Ahead of Tesla’s now delayed Roadster event, Tesla has been granted a patent for a fan system that increases downforce and reduces aerodynamic drag. The patent was granted this morning and it describes using battery-powered fans to manage airflow beneath a vehicle, with potential benefits for cornering grip and braking stability.
How the System Works
The system draws air through an inlet beneath the vehicle, moves it through a duct and expels it from an outlet at the rear. Accelerating airflow beneath the floor creates a lower-pressure area that helps stick the vehicle to the road.
The rear outlet is larger than the inlet. This widening passage acts as a diffuser, allowing air to expand and slow down before it meets the surrounding air behind the vehicle. The patent specifically says this arrangement allows it to increase downforce while reducing drag.
The patent includes a diagram that uses four electric fans positioned side by side, with vertical fins called strakes between them to help manage airflow.
Controlling Downforce at Low Speeds
Passive aerodynamic devices depend on airflow generated as a vehicle moves. Tesla’s proposed fans would generate downforce independently of vehicle speed, making them potentially useful in slower corners as well as at higher speeds.
The system would likely activate automatically, similar to active spoilers, when vehicle conditions meet specified criteria, such as a speed threshold.
Ways to Increase Downforce
The intended benefit of the increased downforce is more cornering grip and greater stability at high speeds, as well as braking. Tesla filed the application on January 17, 2024, following a provisional filing on January 17, 2023.
The Roadster could very well need the additional downforce described in this patent, especially with the optional gas thrusters.
Tesla’s event was just delayed to October 15th, so we’re just over two weeks from finding out how Tesla plans to increase the Roadster’s downforce. Several days ago, we also covered a patent that describes an active wing for the Roadster, which sounds very much like the wing we saw on the Model S Plaid during early testing.
