Underbody Vacuum Device for Adaptive Contact Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for increasing contact pressure in motor vehicles, such as ground effect and wing elements, face challenges including instability due to dependence on vehicle position and inefficiencies in generating and controlling downforce.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a fan acting as an intake device, an intake duct arrangement with multiple intake openings, and a control system with valve means to selectively control air intake and distribution under the vehicle, generating local negative pressures to increase contact pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If Venturi tunnels are used to generate downforce through the ground effect, then contact pressure is increased, but vehicle stability deteriorates when the vehicle position changes relative to the road surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the underbody into multiple sealed compartments (first, second, third compartments) with separate air extraction points. This segmentation allows independent pressure control in different regions, maintaining stability even when vehicle position changes, as the system can compensate for localized pressure changes in each compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors pressure in each compartment and adjusts air extraction rates accordingly. When vehicle position changes cause pressure fluctuations, the feedback mechanism detects these changes and modulates the air extraction to maintain target pressure levels, preventing instability.
2Stress or pressure
If air extraction rate is increased to maintain contact pressure, then energy consumption increases, but contact pressure maintenance improves
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts air extraction rates based on real-time pressure feedback and driving conditions. The control unit modulates extraction intensity to maintain minimum required contact pressure rather than maintaining constant high extraction, optimizing the balance between contact pressure maintenance and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Different compartments can have different air extraction rates tailored to their specific requirements. The control unit can prioritize air extraction from compartments that need it most to maintain contact pressure, rather than uniformly increasing extraction across all compartments, thus reducing overall energy consumption.
3Stress or pressure
If multiple air extraction points are used to generate local negative pressure zones, then contact pressure distribution improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The underbody is divided into multiple sealed compartments with discrete air extraction points. This segmentation creates distinct local negative pressure zones that can be independently controlled, improving contact pressure distribution across different wheel areas while using a modular structure that manages complexity through systematic division.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it monitors pressure in all compartments, determines optimal air extraction rates for each compartment based on driving conditions, and coordinates air extraction across all points. This multi-functional control reduces the need for separate control systems for each extraction point, managing overall device complexity.
4Temperature
If air is extracted from the engine compartment for cooling, then engine cooling improves, but contact pressure generation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air extraction system is segmented into separate pathways: one for underbody compartments dedicated to contact pressure generation, and another for the engine compartment dedicated to cooling. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function without compromising the other, as air can be extracted from the engine compartment without affecting underbody pressure zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates air extraction timing and rates between cooling needs and contact pressure requirements. When engine cooling is prioritized, the control unit modulates underbody air extraction to maintain minimum contact pressure, and vice versa, balancing both functions through centralized control.
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 provides enhanced grip and maneuverability by maintaining increased contact pressure across various speeds and driving situations, with adaptive control of negative pressure zones to optimize cornering speeds and stability.
Implementation Method 1
suck air in an area of an underbody of a body of the motor vehicle... to increase a contact pressure of the motor vehicle against a road surface by generating a local negative pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for increasing contact pressure in a motor vehicle, in particular a sports or racing car, comprising a fan (5) acting as an intake device, an intake duct arrangement (1) having a plurality of intake openings (9, 10, 13, 14) and coupled to the fan (5) in order to suck air through the intake openings (9, 10, 13, 14) and expel it through the fan (5), wherein the intake duct arrangement (1) and the intake openings (9, 10, 13, 14) are arranged and designed such that it can be attached to a motor vehicle in order to suck air in the region of an underbody of the motor vehicle at a plurality of regions spaced apart in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction of the underbody and to increase contact pressure of the motor vehicle against a road surface by generating a local negative pressure, and at least one valve means (15, 16, 17, 18) provided on the intake duct arrangement (1),to adjust the amount of air drawn in by at least some of the intake openings (9, 10, 13, 14). A control device is provided, which is coupled to the at least one valve means (15, 16, 17, 18) for controlling the same, in order to selectively control the at least one valve means (15, 16, 17, 18), preferably depending on a driving situation. This makes it possible to specifically determine where on the underbody what amount of air is drawn out, so that the distribution of the vacuum zones beneath the vehicle and thus the contact pressure can be adapted to the specific driving situation, and grip can be maximized, particularly when cornering.