FR2727196A1 - Independent wheel suspension for commercial vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The suspension and braking system for commercial vehicles comprises two hollow pivoted suspension arms (2) parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis. The brake pneumatic controls (12) are housed inside the suspension arms. The arms are connected at one end to the chassis by pivoting bearings (3,4). At the other end on their outside the arms support wheels (10) and on the inside the brakes (11). The brake rotating parts are connected to the wheels by transmission shafts (9) passing through the arms.The outside wheel bearings (3) are fixed and are not adjustable in position. The internal bearings (4) can be dismantled and displaced in the longitudinal direction and vertical direction in order to adjust the bodywork angle and pinching of the wheels. Near the chassis pivoting zone reverse rods are fixed the suspension arms at the ends of which are fastened shock absorbers.The brakes being external to the wheels are more easily cooled.

Description

 The present invention relates to a method of self-drying any surface after washing and rinsing. It also relates to a self-drying composition capable of being used in the context of the self-drying process, as well as to the device for implementing the process.

 The invention relates more particularly to the field of self-drying, after washing-rinsing, bodywork and / or automobile engines.

 The drying of car bodies and engines is traditionally carried out after washing / rinsing by high pressure spraying of finishing products which dissipate either by natural evaporation or by mechanical ventilation using turbines.

 The existing processes have the drawback of leaving, after drying, substantial traces and halos on the treated surfaces, and deposits on the paints and on the glass surfaces, which imply a very significant manual recovery, to the chamois leather. particular. These phenomena come from the technique of spraying the self-drying mixture, spray type, which tends to break the deposited film and which causes significant resurgences during the mechanical drying operation; they are also due to the very composition of the finishing products which, for the most part, incorporate waxes, parafines and / or silicones which are not completely eliminated and which form a residual film on the treated surfaces, due to their poor dilution. in cold water.This residual film on glass surfaces can cause a significant lack of visibility, especially in rainy weather; also, the progressive constitution of a deposit on the paints and on the joints can become unsightly over time.

 The method according to the present invention overcomes these various drawbacks.

 This process, for the self-drying of a surface after washing and rinsing, consists in spreading on said surface, in full jet and at low pressure (of the order of a few bars at most), a liquid composition having the property of absorb the plates and drops of water from the rinse. This spreading is carried out so that the self-drying composition spreads out to form a liquid film uniformly distributed over said surface, which liquid film evaporates or slides naturally towards the soil evacuating by hydraulic drive the sequestered residual impurities.

 The liquid self-drying composition must have the property of wetting the washed and rinsed surface. It must be perfectly miscible with water and it must have a strong power of evaporation. In conjunction with low pressure full-jet spreading, the uniformly distributed liquid film slides towards the ground by simple gravity, absorbing the rinsing water and entraining any solid particles. On the horizontal parts or in the places of retention, the liquid composition has the possibility of evaporating quickly.

 The device for implementing this process consists of a metering-mixer connected, on the one hand, to a reservoir containing the concentrated self-drying composition and, on the other hand, to a source of running water under pressure (preferably city water). The dosing / mixing device is fitted, at the outlet, with flexible piping provided with a lance terminated by a diffuser with a full circular jet intended for spreading the self-drying solution on the surface to be treated.

The dosing-mixer is adapted to dilute the concentrated solution of the tank; it works by effect
Venturi and it is suitable for optimizing the dilution and the projection of the self-drying composition towards the end diffuser.

 The invention also relates to a self-drying composition particularly suitable for use in connection with the self-drying process and device described above.

 This self-drying composition, for rapid drying of a surface after washing and rinsing, comprises, as a mixture in water, one or more surface-active wetting agents and one or more alcohols suitable for dissolving said surface-active wetting agent (s) assets.

The surface-active wetting agent (s) may be present in a proportion of between 0.02 and 0.025% by volume and the solubilization alcohol (s) in a proportion of between 0.1 and 0.2% by volume.

 The surfactant wetting agent used preferably consists of sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate; It can advantageously be combined with a polyester of phosphoric acids. In combination with the two above-mentioned surface-active wetting agents, it is advantageous to use a mixture of isobutyl alcohol, denatured isopropyl alcohol and denatured ethyl alcohol.

 This self-drying composition can also comprise one or more dispersible anti-foaming agent (s), one or more sequestering agent (s), as well as one or more alkaline type product (s). ), suitable for bringing the pH to around neutral pH 7.

