SPLASH BOARD FOR CAR BODIES, PARTICULARLY FOR PREVENTING DEPOSITION OF SNOW AND ICE ON FENDER SKIRT PANELS

Abstract: Splash board (1) for car bodies, particularly for preventing deposition of wet substances - such as snow and ice - on fender skirt panels (splashers) and for increasing travelling security of the car, comprising an exothermic surface of one piece, the shape of which corresponds to the form of the car body, further a heating system (5, 6, 7) ordered thereto for heating said exothermic surface.

Description: Splash board for car bodies, particularly for preventing deposition of snow and ice on fender skirt panels Technical field This invention relates to a splash board for car bodies, particularly for preventing deposition of wet substances - such as snow and ice - on fender skirt panels - splashers - and for increasing travelling security of the car. As it is well known, in course of running of the car the wheels splash snow onto the car body in a snowy weather and the snow adhering thereto is freezing in layers on the car body. This is considered as a dis- advantageous phenomenon and the thickness of the ice layer deposited on the body may reach such an extent that may considerably influence steering of the car, at the same time one has to reckon with overweight. Background art In case of the solutions known up to now, in oder to avoid these harmful layers and to minimize damages of the car resulting from corrosion, different protective splash boards used to be installed in the factory or perhaps subsequently on certain places of the body which protect the parts of the body forming the wheel shields against deposition of snow and freezing. Such a solution is specified in EP 0 1 3 3. These insert elements - splash boards - are made generally of some synthetic material. In addition, solutions are also known, with which to eliminate icing and connected harmful phenomena, construct¬ ion of the car body used to be modified by installing one or more movable elements, as e.g. with the solution, as described in EP 131303. A solution is also known, in which the splash board is formed so, as to form air ducts between the splash board and the car body, the effect desired should be achieved by ven¬ tilating said air ducts. Such a solution is specified in the Hϋ-PS 185 372. However, experiences having been gained in practice, show that wind caused by the travel and splashed cold moist¬ ure on the. surface of the splash board result in- considerable cooling, so that ventilating air is not sufficient for pre- venting harmful depositions. In case of long-lasting cold weather and snowfall application of the known splash boards does not assure the effect desired, wet deposition could not be eliminated either. ■Disclosure of Invention The aim of this invention lies in to develop a protect¬ ive splash board which is free from the above mentioned dis¬ advantages of known solutions and by the aid of which de¬ position of the wet substances, particularly snow splashed by the wheels can be eliminated and icing on the surface avoided. The invention is based on the recognition, in so far as that the splash board is to be provided with exothermic sur¬ face, which melts the deposited snow. The splash board is to be formed so that it should include a medium delivering thermal energy. In such a manner the surface of the splash in itself forms the exothermic surface. Additionally, the invention is based on another re¬ cognition, in so far as the splash board should cover the body on a possibly largest surface in direction of the wheel and one has to care for that moisture could not be splashed behind the heated protective splash board. In accordance with the invention the aim set will be achieved by means of a protective splash board having an exothermic surface of one piece, the shape of which corres¬ ponds to the form of the car body and a heating system orde ed thereto for heating said exothermic surface. According to a preferred embodiment of the splash boar the heating system consists of electric heating unit embedd into the protective splash board, that means of parallel arranged heating filaments - resistance wires - connected to the electric network of the car and of a thermostat element. According to another preferred embodiment of the prote ive splash board the exothermic surface of the splash board is double-walled, while the double-wall is provided with passages receiving the heating medium. it is also considered as advantageous, if the passages are formed so as to forward the cooled heating medium to the atmosphere, while with another preferred embodiment said passages are arranged so as to provide a heating - cooling circulation in a closed system, further that the splash boa is provided with outlet and inlet studs. Heating of the splash board according to the invention can be realized with different heating systems; common characteristic of said heating systems lies in that waste energy - waste heat - of the car can be