Underbody Cladding Flow Separation Edge for Reduced Air Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing underbody cladding technologies for vehicles do not effectively achieve advantageous aerodynamics, often resulting in increased air resistance and reduced energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The underbody cladding element features an air channelling region with a flow separation edge that is unevenly configured in a plane, allowing air to detach in a defined manner and reducing flow resistance. Additionally, a second air channelling region is angled like a ramp to guide air upwards, and the flow separation edge is reinforced with ribs for increased rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a straight flow separation edge is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the air resistance increases and the shear layer becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidair resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flow separation edge is designed with an uneven configuration instead of a straight line, creating asymmetric features that stabilize the shear layer and reduce air resistance while maintaining manufacturability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The flow separation edge incorporates curved or rounded features rather than sharp angles, which helps stabilize the airflow and reduce turbulence-induced drag while remaining manufacturable with standard molding techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If the second air channelling region is angled like a ramp, then the air flow is guided upwards effectively, but the ground clearance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic efficiencyVSAvoidground clearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air channelling system uses a multi-dimensional approach with angled regions that guide air upward while the overall cladding maintains sufficient ground clearance through strategic positioning and contouring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the flow separation edge is reinforced with ribs, then the rigidity increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverigidityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing ribs are integrated directly into the flow separation edge structure, combining the reinforcement function with the existing geometry rather than adding separate components, thus increasing rigidity while minimizing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ribs modify local geometric parameters of the flow separation edge, changing its structural properties to increase rigidity while maintaining the overall simple single-piece construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter 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

This configuration reduces air resistance, stabilizes the shear layer, and enhances the vehicle's energy efficiency while maintaining sufficient ground clearance and rigidity of the underbody cladding element.

Implementation Method 1

a flow separation edge at which, when the vehicle is travelling forwards, an air flow channelled along the air channelling region detaches in a defined manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Implementation Method 2

the following shear layer can be stabilized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear layer stabilization: Boundary Layer

Implementation Method 3

air which flows along the underbody cladding element and, in so doing, along the air channelling regions when the vehicle is travelling forwards, is guided upwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle by means of the second air channelling region functioning as a ramp

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow guidance: Advection

Data Source

PatentUS12344324B2Underbody cladding element for a vehicle and arrangement of an underbody cladding on a body of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.07.01 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG

AI summary

An underbody cladding element includes a first air channelling region, a second air channelling region disposed at a rear end of the underbody cladding element, and a flow separation edge. The flow separation edge is disposed behind the second air channelling region in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An air flow channelled along the second air channelling region is detachable in a defined manner at the flow separation edge when the vehicle is travelling forward. A longitudinal region of the flow separation edge is configured unevenly in a first plane projected onto a second plane defined by a transverse direction of the vehicle and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The flow separation edge has a basic body which is curved downward in the vertical direction of the vehicle.