Anti-spray device for vehicle fenders

Description

1 / 8 ANTI-SPRAY DEVICE FOR VEHICLE FENDERS Technical sector

[001] This utility model belongs to the technical sector of transport and logistics, more specifically within the category of automotive technology and equipment for commercial cargo vehicles. The device is designed to improve safety and visibility on roads by reducing the amount of water and dirt splashes that can be kicked up by the vehicle's wheels, especially during rainy conditions or on dirty roads. State of the art

[002] Anti-spray is a device used on semi-trailers and other transport vehicles to minimize the dispersion of water, mud, or debris during driving. This equipment aims to improve road safety and protect other drivers and pedestrians by preventing vehicles from uncontrollably spraying water or dirt.

[003] The anti-spray system is generally composed of deflectors or spray guards that are installed on the wheels or fenders of the semi-trailer. These deflectors are designed to redirect or contain water and debris thrown up by the wheels, preventing them from being projected out of the vehicle. They help control the flow of liquids and materials, making driving safer and less harmful to other road users.

[004] In many countries, the use of anti-spray devices is mandatory for semi-trailers, especially those that travel through urban areas or highways. This is imposed by road safety regulations, which seek to minimize the risk of accidents caused by water and mud being projected out of the vehicles.

[005] In this way, anti-spray is an important component for road transport safety, especially in rainy conditions or on dirty roads. By implementing this type of technology, cargo transport becomes safer for everyone involved, from truck drivers to pedestrians and other vehicles on the road. Petition 870250011411, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 5 / 21 2 / 8

[006] Patent document CN212149036 discloses a device composed of deflection structures strategically installed around the wheels or in areas near the semi-trailer body. These structures help to direct or redirect water and debris thrown up by the wheels, preventing them from being projected out of the vehicle in large quantities.

[007] The body of the splash guard plate includes the body of the unanimous upper segment plate of the wheel circumference arc profile, the body of the lower segment plate of the upper segment plate body and the shape of the straight plate configure the arc unit towards the side of the wheel location, the upper and lower arc units of the same position portion of the direction of the width of the car constitute the arc unit and raise the row, each arc unit rises to be arranged side by side in the direction of the width of the car and constitutes the arc matrix,The extrados of the arc unit is towards the side of the wheel location, and is characterized by: the included angle between the surface of the edge of the upper plate of the arc-shaped plate unit and the surface of the upper section plate body is less than 90 degrees, and the included angle between the surface of the edge of the lower plate of the arc-shaped plate unit and the surface of the upper section plate body is less than 90 degrees.

[008] US2002056985 describes a road vehicle spray control system, consisting of a combination of a louvered side panel and mudguard, to control splash and spray generated by trucks, trailers and other road vehicles when traveling during adverse weather conditions, wherein the louvered side panels are fixed to the underside of the vehicle, maintaining the legal width requirement of 8 feet, so that an airflow is created,This forces air through the louvers, and the airflow directs water or spray downwards into the wheel well and towards the mudguards mounted behind the rear wheels. These mudguards have a downward-facing opening in the center and are preferably curved at a 27-degree angle so that rain, spray, water, small stones, and the like are directed through them. Petition 870250011411, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 6 / 21 3 / 8 of such an opening, to be dissipated on the road surface, resulting in safer driving conditions.

[009] Prior invention US2014151993 discloses a water splash prevention device comprising a porous panel and a plurality of pockets, wherein the porous panel has a plurality of openings and allows water to enter the opening. The plurality of pockets is arranged in the porous panel to allow water to fall into an open space below it. Here, water splashed from a tire passes through the opening and then falls upon colliding with an inner side of the fender and simultaneously ricocheting into the pocket.

[010] Document GB413355 refers to a vehicle mudguard with one or more internal screens of wire mesh or perforated metal arranged so as to retard and break the flow of mud and water thrown upwards by the wheel, preventing or reducing splashing of the vehicle body. The screen may be loaded by supports and may be provided with deflectors of similar perforated material extending inwards. The screen is galvanized or otherwise made non-corrosive.

