Wheel Spoiler Edge Geometry for Lower Wheel-Arch Drag
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel spoilers for motor vehicles do not effectively reduce air resistance, particularly around wheels, which affects mileage and fuel consumption at higher speeds.
Innovation Solution
The air-guiding device features a wheel spoiler with a straight and non-straight length region, where the non-straight region is partially covered by the wheel and includes alternating elevations and depressions, designed to influence airflow around the wheel for improved aerodynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional wheel spoiler with a straight air-guiding edge is used, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the air resistance reduction is insufficient and aerodynamics are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The air-guiding edge is designed with a non-straight configuration featuring alternating elevations and depressions instead of a straight line. This curved and varied geometry redirects airflow more effectively around the wheel, reducing turbulence and vortex formation, thereby decreasing air resistance and improving aerodynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel spoiler features a differentiated air-guiding edge where specific segments (elevations and depressions) have distinct geometric properties. These localized variations in the edge geometry are strategically positioned to address specific airflow problems at different locations, optimizing aerodynamic performance through localized structural quality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the non-straight second length region is extended further out in the vehicle transverse direction to improve airflow, then aerodynamics improve, but the wheel coverage increases which may affect wheel operation
Solution Approach 1:
The non-straight second length region is designed to partially cover the wheel in the vehicle transverse direction, providing sufficient aerodynamic benefit without excessive coverage that would interfere with wheel operation. The elevations and depressions are positioned to optimize airflow while maintaining appropriate clearance and functional independence from the wheel.
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 design reduces air resistance, enhancing the vehicle's energy efficiency by improving airflow around the wheel, leading to better fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the air-guiding edge is configured to be non-straight in a length region and has elevations and depressions... to achieve particularly advantageous aerodynamics of the motor vehicle
Implementation Method 2
the flow around the wheel is influenced particularly advantageously so that the wheel has air flowing around it in a particularly streamlined manner. Overall, a reduction in the air resistance of the motor vehicle can be achieved
Data Source
AI summary
An air-guiding device for a motor vehicle has a wheel spoiler which is arrangeable in front of a wheel of the motor vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction and, when in the installed position, protrudes downwards in the vehicle vertical direction relative to an adjacent underfloor region of the motor vehicle and has, on its downwardly facing side, an air-guiding edge which has a straight, first length region and a non-straight, second length region. The straight, first length region directly adjoins the non-straight, second length region inwardly in the vehicle transverse direction in the installed position, the second length region at least partially covered to the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction by the wheel in its straight-ahead position when the wheel spoiler is in the installed position. The non-straight, second length region has multiple elevations and depressions following one another alternatingly in the vehicle transverse direction.