GB2322346A

GB2322346A - Spray suppression device

Info

Publication number: GB2322346A
Application number: GB9703617A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Seppo Kilpinen
Original assignee: PARLOK Oy AB
Current assignee: PARLOK Oy AB
Priority date: 1997-02-21
Filing date: 1997-02-21
Publication date: 1998-08-26
Also published as: GB9703617D0

Abstract

A spray suppression device (10) for suppressing spray flung outward from the wheel of a vehicle. The device comprises a panel (12) with a plurality of spaced apart spray suppression elements (16) extending across the panel surface (14). Each spray suppression element has an elongated body with an elongated front side (22) facing the spray (20). The spray suppression elements (16) are connected by their base ends (18) to the panel (12) in an upwardly extending inclined position to protrude axially out from the panel surface (14). The axial extensions of the elements (16) form in a vertical cross section an acute angle α with the plane (14) of the panel. The angle α is preferably about 52,5‹. The combined projections of the spray suppression elements (16), in a plane perpendicular to the flow direction (20) of the spray, cover the front surface of the panel, so as to prevent spray from directly impinging the panel surface.

Description

SPRAY SUPPRESSION DEVICE The present invention relates to a spray suppression device according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

It is well known that spray from water, mud, dust and snow, which may be thrown upwardly and rearwardly or laterally from the road by wheels of heavy road vehicles, can seriously impair visibility for other road users, particularly on motor ways and other high speed roads. The problem has been previously recognized and many solutions have been proposed.

Spray suppression devices are fitted to vehicles in order to suppress the spray flung upward from the wheel of the vehicle. One type of spray suppression devices comprises a panel having a plurality of spaced apart spray suppression elements arranged on the surface facing the wheel. The panel is connected behind the wheel to face the spray of water, sand and snow being flung upward by the wheel from the wet road surface. The spray suppression elements are pins or other elongated projections protruding perpendicularly from and extending across the whole front surface of the panel.

Patent applications GB 2 169 862 and GB 2 126 181 describe such spray suppression devices or mud flaps. In GB 2 169 862 an anti-spray flap made of e.g. rubber is shown. A plurality of projections arranged symmetrically in parallel horizontal and vertical rows are connected to the flap, the projections being mounted on the flap to protrude perpendicularly out from the flap. From a spray of water, snow, ice and stones flung up from a wheel one portion hits the projections whereas another portion directly hits the flap surface between the projections. A spray flow hitting the surface of the flap loses its kinetic energy, stops and splashes in all directions. Thereby a portion of the spray comes to a momentaneous stand still at the flap surface, whereas other portions flow in all directions, some may even flow backward and out from the flap surface and create a mist of water around the flap. It may be difficult to guide the spray in a desired downward direction.

GB 2 126 181 shows a mud flap which has a roughened or fibrous surface, e.g. with flexible spikes or fibres, facing the wheel. Also these spikes, which extend perpendicularly out from the flap surface, allow a spray to hit the flap surface and same disadvantages as mentioned above arise. In the above mentioned spray suppression devices stones may get caught between the projections or spikes, which has an detrimental effect on the spray suppressing effect of the device. Dense arrangement increases cost and weight of the flap.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved spray suppression device which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spray suppression device which in an appropriate manner suppresses the spray thrown against it and deflects it to flow downward toward the road surface.

It is thereby particularly an object of the present invention to provide a spray suppression device which satisfies the demands of present road users.

The objects of the present invention are in accordance with the present invention solved by a spray suppression device characterized by the features specified in the characterizing portion of claim 1.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a spray suppression device for use on a road vehicle is provided comprising - a panel having top and bottom ends, two opposed side edges, a front surface facing the wheel and a rear surface, and - a plurality of spaced apart spray suppression elements extending across said front surface, each spray suppression element having an elongated body with an elongated front side facing the spray flung upward from the wheel and an elongated rear side in the shade of said spray, a top end and a base end, and being connected by its base end to the front surface of the panel to protrude axially out from said front surface. The spray suppression elements are according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention connected by their base ends to the panel in an upwardly extending inclined position, so that the axial extension of the elements in a vertical cross section of the spray suppress ion device forms an acute angle a with the plane of the front surface of the panel. The angle a is typically between 400 to 650, preferably between 500 to 550, most preferably about 52,50. The spray suppression elements are typically arranged, when seen from the flow direction of the spray flung outward from the wheel, so that their combined projections cover at least 90%, preferably about 100 %, of the front surface of the panel, so as to prevent spray flung outward from the wheel from directly impinging the panel surface. The spray is flung from the wheel mainly along the tangent thereof.

