Vehicle Spoiler With Deformable Utility Portion for Cargo Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spoilers mounted on pickup truck cabins are not designed to withstand the forces exerted by long objects, potentially damaging the spoiler and limiting the truck's utility in carrying such objects, and require a large inventory of different spoilers to fit various vehicle shapes.
Innovation Solution
A spoiler with a main portion mountable to the cabin and a utility portion for supporting objects, featuring a deformable bottom surface that conforms to the vehicle's shape, allowing secure attachment and distributing forces effectively, while also reducing turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a rigid spoiler is mounted to the cabin to reduce turbulence, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but the spoiler cannot withstand forces from long objects and may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is segmented into a rigid main portion for aerodynamic function and a flexible utility portion for load-bearing function. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific purpose without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoiler utilizes composite construction with a rigid main portion and a flexible utility portion made of elastomeric material. This composite approach combines the advantages of both rigid and flexible materials in a single structure.
2Shape
If a flush mounted spoiler is used to improve aesthetics, then appearance is enhanced, but different vehicle shapes require a large inventory of different spoilers
Solution Approach 1:
The utility portion of the spoiler is designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing it to conform to different vehicle cabin shapes and contours. This dynamic flexibility enables a single spoiler design to fit multiple vehicle types.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible utility portion can change its shape and parameters to match different vehicle surfaces, allowing the same spoiler design to be adapted to various vehicle configurations without requiring multiple inventories.
3Strength
If the bottom surface of the spoiler is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but it cannot conform to different vehicle surface curvatures
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is divided into a rigid main portion that provides structural integrity and a flexible utility portion that provides surface conformity. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between strength and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The utility portion utilizes flexible elastomeric material that can conform to curved vehicle surfaces while maintaining sufficient structural strength for its load-bearing function.
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 spoiler securely attaches to the cabin without damaging the surface finish, supports objects without damaging the spoiler, and can be used on various vehicle shapes with a single design, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics by reducing turbulence.
Implementation Method 1
the body bottom surface being substantially deformable so as to conform to a shape of the vehicle outer surface
Implementation Method 2
the main and utility portions being together configured and sized for deflecting air to reduce turbulence when the spoiler is operatively mounted to the cabin and the vehicle moves forward
Data Source
AI summary
A spoiler for a vehicle, the vehicle having a cabin defining a cabin outer surface and a bed located behind the cabin, the spoiler being usable with an object, the spoiler comprising: a main portion and a utility portion extending from the main portion; the main portion being mountable to the cabin and defining substantially opposed main portion top and bottom surfaces; the utility portion being configured and sized for supporting at least part of the object; the main and utility portions being together configured and sized for deflecting air to reduce turbulence when the spoiler is operatively mounted to the cabin and the vehicle moves forward.