How Engineers Try to Reduce Drag in Car Designs

Introduction

Drag is a force that acts on any object moving through a fluid. In the case of cars, drag is caused by the interaction of the car’s body with the air. Drag can be a significant factor in a car’s fuel economy, performance, and handling.

There are a number of ways that engineers can reduce drag in car designs. These include:

Streamlining

Streamlining is the process of shaping a car’s body to reduce drag. A streamlined car has a smooth, rounded shape that allows air to flow over it easily. This reduces the amount of turbulence created by the car, which in turn reduces drag.

There are a number of ways to streamline a car’s body. These include:

* Using a fastback roofline, which slopes down towards the rear of the car.
* Using rounded corners and edges.
* Avoiding sharp angles and protrusions.
* Using a smooth underbody, which helps to reduce air resistance.

Reducing Frontal Area

The frontal area of a car is the area of the car that faces into the oncoming air. The larger the frontal area, the more drag the car will experience.

There are a number of ways to reduce a car’s frontal area. These include:

* Using a narrower body.
* Using a shorter hood and trunk.
* Using a sloped windshield.
* Using retractable headlights.

Using Spoilers and Wings

Spoilers and wings are aerodynamic devices that can be used to reduce drag. Spoilers are mounted on the back of the car, while wings are mounted on the sides of the car.

Spoilers and wings work by creating a downforce, which pushes the car down against the road. This downforce helps to reduce the amount of lift created by the car, which in turn reduces drag.

Using Active Aerodynamics

Active aerodynamics is the use of aerodynamic devices that can be adjusted to change the car’s drag. These devices can include spoilers, wings, and diffusers.

Active aerodynamics can be used to reduce drag at high speeds. For example, a spoiler can be deployed at high speeds to create a downforce, which helps to reduce lift and drag.

Conclusion

Drag is a significant factor in a car’s fuel economy, performance, and handling. By using a variety of techniques, engineers can reduce drag in car designs. These techniques include streamlining, reducing frontal area, using spoilers and wings, and using active aerodynamics.