In a device according to the present invention, spray flung up from a wheel hits the spray suppression elements and is not substantially allowed to directly hit the surface of the backing panel, the suppression elements being arranged to cover the panel surface from such spray flows. The suppress ion elements are inclined so that sprays will hit the front surface of them at an angle of about 500 - 700, preferably about 550 - 650. When the spray hits the front surface of the elements the direction of the spray turns downward, without the spray thereby completely loosing its kinetic energy. The kinetic energy of the spray is decreased when the spray flows in a controlled manner downward along the suppression elements toward the surface of the backing panel, i.e. toward the drainage surface, along which collected spray water is guided further downward to the road surface.

By the inclined spray suppression elements it is possible to suppress spray water in a controlled manner, so that water, ice, snow, debris, small stones etc. will flow downward to the road surface and not be thrown out to form a mist like spray around the wheels. The density of suppression elements pro m2 is typically within the range of 5000 to 20 000 elements / m2. The density of elements depends on the size of the elements, the smaller the elements the higher the density.

The spray suppression elements are preferably formed of elongated rods, bars, pins or beams having a rectangular or triangular cross section, the cross section preferably being mainly constant from base end to top end. In some embodiments the cross section of the elements may decrease from the base to the top thereof. Typically the axial length (1) of suppression elements is about 15 to 35 mm, preferably about 20 to 30 mm. The transverse dimension (d) of the cross section, at the base, in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of spray may be about 1 to 15 mm, preferably 4 to 8 mm. The suppression elements are slender and have a ratio (1) 1 (d) > 1,5 - 8, preferably about 3 - 6.

The elongated body of the spray suppression elements is typically triangular or rectangular in cross section, and is typically disposed on the backing panel so that one of the elongated side surfaces in a horizontal plane perpendicularly faces the spray flung upward from the wheel. This elongated side surface facing the spray, e.g.

the flat side of a bar having a rectangular cross section, may preferably be plane or concave, but can have another form. The rear side of the suppression elements, i.e. the side being in the shade of the spray, may be rounded (convex) or have a ridged roof form for allowing water to easily flow on both sides of the element.

The spray suppressing elements form on the surface of the backing panel an outwardly extending layer, having a depth (D), of suppression elements, the depth (D) being = or < 25 mm, typically 15 - 25 mm.

It is important according to the invention to provide free space between the suppression elements for allowing the collected spray to flow downward in a controlled manner.

The spray suppress ion elements are preferably disposed on the front surface of the panel so that the ratio (A / a) of total free space area (A) of said front surface to footprint surface area (a), i.e. surface area of said front surface covered by said elements, is between 6 / 1 to 25 / 1, preferably between 10 / 1 to 15 /1.

The spray suppression elements are, in order to achieve this free space while simultaneously providing a good coverage of the backing panel, disposed in parallel vertical rows or columns, on the front surface of the panel, the rows preferably extending from top to bottom end of the panel, and adjacent elements in each vertical row or column being arranged at a constant distance from each other. Typically 3 - 6 vertical rows of elements are arranged in a common group. Several groups are arranged on each backing panel. In each group horizontally adjacent elements in adjacent rows are displaced, so that each element in the group is disposed at a different vertical level than other elements in the same group. Thereby the elements may be displaced so as to decrease the distance between some adjacent elements and on the other hand increase the distance between other ones in order to form increased free space areas between some adjacent elements or groups of elements.

The spray suppression elements may according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention be displaced so as to form inclined parallel rows of elements, the rows forming an acute angle with the vertical plane, the shortest distance between two adjacent elements in one row being smaller than the shortest distance between two opposite elements in two adjacent rows, for forming an inclined free path between the two rows of elements for guiding collected spray downward along the front surface of the panel.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention the elements may be displaced so as to form inclined parallel rows in at least two different directions, for forming inclined free path in at least two directions, one path being directed toward one side edge of the panel and the other path being directed toward the opposite side edge of the panel, the combined path forming a downward descending zigzag path.

