GB2513600A

GB2513600A - An arrangement of a mud flap on a body for a vehicle as well a a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2513600A
Application number: GB1307824.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Munot Chandan; Karthikeyah Premkumar; Manish Saxena
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2013-04-30
Filing date: 2013-04-30
Publication date: 2014-11-05
Also published as: GB201307824D0

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement 30 of a mud flap 32 on a body (16 see fig 1) for a vehicle (10 see fig 1). Typically, the body (16) may be tipped for unloading. The mud flap 32 is pivotably attached to the body (16) via a hinge 34. At least one retaining element 44 for limiting the movement of the mud flap 32 is attached to the body (16), preferably to a tie rod 60. The invention also relates to the vehicle (10) comprising the arrangement 30. The invention prevents damage to a bracket 38 on which a lamp 40 is mounted and provides increased mud flap life.

Description

An Arrangement of a Mud Flap on a Body for a Vehicle as well as a Vehicle The invention relates to an arrangement of a mud flap on a body for a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1 as well as a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 6.

Such arrangements of mud flaps on bodies for vehicles as well as vehicles are well known from the series production of vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles or trucks in the form of tippers. The vehicle comprises a frame and a body, wherein the mud flap is pivotably attached to the body. For example, the body can be configured as a tipper body.

From US 6,375,223 Bi a mud flap system is known, the mud flap system being of the type which can be attached to a trailer receiver hitch. The mud flap system comprises a mud flap and a beam assembly comprising a first portion attachable to the mud flap and a second portion insertable into a tubular opening of a tubular transverse bar of the trailer receiver hitch. The mud flap system also comprises a retaining block configured to lock the beam assembly to the transverse bar, wherein the retaining block is fastehable to the beam assembly and defines a groove that engages at least a portion of a flange on the * .. tubular transverse bar wherein the retaining block is fastened to the beam assembly. The beam assembly further comprises a spacer mounted on the second portion, adapted to be positioned inside the tubular transverse bar when the second portion is inserted into : the tubular opening and having a sufficient size to ensure a substantially snug fit of the second portion of the beam assembly within the transverse bar.

It has been shown that the mud flap can hit the frame andfor at least one component attached to the frame when the vehicle is accelerated, decelerated and/or when tipping * .* the body, in particular in the form of the tipper body. This can result in damages of the mud flap due to frequent hitting.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement of a mud flap on a body for a vehicle as well as a vehicle of the previously mentioned kind, in which the mud flap can be protected from excessive stress and damages.

This object is solved by an arrangement having the features of patent claim 1 as well as by a vehicle having the features of patent claim 6. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial developments of the invention are indicated in the other patent claims.

In order to provide an arrangement of the kind indicated in the preamble of patent claim 1, in which the mud flap can be protected from excessive stress and damages, according to the present invention at least one retaining element for limiting the movement of the mud flap is attached to the body. By means of the retaining element, the mud flap can be protected from hitting a frame of the vehicle and/or an element attached to the frame.

Thus, stress and damages resulting from frequent hitting can be avoided. This results in an improved life of the mud flap compared with conventional arrangements and vehicles.

Since the mud flap can be protected from hitting the frame and/or elements attached to the frame, noise conventionally caused by the mud flap hitting the frame or an element attached to the frame can be avoided or at least reduced.

Furthermore, the weight of the mud flap can be reduced since the movement of the mud flap is limited by means of the retaining element. Hence, there is no need to limit the movement of the mud flap by designing the mud flap with a very high weight.

In order to provide a vehicle, in particular a tipper, of the kind indicated preamble of patent claim 6, in which the mud flap can be protected from excessive stress and damages, : * according to the present invention the vehicle comprises at least one retaining element for limiting the movement of the mud flap, the retaining element being attached to the body of * .. the vehicle. Advantageous embodiments of the arrangement according to the present :.: invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the vehicle according to the present invention and vice versa.

Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of a preferred embodiment as well as from the drawing. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination, but also in any other combination or taken alone, without leaving from the scope of the invention.

The drawing shows in: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a vehicle in the form of a tipper from the rear of the tipper, the tipper comprising a frame, a body in the form of a tipper body mounted on the frame, lateral mud flaps which are pivotably attached to the tipper body and retaining elements for limiting the movement of the mud flaps respectively, the retaining elements being attached to the body; Fig. 2 part of a schematic and perspective view of the vehicle from the rear; Fig. 3 part of a schematic side view of the vehicle; Fig. 4 part of a schematic and perspective view of the vehicle from the front, the tipper body being tipped; Fig. 5 part of a schematic side view of the vehicle, the tipper body being tipped; and Fig. 6 part of a schematic perspective view of the vehicle from its rear.