 The method according to the invention, associated with the implementation device and with the self-drying composition allows very rapid and high-quality drying of the treated surface. As an indication, it allows the complete drying of a motor vehicle, after washing / rinsing in a time of the order of 1 to 2 minutes, without any other operation than the spreading of the self-drying composition.

 However, the invention will be further illustrated, without being in any way limited, by the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of example in association with the appended drawings in which - Figure 1 is a schematic overview which shows the use of a device according to the invention for implementing the self-drying method - Figure 2 is a sectional view of the device for dispensing the self-drying composition according to the invention; - Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the detail of the suction strainer of the dip tube; - Figures 4 and 5 show, in section, the detail of the automatic dosing-mixer - Figure 6 is an end view of the injector of the automatic dosing-mixer - Figure 7 is a sectional view along 7-7 of Figure 6 ;; - Figure 8 is an end view of the diffuser of the automatic dosing-mixer - Figure 9 is a sectional view along 9-9 of Figure 8; - Figure 10 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the metering-mixer - Figure 11 is an enlarged view, in section, which shows the detail of the lance with free circular jet.

 In accordance with the representation of FIG. 1, the method according to the invention consists in spreading a self-drying solution 1 on the surface to be treated, previously washed and rinsed, in this case a vehicle body 2. This spreading is carried out at by means of a low pressure lance 3 (running water pressure of the order of 2 bars, or even less) terminated by a diffuser 4 with a full circular jet.

 The self-drying composition 1 comes from the dilution in water of a concentrated mother solution 5, placed in a tank 6. The tank 6 is connected to an automatic mixer-doser 8 itself connected to the supply of running water materialized by the tap 9.

A first flexible pipe 10 provides the connection between the valve 9 and the metering-mixer 8; a second flexible pipe 12 connects the metering-mixer 8 to the low pressure lance 3.

 The low pressure full jet allows the self-drying composition 1 to spread and distribute itself without projection and in a uniform manner on the surface to be treated 2, to form a liquid film. This liquid film wets the bodywork and extends over its entire surface until it breaks at its highest upper level; it then slides naturally towards the ground, absorbing the drops of rinsing water in its path and entraining the sequestered residual impurities.

 The spreading of the self-drying compound can be carried out manually or automatically.

 The self-drying composition must be adapted to have the property of wetting the treated surface. It must be perfectly miscible with water and have a strong evaporation power. This composition must also contain no wax, paraffin or silicone to avoid the creation of a residual film.

A liquid formulation likely to be suitable for carrying out the process is detailed in Example No. 1 below.
- example 1 - Final solution
surfactant wetting agents
- sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate (sodium salt of diethyl sulfosuccinate - 2 hexile in hydroalcoholic solution) .............................. .... 0.100
- polyester of phosphoric acids (polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether phosphate nonylphenyl poly (ethyleneoxy) ethanol) ................................ ..... 0.037
solubilizing alcohols:
- iso-butyl alcohol 0.186
- denatured isopropyl alcohol 0.372
- ethyl alcohol denatures 0.620 others
- sequestrant (EDTA) ................... 0.028
- dispersible defoamer .............. 0.015
- water ................................. water QSP 1000
The quantities are indicated by volume; they can vary individually in a proportion of the order of 20%.

 This formulation contains 2 surface-active wetting agents: sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate and polyester of phosphoric acids.

 The mixture of alcohols used (isobutyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol) is suitable for ensuring the solubilization in water of the two above-mentioned wetting agents.

 The alkaline sequestrant consists of an alkaline salt of ethylene diaminatetracetic acid (EDTA). I1 makes it possible in particular to inhibit the action of metal ions.

 The anti-foaming agent, of conventional type, makes it possible to limit the formation of foam during the spreading of the composition.

 A formulation of this type has strong wetting, sequestering, dispersing, evaporating and shining powers which allow rapid, effective and quality drying of the treated surface.

After drying, the corresponding surfaces, such as car bodies, are free of traces, halos, deposits, alteration of paints and windows, eliminating any need for manual or mechanical recovery.

 On the other hand, the high dilution power of the self-drying product and its total compatibility with water ensures glass surfaces, in rainy weather, a transparency equal to a glazing free of impurities.

 The formulation defined in Example No. 1 can advantageously be obtained from a concentrated mother solution, defined in Example No. 2 below, and diluted by the Venturi principle, by means of the metering-mixing device 8, at a rate of 31 ml. (more or less 5 ml) per 1000 ml of water. The products used are identical to those provided in Example No. 1.

