Variable Spoiler Device Link Mechanism Wind Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixed rear spoilers for vehicles cause noise at low speeds and can be damaged upon contact with objects due to reduced ride height, and their installation is limited by vehicle specifications, while also failing to optimize aerodynamic performance across varying travel speeds.

Innovation Solution

A variable spoiler device with a spoiler panel that retracts and protrudes based on travel speed, utilizing a link mechanism and power transmission system connected to a drive motor, which secures support force against wind pressure and absorbs impact energy, allowing optimal aerodynamic performance and stable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed spoiler is mounted on the rear bumper, then aerodynamic performance is improved at high speed, but noise is generated at low speed and the spoiler may be damaged upon contact with objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic performanceVSAvoidnoise and damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spoiler panel is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on vehicle speed. At low speeds, the panel retracts to minimize noise and avoid damage, while at high speeds, it protrudes to provide aerodynamic downforce. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between maintaining aerodynamic performance and avoiding harmful effects at different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positional parameter of the spoiler panel based on vehicle speed. By varying the protrusion length of the spoiler panel according to speed conditions, the system optimizes aerodynamic performance when needed while minimizing noise and damage risk when not needed, thus resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a spoiler extends upwards or rearwards to avoid noise and damage, then harmful factors are reduced, but mounting becomes difficult due to vehicle specification limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise and damage riskVSAvoidmounting difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending the spoiler in traditional upward or rearward directions that conflict with vehicle specifications, the invention moves the spoiler panel downward in a vertical dimension from the rear bumper surface. This dimensional change allows the spoiler to achieve its aerodynamic function without interfering with vehicle mounting specifications, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing harmful factors and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the spoiler panel protrudes to improve aerodynamics, then aerodynamic performance is optimized, but wind pressure increases requiring additional support force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic performanceVSAvoidwind pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The link mechanism provides counterbalancing support force to counteract the wind pressure acting on the protruding spoiler panel. By mechanically balancing the aerodynamic forces, the system enables the spoiler panel to maintain its protruded position for optimal aerodynamic performance without requiring additional active power input, thus resolving the contradiction between aerodynamic performance and force requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Speed

If the vehicle speed increases, then aerodynamic performance requires active spoiler deployment, but tire contact force decreases and stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetravel speedVSAvoidtravel stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The spoiler panel proactively generates aerodynamic downforce before the vehicle reaches speeds where stability would significantly deteriorate. By deploying the spoiler at appropriate speeds, the system creates a preliminary counteracting force to lift, maintaining tire contact force and travel stability even at higher speeds, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 spoiler device maintains optimal aerodynamic performance by adjusting its protrusion length with travel speed, withstands wind pressure without additional power, and minimizes damage from low-speed contacts by using impact-absorbing materials, ensuring stable and efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

the link mechanism continuously secures support force to enable the link mechanism to withstand wind pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

uses impact-absorbing materials, allowing optimal aerodynamic performance and stable operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact energy absorption: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS9527535B1Variable spoiler device for rear bumper of vehicle

Publication Date: 2016.12.27 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A variable spoiler device may include a spoiler panel, which closely contacts a rear bumper in a retracted state, to perform a rear bumper function, and protrudes downwards from the rear bumper in a protruded state, to perform a spoiler function. Link mechanisms, which enable retraction and protrusion operations of the spoiler panel, continuously secure support force withstanding wind pressure in a protruded state of the spoiler panel.