Numerical Investigation of Flow Characteristics on Camera Side Mirrors in Vehicles

Author(s): Emre ULUTAŞ, Onur Yemenici

In this study, the flow characteristics affecting camera side mirrors, which are used in modern concept vehicles and electric vehicles, were numerically investigated. Additionally, a slot was designed parallel to the flow surface in the camera side mirror model, and the effect of the slot on the drag coefficient was examined. The analyses were conducted at speeds of 20 m/s, 30 m/s, and 40 m/s, using the SST k-ω turbulence model. The computational domain was 800 mm in width, 800 mm in height, and 1200 mm in length, with the mirror positioned 400 mm from the inlet. The analyses showed that the drag coefficient decreased as the speed increased for all mirror models. The maximum improvement in the drag coefficient was observed at a speed of 40 m/s with Model1 camera side mirror with a slot. The drag coefficient values for Model1 camera side mirrors with and without a slot were 45.8% and 33.4% lower, respectively, compared to the traditional mirror.

Camera Side Mirror, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Drag Coefficient, Aerodynamics

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