[011] The device described in GB2377209 features a hollow wheel arch that is adapted to enclose an upper part of the periphery of a vehicle wheel in relation to radially spaced relative to it, the arch having an open rear end that creates a low-pressure zone within the arch during forward movement of the vehicle, a multiplicity of openings in that wall of the arch adjacent to the wheel to allow water droplets to enter the arch and water discharge points on the arch.

[012] Document KR20150104683 refers to a device containing a plate installed on a fender surface facing a vehicle tire, preventing the dispersion of contaminants when the vehicle is driven; and a plate mounting element for installing the plate on the fender. According to one embodiment, the plate includes a first surface and a second surface, and may include a plurality of projections extending from the first surface. Petition 870250011411, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 7 / 21 4 / 8 Novelty and objective of the proposed model.

[013] The new constructive arrangement introduced in an anti-spray device for semi-trailers and other transport vehicles aims to minimize the dispersion of water, mud or debris during driving. This equipment aims to improve road safety and protect other drivers and pedestrians by preventing vehicles from uncontrollably spraying water or dirt.

[014] The model solution is to position a porous rubberized material made of filaments in a panel that is preferably placed on the sides that cover the rear wheels of semi-trailers.

[015] Optionally, the porous rubberized material may be a tangle of randomly distributed filaments, resembling an open-cell sponge. This material is applied to a panel that is preferably placed on the sides covering the rear wheels of semi-trailers, to prevent spray generation. Functional improvement of the proposed model

[016] The functional improvement of the proposed anti-spray device for semi-trailers and other transport vehicles is related to optimizing efficiency in reducing the projection of water, dirt, and other debris from the rear wheels. The new device, by incorporating a panel with randomly distributed filaments, presents an increased coverage area and a greater capacity for dispersing residues, minimizing the undesirable effects caused by the displacement of particles into the external environment.

[017] Furthermore, the random arrangement of the filaments improves aerodynamic performance because, when integrated into the vehicle's side structure, the panel reduces the impact of airflow on the wheels, contributing to a decrease in drag and consequently promoting greater energy efficiency. This configuration also offers greater durability and wear resistance, since the arrangement of the filaments helps to distribute the impact of external elements on the structure in a more balanced way. Petition 870250011411, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 8 / 21 5 / 8

[018] In practical terms, this functional improvement results in a more effective device for protection against spray, without compromising the stability and performance of the vehicle, increasing road safety and reducing the amount of waste released into the environment. List of attached drawings

[019] In order for the present model to be fully understood and put into practice by any technician in this technological sector, it is described in a clear, precise and sufficient manner, based on the attached drawings, listed below, which illustrate embodiments of the anti-spray device. Figure 1 - Perspective view of the device; Figure 2 - Front view of the device; Figure 3 - side view of the device with the channel; Figure 4 - side view of the device without the channel; Figure 5 - detailed perspective view of a construction option using porous rubberized material; Figure 6 - Perspective view of an example of device installation. Model description

[020] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the new constructive arrangement introduced in an anti-spray device for cargo transport vehicles, which consists of a profile (1) of polymeric or elastomeric material formed by a vertical panel (11) with an upper orthogonal flange (12) and a lower channel (13) positioned on the inner surface, i.e., the one facing the vehicle body. Optionally, the anti-spray device does not have the lower channel (13), as shown in Figure 4.

[021] On the inner surface of the panel (11) is fixed a porous rubberized material (2) optionally formed of a tangle of randomly distributed filaments, detailed in figure 5.

[022] The device (1) is preferably installed above the vehicle's tires as can be seen in Figure 6, with the aim of improving road safety and protecting other drivers and pedestrians, avoiding Petition 870250011411, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 9 / 21 6 / 8 that vehicles release water or dirt in an uncontrolled manner.