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle in the form of a tipper 10 which comprises a frame 12, a driver's cab 14 and a body in the farm of a tipper body 16, the driver's cab 14 and the tipper body 16 being mounted on the frame 12. The frame 12 comprises longitudinal beams 18 * ** extending in the longitudinal direction of the tipper 10, the longitudinal beams lb being * * 0 * arranged at a distance from each other in the transverse direction of the tipper 10. The frame 12 also comprises cross beams, by means of which the longitudinal beams 18 are connected to one another.

The tipper body 16 has a front wall 20, side walls 22 and a floor 24 (Fig. 4) as well as a cavity which is bounded by the front wall 20, the side walls 22 and the floor 24 at least partly. The front wall 20, the side walls 22 and the floor 24 are connected to one another.

Moreover, the tipper body 16 comprises a flap 26 which is pivotably coupled to the side waIls 22 about a pivot axis extending in the transverse direction of the tipper 10. The flap 26 is pivotable about the pivot axis between at least one open position and a closing position shown in Fig. 1. In the closing position, the flap 26 being arranged at the rear 26 of the tipper 10 acts as a rear wall bounding and closing the cavity of the tipper body 16.

The cavity serves for receiving transport material in the form of, for example, granular matter. The transport material can be, for example, sand, gravel or the like.

In the open position of the flap 26, the cavity is still closed in the transverse direction of the tipper 10 and towards the front, but open towards the rear 28. The transport material received within the cavity can be poured out of the cavity by tipping the tipper body 16 in relation to the frame 12 towards the rear of the tipper 10 as can be seen from Figs. 4 and 5. In other words, a through opening of the tipper body 16 is open when the flap 26 is in its open position, thus the transport material can be poured out of the cavity by tipping the tipper body 16 towards the rear when the flap 26 is in its open position.

The tipper 10 also comprises an arrangement 30 of lateral mud flaps 32 on the tipper body 16 in which the lateral mud flaps 32 are pivotably attached to the tipper body 16 about a pivot axis extending in the transverse direction of the tipper 10.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the respective mud flap 32 is pivotably attached to the tipper body 16 via a hinge 34 which is attached to the tipper body 16 on one side and to the mud flap 32 on the other side. Hence, the mud flap 32 can be pivoted about the pivot axis in relation to the frame 12 and the tipper body 16.

As can be seen from the Figs. 1 and 3, the mud flaps 32 are arranged at the rear 28 of the tipper 10. In relation of the longitudinal direction of the tipper 101 the rear mud flap 32 * is arranged between rear tyres 36 of the tipper 10 and a mounting bracket 38 which : serves for mounting a light in the form of a tail lamp 40 on the tipper 10.

The frame 12 can comprise a plurality of cross beams being attached to the longitudinal beams 16 on both ends. From Fig. 2, one of said cross beams can be seen. The cross beam shown in Fig. 2 is designated by reference 42. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the mounting bracket 36 is attached to the frame 12 or can be a part of the frame 12.

During acceleration and breaking of the tipper 10 as well as during tipping the tipper body 16, the mud flap 32 can oscillate and swing about the pivot axis. In order to restrict the movement of the mud flap 32. the arrangement 30 comprises a respective retaining element in the form of a retainer 44 which is attached to the tipper body 16. The retainer 44 is attached to the tipper body 16 on one side and supported on the corresponding mud flap 23 on the other side thus limiting the movement of the mud flap 32. By means of the retainer 44, the mud flap 32 is protected from hitting the mounting bracket 38. Thus, the mud flap 32 is protected from excessive stress and damages which can result from hitting the mounting bracket 38. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the mud flap 32 has a mud flap structure comprising a mud flap element 46 and a stiffening structure 48 for stiffening the mud flap element 46. The mud flap element 46 can be made of, for example, a flexible material such as rubber.

As can be seen from Fig. 3, the retainer 44 is designed in such a way that the mud flap 32 is not deflected by more than 100 mm towards the rear under a force of 3N/1 00 mm of flap width, the force being applied to a point 50 located fifty mm above the lower edge 52 of the mud flap 32. Said force is illustrated by an arrow 54. The mud flap 32 being deflected by 100 mm towards the rear is illustrated in Fig. 3 by a dotted line.

Furthermore, in Fig. 3, a distanced between the lower edge 52 of the mud flap 32 not being deflected and the lower edge 52 of the mud flap 32 being deflected by 100 mm towards the rear is shown. In other words, the distance d illustrates an allowable horizontal movement of the mud flap when said force is applied to said point 50. For example, an allowable angle of the mud flap 32 swinging due to the force is 6.8°. For example a torque exerted by the force 126071.04 Nmm. For example, a sine of the allowable angle is 0.118.

