Front Wing Endplates

[Red Byrd]

Greetings!

This question is probably a common-sense answer, but I've seemed to overlook it:

If you look at the front wing endplates on virtually all the cars (except maybe the Renault), at the back of the plate, you see a part which is curved outwards. My questions are:

What is this, exactly?
When did this first debut?
What does it do/effect?

And, my hypothesis; would a combination of that design, along with similarly intergrated mid-vanes underneath the wing, and with the shape of the endplae itself, affect the flow of air into the brake ducts transientally (i.e. in the middle of the corner, when the wheels are not in a straight line)?

Thank you for help you can provide. I'm sorry, I do not have a picture available.

Red

EDIT:
Sorry, I do have a picture. My mistake. Here you see it on Karthikeyan's Jordan:

(http://www.redbyrd.com/jordan_endplate_france.jpg)

[MRE]

The main function of these endplates are to reduce the turbelence created by front tyres hence contributes to balance the aerodynamics balance of Formula One car. Its also refining the airflow to the bottom of the car.It might be difffent from track to track depending on the track characteristic. Eventually, I still keep wondering because the size of endsplates might be so small but it give a big impact to the car behaviour during the corners.

[scarbs]

The concave section (as that is what is often referred as) is used to generate a vortex under the endplate. This vortex helps seal the endplate to the ground, this allows the front wing to maintain its pressure differential (above and below the wing). Also the trajectory of the vortex sends the flow behind the front wheel reducing drag.

[Guest]

could u please explain 'generating vortex'.
does the endplates not block the effect of a votex from underneath the wing to the upper surface and thus save some downforce?

[scarbs]

As the air reaches the cut out along the bottom of the endplate, the air turns in on itself, creating a vortex. This vortex both seals the endplate to the ground and swerves the flow around the wheel. a simple endplate with out the concave section woul onld do a half job of sealing the upper and lower sides of the wing, the energy the vortex puts into the gap between the end plate and ground is more effective at closing the gap completely. Vortices are induced in many areas of the car to improve the flow (winglets behind the chimneys), while in other places unwanted vortices create drag (such as at te rear wing tips) and the teams try to prevent them.

[kilcoo316]

Also, another little thing - the circulation which does occur around the endplate will strike the concave section roughly normal to its surface, making a little more downforce into the bargain (at a small cost in drag)

[MuseF1]

The point of these devices on the endplates is to direct the airflow around the tyres smoothly to create less drag.

[riff_raff]

Guest,

Vortex generators, when properly designed and located, create a region of low pressure along the sides of the underbody. This low pressure region causes the airflow under the car to migrate outward, thus increasing the deltaP from top to bottom on the bodywork, and increasing downforce.

Usually, vortex generation on aero surfaces is considered a bad thing, as it causes drag. That's why airplanes use winglets (or tip sails) on their wing ends. On race cars however, the additional drag is more than compensated by increased downforce.

At least that's the way it was explained to me (and I'm no aerodynamicist!).

Regards,
Terry

[Rev Head]

When did barge boards first debut? On the Dutch Narrow boats in the 1700's. Thats where the original concept was made, of course switch water for air.

[ah_chu80]

Hi... i am a university student from Tokyo. I am interetsted paticulary in the arodynamics of front wing. i am wondering, is there any aerodynamic consideration behind utilisation of the spoon-shaped front wing? or merely to meet the new regulations? or other structural considerations? Are there any effects on the front wing characteristics and the rear part behind the front wing? what is the merit of using a spoon-shaped front wing compare to a flat one. Your infomation and guidance will be appreciated. Thankyou.

[scarbs]

Hello Tokyo....
The spoon shape front wing is used to make use of the regulations that allow the middle 50cm of the wing to be as low as the cars floor. As this section is lower if benefits more from ground effect and hence works better to a given size of wing. This lower section tends to create some aerodynamics sensitivity when the cars pitches (i.e the nose goes up and down) as the amount of downforce it creates will increase as it gets closer to the ground. If it it gets too close to the ground it will choke and stall. this is why the centre sections remains so rounded and not flat (like some 2001 designs).

If a flat wing was used it would produce less downforce but be less sensitive and hence more predictable for the driver.

Scarbs