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 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 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.

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: The vehicle has a vehicle body including a first body end facing incident ambient airflow, a second body end opposite of the first body end, an underbody section spanning a distance between the first and second body ends, and vehicle subsystem arranged proximate the underbody section. A panel is moveably mounted to the underbody section and configured to regulate access of an underbody portion of the incident airflow to the subsystem. A mechanism is configured to shift the panel to selectively expose at least a part of the subsystem to the underbody portion of the incident airflow and shield the subsystem to thereby enhance aerodynamics of the vehicle body. A sensor detects a vehicle operating parameter and communicates the detected operating parameter to a controller. The controller is configured to regulate the mechanism and thereby shift the panel in response to the detected vehicle operating parameter.

Abstract: A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis with a first vehicle body end configured to face incident ambient airflow. The system includes an aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body and configured to generate a downforce thereon via controlling the incident ambient airflow. The system also includes an adjustable flap arranged at the aerodynamic-aid element. The adjustable flap is configured to shift relative to the aerodynamic-aid element and thereby control movement of the incident ambient airflow relative to the aerodynamic-aid element. The system additionally includes a mechanism configured to vary position of the adjustable flap relative to the aerodynamic-aid element and thereby vary a magnitude of downforce generated by the aerodynamic-aid element.

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: 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: The vehicle has a vehicle body including a first body end facing incident ambient airflow, a second body end opposite of the first body end, an underbody section spanning a distance between the first and second body ends, and vehicle subsystem arranged proximate the underbody section. A panel is moveably mounted to the underbody section and configured to regulate access of an underbody portion of the incident airflow to the subsystem. A mechanism is configured to shift the panel to selectively expose at least a part of the subsystem to the underbody portion of the incident airflow and shield the subsystem to thereby enhance aerodynamics of the vehicle body. A sensor detects a vehicle operating parameter and communicates the detected operating parameter to a controller. The controller is configured to regulate the mechanism and thereby shift the panel in response to the detected vehicle operating parameter.

Abstract: A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis with a first vehicle body end configured to face incident ambient airflow. The system includes an aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body and configured to generate a downforce thereon via controlling the incident ambient airflow. The system also includes an adjustable flap arranged at the aerodynamic-aid element. The adjustable flap is configured to shift relative to the aerodynamic-aid element and thereby control movement of the incident ambient airflow relative to the aerodynamic-aid element. The system additionally includes a mechanism configured to vary position of the adjustable flap relative to the aerodynamic-aid element and thereby vary a magnitude of downforce generated by the aerodynamic-aid element.