Title: Connection between rear-end extensions and yaw response of a passenger vehicle

Authors: Lennert Sterken; Simone Sebben; Lennart Löfdahl

Addresses: 91360 Aerodynamics, Volvo Car Corporation, Torslanda PVT3, SE-405 31 Gothenburg, Sweden ' Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Hörsalsvägen 7A, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden ' Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Hörsalsvägen 7A, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden

Abstract: This paper aims to investigate the sensitivity of the rear-end design to the yaw response of a passenger vehicle. To accomplish this, rear-end extensions are attached to the base perimeter of a sport utility vehicle (SUV). The intention of the extensions is to improve and to smooth out the pressure recovery such that a more stable wake is created. The extensions facilitate the implementation of configuration changes with respect to design, inclination angle and length. To control the separation conditions of the flow entering the near-wake, two different designs are studied. The yaw response is analysed through the global forces and flow field measurements presented as surface pressure distributions and wake plane measurements of local drag. The results show that the rear-end can be designed as to control the yaw response so the aerodynamic drag is minimised and passenger vehicle stability is maintained.

Keywords: full-scale wind tunnel experiments; yaw response; drag reduction; rear-end stability; rear-end design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAD.2020.107165

International Journal of Aerodynamics, 2020 Vol.7 No.1, pp.1 - 17

Accepted: 06 May 2019
Published online: 06 May 2020 *

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