GB2269349A

GB2269349A - Devices for controlling spray from vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2269349A
Application number: GB9316155A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Kay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-08-04
Filing date: 1993-08-04
Publication date: 1994-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2013-08-04
Also published as: GB2269349B; GB9316155D0; GB9216562D0

Abstract

A spray controlling device 14 for a vehicle wheel 10 has a lower deflector part 19 which extends downwards and rearwards to intercept spray thrown up by the wheel. The deflector may have an upper upright extension 18. The parts 18, 19 may have forward extending side walls to confine the spray. The deflector 19 directs the spray towards the ground 11, preferably substantially vertically, and the deflected spray tends to stay on the ground. In a modification the device 14 is mounted to move up and down with the wheel 10 in relation to the vehicle chassis or body 12. The wheel 10 may have a sprung or unsprung suspension. <IMAGE>

Description

DEVICES FOR CONTROLLING SPRAY FROM VEHICLES This invention relates to devices for controlling spray from vehicles and to vehicles with such devices.

Vehicles, particularly heavy lorries, throw up considerable spray in wet weather use and this may cause difficulty for the drivers of other vehicles.

According to this invention a spray controlling device for a vehicle wheel comprises a deflector arranged to be mounted on the vehicle and extending rearwards and downwards.

The deflector may have an upper extension which is upright.

The extension and/or deflector may have forwardly extending side walls.

The device may be adapted to be mounted on an axle casing.

The deflector may be resilient.

There may be mounting means for mounting the device such that the deflector moves up or down with the wheel in relation to a chassis or body of the vehicle.

The mounting means may comprise a fluid system.

The deflector may be mounted on a lower frame connected to an upper frame for relative movement thereto.

The deflector may be biassed towards a forward inoperative position and is movable by air pressure an operative position.

The invention includes a vehicle having such a device mounted with the deflector to the rear of a wheel.

The invention can be performed in various ways and two specific embodiments with possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a vehicle wheel and anti-spray device; Fig. 2 is a view of Fig. 1 from the rear; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another embodi ment.

A vehicle wheel 10 e.g. of a lorry, is shown on a road 11. Typically the vehicle chassis is at 12 and a wheel guard at 13. A spray-control device 14 is fitted in the present case.

The device 14 is connected at 15 to the casing or housing 16 of the wheel axle 17 so as to be to the rear of the wheel 10 and comprises an upper part 18 and a lower part 19 extending downwardly and rearwardly from the upper part 18. The part 18 has forwardly extending side walls 20 to form a channel. The lower part 19 may have similar walls (not shown).

Water thrown up by the wheel 10 and hitting the part 18 will mainly flow downwards and then along part 19. The greater part of the water thrown up by the wheel 10 will hit the part 19 and this is so positioned and inclined that it directs the water downwards as at 21 to hit the road 11 preferably substantially vertically and that water will then largely remain on the road and not form spray. The lower edge 22 of the part 19 is close to the ground 11 e.g. 2.5cm (1 inch). The angle of inclination of part 19 to the vertical can vary e.g. S0 to 600 preferably 30 to 600. The part 19 can be made of resilient material so as to regain its shape after temporary deformation.

Water which hits part 19 and moves sideways is confined by the side walls.

Te deflector 1 < ,19 is posltloed as close to the wheel as convelet.

The junction 48 between parts 18, 19 may for example be from 15 to 30 cms above the road 11 with the vehicle in an unloaded condition.

In some cases the part 18 is extended upwards so as to be slidable within guard 13.

The part 18 could also be inclined rearwards as it extends downwards.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4 the device 14 is mounted to move up and down with the wheel axle under the effect of loading/unloading the vehicle and of movement of the wheel up and down in relation to the chassis during movement along the ground. Typically a spring suspension is interposed between the chassis and wheel.

A hydraulic piston/cylinder unit 40 is connected between the chassis and the axle casing 16 and has a fluid connection 41 to another hydraulic piston/ cylinder unit 42, 43 connected respectively to upper and lower frame parts 44, 45 connected respectively to the chassis and the device 14. Thus if the wheel rises in relation to the chassis, fluid is displaced from unit 40 to unit 42, 43 to raise correspondingly the frame part 45 in relation to the frame part 44.

The frame parts 44, 45 may be telescopic.

In this way the lower edge 22 of device 14 which is located near to the ground can be maintained at a substantially constant height above the ground 11.

In some cases the vehicle does not have a separate chassis but the wheel is resiliently mounted from the vehicle body which acts as a chassis.

In some cases the wheel axle casing is unsprung and the wheel does not have a spring suspension.

The device can be included in a vehicle when the vehicle is initially constructed or can be added to an existing vehicle.

The device can be fitted to any or all wheels of the vehicle.

In some cases the device 14 is pivoted and held by bias means, e.g. a spring, in a position forward of its operating position and is arranged, on appropriate forward movement of the vehicle, to be pivoted rearwards to the operative position by air pressure produced by the forward movement. This is particularly useful for rear wheels which may be arranged to engage a stop device on rearward movement of the vehicle.

Claims

ClAIMS

1. A spray controlling device for a vehicle wheel comprising a deflector arranged to be mounted on the vehicle and extending rearwards and downwards.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the deflector has an upper extension which is upright.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, in which the extension has forwards extending side walls.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the deflector has forwards extending side walls.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the deflector is resilient.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, including mounting means for mounting the device on a vehicle such that the deflector moves up or down with the wheel in relation to a chassis or body of the vehicle.

7. A device as claimed in Claim 6, in which the mounting means comprises a fluid system.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, in which the deflector is mounted on a lower frame connected to an upper frame for relative movement thereto.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the deflector is biassed towards a forward inoperative position and is movable by air pressure to an operative position.

10. A spray controlling device for a vehicle wheel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, or Fig. 4, of the accompanying drawings.

11. A vehicle having a wheel and comprising a device as claimed in any preceding claim mounted on the vehicle with the deflector rearwards of the wheel.