Abstract: A system is configured to mitigate hydroplaning of a vehicle having an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element configured to generate a selectable downforce on the vehicle body in response to a movement of ambient airflow relative thereto. The system includes a mechanism for varying a position of the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element relative to the body to regulate the downforce and sensor(s) configured to detect a vehicle dynamic parameter indicative of hydroplaning of the vehicle. The system additionally includes an electronic controller in communication with the sensor(s) and programmed to regulate the mechanism. The controller is configured to determine a target position for the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element in response to signal(s) from the sensor(s). The controller is also configured to set the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element to the target position via the mechanism to regulate the downforce on the vehicle body and mitigate the hydroplaning of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system is configured to mitigate hydroplaning of a vehicle having an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element configured to generate a selectable downforce on the vehicle body in response to a movement of ambient airflow relative thereto. The system includes a mechanism for varying a position of the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element relative to the body to regulate the downforce and sensor(s) configured to detect a vehicle dynamic parameter indicative of hydroplaning of the vehicle. The system additionally includes an electronic controller in communication with the sensor(s) and programmed to regulate the mechanism. The controller is configured to determine a target position for the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element in response to signal(s) from the sensor(s). The controller is also configured to set the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element to the target position via the mechanism to regulate the downforce on the vehicle body and mitigate the hydroplaning of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having an exterior surface and an aerodynamic member movably coupled to the exterior surface. The aerodynamic member has a first position with respect to the exterior surface and a second position with respect to the exterior surface. The first position presents a distinct aerodynamic profile from the second position. The vehicle additionally includes an actuator coupled to the aerodynamic member and configured to actuate the aerodynamic member between the first position and the second position. The vehicle further includes a damper coupled to the aerodynamic member. The damper is provided with magnetorheological fluid.

Abstract: A method for actively controlling the balance characteristics of a vehicle includes the following steps: (a) determining an aerodynamic balance, vehicle balance, or both of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a vehicle body, an aerodynamic element coupled to the vehicle body, a rear axle, a front axle, a pair of wheels coupled to the rear axle, a pair of rear wheels coupled to the rear axle, a pair of front wheels coupled to the front axle, an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) coupled to the rear axle, and the vehicle balance is based on an aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle; (b) determining that there is surplus downforce capacity available based on the vehicle balance; and (c) controlling, by a controller, the eLSD in response to determining that there is surplus downforce capacity available.

Abstract: A splitter system for a vehicle having a vehicle body including a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion includes first and second splitter portions. The first splitter portion is configured to be fixed to the vehicle body. The second splitter portion is mounted to the first splitter portion. The first and second splitter portions together are configured to generate an aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle body when the vehicle is in motion. The splitter system also includes a mechanism arranged between the first and second splitter portions. The mechanism is configured to vary position of the second splitter portion relative to the first splitter portion to thereby control movement of the oncoming ambient airflow relative to the vehicle body and vary a magnitude of the aerodynamic downforce.

Abstract: Disclosed are downforce feedback systems for active aerodynamic devices, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with a closed-loop downforce feedback system to govern operation of the vehicle's active aero device(s). A feedback control system for operating an active aerodynamic device of a motor vehicle includes one or more pressure sensors for detecting fluid pressures in one or more pneumatic or hydraulic actuators for moving the active aero device. A vehicle controller receives fluid pressure signals from these sensor(s), and calculates an actual downforce value from these signal(s). The controller retrieves a calibrated downforce value from mapped vehicle downforce data stored in memory, and determines if the actual downforce value differs from the calibrated value. If so, the controller determines a target position for a target downforce value for a current vehicle operating condition, and commands the actuator(s) to move the active aero device to the target position.

Abstract: An exemplary method of controlling an automotive vehicle includes the steps of providing a first component, providing a second component movably coupled to the first component, providing an actuator coupled to the second component and configured to actuate the second component between a first position and a second position, providing a vehicle sensor configured to measure a vehicle characteristic, providing at least one controller in communication with the actuator and the vehicle sensor, and determining a baseline vehicle balance and determining an adjusted vehicle balance based on the measured vehicle characteristic.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for mitigating turbulent air for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, a vehicle includes one or more downforce elements, one or more sensors, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to obtain one or more parameter values for the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The processor is processor coupled to the one or more sensors, and is configured to at least facilitate determining whether turbulent air for the vehicle is likely using the parameters, and adjusting a downforce for the vehicle, during operation of the vehicle, by providing instructions for controlling the one or more downforce elements when it is determined that turbulent air for the vehicle is likely.

Abstract: An adjustable aerodynamic assembly includes a support structure and a blocking member supported by the support structure. The blocking member is movable between an extended position in which the blocking member is disposed transverse to the support structure to interact with an airflow and a retracted position in which the blocking member retracts to minimize interaction with the airflow. The adjustable aerodynamic assembly also includes an actuator coupled to the blocking member and configured to move the blocking member to the extended and retracted positions, and a detection member coupled to the blocking member and configured to determine whether a surface of the blocking member is detected. A method of monitoring the adjustable aerodynamic assembly includes determining whether the surface of the blocking member is detected via the detection member. The method also includes selectively activating the actuator to move the blocking member to the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling lift for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, a vehicle includes a body, one or more sensors, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to measure values pertaining to one or more parameter values for a vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors, and is configured to at least facilitate determining whether an unplanned lift of the body of the vehicle is likely using the parameters, and implementing one or more control measures when it is determined that the unplanned lift of the body of the vehicle is likely.

