Search Results

Aerodynamic drag reduction is one of the most important aspects of enhancing overall vehicle performance. Many car manufacturers have been working to establish drag reduction techniques. This paper describes the development process of a new small speciality car which achieved coefficient of drag(CD) of 0.25. A description of the test facilities and the systems used for developing the aerodynamic aspect of the car are also introduced briefly.

Computational analysis of a flow field around a complex geometry such as a vehicle configuration becomes more reliable with the use of the most current numerical method. And the flow field around a vehicle with tires and wheel houses is simulated with accuracy. Recent market trends necessitate the use of aerodynamic devices to improve aerodynamic characteristics of a road vehicle. However, due to their complex shape, few computational studies of these devices have been performed. In this paper, a computational analysis system for vehicle aerodynamics is established and it's reliability is discussed. As the effective application of the system, the contribution of movable aerodynamic devices is studied using the system. And the comparison of wind tunnel test results with computational results is desirable.

This paper outlines a wind tunnel test laboratory of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (abbr. MMC) completed in May, 1981 and summarizes some reseach results on aerodynamic characteristics of passenger cars in the laboratory. Some methods to reduce aerodynamic drag and lift are described including rear body shapes and effects of engine cooling air. A prediction method of ventilation characteristics is also explained. Air flow rate through a compartment is estimated using static pressure distribution on a model body surface. At high speed, front windshield wipers float from a glass surface by wind pressure. The causes and countermeasures of the wiper floating are discussed.