Vehicle Rear Structure with Angled High-Mounted Stop Lamp

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of a high-mounted stop lamp on a vehicle's rear surface without a rear spoiler can impair the driver's rearward visibility and compromise aerodynamic performance.

Innovation Solution

A rear vehicle structure featuring a high-mounted stop lamp with an angled upper surface section and recesses on either side, inclined more steeply than the roof panel, to maintain visibility while improving aerodynamics by stabilizing the separation point of the air stream and reducing air resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the upper surface part of the high mounted stop lamp is inclined downward to improve aerodynamic performance, then air resistance is reduced, but the driver's rearward visibility is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair resistanceVSAvoiddriver's rearward visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rear gate surface is segmented into multiple regions with different inclination angles: a central region where the stop lamp is installed with a gentler slope, and bilateral outer regions with steeper slopes. This segmentation allows the central region to maintain visibility while the outer regions provide aerodynamic benefits, resolving the contradiction between visibility and air resistance reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the rear gate are given different local qualities in terms of surface inclination. The region where the stop lamp is installed has a specific inclination angle that preserves visibility, while the bilateral outer regions have steeper inclinations optimized for aerodynamic performance. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of both visibility and aerodynamic goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If a rear spoiler is provided to improve aerodynamic performance, then air resistance is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair resistanceVSAvoidvehicle rear structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The aerodynamic function traditionally provided by a separate rear spoiler is merged into the rear gate structure itself. The rear gate's upper surface is designed with specific inclination angles and bilateral outwardly inclined regions that directly provide aerodynamic benefits, eliminating the need for an additional rear spoiler component and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rear gate is given multiple functions: it serves as both a structural closure component and an aerodynamic element. By designing the rear gate's upper surface with specific inclination characteristics, it simultaneously performs its primary function of closing the rear opening and provides aerodynamic performance, reducing the need for separate specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration allows for unobstructed rearward visibility and enhanced aerodynamic performance by minimizing the size of the separation vortex and reducing air resistance, while avoiding the need for a separate rear spoiler, thus maintaining a streamlined design and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a separation point is stably formed, so that aerodynamic performance can be improved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Implementation Method 2

minimizing the size of the separation vortex and reducing air resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic drag reduction: Drag

Data Source

PatentEP2719607B1Structure for rear portion of vehicle
Publication Date: 2016.08.10 MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP
  • EP2719607B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2719607B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2719607B1 patent drawingFigure 3(1)~3(2)

AI summary

A rear structure 1 of a vehicle has a high mounted stop lamp 5 provided at the rear end of a vehicle body. The rear structure is configured such that regions bilaterally outward of a region, where the high mounted stop lamp is installed, on the upper surface of the rear end are inclined more steeply than a reference plane comprising an inclined surface of a roof panel 2, and that the lower surface of the high mounted stop lamp is located above a rearward field of view from the vehicle.