utilized for this purpose. So, with another embodiment of the splash board according to the invention the heating system is a gas-air system connected to the exhaust system of the motor of the car through a heat-exchanger, utilizing the waste heat of the exhaust gas. With, another preferred embodiment according to the invention, the heating system is a gas-water system connected to the exhaustsystem of the car through a heat-exchanger utilizing the waste heat of the exhaus^ system which may be provided optionally with a liquid heater for re-heating the heating medium. It is considered as advantageous, if the heating system being connected to the cooling-water system of the motor of the car through a heat-exchanger, is a water-water system in counterflow for utilizing the waste heat of the cooling water, provided with a thermostat as well.All the preferred embodiments of the splash board according to the invention may be produced from any suitable synthetic material. Brief Description of Drawings Preferred embodiments of the protective splash board according to the invetnion, as well as its various heating systems will be described in detail with refer¬ ence to the accompanying drawings in which Pig. 1 is an embodiment of the protective splash board according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the plane A-A in Pig. 1; Fig. 3 is a splash board according to the invention connected to the exhaustsystem-:of the car; Fig. shows the sectional view of the splash board according to Fig. 3 along the plane B-B; Fig. 5 shows the heating of the splash board according to Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a further preferred embodiment of the splash board according to the invention^ Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the plane C-C in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 shows modes of mounting and heating of the splash board according to the invention; Fig. 9 shows diagrammatically the heating system of the splash board according to the invention utilizing the waste heat of the exhaust gas; Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the part I in Fig.9 . and Fig. 11 shows schematically the heating system of the splash board according to the invention, connected with the cooling-water system. Modes for Parrying Out the Invention Fig. 1 shows the shape of the splash board 1 accord¬ ing to the invention. The shape of the splash board 1 corresponds to the form of the car body, more exactly to the shape of the mudguard and it is arranged along the inner surface of the mudguard of the vehicle. Splash board 1 is heated by a heating system connected to the electric system of the car. In the present embodiment heating is realized by means of the heating filaments 2 - resistance wires - embedded into the splash board 1, as shown in Fig. 2. The energy obtained from the circuit arrangement of the vehicle produces heat in the splash board 1, heating the surface of the splash board 1 to such an extent that in course of travel splashed wet sub¬ stances, mainly snow are melt. In the splash board 1 heating filaments 2 are arranged parallel. Ey experimental experiences it could be demonstated that temperature on the surface of the splash board 1 on which spleshed wet substances, could adhere and freeze on the surface, should amount to 5-100 . In course of continuous operation, however, heating filaments 2 can overheat the surface of the splash board 1. To avoid overheating a thermo¬ stat 3 is built-in into the splash board 1. Overheating can be avoided so, in so far as, as soon the surface of the splash board 1 reached the desired temperature, as set on the thermostat - the thermostat 3 breaks the circuit, as a consequence, heating of the splash board 1 stops. In case, if temperature of the splash board 1 falls below the pre-set value, the thermostat 3 closes the circuit, thus heating of the splash board 1 is put into operation again. In course of dimensioning electric heating of the splash board 1 climatic factors should be considerated and in a given case current supply system of the vehicle has to be modified, too. Fig. 3 shows the splash board 1 with the heating system connected to the exhaust system 5 of the car - thus utilizing the waste heat of the exhaust system 5» in this embodiment the splash board 1 is double- walled and between the two wall-elements air-passages are arranged, /see Fig. /« Exhaust gases stressing in the exhaust system 5 are passing the heat-exchanger 6 and transfer heat to the air passing through the heat-exchanger 6, heated air streams through the duct 7 to the splash board 1 and heats it to the desired temperature. In such a manner heating of the splash board 1 will be realized with the waste heat of the exhaust system 5 » via air- gas. heat- exchange. As it is wellknown, with internal combustion engines exhaust system 5 will be heated at first. In course of heating the splash board 1, air having been introduced into the heat-exchanger 6 built-in into