Publication detail
Investigation of Vehicle Ride Height and Diffuser Ramp Angle on Downforce and Efficiency
ŠPIČÁK, M. KNIGHT, J. KUZENKO, A. HARITOS, G. GUOGANG, R.
English title
Investigation of Vehicle Ride Height and Diffuser Ramp Angle on Downforce and Efficiency
Type
journal article in Web of Science
Language
en
Original abstract
Diffusers are typically used in motorsport to generate negative lift (downforce). They also reduce aerodynamic drag and so significantly enhance aerodynamic efficiency. The amount of downforce generated is dependent on ride height, diffuser ramp angle and its relative length to that of the vehicle length. This paper details a numerical investigation of the effects of ride height and diffuser ramp angle in order to find an optimum downforce and efficiency for the inverted Ahmed model. A short and long diffuser with ratios of 10% and 35% respectively to that of vehicle length are studied. The short diffuser produced lower maximum downforce and efficiency at a lower ride height and lower angle when compared to the longer diffuser. The long diffuser produced highest downforce and the best efficiency with a ramp angle of 25 degrees at ride height ratio of 3.8% when compared to vehicle length. Different ride heights were found to correspond to different diffuser ramp angles to achieve optimum downforce and efficiencies.
English abstract
Diffusers are typically used in motorsport to generate negative lift (downforce). They also reduce aerodynamic drag and so significantly enhance aerodynamic efficiency. The amount of downforce generated is dependent on ride height, diffuser ramp angle and its relative length to that of the vehicle length. This paper details a numerical investigation of the effects of ride height and diffuser ramp angle in order to find an optimum downforce and efficiency for the inverted Ahmed model. A short and long diffuser with ratios of 10% and 35% respectively to that of vehicle length are studied. The short diffuser produced lower maximum downforce and efficiency at a lower ride height and lower angle when compared to the longer diffuser. The long diffuser produced highest downforce and the best efficiency with a ramp angle of 25 degrees at ride height ratio of 3.8% when compared to vehicle length. Different ride heights were found to correspond to different diffuser ramp angles to achieve optimum downforce and efficiencies.
Keywords in English
vehicle aerodynamics, vehicle simulation/ modelling, alternative vehicle designs, automotive components, Fuel efficiency/ economy, diffuser, downforce, ahmed
Released
27.05.2018
Publisher
SAGE Publications Ltd
Location
London
ISSN
0954-4070
Volume
233
Number
8
Pages from–to
2139–2145
Pages count
7
BIBTEX
@article{BUT147123,
author="Milan {Špičák},
title="Investigation of Vehicle Ride Height and Diffuser Ramp Angle on Downforce and Efficiency",
year="2018",
volume="233",
number="8",
month="May",
pages="2139--2145",
publisher="SAGE Publications Ltd",
address="London",
issn="0954-4070"
}