Sponsorship (looking to develop products for hybrids)

[Hybrid Effects]

I would be interested in modifications for any type of hybrid. The problem I am running into is finding Hybrid owners that are local to me. I am willing to set up a program to where owners could bring there car to me and If they wanted to participate in the prototyping, I feel would be a great benefit due to feed back and idea's during the prototyping process.

I would be willing to try this on a weekend basis or any time for that matter, but the fact is that some modification designs might need more than two days to complete and that would be frustrating having to wait to finish a prototype.

If you think that you would be interested in participating please email me the dates that you could get away and your contact phone#. email@hybrideffects.com

I might also be able to provide a place to stay during the project.

Thanks Franklin

[brucepick]

I really like the idea for two sliding panels suggested by tasdrouille above. Slide horizontally, that way you're never fighting gravity. Only a couple inches movement will take you from fully blocked to fully open.

However I just recognized this: if using two sliding panels then the holes will be (maximum) one half the available area, assuming the ability to close the slats completely. So maximum opening is 1/2 the original area. If you use three panels then max opening is 2/3 the original full area. However you'd need some clever mechanicals to control three panels.

[Bob64]

tom/tasdrouille's idea sounds good.

What you could do is put those one sliding panels on a track with grooves, and the other fixed to the track. Then drive the sliding panel with a worm gear of sorts. Perhaps add in some basic circuitry that turns off the motor when it reaches the maximum slide area.

The worm gear would resist slippages during high speeds, and provide tons of torque.

edit: heres a concept design I sketched out: http://bob64.binuweb.com/misc/prius/...gnconcept.html

[bzipitidoo]

I prefer passive designs. How about a flap or flaps hinged on top, and the hinges spring loaded? Or go with a living hinge. Fully open is tilted slightly, not horizontal. Air pushes them shut, so the slower you go, the more open they are. For an extra bit of fanciness, could make the stiffness temperature sensitive too.

[s2man]

Hi Franklin,

It's nice to see someone in your position show interest providing aero mods to the ecomodder market. As Tom pointed out, please don't forget us non-hybrid drivers. I'd love to buy a real aero body kit from FiberEffects.com.

On potential products: Besides the rear-wheel skirts and back-end mods, I think good side skirts, air dams, tire deflectors and tire boat tails would also be well received by ecomodders.

On the Grill block: How about using the KISS method, making the grill block solid, and letting the cooling fan get air through louvers in the chin tray? Mechanical parts wear and *will* fail. Then, you've got to add controls... All this increases the costs of your product and future maintenance. If my customers were really clamoring for an adjustable opening, I'd look at a bi-metal spring or air pressure, as Different and bzip suggested, to control the damper. Otherwise, KISS and inexpensive.

I hope you do well on HybridEffects.com

[Bob64]

Prius owners already use a form of "kiss" - we block the grills with pipe insulation.

However, there have been concerns on priuschat about the inverter temps spiking above tolerances, as well as the large current draw that the cooling fan uses to cool down the radiator.

Furthermore, it would be nice to open the block if we needed to use the AC. I envision a system that would start off fully blocked (to speed warmup time) and then open or stay closed based on conditions (more open when climbing a grade, fully closed when stopped at a light).

Granted, having it motorized is definitely more complex, costly, and failure prone... So please chalk it down into the "nice to have" category.

[Hybrid Effects]

Thanks every one for all the great replies. I do plan on starting a production facility specific to aerodynamic mods. I will be working on the first molds for the first product next weekend.

I am still looking for owners to do sponsorships with.

Thanks Franklin

email@hybrideffects.com

[DifferentPointofView]

Everyones been on a school bus (right???)...

Well couldn't you have the grille block work like a (non motorized) school bus door? you have a lever you pull towards you to open the grille, and you push it back away to close it. And I'm sure it'd be easier to pull than a large school bus door.

yes, it's gonna need a lot of thought process to get the "school bus door" grille blocks to work, and it's gonna vary between grilles because of some grilles being larger and even harder to work with (trucks) But it's just a thought.

[Bob64]

Is that lever going to be accessible inside the car? If so, then its probably impossible. Theres no way we're going to fit any sort of long metallic pole to go from the drivers seat all the way to the grill without drilling THROUGH the transmission/inverter of the prius.

[ankit]

Originally Posted by Hybrid Effects

Hello all

I am in the central VA area (Lynchburg) but any input is welcome from any region if you have idea's please feel free to email me.

I am looking to sponsor some one that owns a Hybrid.
I have been in the custom Corvette painting body shop business for over 20 years.
I started a company 3 years ago that sells carbon fiber accessories www.FiberEffects.com.
I have just founded a new company that I truly believe will make me a happy person as I love Hybrid technology and engineering products www.Hybrideffects.com.

I would like to find some one that would allow me to design products from there Hybrid car. In exchange they will receive free prototypes and products.
I would never harm or cause damage to your car as I am in the business of fixing things not breaking them.
I would like to find someone that shows an interest in developing new products for Hybrid vehicles.

Some products I might be interested in developing would be Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass products, Electronics and any thing else that comes to mind.

http://www.HybridEffects.com
email@hybrideffects.com

Thanks for any interest.

Franklin

Hey what a coincidence. I'm the guy who inquired about the web designing ad you had in craigslist. I didn't think anyone lived in Lynchburg but I guess I'm wrong, what a small world.


Sorry I didn't get back at you, I got really busy with S.A.T's and exams and then realized that I wouldn't have time for a job.

Hybrid effects sounds like a really good idea. I wonder if there is an aftermarket demand for such.