Premium automaker Porsche has been offering active deploying rear wings in many of its car models. Though Porsche cars have already had active diffusers underneath the vehicle, this time around, the new design positions the diffuser below the bumper. The concave inner shape allows the aero element to blend into the body of the car when not in use. It is this technology for which Porsche has filed a patent and it is rumoured that the same technology might also be used for future EVs as well – which makes it pretty important as far as patents go.
Porsche initially filed for this technology patent on 27 September 2016, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office published it on 27 April 2017. When active, the diffuser would effectively direct the air along the elongated section of the tail for tweaking the vehicle’s aerodynamics. Moreover, the company also plans to introduce multiple flaps along the rear of the vehicle which might function independently. The company’s application goes on to state, “The embodiment that runs over the entire width of the rear end may be implemented, for example, in vehicles without exhaust-gas tailpipes, such as electric vehicles.”
Porsche’s Active Rear Diffuser patent is similar to the Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva (ALA) active aerodynamic system which is offered in the Huracan Performante. The latter gets two flaps, one in the front fascia and the other near the rear wing. These elements are useful in adjusting low drag and high downforce layouts, all the while offering more focus for traction on the inner wheels during cornering. For now, the premium performance carmaker has not revealed which ones will get the fresh upgrade. More details will be forthcoming at a later date.