the exhaust system 5 will be heated, thereafter heated air - as de¬ scribed before - streams through the duct 7 into the passages - of the splash board 1, wherein heat energy will be transferred directly to the splash board 1. The heated splash board 1 is able to melt splashed wet sub- stances. Warm air streaming through the passages 4 of the splash board 1 is leaving to the atmosphere after heat transfer. In the present embodiment splash board 1 is formed so, in so far as in course of heating, air-damming arising in course of travel is essentially utilized. Air to be heated streams into the heat-exchanger 6 through the opening 22 arranged on the face in direction of travel /see Fig. 5/ » where it extracts heat from exhaust gases streaming through the pipetract 23 of the heat-exchanger 6, it becomes heated and arrives through the duct 7 having been connected with the passages of the splash board 1 into the splash board 1, thereafter - after having passed the passages of the splash board 1 - the air is leaving to the atmosphere, through the openings arranged opposite to the direction of travel. Heat-exchanger 6 is to be arranged on the part of the exhaust system 5 » wherefrom maximal heat energy can be drawn. Tmperature of 5 to 10 C° can be achieved on the surface of the splash board 1 with this siolution in every embodiment thereof. Fig. 6 shows a further preferred embodiment of the splash board 1 according to the invention, having double walls, with passages 8 receiving heating medium - mostly water - as it is to be seen in Fig. 7; it is provided with inlet stud 9 and outlet stud 10. Said inlet stud 9 and outlet stud 10 as well as passages 8 are arranged so, as to form a heating-cool¬ ing circulation in a closed system. Heating liquid is introduced resp. led away by means of the inlet stud 9 and outlet stud 10, respectively. Temperature of the heating liquid may be kept in the range between 60 and 80 C , warm water is led into the passages 8 on the splash board 1. Warm water thus introduced heats the splash board 1 to such an extent that deposition of splashed snow can be completely eliminated. In such a manner maximal heating energy can be assured for the splash board 1. Heating water for heating the splash board 1 can be gained from several sources. The essen¬ tial feature of heating with water lies in that heated warm water having been already introduced into the splash board 1 should transfer the heat to the splash board 1 and after reheating of cooled water to the temperature desired, it is returned to the splash board 1, in such a manner a heating-cooling circulation in a closed system can be established. Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the splash board 1 with a closed heating-cooling circulation. Heated heating water is forwarded from one splash board 1 to the other splash board 1 by means of the pipe 11, thereafter cooled heating water is led into the liquid-heater 12. Several solutions can be used for heating the heating liquid and arrangement of the heating system of the splash board 1, respectively. Some of them will be detailed below. As it is well known, output efficiency of internal conbustion engines lies about 40#. Remaining part of energy goes lost in the majority of cases, losses are led away partly with exhaust gases, partly by cooling the motor. In accordance with this invention these energy sources - going otherwise lost and not having been uti¬ lized up to now - are used for heating the splash board 1 by the help of a liquid. With the solution according to Fig. 9 heat of the exhaust gas of the motor 13 of the vehicle is utilized for heating the splash board . Exhaust gases coming from the motor 13 leave through the exhaust system 5 * Exhaust system 5 comprises a heat-exchanger 14 arranged preferably adjacent to the motor 13. as the exhaust system 5 delivers maximal heat in this range. As described previously, water heated in the heat-exchanger 14 is led into the splash boards 1. Heat-exchanger 14 fitted in the exhaust system 5 operates, as follows: Essentially, heat-exchanger 14 is either a double- walled exhaust manifold or double-walled silencer. Hot exhaust gas streams in the inner passage surrounded with a water jacket. Hot exhaust gas heats the water, while heated water is led into the passages 8 of the splash board 1 by the aid of a pump 15 * Heat-exchanger 14 is provided with a water-thermometer 16, which controls the guide plate 17 guiding the exhaust gases. Otherwise, guide plate 17 serves for preventing overheating of the heating water. In so far as temperature of heating water excesses the desired value, the guide plate 17 closes the pipetract leading to the heat-exchanger 14, so exhaust gases do not reach the heat-exchan er 14 but leave to the atmosphere in a conventional way. Now, in the case, if temperature of the heating water drops below the desired value, the guide plate 17 opens the pipetract previously closed and exhaust gases stream repeatedly through the