Spoiler (car)
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A spoiler is an
The term "spoiler" is often mistakenly used interchangeably with "wing". An automotive wing is a device designed to generate downforce as air passes around it, not simply disrupt existing airflow patterns.[1][2] As such, rather than decreasing drag, automotive wings actually increase drag.
Operation
Since spoiler is a term describing an application, the operation of a spoiler varies depending on the particular effect it is trying to spoil. Common spoiler functions include disrupting airflow passing over and around a moving vehicle. A standard spoiler diffuses air by increasing amounts of turbulence flowing over the shape, "spoiling" the laminar flow and providing a cushion for the laminar boundary layer.[citation needed] However, other types of airflow may require the spoiler to operate differently and take on vastly different physical characteristics.
In racing cars
While a mass travels at increasing speeds, the environment's air affects its movement. Spoilers in racing are combined with other features on the body or chassis of race cars to change the handling characteristics that are affected by the air of the environment.
Often, these devices are designed to be highly adjustable to suit the needs of racing on a given track or to suit the talents of a particular driver, with the overall goal of reaching faster times.
Passenger vehicles
The goal of many spoilers used in passenger vehicles is to reduce drag and increase
Sports cars are most commonly seen with front and rear spoilers. Even though these vehicles typically have a more rigid chassis and a stiffer suspension to aid in high-speed maneuverability, a spoiler can still be beneficial. This is because many cars have a relatively steep downward angle going from the rear edge of the roof down to the vehicle's trunk or tail, which may cause airflow separation. The flow of air becomes turbulent, and a low-pressure zone is created, increasing drag and instability (see
Due to their association with racing, spoilers are often viewed as "sporty" by consumers. However, "the spoilers that feature on more upmarket models rarely provide further aerodynamic benefit."[4]
Material types
Spoilers are usually made of lightweight polymer-based materials, including:
- ABS plastic with various admixtures, typically granular fillers, which introduce stiffness to this inexpensive material. Frailness is the main disadvantage of plastic, which increases with product age and is caused by the evaporation of volatile phenols[further explanation needed].
- Fiberglass: Used in car parts production due to the low cost of the materials. Fiberglass spoilers consist of fiberglass cloth infiltrated with a thermosetting resin, such as epoxy. Fiberglass is sufficiently durable and workable, but has become unprofitable for large-scale production because of the labor involved.
- Silicone: Some auto accessory manufacturers have recently used silicon-organic polymers. The main benefit of this material is its phenomenal plasticity. Silicone possesses extra high thermal characteristics and provides a longer product lifetime.
- Carbon fiber: Carbon fiber is lightweight, durable, and expensive. Due to a large amount of manual labor, large-scale production cannot widely use carbon fiber in automobile parts currently.
Other common spoiler types
- Front spoilers: A front spoiler (air dam) is positioned under or integrated with the front bumper. In racing, this spoiler controls the dynamics of handling related to the air in front of the vehicle. This can be to improve the drag coefficient of the vehicle's body at speed or generate downforce. In passenger vehicles, the focus shifts to directing the airflow into the engine bay for cooling purposes.
- Pickup truck bed spoiler: This attaches only to the top of the truck bed rails near the rear. Used with a bed cover, this spoiler is intended to reduce the air profile of the steep drop-off from the tailgate.
- Pickup truck cab spoiler: This works the same as above, except focusing on the drop-off from the truck's cab to the cargo bed.
Active spoilers
An active spoiler dynamically adjusts while the vehicle operates based on the conditions presented, changing the spoiling effect, intensity, or other performance attributes. Found most often on sports cars and other passenger cars, the most common form is a rear spoiler that retracts and hides partially or entirely into the rear of the vehicle, then extends upwards when the vehicle exceeds a specific speed, such as the active spoiler in the Bugatti Veyron. Active front spoilers have also been implemented on specific models, in which the front spoiler or air dam extends further toward the road below to reduce drag at high speed. In most cases, the spoiler deployment is achieved with an electric motor controlled automatically by the onboard computer or other electronics, usually based on vehicle speed, driver setting, or other inputs. Often, the driver can manually deploy the spoiler if desired, but may not be able to retract the spoiler above a certain speed because doing so could dangerously diminish the high-speed handling qualities of the vehicle.
