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.

Original Title

Investigation of Vehicle Ride Height and Diffuser Ramp Angle on Downforce and Efficiency

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

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.

Keywords

vehicle aerodynamics, vehicle simulation/ modelling, alternative vehicle designs, automotive components, Fuel efficiency/ economy, diffuser, downforce, ahmed

Authors

ŠPIČÁK, M.; KNIGHT, J.; KUZENKO, A.; HARITOS, G.; GUOGANG, R.

Released

27. 5. 2018

Publisher

SAGE Publications Ltd

Location

London

ISBN

0954-4070

Periodical

PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PART D-JOURNAL OF AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERING

Year of study

233

Number

8

State

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Pages from

2139

Pages to

2145

Pages count

7

URL

https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0954407018776767

BibTex

@article{BUT147123,
  author="ŠPIČÁK, M. and KNIGHT, J. and KUZENKO, A. and HARITOS, G. and GUOGANG, R.",
  title="Investigation of Vehicle Ride Height and Diffuser Ramp Angle on Downforce and Efficiency",
  journal="PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PART D-JOURNAL OF AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERING",
  year="2018",
  volume="233",
  number="8",
  pages="2139--2145",
  doi="10.1177/0954407018776767",
  issn="0954-4070",
  url="https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0954407018776767"
}