heat-exchanger 14, meanwhile water is heated to the necessary temperature /see Fig. 10/. Fig. 11 shows the connection between heating system of the splash board 1 and the cool-water system of the vehicle. With this solution heat is drawn from the cooling-water system 18 by the aid of the heat-ex¬ changer 19. In both cases a double-circuit liquid system being independent from each other is formed, while heat- exchange is taking place in the heat-exchanger 19. Also this embodiment heat-exchanger 19 is a double-walled pi¬ pe, wherein warm cooling-water flows in the inner pipe and in the outer pipe - preferably in a counterflow - water for heating the splash board is allowed to flow. In this embodiment the heating system of the splash board 1 operates, as follows: When starting the motor 13, the thermostat 20 mount¬ ed into the cooling system is in a closed position and cooling water flows through the short-circuited pipeline. Now, the water in the heat-exchanger 19 does not circulate yet. As soon, as cooling water is heated to a predetermined temperature, thermostat 21 gives a start impulse to the pump 24 - the thermostat 20 is still closed - and heating water is allowed to flow in the splβ β h boards 1. Thermostat 21 is to be set to the lowest limit of operative temperature of the motor 13 » while opening of thermostat 20 is set to the upper limit of operative temperature. Thus it can be achieved that always sufficient heat quantity should stay at disposal for heating the splash boards 1, without hindering the operation of the motor 13• Advantage of the splash board according to the in¬ vention lies in that in case of application waste heat staying at disposal in course of travel of the car can be utilized, further that harmful effect of weather affecting travelling security and safe steering - splashing of wet substances onto the car body resp. adhering thereon - and icing can be avoided.

Claims: Claims 1. Splash board for car bodies, particularly for preventing deposition of wet substances - such as snow and ice - on fender skirt panels and for increasing travelling security of the car, c h a r a c t er i z e d by having an exothermic surface of one piece, the shape of which corresponds to the form of the car body, further a heating system ordered thereto for heating said exo¬ thermic surface. 2. Splash board as claimed in claim 1, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that said heating system consists of an electric heating unit embedded into the splash board /l/. 3. Splash board as claimed in claim 2, c h a - a c t e r i z e d in that the electric heating system contains parallel arranged heating filaments /2/ - preferably resistance wires - connected to the electric network of the vehicle, as well as a thermostat element /3/. 4. Splash board as claimed in claim 1, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the exothermic surface is double-walled and it is provided with passages /4, 8/ receiving the heating medium. 5« Splash board as claimed in claim 4, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that said passages /4/ are formed so, as to forward the cooled heating medium into the atmosphere. 6. Splash board as claimed in claim 1 or 4, c ha r a c t e r i z e d in that the passages /8/ are arranged so, as to provide a heating-cooling circulation in a closed system, further that inlet studs /9/ and outlet studs /10/ respectively are pro¬ vided. 7. Splash board as claimed in claim 1 or 4 to 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said heating system is connected to the exhaust system /5/ of the motor/13/ of the vehicle through a heat-exchanger /6/ and it is a gas-air system utilizing the waste heat of the ex¬ haust gases. 8. Splash board as claimed in claim 1 or 4 to 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in τhat said heating system is connected to the exhaust system /5/ of the vehicle through a heat-exchanger /14/ and it is a gas-water system for utilizing the waste heat of the exhaust system /5/» 9-» Splash board as claimed in claim 8, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that said heating system is pro¬ vided with a liquid heater /12/ for reheating the heating medium. 10. Splash board as claimed in claim 1 or 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said heating system is connected to the cooling-water system /18/ of the motor /13/ of the vehicle through a heat-exchanger /19/ and it is a water-water system for utilizing the waste heat of the cooling water. 11. Splash board as claimed in claim 1 or any of the claims 4 to 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the heating system is provided with a thermostat /21/. 12. Splash board as claimed in any of the pre¬ ceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the splash board /!/ is made of a synthetic material. ,

Inventors: SZABO ZOLTAN, SZABO, ZOLTAN
Applicants: SZABO ZOLTAN, SZABO, ZOLTAN
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B62D25
IPC codes: B62D25