Vehicle Air-Guiding Device Reducing Wheel Turbulence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air guiding devices for vehicles create turbulent flow and oblique air resistance, particularly at the wheels, leading to increased drag and unfavorable aerodynamics.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensionally shaped air guiding device with a vertically oriented guiding surface and convex outer curvature, combined with a wedge geometry and guide fins, is arranged in front of the vehicle wheel to align airflow longitudinally and deflect it away from the wheel, reducing transverse flow and turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a conventional air guiding device with tear-off edge is used to reduce air resistance, then the flow pressure on the wheel is reduced, but turbulent flow and oblique flow occur at the wheels creating different air resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The air guiding device is divided into multiple functional surfaces: a guide surface running vertically to align airflow longitudinally, a convex outer area to direct flow over the wheel outer flank, and an inner area to manage flow into the wheel interior. This segmentation allows different parts of the airflow to be managed separately, reducing turbulence while maintaining drag reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the air guiding device have specialized geometries tailored to local flow requirements. The convex outer area specifically addresses oblique flow at the wheel outer flank, while the guide surface addresses longitudinal alignment. This localized optimization reduces turbulent flow in specific areas without compromising overall aerodynamic performance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the air guiding device creates a dead water area to isolate the wheel, then the overall air resistance is reduced, but turbulent flow downstream creates unfavorable aerodynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The air guiding device acts as an intermediary element between the incoming airflow and the wheel assembly. By introducing this intermediate structure with specifically shaped surfaces, the airflow is gradually redirected and aligned before reaching the wheel, preventing the formation of turbulent dead water areas downstream while still achieving flow isolation for drag reduction.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If airflow is directed over the convex outer area of the air guide body, then transverse flow of the wheel is minimized, but wheel brake cooling may be reduced due to less air inflow into the rim
Solution Approach 1:
The design allows for adjustable parameters in the air guiding device geometry, particularly in the guide surface angle and convex outer area curvature. These parameters can be optimized to achieve the desired balance between minimizing transverse flow for aerodynamic efficiency and maintaining sufficient airflow into the wheel rim for brake cooling, depending on the specific vehicle application requirements.
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 design minimizes oblique airflow, reduces drag coefficient, and enhances wheel brake cooling while minimizing air inflow into the rim, thereby lowering overall air resistance and fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the air flow, which flows in in the area of the vehicle wheels, in particular in the area of the front wheels, basically with a flow direction pointing obliquely to the outside of the vehicle, is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by the guide surface
Implementation Method 2
an outer area of the air guide body that faces away from the center of the vehicle and is connected to the floor area is designed with a convex curvature in relation to an outside of the vehicle. The air flow can be directed over the outer area of the air guide body in the direction of an outer flank of the vehicle wheel
Implementation Method 3
the air flow being deflected to a small extent in the direction of the inside of the wheel due to the pressure conditions in the area of the vehicle wheel
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A vehicle (1) having an air-guiding device (4) arranged on a lower side (3) of the vehicle (1) in front of a vehicle wheel (2) is described. The air-guiding device (4) comprises an air-guiding body (5) which has a side region (6) running substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle and facing a vehicle centre (10), and a bottom region (8) which faces an underlying surface (7) and is connected to the side region (6) and is spaced apart from the lower side (3). In an outer region (18) of the air-guiding body (5), which faces away from the vehicle centre (10) and is connected to the bottom region (8) and is formed with a convex curvature with respect to the outer side of the vehicle, an air flow can be directed in the direction of an outer flank (19) of the vehicle wheel, while an air flow can be oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle via the guiding surface (6).