- example 2 - stock solution
- sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate ..... 6.5 - polyester of phosphoric acids .. 1.2
- iso-butyl alcohol 6.0
- isopropyl alcohol .............. 12.00
- ethyl alcohol ................... 20.00
- sequestrant (EDTA) 0.9
- dispersible anti-foam ............ 0.5
- water ................................. water QSP 1000
The pH of this concentrated stock solution is close to 7. The quantities are expressed by volume; they can vary in a proportion of the order of 20 Z, individually.

 The device for distributing the self-drying composition according to the invention is detailed in FIGS. 2 to 10.

 In accordance with FIG. 2, this device consists of an automatic mixer-doser 8 for double liquid components; it is intended to proportion the concentrated self-drying formulation 5 with running water under pressure coming from tap 9 (pressure of the order of 2 bars), and to homogenize the final self-drying solution 1. The metering-mixer 8 is connected to tap 9 by hose 10; a valve 13 for adjusting the flow can be placed at the outlet of the tap 9.

 The doser-mixer 8 is also connected to the reservoir 6 containing the concentrated mother solution 5, by means of a dip tube 14 provided with a suction strainer 15. At the outlet, it distributes the final formulation via the line 12 fitted with the lance 3 and the diffuser 4 with a free circular jet.

 The tank 6 which contains the concentrated mother solution 5 is closed by a plug 16 through which the dip tube 14 passes. The plug 16 has a vent 17 which balances the tank 6 at ambient atmospheric pressure.

 As can be seen in FIG. 3, the suction strainer 15 provided in the reservoir 6 at the end of the dip tube 14 consists, starting from its base, of an anti-impurity filter 20 and of a non-return valve 21 held on its seat 22 by an elastic return member 23, of the calibrated helical spring type.

 The valve 21 is in the form of a rubber pad carried by an O-ring guide 24 arranged on the seat 22.

The calibrated spring 23 is carried by a cup 25 which makes it possible to uniformly distribute its pressure on the pellet 21.

At its other end, the spring 23 is supported on an upper spring guide 26 provided with four radial slots 27 for the passage of the liquid.

 Above the non-return valve 21, we note the presence of a calibrated flow pre-metering device 28, in the form of a diaphragm.

 The different parts of the suction strainer 15 are secured to each other by means of suitable threaded connections; the strainer 15 is connected to the dip tube 14 by means of an end sleeve 29.

 With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the automatic mixer-doser 8 is fixed to the cap 16 of the reservoir 6. This doser-mixer 8 consists of a calibrated injector 30 connected to the tap 9 by means of a valve. start-up 31. The calibrated injector 30 is in direct mechanical contact with a diffuser 32 comprising a vacuum chamber 33 followed by a stabilization chamber 34.

 At the contact between the injector 30 and the diffuser 32, we note the presence of a circular channel 35, of triangular section, connected with the reservoir 6 via the dip tube 14 and the conduit 36 in the form of a sleeve. . The upstream end of the diffuser 32 is provided with four calibrated slots 37 which define communication orifices between the circular channel 35 and the vacuum chamber 33. The calibrated slots 37 allow the supply of the concentrated solution 5 at the level of the end of injector 30.

 Figures 6 and 7 show the injector 30 in isolation. This injector 30 has a generally cylindrical shape; it can be produced by molding / injection of plastic material. In these two figures, we note the upstream cylindrical orifice 40 oriented towards the source of pressurized water and connected to the downstream orifice 41, of smaller diameter, by the frustoconical portion 42.

The downstream end of the injector 30 has an annular cutaway 43. The length of the upstream orifice 40 is of the order of 18.5 mm and that of the downstream orifice 41 of the order of 7.5 mm. The diameter of the orifice 41 is of the order of 2 of 3 mm to give it a section close to 7 mm
Figures 8 and 9 show the diffuser 32, in isolation. This diffuser 32 has a generally cylindrical shape; it can also be produced by molding / injection of plastic material. The upstream end of the diffuser 32 comprises an annular cutaway 45 intended to form the circular channel 35, of triangular section, with the cutaway 43 of the injector 30, by juxtaposition of the two parts.

 At this upstream end, the diffuser 32 has an axial orifice 46 of generally frustoconical shape which is extended by the vacuum chamber 33, itself followed by the stabilization chamber 34.

The vacuum chamber 33 has a length close to 26 mm and a diameter of the order of 3.5 mm; the stabilization chamber 34 has a length of the order of 43 mm and a diameter of the order of 4.5 mm.

