Movable Vehicle Guide Vanes for Wheel Arch Drag Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle aerodynamic systems fail to effectively manage airflow around wheels, leading to increased drag and wake formation, particularly at the front and rear corners, which affects aerodynamic efficiency and stability.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of movable guide vanes at the front and rear quarters of the vehicle, which can translate and rotate to guide airflow, reducing drag and enhancing stability by re-attaching turbulent airflow and promoting pressure recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If guide vanes are provided on the front corner of the vehicle to control airflow, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic dragVSAvoidaerodynamic apparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide vanes are designed to be movable between a retracted position (flush with the vehicle body) and a deployed position (protruding to control airflow). This dynamic configuration allows the system to provide aerodynamic benefits when needed while maintaining a simple, integrated appearance when not in use, thus resolving the contradiction between aerodynamic efficiency and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide vanes are nested within recesses formed in the outer vehicle surface when retracted, creating a compact integrated structure. This nesting approach allows the aerodynamic components to be housed within the vehicle body itself, reducing the need for separate external structures and thereby decreasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If guide vanes are made movable between retracted and deployed positions, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic performanceVSAvoidmovable mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable guide vanes serve multiple functions: when deployed, they control airflow to reduce drag and improve aerodynamic efficiency; when retracted, they maintain the vehicle's aesthetic appearance and reduce visual clutter. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing both performance benefits and design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide vanes are positioned in recesses that are pre-formed in the vehicle body structure during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of the mounting structure simplifies the overall installation and reduces the complexity of integrating movable components into the existing vehicle architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If guide vanes overlap the wheel arch vertically, then airflow control is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow managementVSAvoidvertical positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide vanes are specifically positioned to overlap the wheel arch in the vertical direction, creating a localized airflow control zone where it is most needed. This targeted approach allows for effective airflow management at the critical wheel arch region without requiring precise positioning across the entire vehicle surface, thereby reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The guide vanes are designed with curved surfaces that match the contours of the wheel arch and surrounding body panels. These curved geometries provide natural tolerance compensation, allowing for variations in manufacturing and installation while maintaining effective airflow control and visual integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 significantly reduces aerodynamic drag and enhances lateral stability, particularly at low yaw angles, by optimizing airflow around the vehicle's corners and wake formation.

Implementation Method 1

one or more guide vanes each disposed at each of a respective front and/or rear quarter of the vehicle for guiding the airflow in the vicinity of an adjacent wheel of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow guidance:

Implementation Method 2

The solution significantly reduces aerodynamic drag and enhances lateral stability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDrag reduction: Drag

Implementation Method 3

re-attaching turbulent airflow and promoting pressure recovery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow re-attachment: Flow Separation

Implementation Method 4

an edge of the front profiling member projects so as to separate an airflow upstream of a vehicle wheel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Implementation Method 5

Moving said front profiling member to said deployed position can direct the incident airflow over an adjacent one of said guide vanes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow direction:

Data Source

PatentEP3177509B1Vehicle aerodynamic apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.10.07 JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A

AI summary

The present application relates to a vehicle (1; 101; 201) comprising one or more guide vanes (3, 103, 203) each disposed at each of a respective front and/or rear quarter of the vehicle for guiding the airflow in the vicinity of an adjacent wheel (W1, W2, W3, W4) of the vehicle.