The mud flap 32 can have a length of 838 mm from the hinge 34, a width of 536 mm, wherein the center of gravity of the hanging mud flap 32 can be positioned at 428 mm from the hinge 34. For example, a minimum radial required force is 30 N and a minimum required mass of the hanging mud flap 32 is 25 kg.

S..... * S

From Fig. 2, a locking mechanism 56 of the tipper body 16 can be seen. The locking :.: mechanism 56 comprises at least one locking element 58 and at least one corresponding tie rod 60 coupled to the locking element 58. The locking element 58 can be moved between a locking position and a release position via the tie rod 60. In the locking position, the flap 26 is held in its closing position. In the release position, the mud flap 26 is released so that it can swing from its closing position into its open position when the tipper body 16 is tipped. As can be seen from Figs. 4 to 6, the retainer 44 is welded to the tie rod 60. When tipping the tipper body 16 thereby moving the tie rod 60, the mud flap retainer 44 moves along with the tie rod 60 and provides a required gap to avoid an interference of the mud flap 32 with the tyre 36. The hinge 34 also serves for avoiding interferences of the mud flap 32 with the tyre 36 while tipping the tipper body 16.

In the running condition of the tipper 10, i.e. when the tipper 10 is driven without tipping the tipper body 16, the retainer 44 welded on the tie rod 60 avoids the mud flap 32 hitting the mounting bracket 38. When the tipper 10 is accelerated or decelerated by breaking, the retainer 44 restricts the mud flaps 32 deflection. Moreover, the retainer 44 protects the mud flap 32 from deflecting by more than 100mm towards the rear. When the tipper body 16 is tipped, the locking mechanism 56 is actuated in such a way that the flap 26 is opened by tipping the tipper body 16 towards the rear. When actuating the locking mechanism 56, the tie rod 60 is moved in such a way that the locking element 58 is moved from its locking position into its release position by means of the tie rod 60. The retainer 44 fixed on the tie rod 60 moves along with the tie rod 60 thereby moving the retainer 44 away from the mud flap 23. Thereby, interferences of the mud flap 32 with the tyre 36 can be avoided.

Since the movement of the mud flap 32 is restricted by means of the retainer 44, there is no need to restrict or limit the movement of the mud flap 32 by designing the mud flap 32 with an excessive mass. Thus, the weight of the mud flap 32 can be reduced. * . * * .

* .* .o * . * *. * * * *** * ** * * . . * a. a. a * a.. *.

List of reference signs tipper 12 frame 14 drivers cap 16 tipper body 18 longitudinal beam front wall 22 side wall 24 floor 26 flap 28 rear arrangement 32 mud flap 343 hinge 36 tyre 38 mounting bracket tail lamp 42 cross beam 44 reatiner 46 mud flap element 48 stiffening element point 52 lower edge 54 arrow 56 locking mechanism 58 locking element tie rod d distance *. *e * . * * * * 0 * * * * I.. * ** * * 0* * 0e 0 0* * **

Claims

Claims 1. An arrangement (30) of a mud flap (32) on a body (16) for a vehicle (10), the mud flap (32) being pivotably attached to the body (16), characterized in that at least one retaining element (44) for limiting the movement of the mud Ilap (32) is attached to the body (16).
2. The arrangement (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (16) is configured as a tipper body (16) for a tipper (16).
3. The arrangement (30) according to claim 2, characterized in that the tipper body (16) has a cavity for receiving transport material and comprises: -at least one flap (26) movable between at least one open position and a :a.... closing position, the cavity being closed by the flap (26) in the closing position * * and open in the open position: *e....* -a locking mechanism (56) comprising at least one locking element (56) for holding the flap (26) in the closing position and at least one tie rod (60) for moving the locking element (58) between a locking position in which the flap (26) is held in the closing position and a release position in which the flap (26) a. I a a a is released: a a.wherein the retaining element (44) is mounted on the tie rod (60).
4. The arrangement (30) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the retaining element (44) is designed to prevent the mud flap (32) from hitting a mounting bracket (48) for mounting a lamp (40) of the vehicle (10), the mounting bracket (36) being attached to a frame (12) of the vehicle (10).
The arrangement (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mud flap (32) is pivotably attached to the body (16) via at least one hinge (34).
6. A vehicle (10) comprising: -aframe(12); -a body (16) mounted on the frame (12); -a mud flap (32) which is pivotably attached to the body (16), characterized in that the vehicle (10) comprises at least one retaining element (44) for limiting the movement of the mud flap (32), the retaining element (44) being attached to the body (16). * e * * * *.** * * * ** * * * *.* . ** * * * * * ** S. * * * *.