Ventilated Wheel Case with Adjustable Air Duct for Brake Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current air duct designs in motor vehicles divert air away from the brake, leading to inefficient cooling and increased drag, which deteriorates the vehicle's aerodynamics.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable air duct system that directs air into a gap between the wheel's inner flank and wheel case for effective brake cooling and forms an air curtain to reduce turbulence, improving aerodynamics by diverting air past the outer flank during non-braking conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is introduced into the wheel case through the air duct for brake cooling, then brake cooling efficiency is improved, but aerodynamics deteriorate due to increased drag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an adjustable element that can change position based on operating conditions. During braking, the element directs air into the wheel case for cooling. During normal driving, it redirects air to form an air curtain, minimizing drag. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between cooling needs and aerodynamic efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow direction parameter is changed based on vehicle operating state. By adjusting the flow direction through the adjustable element, the system optimizes either cooling effectiveness or aerodynamic performance depending on the situation, thus resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
2Loss of energy
If air is diverted around the brake by the tread, then aerodynamics are improved, but brake cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable element dynamically switches between two modes: directing air around the brake (improving aerodynamics) or directing air into the wheel case (improving cooling). This dynamic control allows the system to optimize for the current operational need, resolving the contradiction between aerodynamics and cooling.
3Temperature
If air is steered into the gap between wheel and wheel case for brake cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but air turbulence increases inside the wheel case
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable element provides dynamic control over air flow path. When cooling is needed, it steers air into the gap between wheel and wheel case, accepting some turbulence as necessary. When cooling is not needed, it redirects air to form a smooth air curtain, eliminating turbulence. This resolves the contradiction by making turbulence acceptable only when necessary for cooling.
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
Enhances brake cooling efficiency while minimizing aerodynamic losses by optimizing air flow and reducing turbulence within the wheel case, using an adjustable element that switches between directing air to the brake and forming an air curtain based on braking activity.
Implementation Method 1
air that gets into the wheel case via the air duct when driving is for the most part deflected by the tread of the tire and diverted around the brake enveloped by the tire
Implementation Method 2
the air is diverted past the outer flank of the wheel in largely the vehicle direction in the second position of the adjustable element, and there forms an air curtain. This air curtain diminishes the air turbulence arising inside of the wheel case due to the rotational movement of the wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle with a wheel, a wheel case enveloping the wheel, and an air duct leading to the wheel case, wherein the air duct incorporates an adjustable element, which in a first position steers the air entering into the wheel case through the air duct into a gap between an inner flank of the wheel and an inner wall of the wheel case, and in a second position diverts the air by an outer flank of the wheel.