Vehicle Airflow Control Apparatus with Flexible Ducting and Water Shedder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle airflow control systems face challenges in balancing aerodynamic performance with aesthetic design objectives, particularly at high speeds, and struggle to maintain effectiveness in various weather conditions while ensuring easy installation and rainwater integrity.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle airflow control apparatus featuring a wedge-shaped cup and connector portion for a water-tight seal, with a blowing arrangement that includes multiple exit apertures connected by ducting with flexible portions and a water shedder arrangement to divert rainwater, along with an actuator for extending and retracting the surface member, which can be aligned to optimize airflow and reduce lift and drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If aerodynamic devices such as rear flips, deployable spoilers, or fixed wings are added to high-speed vehicles, then vehicle stability and lift reduction are improved, but vehicle complexity and aesthetic design are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane that can be selectively actuated to create aerodynamic effects. This thin film approach provides the necessary lift reduction and stability control without the bulk and visual complexity of traditional rigid aerodynamic devices like spoilers or wings, thereby maintaining aesthetic design while achieving functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically actuated flow control elements that can adjust their state based on driving conditions. The flexible membrane can be deployed or retracted as needed, providing adaptive aerodynamic control rather than fixed geometric modifications, which reduces overall system complexity while maintaining stability across varying operating conditions.
2Reliability
If aerodynamic devices are integrated into vehicle body surfaces, then airflow control effectiveness is improved, but rainwater integrity and ease of installation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic system is divided into modular components including separate flow control elements, ducting sections, and actuation mechanisms. This segmentation allows for simplified installation and manufacturing, as each module can be independently produced and assembled, reducing the overall complexity of integration while maintaining effective airflow control through coordinated operation of the segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of flexible membranes and ducting allows the system to conform to various vehicle body surfaces without requiring complex rigid structures. This flexibility simplifies installation across different vehicle platforms and maintains rainwater integrity by allowing the flexible elements to seal effectively around openings and integration points.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple exit apertures with separate ducting are used, then airflow distribution and stability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The ducting system utilizes flexible membranes and tubing that can be routed through the vehicle body to multiple exit apertures. This flexible approach simplifies the ducting architecture compared to rigid piping, allowing easier navigation around structural obstacles and simpler connections to multiple outlets while maintaining stable airflow distribution to each aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The ducting system is designed with universal connection points and standardized interfaces that can serve multiple functions. The same ducting infrastructure supports airflow distribution to multiple exit apertures while also accommodating actuation signals and potential sensor integration, reducing overall system complexity through multi-functional design.
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 solution provides improved vehicle response and stability across the speed range during straight-line and cornering maneuvers, reduces aerodynamic lift, and enhances rainwater integrity, while maintaining a clean aesthetic design.
Implementation Method 1
lift can be generated in the region of the rear 'axle' area and such fast motor cars require a low co-efficient of lift to prevent them from losing grip in corners
Implementation Method 2
The openable joint may include a wedge-shaped cup on one ducting element and a connector portion on another ducting element which is arranged to engage in the wedge-shaped cup. The rubber or rubber-like material may compress somewhat to achieve this.
Implementation Method 3
a water shedder arrangement to divert rainwater
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A vehicle airflow control apparatus (900) has an air inlet (902) at the rear quarter glass (906) of the vehicle and ducting (908) leading via an openable joint (912) and rear ducting (912) past a bend (916) to an exit blowing aperture (918), a concertina element (928) allowing duct movement, the openable joint having a self-alignment cup (938) with wedging inner sides (944, 946), an interface seal connecting the rear ducting and the cup, a deployable spoiler (920) having a drive system (978),10 outboard positional control of the spoiler being provided by a rod (998) with cone surfaces (1000, 1002).