On the other hand elements may according to the invention be displaced so as to form inclined free path as mentioned above, but so that the path are crossing each other.

The spray suppression elements may be arranged on the backing panel in a plurality of different configurations and a plurality of different free space configurations may be formed. According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention the distance between adjacent elements at the same vertical level may be constant. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention the distance to one neighboring element on one side thereof may be different from the distance to another neighboring element on the other side thereof. Typically the center to center distances between at least some first spray suppression elements and adjacent second spray suppression elements at the same horizontal level are shorter than the center to center distances between adjacent suppression elements in a vertical direction. Further the center to center distances in the vertical direction between two adjacent spray suppression elements is typically less than the length (1) of said spray suppression elements.

The spray suppress ion panels may be manufactured of a large single panel or of a plurality of small panel parts, which are combined to provide the panel needed. In both cases the suppression elements may be formed on the panel in a similar pattern. If desired the suppression elements may be arranged in a different pattern in e.g. the middle region of the panel than in the side regions of the panel.

The panel may be made of rubber or synthetic polymer, such as polytene, or even of metal, such as steel or aluminum.

The panel with suppression elements thereon may e.g. be fabricated of polymer by molding. The thickness of the panel may vary depending on need. Typically the panel is made of a plate having a thickness of about 0,3 to 5 mm, most typically 0,5 to 4 mm. If the suppression panel is intended to be used as a mud flap a thicker panel of about 2 - 5 mm, preferably 3 - 4 mm, is used. A thinner panel 0,3 - 1 mm may be fixed on the inside of an existing mud guard to suppress spray.

Following advantages of the present invention may be mentioned: in a suppress ion device according to the present invention - less suppression elements may be used than in known devices, without the spray hitting the panel surface and loosing its kinetic energy, - water hitting the suppression device is not splashed outward from the panel surface, but is advantageously suppressed and directed to flow downward in a controlled manner along the panel surface, - a maximum of free space between the actual suppression elements may be provided and - mud and small stones also flow in a controlled manner downward along the panel.

These and other advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are schematic representations of spray suppressing device systems of the present invention. In the drawings FIG.1 shows a schematic perspective view of a part of a spray suppress ion device of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross section of a part of a spray suppression device according to the invention; FIG. 3 shows a vertical cross section of a part of another spray suppression device according to the invention; FIG. 4 shows schematically 9 different cross sections of spray suppression elements (a) to (i) according to the present invention, and FIGS. 5 to 10 show schematically different configurations of spray suppression elements of the present invention on a backing panel.

In the following description of the drawings similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals.

Referring specifically to FIG. 1 of the drawings a perspective view of a part of a spray suppression device according to the present invention is shown seen from the front thereof. The reference numeral 10 refers, in general, to the spray suppression device. The spray suppression device includes a panel 12 having a front surface 14, and a plurality of actual spray suppressing elements 16 mounted or formed thereon. The elements 16 are elongated bodies having the form of bars with a triangular cross section.

The elements are connected by their base 18 to the panel surface 14, and extend axially outward from the surface.

The elements 16 are upwardly inclined as can be better seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The elements are also arranged in such a manner that they prevent spray flows 20 from directly reaching the panel surface 14 and force them to first hit a suppression element 16. The projections of the elements 16, taken in a plane perpendicular to the spray flows cover together the entire surface 14 of the spray suppression panel 12, i.e. if looked upon in the direction of the spray flows the surface of the panel will be totally hidden behind spray suppression elements.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 elements 16 having a triangular cross section are used. The elements 16 are formed so that one side 22 of the triangular elements forms a front face and faces the spray flow. The side 22 is in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the spray. The spray hits the side 22 in an acute angle when seen in a vertical plane, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Spray, such as water, snow, ice, mud, debris, stones etc., sprayed toward the suppression device 10 hits the side 22 of elements 16 and is directed downward along the surface of the elements toward the panel surface 14, as shown by arrow 24. On that surface 14 sprayed matter flows downward along free space between the elements as shown by arrows 24'. The elements 16 are arranged on the panel so that free mainly parallel sidewardly downwardly path 26 are formed.

FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross section of a spray suppression device 10 according to the invention, having a panel 12 and elements 16 formed thereon. The elements 16 are connected to the panel surface by their base 18. The tops 28 of the elements protrude outward upward. The elements form a layer (D) on the surface 14. Each element 16 has a length (1) which is > (D). The cross section of the elements decreases from the base 18 toward the top 28.

FIG. 3 shows a view of a slightly different spray suppression device 10, in which the spray suppressing elements 16 have a constant cross section from base 18 to top 28. It is shown in FIG. 3 that the elements 16 form an acute angle a with the panel surface 14 and that the spray 20 hits the element 16 at an angle , which is between 55 to 650. It can be seen from FIG. 3 that the spray 20 cannot directly hit the panel surface 14.

In FIG. 4 different cross sections of spray suppression elements according to the present invention are shown. A rectangular cross section with two long sides 30 and two short sides 32 is shown in (a). The transverse dimension "d" of the element is typically about 1 - 15 mm, preferably between 2 - 4 mm. Triangular cross sections are shown in (b) to (e). The spray facing side 34 in the triangular cross sections is made concave in (c) to (e). The cross sections may be semicircular as shown in (f) to (h) and have one concave side as shown in (g) and (h). The cross section may also be non-symmetrical as shown in (i). The cross section may if desired be a T-beam or a T-profile as shown in (ii).

FIG. 5 shows a preferred arrangement of spray suppression elements 16 on a panel surface 14, as seen from the front.

The elements are arranged in groups 36 and 38, separated by imaginary dotted lines. Each group 36 and 38 has elements arranged in three vertical columns 36', 36'', 36''' and 38', 38'', 38"'. The elements in the columns in one group 36 are displaced so that at each vertical location there is only one element from either the first, the second or the third column. Thus inclined rows 40' and 40'' of elements 16' and 16" are formed. A free path 26' is formed between the rows 40' and 40".

The distance between adjacent elements 16' in a row 40' is smaller than the distance between two adjacent rows 40' and 40'', whereby water, snow, ice etc. will mainly and easily follow the inclined free path 26' downward.

By the arrangement of elements different forms of free paths can be formed according to need. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 the center to center distance between adjacent elements in a horizontal plane is constant. Also the center to center distance in the vertical plane is constant.

In FIG. 6 a slightly different arrangement of elements is shown. The elements 16 are disposed so as to form two free paths, shown by arrows, the paths having different directions. The elements have a constant center to center distance in a vertical plane, but have varying center to center distance in a horizontal plane.

In FIG. 7 and 8 elements 16 having a rectangular an a triangular cross section are arranged to form inclined free paths as in FIGS. 5 and 6, but so that paths in opposite directions frequently cross, to allow water etc. at each crossing to flow in two paths. This provides a possibility to bypass a possibly blocked path.

FIG. 9 shows an arrangement similar to what was shown in FIG. 5, but with differently formed elements. The elements 16 have a triangular non-symmetrical cross section, the rear side of the elements having an inclined guiding side 42, guiding water etc. from the free path into neighboring free path, and a side 44 perpendicular to the front side 22.

FIG. 10 shows another arrangement of elements 16 in which elements in 6 columns are used to form a group of elements.

The free paths formed flow in zigzag.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment.

On the contrary, it is intended to cover various alternatives, modifications and equivalent arrangements of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A spray suppression device to be fitted to a vehicle in order to suppress spray flung upward from the wheel of the vehicle, which device comprises - a panel (preferably having top and bottom ends, two opposed side edges), having a front surface, which normally faces the wheel, and a rear surface, and - a plurality of spaced apart spray suppression elements carried by and extending over said front surface of the panel, each spray suppression element having an elongate body with an elongate front side facing away from the front surface and facing the spray flung upward from the wheel and an elongate rear side towards the front surface of the panel and in the shadow of said spray flung upward from the wheel, a tip or top end and a base end, and extending from the front surface of the panel to protrude axially out from said front surface, characterized by the feature that - the spray suppression elements extend inclinedly from the panel so as in use to extend in an upwardly inclined direction, so that in a vertical cross section of the spray suppression device the axial extension of the elements forms an acute angle a with the plane of the front surface of the panel, the angle a being preferably between 400 to 650, more preferably 500 to 550, and most preferably about 52,50, and that - the combined projections of the spray suppress ion elements cover at least 90% of the front surface of the panel when viewed in the flow direction of the spray flung outward from the wheel, so as to substantially prevent or minimize spray flung upward from the wheel from directly impinging the panel surface.

