Mercedes-Benz "Airline Trailer" Effectively Reduces Truck Fuel Consumption

Recently, Mercedes-Benz heavy truck launched an Aero Trailer based on the aerodynamic design. Mercedes-Benz Actros trailers using the air trailer concept will save 2,000 liters of diesel per year. It is equivalent to 1.3 liters of 100 kilometers of fuel economy.

According to reports, this airline trailer can reduce air resistance by installing front shroud, side baffles, side skirts, and a conical tail extension device, which can reduce air resistance by 18%; improving fuel economy, The Actros trailer using the aero trailer concept would save 2,000 liters of diesel per year if calculated on the average of 150,000 km per year per trailer. It is equivalent to 1.3 liters of 100 kilometers of fuel economy.

However, due to the installation of tapered tail extensions, the total length of the vehicle exceeds the maximum limit of half a meter as stipulated by the European regulations. Aero Trailer wants to use it officially and must also make special legislation to allow it to go on the road.

Four resistances of truck during driving

Surface resistance: is the frictional resistance when air flow generated by the outer surface of the vehicle, the main resistance by body shape, and parts mounted on the vehicle body, such as mirrors, door handles, lights, windshield, insurance the resistance to flow disturbances caused by this resistance have long trailer or bus bars have a greater impact vehicle front decorative pieces.

Differential pressure resistance: The size of differential pressure resistance depends on the size of the turbulence zone, especially the size of the tail turbulence zone. At the point where the gas flow becomes turbulent, a partial vacuum zone forms, which creates a pressure differential resistance. In the truck design, designers need to work hard to reduce the turbulence surface, thereby reducing the vacuum area.

Induced resistance: It is a part of the pressure differential resistance and is caused by the difference in air pressure at the top and bottom of the vehicle during driving. The differential pressure resistance and induced resistance account for the largest proportion of the total air resistance.

In-vehicle resistance: This is because of the resistance caused by airflow through radiators , engines, etc. inside the bumper .