Vehicle Strake Airflow Deflection for Wheelhouse Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air resistance reduction devices for vehicles do not effectively manage the deflection of airflow coming from in front of the vehicle, leading to increased resistance due to collisions with air dams and inadequate consideration of airflow deflection to lateral sides.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a device featuring a first strake and a second strake positioned in front of the front wheel, with a passage between them that deflects airflow to the lateral side of the vehicle, utilizing the Coanda effect to reduce air resistance by creating a vortex and optimizing airflow around the wheelhouse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an air dam is attached to the front bumper to reduce air resistance, then airflow management is improved, but air resistance increases due to collision with the air dam
Solution Approach 1:
The air resistance reduction device is divided into multiple strakes (first strake, second strake, third strake) that segment the airflow into different paths. Each strake handles a specific portion of the airflow, directing it along the wheelhouse and around the front wheel, thereby managing airflow effectively while reducing overall air resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The strakes act as intermediary elements between the oncoming airflow and the wheelhouse. Instead of the airflow directly colliding with the wheelhouse or being blocked by a traditional air dam, the strakes mediate by guiding the airflow along their surfaces, reducing direct collision and associated resistance
2Force
If airflow is deflected to lateral sides of the vehicle, then air resistance is reduced, but the force of deflected airflow is not adequately considered
Solution Approach 1:
The second strake is designed with a curved configuration where the rear end is positioned closer to the vehicle lateral side than the front end. This geometric parameter change enables the strake to effectively deflect airflow laterally while accounting for the forces involved in the deflection process
3Force
If a pocket section is created with a deflector to produce negative pressure area, then air resistance is reduced, but the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first strake, second strake, and third strake are merged into a coordinated structure that collectively manages airflow around the wheelhouse. The strakes work together to create the necessary negative pressure area and airflow patterns without requiring a separate, complex pocket section structure with additional deflectors
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 reduces air resistance by deflecting airflow to the lateral side of the vehicle, minimizing pressure differences and inducing a vortex that enhances airflow efficiency, thereby lowering overall driving resistance.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing the Coanda effect to reduce air resistance by creating a vortex and optimizing airflow around the wheelhouse
Data Source
AI summary
A first strake and a second strake, which are provided in front of a front wheel when viewed from in front of a vehicle, and a passage defined by the first strake and the second strake. The passage is open to a space in front of the vehicle, and the second strake located close to a lateral surface among the first strake and the second strake extends rearward in a front-rear direction of the vehicle from a front end of the second strake and further extends rearward curving to a rear end of the second strake that is closer to a vehicle lateral side than the front end.