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In automotive design, a nolder is a small
In automotive design, a nolder is a small aerodynamic
Aerodynamics () is the study of the motion of atmosphere of Earth, air, particularly when affected by a solid object, such as an airplane wing. It involves topics covered in the field of fluid dynamics and its subfield of gas dynamics, and is an ...
shape (a strip, wing, protrusion, lip or profile) integral to bodywork or to an aerodynamic attachment – e.g., a spoiler
Spoiler or Spoilers may refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media
* Spoiler (media), something that reveals significant plot elements
* The Spoiler, DC Comics superheroine Stephanie Brown
Film and television
* ''Spoiler'' (film), 1998 American ...
, diffuser
Diffuser may refer to:
Aerodynamics
* Diffuser (automotive), a shaped section of a car's underbody which improves the car's aerodynamic properties
* Part of a jet engine air intake, especially when operated at supersonic speeds
* The channel bet ...
or splitter – perpendicular to the direction of air flow travel for the purpose of further managing and refining air flow.
Nolders are used in both high-performance as well as in less critical aerodynamic applications.
Etymology
In 1996, '' Autocar'' attributed original use of the term toFerrari
Ferrari S.p.A. (; ) is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer based in Maranello. Founded in 1939 by Enzo Ferrari (1898–1988), the company built Auto Avio Costruzioni 815, its first car in 1940, adopted its current name in 1945, and be ...
, with other sources citing the nolder as having derived from Formula One racing
Formula One race weekend refers to an auto racing event which takes place over three days (usually Friday to Sunday), with a series of practice and qualifying sessions prior to the race on Sunday. Current regulations provide for two free practi ...
, where Ferrari has been prominent.
The ''Formula One Dictionary'' defines a nolder as "a small upside-down L-shaped aerodynamic appendage generally positioned on the trailing edge of the rear wing to increase downforce at low speed."
The ''Automotive Dictionary'' defines it as a "very small aerodynamic appendage that's fitted to an airfoil to increase down-force without affecting drag resistance."
Applications
In the design of high-performance vehicles, a nolder of limited size can significantly increase or decrease thelift
Lift or LIFT may refer to:
Physical devices
* Elevator, or lift, a device used for raising and lowering people or goods
** Paternoster lift, a type of lift using a continuous chain of cars which do not stop
** Patient lift, or Hoyer lift, mobile ...
(Cz) of a vehicle's aerodynamic profile.
Nolders are also used in less high-performance applications, for example forcing an airflow separation alongside a vertical rear window to minimize debris accumulation, e.g., with a small hatchback.
Examples
Examples include the underside of the LaFerrari, which features a nolder to assist with vehicle dynamics. The Ferrari 599 GTO features prominent flanking aerodynamic fins or flying buttresses aside the rear window, maximizing air flow to a linear rear nolder. The Ferrari 355 has a similar nolder profile at the upper portion of its tail. The Koenigsegg CCXR features an optional front splitter with a nolder, and the spoiler at the rear bumper of the Maserati 320S features a supplementary nolder to increase the vertical load to the rear. Early versions of the highly aerodynamic 1982Ford Sierra
The Ford Sierra is a Mid-size car, mid-size/D-segment, large family car manufactured and marketed by Ford of Europe from 1982–1993. It was designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Bob Lutz (businessman), Robert Lutz and Patrick Le Quément, and was noted for ...
suffered crosswind instability, which was addressed in 1985 with the addition of aerodynamic nolders on the rear edge of the rubber seals of the rear-most side windows.
For airflow management and to assist in keeping the rear window free from dirt, nolders are integral to the rearmost vertical pillar
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a compression member. ...
of Mini Cooper Mini Cooper may refer to:
*Performance Cars of the original Mini series with uprated drive train and brakes, called the "Mini Cooper", made by the British Motor Corporation and also the successors 1961–1971, and 1990–2000
*Cars of the Mini (mar ...
models and the Fiat 500L
The Fiat 500L is a mini MPV manufactured by Fiat under the Fiat Serbia joint venture and marketed globally since its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.
Based on a variant of the GM Fiat Small platform, ''FCA Small Wide platform'', the 50 ...
.
See also
*Diffuser (automotive)
A diffuser, in an automotive context, is a shaped section of the car rear which improves the car's aerodynamic properties by enhancing the transition between the high-velocity airflow underneath the car and the much slower freestream airflow of t ...
*Servo tab
A servo tab is a small hinged device installed on an aircraft control surface to assist the movement of the Flight control surfaces, control surfaces. Introduced by the German firm Flettner, servo tabs were formerly known as Flettner tabs. Ser ...
*Trim tab
Trim tabs are small surfaces connected to the trailing edge of a larger Flight control surfaces, control surface on a boat or aircraft, used to control the trim of the controls, i.e. to counteract hydro- or aerodynamic forces and stabilise the ...
References
{{Reflist Automotive body parts Automotive styling features Aerodynamics Formula One