Vehicle Underbody Airflow Control via Road Clearance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Relative winds around a vehicle body cause turbulent flows, increasing air resistance, fuel consumption, and aerodynamic noise, particularly due to changes in road clearance when traversing bumps, which existing airflow adjustment technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
An airflow adjusting apparatus equipped with a road clearance detector and a plasma actuator that generates downward and backward airflows in response to changes in road clearance, using a three-pole plasma actuator to control airflow direction and flow rates, thereby mitigating vortex formation and aerodynamic issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle traverses bumps causing road clearance changes, then the wheel makes vertical stroke improving suspension performance, but turbulent flow and vortex formation increase air resistance and aerodynamic noise
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow generator produces a counter airflow in advance to oppose the relative wind before the vortex can form and collide with the vehicle body. When the road clearance changes due to suspension movement, the controller activates the airflow generator to generate an airflow that opposes the incoming relative wind, preventing turbulent flow and vortex formation that would otherwise increase air resistance and aerodynamic noise
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful relative wind and vortex flow into beneficial controlled airflow. By using the airflow generator to produce a counter airflow, the system transforms the problematic turbulent flow caused by road clearance changes into a controlled laminar flow pattern that reduces drag and aerodynamic noise while maintaining suspension functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing airflow adjustment technologies are used, then some airflow control is achieved, but they fail to adequately address aerodynamic issues caused by road clearance changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the airflow generator operation based on real-time road clearance detection. The controller receives detection signals about road clearance changes and accordingly controls the airflow generator to produce appropriate counter airflows, making the aerodynamic performance adaptive to varying suspension positions and road conditions rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback control loop where the detector continuously monitors road clearance conditions and feeds this information to the controller, which then adjusts the airflow generator output accordingly. This closed-loop system ensures that the airflow control is precisely matched to the actual aerodynamic conditions caused by suspension movement and road clearance changes
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 apparatus effectively suppresses aerodynamic noise, vibration, and air resistance, enhancing fuel efficiency and high-speed performance by actively managing airflows to prevent vortex collisions and stagnation under the vehicle body.
Implementation Method 1
The plasma actuator includes an electrode pair that generates an air flow by plasma generation
Data Source
AI summary
An airflow adjusting apparatus to be provided in a vehicle includes a road clearance detector, an airflow generator, and a processor. The vehicle includes a vehicle body, a wheel attached to the vehicle body to be partly protruded downward from the vehicle body, and a suspension that holds the wheel to permit the wheel to make a vertical stroke relative to the vehicle body. The road clearance detector is configured to detect a road clearance. The road clearance is a vertical distance from a road surface to an underside of the vehicle body. The airflow generator is provided in an underneath of the vehicle body, and configured to generate an airflow. The processor is configured to allow the airflow generator to generate a downward airflow having a downward speed component, on the condition that the road clearance has been on the increase.