Aerodynamic Bumper

[u.steinlechner]

Hello,

first I like to introduce myself.
I am Ulrich Steinlechner from Germany and I developed a aerodynamic bumper to save fuel.



I testet a prototype at a w168 Daimler A-Class, because the shape of the car is typical for electric cars or other small cars. So a used car was also cheap enough for the experiment.
During the development, I made a lot of changes.
The result of measurements were different.
Fuel consumption during cruising speed were 9% to 17% less, but measurement in the windtunnel were 8% to 9% less drag.



Frum you, I like to get feedback about the difference of fuel consumption and aerodynamic drag.

What do you think about the design and wich car model should be the first for a serial produced bumper.

Kind regards,
Ulrich Steinlechner.

[user removed]

Welcome to ecomodder Ulrich.

I think your design looks very nice. I'm not sure which model I would think of producing it for. The one that came to my mind first would be the Honda Fit (US designation), but if your goal is the highest market concentration then it may depend on the concentration in Germany.

regards
mech

[Fat Charlie]

Beautiful work- both the execution and the data.

I'll second Old Mechanic's suggestion of picking the US Fit for production. Second gen.

[Sven7]

I would argue that 92-00 Honda Civics or 89-01 Geo Metros would probably be better bets because they are very popular cars for hypermiling. But if you do it for an older car, some potential buyers may prefer a more conservative (stock-looking) design. Anyway, congrats on the project; it looks like you do some good work!

[elhigh]

I'll second what Old Mech said: it looks very nice.

Well, let me qualify that statement. Aesthetically it looks like a spitting duck. But for a 10% improvement at 75mph, expectorating waterfowl are okay with me! Function is beauty.

[MetroMPG]

Welcome, Ulrich!

Originally Posted by u.steinlechner

Frum you, I like to get feedback about the difference of fuel consumption and aerodynamic drag.

How did you gather the fuel consumption data? It seems out of line with the drag reduction numbers.

Either way, a nice improvement.

As for choosing a vehicle for a mass produced bumper: it would make sense to pick a popular vehicle that uses the most fuel. The cost to the buyer must be less than the potential savings. In North America: choose a pick up truck.

[cowmeat]

That's the most hideously awesome bumper since the Black widow's!

You could sell them on here all day long, but the general public is way more interested in form than function.

A little advice for the US market: You need to diversify, bro!

Fit it for an EG hatch, sharpen the angles a bit, add some neons and a lip, wrap it in pseudo-carbon fiber, slap a JDM sticker on it and claim it adds 40 horsepower, and you could pitch it to the tuner boys.

Fit it for a 65 Ford, chrome plate it, add some crushed velvet highlights and hydraulics to it, you could market it to the low riders.

Fit it for a Crown Vic, add a Denny's detector, a "find home" beeper and a rod with a tennis ball on it for the older crowd.

Fit it for an F250, wrap it in camo with chrome plated bulls balls hanging off the bottom and you've got it sewn up for the git-er-dones

Make a 24" drop-down version for the donks wrapped in Skittles or Lucky Charms . . . . .

I think I've covered a pretty wide spectrum of our market here for ya

[freebeard]

...measurement in the windtunnel were 8% to 9% less drag.

Instead of percentages, what are the actual Cd figures? What goes on between those nostrils and the wheelwells? How far back does it extend underneath?

At a glance, it respects approach angles and lowers the stagnation point. How is it viewed by the TUV? Can its features be generalized to other platforms without new wind tunnel work?
___________

And since I'm full of questioins, how can you post pictures with only one post? It usually takes >5.

[u.steinlechner]

Hello,

thank you for all the responses.

I will answer most questions, except those who could be relevant for patents.

For me the idea is new, modify pickup trucks.
Solutions therefor I have in mind because I developed a aerodynamic kit for truck and trailer.

If you are manufactures of plastic parts, please contact me. I search for partners with production and sales.

Kind regards,
Ulrich Steinlechner

[u.steinlechner]

One method, I used to measure the furel consumtion was a turbine flow meter.
Because a turbine does not measure exact changing flow rates, I measured at constant speeds.

The test track is a flat round course, driven at early sunday morning without influence of traffic. The weather conditions were equal. With GPS, I held constant speed. Average values came through multiple measurements.

Units are metric. km/h kilometers per hour. Consumption: liters per 100 km.

It is possible to change the aerodynamic parts within 15 minutes, so the time between the test is short.

Turbine Flow Meter
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Counter
Hersteller (manufacturer) B.I.O-TECH e.K.
Typ ARS 260-A
ID 2160

Mini Durchflussmesser (flow meter)
Hersteller B.I.O-TECH e.K.
Typ FCH-m-PP-LC
Messprinzip Turbine
Düse 1mm
Impulszahl/Liter 10500

Treibstoff (fuel) Shell Super Benzin
Dichte (density) 0,7684
Temperatur °C 18

Flow Meter, GPS
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Serial parts and aero-kit
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Tools to mount the kit
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