[023] The use of rubberized material offers a number of additional benefits to the solution, both in terms of performance and durability. The rubberized material was chosen due to its exceptional properties of impact absorption, wear resistance and flexibility, which directly contribute to the efficiency of the device.

[024] When integrated into the filament panel, the rubberized material helps absorb and dissipate energy from impacts with debris and other external elements, increasing the component's lifespan and reducing the need for frequent maintenance. Its flexibility allows the device to better adapt to temperature variations and weather conditions, ensuring consistent performance in different situations, from dry environments to heavy rain.

[025] In addition, the rubberized surface also offers greater resistance to abrasion and exposure to chemical and natural elements, such as oil, salt and other compounds frequently found on roads. This ensures that the panel maintains its integrity and performance for extended periods, even under adverse conditions.

[026] In terms of effectiveness in spray control, the rubberized material has the ability to reduce the direct impact of debris, minimizing its projection and contributing to traffic safety. This characteristic is especially important as it reduces the risk of damage to other vehicles and the formation of spray clouds that impair visibility.

[027] Therefore, the use of rubberized material in the anti-spray device not only enhances the functional performance of the system, but also ensures greater robustness and resilience against mechanical and environmental wear, increasing its efficiency in the long term.

[028] The random distribution of filaments on the anti-spray device panel is one of the innovative and essential aspects for improving system efficiency. This arrangement does not follow a linear or symmetrical pattern, but is Petition 870250011411, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 10 / 21 7 / 8 arranged in such a way that the filaments are positioned in a disordered manner, which offers significant advantages in terms of both performance and adaptability.

[029] One of the main advantages of random arrangement is the increased area for debris dispersion. By distributing the filaments unevenly, the panel surface can interact with the debris more effectively, resulting in a wider dispersion of water, mud, and other residues from the semi-trailer's rear wheels. This reduces the projection of particles into the environment and minimizes the risk of obstructing visibility for other drivers, as well as decreasing the impact on other vehicles and pedestrians.

[030] This variety of angles and contact points provided by the random distribution also contributes to a reduction in airflow resistance, improving the aerodynamics of the assembly. Because the filaments are not rigidly aligned, the air turbulence around the device is smoothed, which helps to reduce the vehicle's drag and contributes to energy efficiency.

[031] In addition, the random shape facilitates shock absorption and force dissipation, as the contact areas vary constantly. This makes the structure more resistant to mechanical impacts, increasing the durability of the device and protecting the integrity of the rubber material and the filaments themselves.

[032] From a functional point of view, this random arrangement also provides a more uniform distribution of pressures and forces during use, which reduces the risk of localized failures or wear, extending the service life of the system. This is especially important in applications that require resistance to extreme conditions, such as varying temperatures and impact from heavy debris.

[033] Thus, the random distribution of filaments on the panel not only improves the effectiveness of the device in terms of spray reduction, but also optimizes its Petition 870250011411, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 11 / 21 8 / 8 aerodynamic performance and mechanical strength, ensuring a robust and efficient device over time. Petition 870250011411, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 12 / 21

Claims

1 / 1 CLAIMS 1 - ANTI-SPRAY DEVICE FOR VEHICLE FENDER, according to claim 1, characterized by being formed by a vertical panel (11) with an upper orthogonal flap (12) arranged on the inner surface of the panel (11), wherein a porous rubberized material (2) is fixed to the inner surface of the panel (11). 2 - ANTI-SPRAY DEVICE FOR VEHICLE FENDER, characterized by the vertical panel (11) optionally having a lower channel (13). 3 - ANTI-SPRAY DEVICE FOR VEHICLE FENDERS, according to claim 1, characterized by the porous rubberized material (2), optionally formed from a tangle of randomly distributed filaments. Petition 870260003742, dated 15 / 01 / 2026, page 12 / 15

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