Truck Cab Panel Extender for Drag Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional panel extenders for truck cabs partially mitigate aerodynamic issues between the cab and trailer but often inhibit back of cab access, are difficult to mount and demount, and may not be aerodynamically optimized, while completely filling the gap can lead to mechanical interference and access issues.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamic panel apparatus with a fixed panel and a resiliently deformable moveable panel extender, pivotally mounted via a hinge mechanism, which aligns with the fixed panel to close the gap and pivot outboard for access, using materials like thermoplastic elastomers and extruded materials to maintain aerodynamics and withstand trailer articulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional panels are made shorter to provide clearance during turns, then back of cab access is improved, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The panel extender is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust between extended and retracted positions. This enables the panel to provide aerodynamic coverage when needed while being moved out of the way to allow operator access to the back of the cab.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel system is divided into a fixed panel portion and a movable panel extender portion. This segmentation allows the fixed portion to maintain aerodynamic coverage while the movable portion can be independently positioned to either close the gap for aerodynamics or moved aside for access.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If panel extenders are made longer to completely fill the gap, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but mechanical interference and access issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The panel extender is designed as a movable component that can be positioned as needed. When extended, it provides complete gap closure for optimal aerodynamics; when retracted or pivoted, it clears the back of cab area to allow operator access without mechanical interference.
3Strength
If rigid panel extenders are used to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but resistance to trailer articulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The panel extender incorporates a resiliently deformable material that allows the panel to flex and deform during trailer articulation movements. This flexibility enables the panel to accommodate trailer pivoting and rolling without breaking, while the material's inherent strength maintains structural integrity during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel material properties are selected to allow controlled deformation under articulation loads. The resiliently deformable material changes its effective rigidity based on applied forces, remaining rigid during normal use but yielding during extreme articulation events to prevent breakage.
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 significantly reduces drag, improves fuel economy, and enhances back of cab accessibility by allowing the moveable panel to deform and return to its shape during trailer movement without breaking, while maintaining structural integrity and ease of operation.
Implementation Method 1
the moveable panel extender includes a resiliently deformable material to allow the moveable panel extender to contact the trailer when the tractor and trailer pivot relative to one another without risk of breakage
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to an aerodynamic panel apparatus mountable to a truck cab. A panel apparatus includes a fixed panel, a moveable panel extender arranged rearward of the fixed panel, and a hinge mechanism. When aligned, the fixed panel and moveable panel extender guide an air flow past side walls of a cab and a trailer for improved aerodynamics and enhanced vehicle performance. The hinge mechanism enables pivotal movement of the moveable panel extender outboard from a closed position. The pivotal movement provides back of cab accessibility, while outboard movement avoids interference with items located in the back of cab area, and provides easy access to a handle bar arranged along an inner surface of the fixed panel. The moveable panel extender includes a resiliently deformable material that may be temporarily deformed during trailer articulation but returned to its original shape thereafter.