Vehicle Surface Heating for Drag Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicles face increased drag resistance at higher speeds, which reduces energy efficiency and driving range, as drag increases quadratically with speed and is influenced by environmental conditions and vehicle characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a vehicle heating system that heats the outer surface of the vehicle to reduce the density of the fluid boundary layer, using either constant or pulsated heating power, and is controlled based on ambient temperature, vehicle speed, and driving conditions to minimize drag.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the vehicle travels at higher speeds, then the transportation efficiency increases, but the drag resistance increases quadratically reducing energy efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle speedVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by heating the outer surface of the vehicle to alter the temperature parameter of the boundary layer fluid. This temperature change modifies the fluid density and viscosity, thereby reducing drag coefficient and improving energy efficiency at higher speeds without requiring geometric modifications to the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the vehicle travels at higher speeds, then the transportation efficiency increases, but the drag resistance increases reducing driving range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle speedVSAvoiddriving range

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the temperature parameter of the boundary layer through surface heating, the patent reduces drag resistance which directly extends the driving range. The heated boundary layer maintains lower density and reduced friction, allowing the vehicle to travel longer distances on the same energy supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If geometric streamlining is applied to reduce drag, then energy efficiency increases, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/geometric streamlining approaches with a thermal field approach. Instead of modifying the vehicle's geometric structure to reduce drag, the invention uses heating elements to create a thermal boundary layer that reduces drag through temperature-induced density and viscosity changes, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Use of energy by moving object

If geometric streamlining is applied to reduce drag, then energy efficiency increases, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention substitutes complex geometric streamlining manufacturing with a simpler thermal control system. The heating elements can be integrated into existing vehicle surfaces without requiring expensive retooling or complex structural modifications, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while achieving drag reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 method effectively reduces drag by decreasing the fluid density adjacent to the vehicle's surface, thereby increasing energy efficiency and extending the driving range, especially at higher speeds, without requiring new hardware and ensuring user comfort through automatic operation.

Implementation Method 1

causing a vehicle heating system to heat at least a portion of an outer surface of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

heating a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle has the effect that a boundary layer of fluid, e.g. air, being located adjacent to the heated outer surface of the vehicle is heated as well

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBoundary layer heating: Boundary Layer

Implementation Method 3

a density of the fluid in the boundary layer is reduced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP4474256A1Method for reducing drag of a vehicle, data processing apparatus, computer program, computer-readable storage medium, vehicle heating system and use

Publication Date: 2024.12.11 VOLVO CAR CORP

Figure 1

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a method for reducing drag (FDrag) of a vehicle (10). The method comprises causing a vehicle heating system (12) to heat at least a portion of an outer surface (11) of the vehicle (10). Moreover, the disclosure relates to a data processing apparatus (20), a vehicle heating system (12), a computer program (28) and a computer-readable storage medium (26). The disclosure is further directed to a use of a vehicle heating system (12) for reducing drag (FDrag) of a vehicle (10) comprising the vehicle heating system (12). (Figure 1)