Vortex Generator Hump for Motorcycle Garment Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional aerodynamic devices for garments, such as motorcyclist suits, suffer from reduced effectiveness due to turbulence caused by discontinuities between the helmet and the hump, leading to increased aerodynamic drag and stall phenomena, which are not adequately addressed by existing solutions like spoilers or ventilated garments.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamic apparatus comprising a body shaped as a protruding appendage on the hump, acting as a vortex generator to delay the detachment of the air flow boundary layer and reduce turbulence, thereby improving aerodynamic penetration and reducing drag without altering lift or introducing significant resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a discontinuity is provided between the back of the helmet and the hump to allow helmet movement and adaptability, then the hump can adapt to various helmet types and sizes, but turbulence is generated which reduces aerodynamic effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
A spoiler element is introduced as an intermediary component positioned between the helmet and the hump. This spoiler acts as a mediator that fills the discontinuity gap, guiding the air flow smoothly from the helmet to the hump surface, thereby eliminating turbulence while preserving the aerodynamic continuity needed for reduced drag.
2Speed
If a spoiler is positioned in the rear area of the helmet to connect the profile with the hump, then aerodynamic penetration is improved, but the air flow boundary layer can wedge into the remaining discontinuity and generate turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is designed with specific local geometric characteristics including a leading edge angle between 5-30 degrees and a trailing edge configuration that optimizes flow attachment. These localized geometric qualities ensure the spoiler effectively connects the helmet profile to the hump while preventing boundary layer separation and turbulence generation.
3Temperature
If the hump is fixed to the outer surface of the suit with a body housing heat exchange means, then cooling function is provided, but the entire hump is fixed to a single body of standard shape reducing adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The hump assembly is segmented into separate functional components: a standardized base portion that attaches to the suit, a removable body housing that contains heat exchange means, and a customizable cover body. This segmentation allows the cooling function to be maintained while enabling adaptability through interchangeable body shapes and sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The base portion of the hump is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can accommodate various body shapes and sizes. The standardized interface allows the same base structure to support different body housings, providing both cooling functionality and adaptability to diverse user requirements.
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 delays the detachment of the air flow boundary layer, reduces turbulence, and enhances aerodynamic penetration, leading to improved performance and reduced drag without affecting lift, thus offering a customizable and efficient solution for garments worn at high speeds.
Implementation Method 1
at least one body (6) which is shaped as an appendage configured so as to protrude with respect to the external surface of said hump (4) and which is also configured - both in terms of its conformation and of its application/position on the hump (4) - so as to act as a vortex generator during the performance of the sporting gesture by the person wearing said garment (3), to thus reduce the detachment of the air flow (7) with respect to the external surface of the hump (4) itself
Implementation Method 2
the layer which is substantially in contact with the rider himself, and in particular with his helmet
Implementation Method 3
the air flow C which strikes (frontally) the rider of the motorcycle, and above all its boundary layer, i.e. the layer which is substantially in contact with the rider himself, and in particular with his helmet, can wedge into the discontinuity D that remains between helmet B and hump A, then generating, in correspondence with the latter, turbulence E
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~7b
AI summary
Aerodynamic device (1) for a garment (3), preferably sporty, in particular for a motorcyclist, cyclist, skier or similar suit or jacket, characterized in that it comprises at least one body (6) which is configured to be associated, preferably removably, on an aerodynamic hump (4) provided in said garment (3), said at least one body (6) being shaped as a protruding appendage with respect to the external surface of said hump (4) and being configured in so as to act, in correspondence with the discontinuity (13) defined between said hump (4) and the rear area (9) of a helmet (8) worn on the head by the subject (2) wearing said garment (3), as a generator of vortex during the performance of the sporting gesture by said subject (2) wearing said garment (3) provided with said hump (4).