How would you make an airbrake for a car that is activated by the brake light signal ?

[Isaac Zachary]

When I first read "air brakes" I was thinking of the commercial vehicles I've driven having compressed air actuated brakes. Those definitely are not for the average driver as they need more maintenance and care (water can get in and ice up in the lines cause brake failure, for an example).

But yes, air foils that add down force would be awesome!

[Cd]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

It was discussed and tested in this video series by the infamous Julian Edgar:

Too long; didn't watch? While it does work, it's not really worth the effort at legal road speeds.

I remember he did do a video on this topic. I watched it back then, and forgot the conclusion.
BTW, The linked video is on another topic.
I watched the entire thing. He talks about the air brake, but he plans to test in a different video.

One more thing - why the word "infamous" ?
I think his throttle stop testing method is brilliant.

[freebeard]

Notorious? Public opinion is fickle.

I still miss slowmover's contribution.

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by Cd

One more thing - why the word "infamous" ?
I think his throttle stop testing method is brilliant.

He got banned here as well as a few other places. He really likes to argue. Yeah, the throttle stop idea is so simple and brilliant! I definitely need to use it on my Insight when I start doing aero mods! I believe he sold his Insight, which is kind of disappointing.

[Cd]

I still plan to look into this.
Just to clarify, this airbrake will in no way replace, or even really help my car's wheel brakes.

I just think it is a cool idea, and would like to try it in real life.

The airbrake will be the size of the factory rear spoiler, or larger.
It would fold flat against the roof when there is no electrical signal going to the tailights.
Gravity and air drag would activate the closing.

The 12v ( ? ) signal going to the tailights when I brake would cause the servo to pull a cable on a pulley to flip it up.
A large servo for giant scale R/C planes would be used, or something similar.

So why would this not work, and how would you do it ?

- Thsnks

[freebeard]

I'd paint a clownface on the underside, to help with tailgaters.

[Cd]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I'd paint a clownface on the underside, to help with tailgaters.

I might get shot.
I actually plan to have it say " AIRBRAKE" on the underside, so that people would know what it is, and not think the car was falling apart.
I still think it would come as a shock to people though, since you don't expect parts to suddenly move on a car.

Do you think the idea could work ?
I plan to call Tower hobbies and ask them about it.
The main hurdle I see right now, is the voltage.
12 volts from a car battery signal going to a signal lamp, versus what you see on an R/C plane.

I have seen some massive planes that are R/C, so I would think there are certainly some servos that would have enough torque to handle a large flap moving into 80 mph airflow.

[freebeard]

[The Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car features ‘bionic flaps’ that are modeled after a reptile’s scales]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...ers-touch.html

Not the concept car I was thinking of but it will serve. The other one was copper colored with ccntiguous hexagons.

[2015LXFIT]

Hi, this is an excellent idea however, I think it would be best fit with 2 side airfoils as well. I was considering engineering one for my 2015 Fit.

I think the proper way of doing it would be to have a voltage in split off of the brake light activation (not to be confused with running lights) to an arduino that has 2 limit switches.
In scenario A: The brake pedal is not applied, the servo has a feedback from the lower limit switch telling the Arduino that it is in normal position, no voltage is applied to signal in (from brake light).
Scenario B: Brake pedal is depressed, signal goes to Arduino unit, sending a signal to the servo(s), tilting your air foil, then hits another limit switch to stop sending voltage so as to not burn or break anything on the servo itself.
Scenario C: Brake pedal is released, and Arduino senses this, which switch is activated, and sends a power to reverse motor for airfoil down position, creating a loop so to speak in a programming sense.

The hardest part would be the programming IMO. AI may be able to do it but I'd definitely be interested in how this came about. I will say personally that I don't think just a rear spoiler would be enough. Ideally there would also be 2 side airfoils that pop out as well, perhaps in doors, or near the rear of the car, only popping out enough to make a difference without causing a danger to cars around, but should give you enough area to displace a second spoilers worth of volume, thus increasing drag. Additionally side airfoils could be eventually mapped in the framework of the vehicle to help with cornering and what not, but that's more for racing applications and you get into more finite engineering at that point.

[freebeard]

https://www.seeedstudio.com › blog › 2019 › 12 › 17 › lsm303-accelerometer-arduino-raspberry-pi-guide-to-get-started
LSM303 Accelerometer: Arduino, Raspberry Pi Guide to get started
In today's' blog, I'll be introducing the LSM303 Accelerometer and showing you how to connect the LSM303 to an Arduino and Raspberry Pi. All to help you get started! Note: This blog includes the LSM303 datasheet for your reference as well! LSM303 Based Module: Grove - 6 Axis Accelerometer&Compass v2.0

An accelerometer to sense the force of the braking, something the brake light is ignorant of.