Vehicle Air Deflector Height Control for Aerodynamic Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle aerodynamics systems fail to effectively adjust air deflector positions based on varying ride-heights, leading to suboptimal aerodynamic performance and stability at different speeds and conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a moveable air deflector with a mechanism to adjust its height and position relative to the vehicle body, controlled by a system that determines the vehicle's ride-height and correlates it with a target height for the air deflector using a look-up table, allowing for real-time adjustments to optimize airflow and aerodynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air deflector position is fixed relative to the vehicle body, then the device complexity is reduced, but the aerodynamic performance deteriorates when ride-height varies
Solution Approach 1:
The air deflector is made movable relative to the vehicle body through an actuation mechanism. The controller dynamically adjusts the deflector's height and position based on real-time ride-height measurements, transforming a static component into a dynamic one that adapts to varying aerodynamic conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between fixed simplicity and variable performance.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control system is implemented where sensors measure the actual ride-height, the controller processes this information by comparing it with target values, and the actuation mechanism adjusts the air deflector position accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures optimal aerodynamic performance is maintained despite variations in vehicle conditions.
2Reliability
If the air deflector height is adjusted to optimize aerodynamics, then the aerodynamic performance improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The air deflector mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it adjusts height relative to the road surface, positions itself relative to the vehicle body, and responds to various ride-height conditions. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into a single integrated mechanism, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining aerodynamic optimization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the air deflector (height and position) based on ride-height conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes aerodynamic performance without requiring a completely different device architecture for each condition.
3Adaptability or versatility
If real-time ride-height measurement and adjustment is implemented, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback control architecture where ride-height sensors continuously measure vehicle suspension position, the controller processes these measurements against target values stored in memory, and the actuation mechanism adjusts the air deflector in real-time. This feedback loop enables high adaptability to varying ride-height conditions while using a standardized control structure that manages complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts the air deflector position based on measured ride-height without requiring manual intervention. The controller self-regulates the mechanism by comparing actual ride-height with target values and commanding appropriate adjustments, enabling the system to serve itself and adapt to changing conditions autonomously.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first end facing an ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface and a second end arranged opposite the first end. The system includes an air deflector moveably mounted to the vehicle body. The system also includes a mechanism configured to selectively vary a height of the deflector relative to the road surface and a position of the deflector relative to the vehicle body. The system additionally includes a controller configured to determine a ride-height of the vehicle and correlate the determined vehicle ride-height to a target height of the deflector relative to the road surface. The controller is further configured to regulate the mechanism to select the target height of the deflector relative to the road surface to thereby control the aerodynamics of the vehicle.