Tire Deflectors/Spats

[freebeard]

Dunno. Maybe engine heat exhausts into the wheelwell?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

I like how the photo from jakobnev shows the curve on that spat following the entire contour of the wheel well opening at the bottom. That's interesting. The spats used to be short little things. That rounded section in front must be doing some interesting stuff with the flow to the inside of that tire.

Tesla does the same thing.
The profile of the hour-glass wheel- house may dictate how this area is treated.
On the SolarWorld GT, the leading edge of this opening was just tangent to the body centerline, and they simply used a section of aluminum angle as a 'taco' fairing to get the flow to 'jump' ( upside down ) this wheel-flop void, then reattach once behind it.
Honda's strategy for their 'Dream' solar racers, was to mount the front wheels to an articulated 'lazy-susan' turntable which became a suspension component.
It didn't matter the wheel orientation, there was never any wheelhouse opening to create turbulence under there. Really elegant !
BamZipPow used this technology on his single-wheeled Dark Aero project. Smart!

[some_other_dave]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Vekke -- Similar to the deflectors I posted about at #71 Here are some wheel inserts for the Leaf and Hyundai Ioniq...

Interesting. I'm getting something of a "wheel fan" vibe from them.

Example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/113865158754

They were originally used to move more cooling air across the brakes in endurance racers.

-soD

[maanma]

This is how I understand this tyre wind deflector problem:

Main target is minimize (almost) horizontal wind contact angle of tyre. Default angle depens height of LOADED car and tyre diameter. Contact angle is much higher small tyre diameter combined to tall under space. Maximum and worst contact angle is vertical. This worst case scenario may not became visible under 80mph conditions, but there it still is.

To smoothen contact angle is to use triangle which hypotenuse is long downwards (as far possible) and guiding edges smoothed rounded (D -shape). Optimum angle does not overgo smooth change angle of 4 degrees (to keep wind smooth). Wind guide may be shaped to guide wind direction of need. This triangle should also go near tyre to maximize prevent wind overgo the tyre longer route.

[maanma]

Cheapest way to produce smooth defelectors is use XPS insulation cut in shape with hotwire. It is a technique used making remote control aeroplane wings. Videos can be found tube.

XPS is easily glued with urethane.

[freebeard]

This is how I understand this tyre wind deflector problem:

Needs a picture or diagram.

[maanma]

In image dark grey wind guide directs wind downwards (red line) and causes tyre contact angle to be much over 90 degrees.

Without wind guide tyre contact angle would be worst 90 degrees. It goes directly opposite towards tyre midline.

Compared to typical pre tyre spats which are wind "curtain" style because air can not normally pass upside are causing vortexes. This is not the best option. Basicly problem is exactly same as a front of car.

[freebeard]

I agree. I posted this in 2013':

[IRONICK]

That's what I've been trying to explain to Vekke. It doesn't matter what car the deflector is mounted on, nor the comparison with the forms in the post #64.
And the ones on the Audi A3 2021 can be mounted on many cars. It is made of a harder rubber, but not enough to break or crack when hit.