Challenge
E-mobility requires automobiles to have an uncompromised streamlined design. For example, a small car with an aerodynamic drag of 0.38 is far from optimally aerodynamic. So, what would a small car with low aerodynamic drag look like?
invention
In water, a catamaran experiences less drag than a boat with a single hull. Applying this concept to car design results in the RES-Automobile, which has a U-shaped airfoil body. This new aerodynamic concept is not limited to small cars; it provides a way to downsize a car from the inside. Liberated from the need for space to accommodate a combustion engine, drive train and transversal axes, the RES-Automobile features an e-drive concept comprising four wheel-hub motors and a central channel open to the atmosphere. Downsized from the inside, the RES-Automobile does not compromise on the customer's desire to own a full-size car. The car's large surface area is ideal for integrating solar cells that can regenerate the traction battery while driving. Small cars are well known for their poor aerodynamic properties. For this reason, a Smart Fortwo was chosen as a reference model for aerodynamic testing at the University of Stuttgart. It was found that the air resistance could be lowered by more than 25% with the U-shaped airfoil body.
Advantages
- Reduction of air resistance
- Designing a comfortable electric car
- High seating position
- Easy access
Applications
- An e-mobility concept for cars with two, four, six or eight seats