Hydropower-optimized Wheel Housing Shell Splash Water Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wheel housing shells for motor vehicles face damage from splash water forces during aquaplaning, especially when driving through shallow water at high speeds, particularly in heavily loaded areas made of less stable but light plastic materials.

Innovation Solution

The wheel housing shell incorporates a splash water drainage geometry in the rear region, featuring a tangentially inclined splash water drainage surface that redirects splash water downwards, preventing damage by arranging the drainage surface at an angle of around forty-five degrees within a recess at the rear lower end, which is designed to be closed without holes or slots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the wheel housing shell is made from light plastic material, then the weight is reduced, but the strength and stability deteriorate under extreme splash water forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of wheel housing shellVSAvoidstrength of wheel housing shell

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful splash water force into a beneficial effect by designing the rear surface with a specific inclination angle (10-45 degrees) that redirects the water flow tangentially. This transforms the damaging normal force into a controlled tangential flow that exits through drainage openings, protecting the lightweight plastic housing from damage while maintaining weight advantages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of manufacture

If the wheel housing shell has a vertical rear surface, then the manufacturing is simple, but the splash water force causes damage in heavily loaded areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicity of wheel housing shellVSAvoidsplash water damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the rear surface into two distinct zones: an upper vertical portion for simple manufacturing and aesthetics, and a lower inclined portion (10-45 degrees) for splash water redirection. This localized geometric modification addresses the harmful splash water effect only where it occurs most intensely, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dimensional change by inclining the lower rear surface at an angle of 10-45 degrees relative to the vertical axis. This angular modification creates a tangential flow path for splash water, redirecting it away from the housing shell and preventing damage without compromising the overall manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the drainage surface is open with holes or slots, then the drainage is effective, but the structural integrity and aesthetics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage efficiency of splash waterVSAvoidstructural integrity of wheel housing shell

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary element in the form of drainage openings positioned at the lower rear region. These openings serve as mediators that facilitate splash water discharge while being strategically located to minimize impact on structural integrity. The openings are integrated into the inclined drainage surface, allowing effective water ejection without compromising the overall housing shell strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively redirects splash water forces away from the wheel housing shell, preventing undesirable damage and ensuring effective drainage, even under extreme conditions like aquaplaning, while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

the splash water in the rear region of the hydropower-optimized wheel housing shell is tangentially discharged downwards in the direction of the roadway by the splash water drainage geometry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTangential flow redirection:

Implementation Method 2

the splash water drainage surface, which is inclined at a drainage angle to the splash water force, such that the splash water is tangentially discharged downwards

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid deflection:

Data Source

PatentUS20240300587A1Hydropower-optimized wheel housing shell

Publication Date: 2024.09.12 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A wheel housing shell for a vehicle having an underbody that faces a roadway, on which the motor vehicle travels during operation. During operation of the vehicle on a wet roadway, in particular when driving through shallow water, for example when aquaplaning, splash water is displaced from the wheels of the motor vehicle, which forms fountains that in turn generate at least one splash water force. To improve the wheel housing shell for the motor vehicle with respect to driving through shallow water, for example when aquaplaning, the wheel housing shell has a splash water drainage geometry in a rear region in relation to a forward driving direction, which is configured and arranged, such that the splash water in the rear region of the hydropower-optimized wheel housing shell is tangentially discharged downwards in the direction of the roadway by the splash water drainage geometry during operation of the motor vehicle.