Vehicle Air Deflector Adjustment Reliability via Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air guiding devices for vehicles with extended rear bodies face challenges in accurately adjusting to minimize air resistance due to anomalous conditions like wind gusts or displaced air, leading to increased fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method that continuously determines the pressure of oncoming air and assesses the reliability of the adjustment parameter, allowing for adaptive interpretation and correction to ensure optimal adjustment of the air guiding device, minimizing erroneous adjustments and fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the air guiding device is adjusted automatically based on the parameter determined during adjustment procedure, then the air resistance is minimized, but erroneous adjustment may occur under anomalous conditions such as wind gusts or displaced air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring the parameter during adjustment procedure and comparing it against expected values. The control unit receives feedback about the parameter's behavior and uses this information to detect anomalous conditions, thereby preventing erroneous adjustments while maintaining automatic adjustment capability for optimal fuel consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of anomalous conditions during the adjustment procedure before final adjustment is made. By monitoring parameter behavior in advance and identifying wind gusts or displaced air conditions, the system can prevent erroneous adjustments before they occur, ensuring reliable operation while maintaining energy efficiency
2Loss of energy
If the air guiding device is made adjustable to optimize air resistance for different rear vehicle body configurations, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the air guiding device dynamically adjustable rather than static, allowing it to adapt to different rear vehicle body configurations and optimize aerodynamic performance. The adjustability is implemented through a controlled mechanism that can modify the air guiding device's position or configuration based on detected conditions, balancing performance improvement with manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the air guiding device with multi-functionality to handle various rear vehicle body types and configurations. The same adjustable mechanism serves multiple purposes: optimizing air resistance for different cargo configurations, compensating for wind gusts, and adapting to displaced air conditions, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and managing overall system complexity
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
This approach ensures the acceptable function of the air guiding device by reducing the risk of erroneous adjustments, thereby minimizing fuel consumption due to air resistance, even under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The determination of the pressure of oncoming air against the vehicle in its direction of travel is achieved according to one variant by means of the air quantity gauge of the vehicle
Data Source
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Figure 2a~3b
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method to ensure the acceptable function of an air guiding device at a vehicle. The vehicle has a longitudinal axis parallel to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, and which vehicle comprises a first vehicle body and a second vehicle body arranged behind the first vehicle body and extending upwards and/or sideways beyond the first vehicle body. The air guiding device is supported by means of the said first vehicle body and can be adjusted relative to the said longitudinal axis for the purpose of reducing air resistance. The air guiding device can be adjusted by means of an adjuster, whereby a parameter that corresponds to the adjustment force required is determined during adjustment of the air guiding device. The method is characterised by the steps: to determine (S1) continuously the pressure of oncoming air against the vehicle in its direction of travel; to determine (S2) during an adjustment procedure a time course of the said parameter; and, based on the pressure of oncoming air against the vehicle in its direction of travel that is determined in this way during the said adjustment procedure, to assess (S3) the reliability of the time course of the said parameter determined in this way. The present invention relates to a system to ensure acceptable function of an air guiding device at a vehicle, and a motor vehicle comprising such a system. The present invention relates also to a computer program and a computer program product.