 Between the cutaway 45 and the frustoconical orifice 46, we note the presence of the calibrated radial slots 37, four in number, regularly distributed. These slots each have a section of the order of 1.25 mm.

 In the metering-mixer 8, the injector 30 and the diffuser 32 are placed in end-to-end contact and held by suitable threaded connections.

 The vacuum (Venturi principle) caused by the speed of passage of the pressurized water through the injector 30 causes the concentrated solution 5 to be drawn into the chamber 33, via the circular channel 35 and the calibrated slots 37 The stabilization chamber 34 collects the mixture and stabilizes the two components before it is taken up by the hose 12 whose internal diameter is of the order of 13 mm.

The diameter of the orifice 41 of the injector 30, that of the vacuum chamber 33 as well as the dimensions of the circular channel 35, of the calibrated slots 37 and of the frustoconical orifice 46, are adapted to ensure optimal mixing of the two components by principle
Venturi.

 FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the metering-mixer 8 in which the calibrated slots 37 have been eliminated at the upstream end of the diffuser 32. This diffuser 32 is provided sliding in its support 48 to allow adjustment of the 'inlet space 49 of the concentrated solution 5. The diffuser 32 is screwed into its support 48 by means of suitable threads 50. This thread makes it possible to precisely adjust the longitudinal positioning of the vacuum chamber 33 relative to the injector 30. This adjustment is adapted as a function of the desired suction characteristics.

Note the presence of seals 51 downstream of the thread 50, provided in particular between the diffuser 32 and its support 48.

 In FIG. 11, we notice the detail of the free circular jet lance 3 intended for the diffusion of the self-drying composition coming from the flexible 12, on the surfaces to be treated. The base of the lance 3 comprises a grip handle 52; at the end, we notice the diffusion tube 4 whose internal diameter is of the order of 10 to 15 mm. At the lance outlet, the flow rate of the self-drying composition is of the order of 8 liters / min.

 The embodiment which has just been described is in no way limiting; alternatively, for example, the metering-mixer 8 can be placed directly on the water supply tap, or even positioned as a wall light. On the other hand, the method according to the invention can completely be implemented by other devices than that described above, with self-drying compositions of a material different from that illustrated in the examples inserted. .

Claims (5)

- CLAIMS  1. - Self-drying process of any surface after washing and rinsing, characterized in that it consists in spreading on said surface, in full jet at low pressure, a liquid composition having the property of absorbing the plates and drops rinsing water, said spreading being carried out so that said composition spreads out to form a liquid film uniformly distributed over said surface, which liquid film evaporates or slides naturally towards the ground evacuating by hydraulic drive the residual impurities kidnapped.  2. - Device for implementing the method according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of a metering-mixer (8) connected, on the one hand, to a reservoir (6) containing a composition d concentrated self-drying (5) and, on the other hand, to a source (9) of pressurized running water, which metering-mixer (8) is provided, at the outlet, with a flexible pipe (12) provided with a lance (3) terminated by a diffuser (4) with a full circular jet intended for spreading the self-drying solution (1) on the surface to be treated (2), said metering-mixer (8) being adapted to dilute the concentrated solution (5).  3. - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a metering-mixer (8) consisting of a calibrated injector (30) connected to the source (9) of pressurized water and in direct mechanical contact with a diffuser (32) comprising a vacuum chamber (33) followed by a stabilization chamber (34), the outlet of the injector (30) and the inlet of the diffuser (32) defining, between them, a circular channel (35), of triangular section, connected to the reservoir (6) containing the self-drying solution (5) and allowing the supply of this solution (5) via calibrated slots (37) arranged at the inlet of the vacuum chamber (33).  4.- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a metering-mixer (8) consisting of - a calibrated injector (30) connected to the source (9) of pressurized water and - a diffuser (32) comprising a vacuum chamber (33) followed by a stabilization chamber (34), the outlet of the injector (30) and the inlet of the diffuser (32) defining, between them, a circular channel ( 35), of triangular section, connected to the reservoir (6) containing the self-drying solution (5), which diffuser (32) is slidably mounted in its support (48) to allow adjustment of its longitudinal positioning relative to said injector (30 ).  5. - Device according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises a reservoir (6) of concentrated self-drying solution (5) provided with a dip tube (14) which opens into the channel circular (35) of the doser-mixer (8) and the other end of which is immersed in said concentrated self-drying solution (5) is provided with a suction strainer (15) provided with a non-return valve (21).