2. A spray suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spray suppress ion elements are formed of elongated rods, bars, pins or beams having - a rectangular or triangular cross section, the cross section being mainly constant from base end to top end, - an axial length (1) of about 15 to 35 mm, preferably 20 to 30 mm, - a transverse dimension (d) of the cross section in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of spray, the transverse dimension (d) being about 1 to 15 mm, preferably 4 to 8 mm, and - a ratio (1) / (d) > 1,5 - 8, preferably 3 - 6.

3. A spray suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that - the elongated body of the spray suppress ion elements have three or four elongated side surfaces, the elements thereby having a mainly triangular or rectangular cross section, and that - the elements are disposed on the front surface of the panel so that one of the elongated side surfaces mainly perpendicularly faces the spray flung upward from the wheel.

4. A spray suppression device according to claim 3, characterized in that the elongated side surface facing the spray is plane or concave.

5. A spray suppression device according to claim 3, characterized in that the elongated side surface facing the spray is one of the long surfaces of the elongated body having a rectangular cross section.

6. A spray suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elements form an outwardly extending layer, having a depth (D), of elements on the front surface of the panel, the depth (D) being = or < 25 mm, typically 15 - 25 mm.

7. A spray suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that spray suppression elements are disposed on the front surface of the panel so that the ratio (A / a) of total free space area (A) of said front surface to footprint surface area (a), i.e. surface area of said front surface covered by said elements, is between 6 / 1 to 25 / 1, preferably between 10 / 1 to 15 /1.

8. A spray suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spray suppress ion elements are disposed in parallel vertical rows or columns, on the front surface of the panel, the rows or columns extending from top to bottom end of the panel, and adjacent elements in each vertical row or column being arranged at a constant distance from each other.

9. A spray suppression device according to claim 8, characterized in that 3 - 6 vertical rows or columns of elements are arranged in a group, in which horizontally adjacent elements in adjacent rows or columns are displaced or offset, so that each element in a group of elements is disposed at a different vertical level than other elements in said group, for forming free space areas between some adjacent elements or groups of elements.

10. A spray suppression device according to claim 9, characterized in that the spray suppress ion elements are displaced so as to form inclined parallel rows of spray suppression elements, the rows forming an acute angle with the vertical plane and the shortest distance between two adjacent elements in one row being smaller than the shortest distance between two opposite elements in two adjacent rows, for forming an inclined free path between the two rows of elements for guiding collected spray downward along the front surface of the panel.

11. A spray suppression device according to claim 10, characterized in that elements are displaced so as to form inclined parallel rows in at least two different directions, for forming inclined free path in at least two directions, one path being directed toward one side of the panel and the other path being directed toward the opposite side of the panel, the combined path forming a downward descending zigzag path.

12. A spray suppression device according to claim 10, characterized in that elements are displaced so as to form inclined parallel rows in at least two different directions, for forming inclined free path in at least two directions, one path being directed toward one side of the panel and the other path being directed toward the opposite side of the panel, the combined path crossing each other.

13. A spray suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that the a first center to center distance between a first spray suppression element and an adjacent second spray suppress ion element on the same vertical level on a first side of said first element, is smaller than a second center to center distance between the said first element and an adjacent third spray suppression element on the same vertical level on a second side of said first element.

14. A spray suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that the center to center distances between at least some first spray suppression elements and adjacent second spray suppression elements at the same horizontal level are shorter than the center to center distances between adjacent suppression elements in a vertical direction.

15. A spray suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that the center to center distances in the vertical direction between two adjacent spray suppression elements are less than the length (1) of said spray suppress ion elements.

16. A spray suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that the panel is made of at least a first and a second integrally connected panel part, and that the spray suppression elements in the first panel part are connected thereto in a different configuration than the spray suppression elements being connected to the second panel part.

17. A spray suppression device according to claim 16, characterized in that the panel is made of a plurality of panel parts and that the spray suppression elements are connected to the panel parts in at least two different configurations.

18. A spray suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross section of the spray suppress ion elements is decreasing towards the top end thereof.

19. A spray suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that the density of spray suppression elements on the front surface of the panel is about 5000 to 20000 elements / m2.

20. A spray suppression device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.