Active spoilers can offer additional benefits over fixed spoilers. Cosmetically, they can allow a cleaner or less cluttered appearance when the vehicle is parked or traveling at low speeds when it is most likely to be observed. A spoiler that hides may be appealing to vehicle designers who are seeking to improve high-speed aerodynamics (for example, the Porsche 911 or Audi TT) without drastically changing its appearance. Hiding a spoiler at low speeds can improve aerodynamics as well. At low speeds, a fixed spoiler may increase drag and does little to improve the vehicle's handling due to having little airflow over it. A retractable front spoiler can reduce the scraping of the car on curbs or other road imperfections, while still reducing drag at high speeds.
Powered fans, such as in the Chaparral 2J, do the equivalent of spoilers and increase the downforce, hence the traction and handling of the vehicle (See ground effect). Research continues on the use of fans to alter the aerodynamics of vehicles.[6]
Other vehicles
Heavy trucks, like long haul tractors, may also have a spoiler on the top and sides of the cab to lessen drag caused by air resistance from the trailer it is towing, which may be taller than the cab and reduce the aerodynamics of the vehicle dramatically without the use of this spoiler. The trailers they pull can also be fitted with under-side spoilers that angle outward to deflect passing air from the rear axle's wheels.
Trains may use spoilers to induce drag (like an air brake). A prototype Japanese high-speed train, the Fastech 360, is designed to reach speeds of 400 kilometres per hour (250 mph). Its nose is specifically designed to spoil a wind effect associated with passing through tunnels, and it can deploy 'ears' that slow the train in case of emergency by increasing its drag.
Some modern race cars employ a passive situational spoiler called a roof flap. The body of the car is designed to generate downforce while driving forward. These roof flaps deploy when the car's body is rotated to travel in reverse, a condition where the body generates lift instead. The roof flaps deploy because they are recessed into a pocket in the roof. The low pressure above this pocket will cause the flaps to deploy, and counteract some of the lift generated by the car, making it more resistant to coming out of contact with the ground. These devices were introduced in 1994 in NASCAR following Rusty Wallace's crash at Talladega.[7]
Whale tail
When the
History
The whale tail came on the heels of the 1973 "duck tail" or Bürzel in German (as a part of the
Other vehicles
The whale tail car spoilers of the Porsche 911 caught on as a fashion statement, and other vehicles.
Gallery
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This Ford Sierra RS Cosworth has a factory-installed rear spoiler.
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution spoiler
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Retractable Spoiler on a Bugatti Veyron
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NASCAR Dodge Charger
See also
References
- ISBN 0837601428.
- ISBN 0837601428.
- ^ "Why a Spoiler for Your Car?: Fuel Economy, Styling, Value Enhancement". cardata.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-30. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
- ISBN 9780080523040. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- ^ "#MISSION8 - BMW M8 GTE Technical Specifications". bmw-motorsport.com. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ Perkins, Chris (10 December 2019). "Gordon Murray's McLaren F1 Successor Uses a Fan for Downforce and Drag Reduction". Road & Track. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
- ^ "Jayski's Silly Season Site - Past News Page". Jayski.com. 2005. Archived from the original on 2010-10-17. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
- ^ ]
- ^ ISBN 0-7603-0033-X.
- ^ ISBN 1-901432-16-5.
- ISBN 0-671-22485-9.
- ISBN 0-7603-1960-X.
- ISBN 0-87349-720-1.
- ISBN 0-7603-1960-X.
- ISBN 0-7603-0033-X.
- ISBN 0-7603-0853-5.
- ISBN 0-8018-6664-2.
- ^ Sturmey, Henry; Staner, H. Walter (1986). The Autocar. Iliffe, Sons & Sturmey. p. 6.
- ^ (2006). BusinessWeek European Edition: 86. EBSCO Publishing
- ISBN 0-7603-0227-8.
- ISBN 0-87349-720-1.
- ISBN 0-7603-1364-4.
- ISBN 0-87349-720-1.
- ISBN 0-8021-3701-6.
- ISBN 0-7603-1049-1.
- ^ "Car Style First Products used on this Ford Focus". This month's featured car. Car Styling. Archived from the original on 2008-06-08. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ^ "Rear spoilers". Showcars Bodyparts. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ^ "Classic Saab Whale Tail restoration" (PDF). Saab Commemorative Edition Website. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ^ "Hannigan Trikes". EasyCart.net. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ^ "Universal Whale Tail Truck Spoilers". URL.biz. Archived from the original on 2008-09-07. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ^ Perry, Bob. "Classic Swan". boats.com. Dominion Enterprises. Archived from the original on 2008-10-03. Retrieved 2008-07-26.