Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Aerodynamics
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 11-07-2010, 01:35 PM   #1 (permalink)
Cd
Ultimate Fail
 
Cd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Austin,Texas
Posts: 3,585
Thanks: 2,872
Thanked 1,121 Times in 679 Posts
Shape shifting spoilers ??

I read a small mention of car makers predicting that future super-cars will have shape shifting aerodynamics. It is predicted that to create a more ideal teardrop shape, the rear of the car will extend outwards at speed.

There are a lot of creative geniuses here, and I was wondering if any of you have thought of doing something like this on the cheap.

Imagine a large flat extension which is able to extend and retract on rails much like those on the underside of a drawer. As the car slows to a stop, the pieces would retract inward leaving the car the stock length.

You might even could use R/C servos to activate the movement.

A nice benefit of a system like this is that it allows you to park easily.

A drawback would be um .... highway tailgaters

I wonder if the vacuum produced at the rear of the vehicle could be used in any way to regulate the length ?


Any thoughts ?

  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Cd For This Useful Post:
aerohead (03-09-2023)
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 11-08-2010, 02:18 AM   #2 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Silly-Con Valley
Posts: 1,479
Thanks: 201
Thanked 262 Times in 199 Posts
A number of cars already have spoilers that deploy and retract (or have multiple positions) based on speed. See most recent Beetles, many Audi TTs, and most Porsches from the last 5-10 years. A few cars have aero devices that change position depending on other things that the driver is doing; for instance the Bugatti Veyron's rear spoiler will go into very high drag mode when the driver steps on the brakes at high speed.

It's only a matter of time before similar things start coming to less-expensive cars.

-soD
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2010, 05:32 AM   #3 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
euromodder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Belgium
Posts: 4,683

The SCUD - '15 Fiat Scudo L2
Thanks: 178
Thanked 652 Times in 516 Posts
I'd rather see them focus on reducing basic drag first, before they start adding the complex stuff like dynamic shape-changing.

It's time to really break that 0.25 Cd barrier.
__________________
Strayed to the Dark Diesel Side

  Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2010, 02:15 PM   #4 (permalink)
PSmodder lurker
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Chino
Posts: 1,605
Thanks: 26
Thanked 908 Times in 522 Posts
It does not surprise me that the top racing team, Scuderia Ferrari, is always looking for tip-of-the-spear technologies for winning advantages. F-1 has strictly banned ANY dynamic aero aids but Ferrari has not handcuffed their road going models. The shape-shifting ideas have already been implemented on the Ferrari 458 Italia. Look closely on the front intakes. There are 'aeroelastic' wings that adjust by altering attack angles, for less drag at higher speeds. Just a start.

Aftermarket 'active' split rear spoilers available, Aeromotions, for differential downforce (maybe rotational/roll torque?) on rear left/right corners. Now marry that with 'active' front corner canards, grill block, suspension lowering, etc...
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2010, 02:39 PM   #5 (permalink)
Cd
Ultimate Fail
 
Cd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Austin,Texas
Posts: 3,585
Thanks: 2,872
Thanked 1,121 Times in 679 Posts
Even the Mitsubishi 3000 GT had ' active aerodynamics ' . This sort of thing has been around for decades. What i am refering to are not spoilers, but extensions to the body.

As the car increases speed, a decklid extension moves out and actually increases the length of the car.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2010, 06:13 PM   #6 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 204

- - '10 Toyota Prius III w/Navi
Thanks: 4
Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts
Hi All,

Variable aero-dynamics we need for mileage initially are grill air-flow control and cross wind .

You are probably all familiar with grill air-flow control. Let more air in if the engine gets too warm.

The other issue is that in cross-winds a good Cd car can quickly become effectively a .35 Cd car.

I think this would be a good area of research. Something like spoilers sticking out from the down wind rear of the car might be one idea...
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to donee For This Useful Post:
Frank Lee (11-09-2010)
Old 11-08-2010, 07:33 PM   #7 (permalink)
PSmodder lurker
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Chino
Posts: 1,605
Thanks: 26
Thanked 908 Times in 522 Posts
Intrigued by this inspirational image for the 'shape shifting' parts...doodling...
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviatio.../6/1005672.jpg
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to botsapper For This Useful Post:
Cd (11-08-2010)
Old 11-09-2010, 01:11 AM   #8 (permalink)
(:
 
Frank Lee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: up north
Posts: 12,762

Blue - '93 Ford Tempo
Last 3: 27.29 mpg (US)

F150 - '94 Ford F150 XLT 4x4
90 day: 18.5 mpg (US)

Sport Coupe - '92 Ford Tempo GL
Last 3: 69.62 mpg (US)

ShWing! - '82 honda gold wing Interstate
90 day: 33.65 mpg (US)

Moon Unit - '98 Mercury Sable LX Wagon
90 day: 21.24 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,585
Thanked 3,555 Times in 2,218 Posts
That shape shifts?
__________________


  Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2010, 04:24 AM   #9 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
euromodder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Belgium
Posts: 4,683

The SCUD - '15 Fiat Scudo L2
Thanks: 178
Thanked 652 Times in 516 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by botsapper View Post
Intrigued by this inspirational image for the 'shape shifting' parts...doodling...
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviatio.../6/1005672.jpg
Slat retraction failure isn't all that inspirational.
It results in more fuel being burned, at less than optimal cruise speed and lower than optimal altitude.
IF the flight is continued at all.
Usually it's RTB, burning even more fuel and seriously messing up everyone's agenda.

It happens on vehicles that are far more often checked out than the regular car.
__________________
Strayed to the Dark Diesel Side

  Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2010, 05:27 AM   #10 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 659

Chug - '96 Volkswagon Polo CL
TEAM VW AUDI Group
90 day: 49.42 mpg (US)

L'Autre - '03 Renault Megane Sport Tourer Expression
Diesel
90 day: 45.02 mpg (US)
Thanks: 20
Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts
SHape shifting acan be done using hte the air flow to fil structural pockets and thus move an element or surface, think about a kite surfing sail.

__________________
-----------------------------------------
good things come to those who wait, sh*t turns up pretty much instantly






twitter.com/bertchalmers
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Do Rear Spoilers / Wings Help Any? Jammer Aerodynamics 27 12-30-2021 10:56 AM
Beetle Inspired Aerodynamic Thoughts ChazInMT Aerodynamics 43 12-19-2010 05:18 PM
Video: active aero (grille block) via shape memory alloy MetroMPG Aerodynamics 7 01-30-2010 11:21 PM
Cougar shape? Christ Aerodynamics 40 10-24-2009 06:27 PM
Shape Shifting EV Tourigjm The Lounge 0 02-18-2009 08:51 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com