Aero weel inserts/covers vs aero hubcaps

[freebeard]

The wheel at youtu.be/n44EEeE5oeU?t=224

[Ecky]

I'd love for something wheel specific, but the attachment method (nevermind that every unique wheel would require a completely new design) was what threw me off. Instead I opted for a simple lightweight carbon fiber disc that bolts to the end of the lugs.

[j-c-c]

Originally Posted by Logic

Steering actuated front wheel 'flaps? Hinged above the wheel?

Hmmm...
I was typing like crazy, but think I'll keep that idea under my hat for now.
Thx for the getting me thinking about it!

Yup, you got it.
The most important aspect, is a fail safe operation that does not restrict the wheel turning or rotating, but that seems doable, nevertheless.

Reminds me of the Tucker turning center headlight idea.

One aspect of moving air beneficially around the tire/wheel/brake, as long as it is not sealed, it should not be forgotten, significant air movement is only needed during braking events, most of the air movement otherwise is just wasteful energy loss IMO.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Logic

Steering actuated front wheel 'flaps? Hinged above the wheel?

Hmmm...
I was typing like crazy, but think I'll keep that idea under my hat for now.
Thx for the getting me thinking about it!

AeroCivic had these. They were hinged at the top and held inward by springs. The front wheel flaps had conveyer belt rollers and lifted outward via the rollers riding on the sidewalls of the tires when turning. Made an awful racket, but otherwise the concept was sound.

[freebeard]

Here's my thinking from 2014:



The thinking was -- if it's hinged at the top the bottom opens wider. So this is two four-bar linkages, with the top bars connected in torsion. This inhibits the racking motion my spidey-sense says would happen otherwise.

Held inward by gravity.

[j-c-c]

Not 100% clear on the actuation here for the cover drawn. I am very uncomfortable with a previous solution mentioned of there being "rollers" on the tires? The use of gravity as a primary restraint also concerns me. General aero effects like a passing semi causing possible flutter must be opposed and dampened somehow for real world use. I imagined initially an overlapping cover softly sprung mounted radially on maybe 5-6 points that are actuated by simple push rods connected to the hub, also radially, that transfer all front wheel turning and camber inputs to the cover, acting against the radially mounted cover springs.
If cover is large enough, I don't see a large need to address any vertical wheel movements.

[freebeard]

My apologies for the graphic. It was done in Wings 3D, I've moved on to Blender since.

The three darker cylinders are hinged from the body at the top and to the skirt at their bottoms. The two top bars are connected in torsion. Damping and springing are possible there. Actuation TBD.

An overlapping cover softly sprung mounted radially on maybe 5-6 three or four points.