Vehicle Underbody Fairing Sidewall Reinforcement Against Lateral Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Background fairings in motor vehicles are prone to deformation and damage when subjected to lateral pressures or constraints, such as during vehicle lifting, which can lead to damage to equipment like conduits and batteries housed under the platform.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a background fairing with vertically extending side walls that incorporate cellular reinforcements extending from the lateral walls to the inner volume, providing structural support and preventing deformation under lateral pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the bottom fairing is made lightweight and simple in structure, then manufacturing cost and ease of installation are improved, but the fairing becomes vulnerable to deformation and damage under lateral pressures during vehicle lifting or impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by integrating reinforcement elements (such as ribs, beams, or stiffeners) into the bottom fairing structure. These reinforcements are combined with the base fairing material to create a composite structure that provides enhanced strength and resistance to deformation while maintaining the overall lightweight design and aerodynamic functionality of the fairing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the bottom fairing structure by dividing it into multiple sections or panels, each potentially with different reinforcement patterns or material properties. This segmentation allows for optimized strength distribution where reinforcements are concentrated in areas subjected to higher lateral pressures, while other areas maintain simpler, lighter construction.
2Strength
If reinforcement structures are added to prevent deformation, then strength and resistance to lateral pressures are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing reinforcements at specific locations on the bottom fairing where lateral pressures are most likely to occur, such as near the sides or at critical structural points. Rather than uniformly reinforcing the entire fairing, the reinforcement elements are strategically positioned to provide maximum protection against deformation while minimizing overall structural complexity and manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If obstacle deflectors are installed under the bottom fairing, then protection against lateral impacts is improved, but the internal volume available for equipment installation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reinforcement function with the existing bottom fairing structure by integrating reinforcement elements (such as ribs or stiffeners) directly into the fairing's construction. This merging allows the same structural components to serve dual purposes: maintaining the fairing's aerodynamic shape and providing protection against lateral pressures, thereby avoiding the need for separate obstacle deflector structures that would encroach on equipment installation space.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention concerns a bottom fairing (5a, 5b) designed to equip a motor vehicle underbody (2). The bottom fairing (5a, 5b) has a generally planar extent in a longitudinal direction (L1) and a transverse direction (T1). The bottom fairing (5a, 5b) comprises side walls (9) which extend vertically and are each arranged at least in part along (L1) the lateral edges of the fairing (5a, 5b). The side walls (9) extend longitudinally (L1) to the transverse ends (T1) of the fairing (5a, 5b). Each of the side walls (9) is provided with at least one reinforcement (10) which extends at least in part vertically (V1) and at least in part along (L1) the side wall (9).