Abstract: Disclosed are self-calibrating load sensor systems for active aerodynamics devices, methods for making or using such load sensor systems, and motor vehicles equipped with a self-calibrating load sensor system to govern operation of the vehicle's active aero device(s). An active aero sensing system includes a load sensor that mounts to the vehicle body, and detects downforces on the vehicle. A memory device stores mapped vehicle downforce data calibrated to the motor vehicle. A vehicle controller receives downforce signals generated by the load sensor, and calculates an average downforce value from these signals. The controller determines if the average downforce differs from a calibrated downforce value retrieved from the memory device. If so, the controller responsively applies an offset value to subsequent downforce signals received from the load sensor, and dynamically controls operation of the active aero device based, at least in part, on these signals modified by the offset value.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having an exterior surface and an aerodynamic member movably coupled to the exterior surface. The aerodynamic member has a first position with respect to the exterior surface and a second position with respect to the exterior surface. The first position presents a distinct aerodynamic profile from the second position. The vehicle additionally includes an actuator coupled to the aerodynamic member and configured to actuate the aerodynamic member between the first position and the second position. The vehicle further includes a damper coupled to the aerodynamic member. The damper is provided with magnetorheological fluid.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method for controlling a vehicle includes the steps of receiving, by a vehicle controller, sensor data representing a vehicle environment along a projected path of travel of the vehicle from at least one sensor, determining, by the vehicle controller, if the projected path of travel of the vehicle includes an obstacle, determining, by the vehicle controller, if an underbody component of the vehicle will impact the obstacle, and if the underbody component will impact the obstacle, generating, by the vehicle controller, a control signal to move the underbody component from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A method for actively controlling the balance characteristics of a vehicle includes the following steps: (a) determining an aerodynamic balance, vehicle balance, or both of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a vehicle body, an aerodynamic element coupled to the vehicle body, a rear axle, a front axle, a pair of wheels coupled to the rear axle, a pair of rear wheels coupled to the rear axle, a pair of front wheels coupled to the front axle, an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) coupled to the rear axle, and the vehicle balance is based on an aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle; (b) determining that there is surplus downforce capacity available based on the vehicle balance; and (c) controlling, by a controller, the eLSD in response to determining that there is surplus downforce capacity available.

Abstract: Disclosed are active variable-width aerodynamic spoiler assemblies, methods for making or for operating such active spoiler assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such active spoiler assemblies. A disclosed active spoiler assembly for modifying the aerodynamic performance of a motor vehicle includes a main body rigidly mounted to the vehicle body, extending transversely across the vehicle. The main body has an elongated construction with opposing longitudinal ends. First and second fins are each movably attached to a respective one of the opposing longitudinal ends of the main body. Also, first and second fin actuators are each attached to the vehicle body and attached to a respective one of the movable fins. The first fin actuator is selectively actuatable to independently move the first fin between respective retracted and extended positions, whereas the second fin actuator is selectively actuatable to independently move the second fin between respective retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A multi-wheeled vehicle employing an active aerodynamic control system is described. A method for controlling the vehicle and the active aerodynamic control system includes determining states of parameters related to ride and handling of the vehicle, and determining a current tractive effort based upon the states of parameters related to ride and handling of the vehicle. A desired tractive effort is determined based upon an operator desired acceleration, and an available tractive effort is determined based upon an available downforce transferable to the wheels from the active aerodynamic control system and downforces of the wheels. The active aerodynamic control system controls the downforce on one of the wheels to control the current tractive effort responsive to the desired tractive effort.

Abstract: Disclosed are downforce feedback systems for active aerodynamic devices, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with a closed-loop downforce feedback system to govern operation of the vehicle's active aero device(s). A feedback control system for operating an active aerodynamic device of a motor vehicle includes one or more pressure sensors for detecting fluid pressures in one or more pneumatic or hydraulic actuators for moving the active aero device. A vehicle controller receives fluid pressure signals from these sensor(s), and calculates an actual downforce value from these signal(s). The controller retrieves a calibrated downforce value from mapped vehicle downforce data stored in memory, and determines if the actual downforce value differs from the calibrated value. If so, the controller determines a target position for a target downforce value for a current vehicle operating condition, and commands the actuator(s) to move the active aero device to the target position.

Abstract: A splitter system for a vehicle having a vehicle body including a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion includes first and second splitter portions. The first splitter portion is configured to be fixed to the vehicle body. The second splitter portion is mounted to the first splitter portion. The first and second splitter portions together are configured to generate an aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle body when the vehicle is in motion. The splitter system also includes a mechanism arranged between the first and second splitter portions. The mechanism is configured to vary position of the second splitter portion relative to the first splitter portion to thereby control movement of the oncoming ambient airflow relative to the vehicle body and vary a magnitude of the aerodynamic downforce.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal body axis in a body plane and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The vehicle also includes an active hybrid spoiler assembly mounted to the vehicle body and configured to control a movement of the ambient airflow along the longitudinal body axis. The spoiler assembly includes at least one stanchion mounted to the vehicle body, and first and second wing-shaped side-sections moveably connected to the stanchion(s). The spoiler assembly further includes a mechanism configured to selectively and individually shift each of the first wing-shaped side-section and the second wing-shaped side-section relative to the at least one stanchion to thereby adjust a magnitude of the aerodynamic downforce generated by each of the first wing-shaped side-section and the second wing-shaped side-section on the vehicle body.

Abstract: An aerodynamic control assembly includes a support structure and a wing member supported by the support structure. The wing member is movable between a first position relative to the support structure and a second position relative to the support structure. The aerodynamic control assembly also includes an actuator coupled to the wing member. The actuator is configured to move the wing member between the first and second positions. The aerodynamic control assembly further includes an inertia measurement unit (IMU) secured to the wing member. The IMU is configured to compile data regarding the position of the wing member. A vehicle includes a body structure and the aerodynamic control assembly coupled to the body structure. The aerodynamic control assembly includes a support structure fixed to the body structure. The aerodynamic control assembly also includes the wing member, the actuator and the IMU discussed above.