Vehicular Aerodynamic Device for Towing Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular coupling structures create clearance between towing and towed vehicles, leading to increased air resistance and reduced operating stability due to wind flowing into this gap, especially when the towed vehicle has a similar height to the towing vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular aerodynamic device with a towing detection unit, flow adjusting device, and control unit that deploys or retracts a flow adjusting member to manage airflow under the vehicle, reducing air resistance by guiding wind upward when towing and preventing it from entering the underfloor area when traveling alone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a coupling structure is provided between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle, then the towing vehicle can tow the towed vehicle, but a clearance is formed between the vehicles allowing traveling wind to flow into the underfloor area, increasing air resistance and reducing operating stability
Solution Approach 1:
A flow adjusting member is introduced as an intermediary element between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle. This member can be deployed to fill the clearance gap between the vehicles, acting as a mediator that blocks the harmful airflow path from the upper clearance into the underfloor area, thereby reducing air resistance while maintaining the towing connection
Solution Approach 2:
The flow adjusting member is designed to be movable between a retracted position (when not towing) and a deployed position (when towing). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt its configuration based on the operational state, blocking airflow only when necessary during towing operations, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining towing capability and reducing air resistance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the flow adjusting member is deployed to block airflow into the underfloor area, then air resistance is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for towing detection and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The towing detection unit automatically detects whether the vehicle is in a towing state and triggers the flow adjusting device to deploy or retract accordingly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual operation or complex control systems, as the system autonomously adjusts the airflow blocking based on the detected towing condition, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective air resistance reduction
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 device effectively reduces air resistance for both solo and towing scenarios by optimizing airflow, enhancing vehicle stability and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
When the flow adjusting member is retracted in an inner side of the vehicle, a traveling wind is urged to flow into an area under a floor of the vehicle. Therefore, the traveling wind that has flowed into the area under the floor of the vehicle flows out toward a rear side of the vehicle from an area under the floor of a rear portion of the vehicle, and pushes up the air flowing down toward the lower side of the vehicle after hitting a front side of the towed vehicle, toward a vehicle upper side. Thus, the pressure toward a vehicle front side on a vehicle back surface rises, and thus, the air resistance applied to the vehicle is reduced.
Implementation Method 2
When the flow adjusting member is deployed toward the outer side of the vehicle, the traveling wind is restrained from flowing into the area under the floor of the vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular aerodynamic device includes a towing detection unit configured to detect whether a towed vehicle is being towed by a vehicle; a flow adjusting device including a flow adjusting member and being configured such that the flow adjusting member is moved between a retracted position and a deployed position; and a flow adjusting device control unit configured to i) determine whether the towing detection unit detects that the towed vehicle is being towed, ii) determine a kind of the towed vehicle, and iii) control operation of the flow adjusting device in accordance with the determined kind of the towed vehicle or a traveling mode selected through operation performed by an occupant in the vehicle.