Variable Geometry Rear Aileron for Load Transfer Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for sports-type road vehicles fail to effectively limit load transfer from inner to outer wheels during cornering without compromising vehicle performance in other conditions, and current active and passive solutions have limitations.
Innovation Solution
A rear aileron with variable geometry, comprising two airfoils connected in a rotary manner around a pivoting pin, allowing configuration changes from a series to a parallel position, optimizing sweep angles to manage load distribution and aerodynamic resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed aileron configuration is used, then the vehicle achieves stable aerodynamic performance in straight-line driving, but the load transfer from inner to outer wheels during cornering cannot be effectively limited
Solution Approach 1:
The aileron configuration is made dynamic by enabling the airfoils to rotate around a pivoting pin, transitioning between fixed and variable geometry states. This allows the system to adapt to different driving conditions (straight-line vs. cornering) while maintaining manageable complexity through a single degree of freedom rotation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The aileron is segmented into two independent airfoils that can rotate relative to each other around a pivoting pin. This segmentation enables the inner and outer airfoils to assume different positions (series or parallel) based on cornering conditions, providing adaptability without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable system.
2Loss of energy
If the airfoils are positioned in parallel configuration, then aerodynamic resistance is reduced, but downward thrust generation is eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between parallel configuration (for reduced drag during straight-line driving) and series configuration (for maximum downward thrust during cornering). The rotatable connection allows the airfoils to transition between these states, optimizing the trade-off between aerodynamic resistance and thrust generation based on real-time driving conditions.
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 variable geometry rear aileron optimizes vehicle dynamics by limiting load transfer during cornering while maintaining performance in straight-line driving and reducing aerodynamic resistance, enhancing traction and cornering force.
Implementation Method 1
elements connected to the frame (ailerons) equipped with airfoils capable of generating a downward thrust as a function of the travel speed
Data Source
AI summary
A road vehicle having a roll axis, a pitch axis and a yaw axis and comprising a rear aileron; characterized in that the rear aileron comprises two airfoils coupled to each other in a rotary manner around a pivoting pin with an axis parallel to the yaw axis so that the aileron can assume a variable geometry between an opening configuration, in which the airfoils are in series to each other along an axis parallel to the pitch axis, and a closing configuration, in which the airfoils are in parallel to each other along an axis parallel to the roll axis, going through a plurality of semi-opening configurations, in which the airfoils define a non-zero negative sweep angle toward the front portion of the vehicle.