An unattended snow-melting agent automatic spreading device

Abstract

The application discloses an unattended snow-melting agent automatic spreading device, which comprises a monitoring module, a control module, a spraying module and an energy supply module; the monitoring module comprises a temperature acquisition unit and a snow thickness acquisition unit; the temperature acquisition unit is used for acquiring the road surface temperature; and the snow thickness acquisition unit is used for acquiring the road snow thickness; the spraying and spreading module comprises a snow-melting agent storage tank, a spraying pump, a spraying pipeline, a flow regulating valve and a spray head which are sequentially connected; and the control module is used for controlling the spraying module to spray the snow-melting agent according to the road surface temperature and the road snow thickness monitored by the monitoring module. The real ice and snow state of the road surface is acquired by the temperature acquisition unit and the snow thickness acquisition unit, and the snow accumulation condition is found in time; the control module is linked with the flow regulating valve; the spreading flow of the spraying and spreading module can be regulated according to the actual ice and snow data information of the road surface; the energy supply module is used; manual power supply is not needed; and long-term self-operation can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of de-icing agent spreading technology, specifically relating to an unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device. Background Technology

[0002] In winter, snowfall, freezing and thawing temperatures, and rain-snow transitions can easily lead to snow accumulation, compacted snow, and thin ice layers on road surfaces. This reduces the road surface adhesion coefficient, increases vehicle braking distance, and in severe cases, can cause vehicle skidding, rear-end collisions, congestion, and traffic disruptions. Especially in key areas such as urban expressways, highways, bridges, ramps, tunnel entrances and exits, shaded sections, and mountain roads, rapid temperature changes, significant snow accumulation, and pronounced local microclimate differences often result in sudden and localized road icing. Therefore, timely and accurate application of de-icing agents to key road sections is a crucial technical means for winter road maintenance, traffic flow assurance, and traffic safety.

[0003] Currently, road de-icing agent application mainly employs manual spreading and vehicle-mounted spreading equipment. Manual spreading uses simple equipment and requires low investment, but it is inefficient, labor-intensive, and requires maintenance personnel to work on-site in low temperatures, snowfall, icing, and traffic conditions, posing significant safety risks. Furthermore, for roads with high traffic volume or key sections in severe weather, manual spreading is limited by personnel scheduling, work windows, traffic control, and on-site traffic conditions, making it difficult to promptly detect and address localized snow and ice accumulation issues.

[0004] While vehicle-mounted de-icing agent spreading equipment can improve spreading efficiency and is suitable for patrol operations on longer road sections, it is essentially still a passive approach based on manual inspection or experience-based judgment. This type of equipment typically requires drivers or maintenance personnel to decide whether to start spreading based on weather, road conditions, and experience, making it difficult to continuously and in real-time obtain key parameters of the road surface environment for a specific, focused section. When localized areas such as bridges, tunnel entrances, and ramps ice over before other road sections, vehicle-mounted inspections may suffer from delayed detection and response. Furthermore, the spreading amount of vehicle-mounted de-icing agent also largely depends on manual settings, easily leading to insufficient spreading that affects the de-icing effect or repeated spreading that wastes material.

[0005] Therefore, how to avoid the high degree of reliance on manual labor, untimely response, and inaccurate control of the spreading flow rate when using existing de-icing agents is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem this invention aims to solve is to address the shortcomings of the prior art by providing an unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device. This device uses a temperature acquisition unit and a snow thickness acquisition unit to obtain the actual ice and snow conditions on the road surface, promptly detecting snow accumulation. The control module, linked to a flow regulating valve, can adjust the spreading flow of the spraying module based on actual road ice and snow data. Utilizing an energy supply module, it requires no manual power connection and can achieve long-term autonomous operation. This solves the technical problems of high reliance on manual labor, slow response, and inaccurate, coarse control of the spreading flow in existing de-icing agent spreading technologies.

[0007] The present invention adopts the following technical solution: an unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device, comprising a monitoring module, a control module, a spraying module and an energy supply module; The monitoring module includes a temperature acquisition unit and a snow thickness acquisition unit. The temperature acquisition unit is used to acquire road surface temperature, and the snow thickness acquisition unit is used to acquire road surface snow thickness. The spraying and spreading module includes a de-icing agent storage tank, a spray pump, a spray pipe, a flow regulating valve, and a nozzle connected in sequence. The nozzle is used to be placed on the road surface to be spread. The spray pump delivers the de-icing agent from the storage tank to the nozzle through the spray pipe and sprays it onto the road surface to be spread. The flow regulating valve is used to adjust the spreading flow rate of the nozzle. The control module is used to control the spraying module to spray de-icing agent based on the road surface temperature and snow thickness monitored by the monitoring module. The energy supply module is used to provide electrical power to the monitoring module, control module and spray module.

[0008] Preferably, the temperature acquisition unit includes a road surface temperature sensor.

[0009] Preferably, the road surface temperature sensor includes an embedded thermistor, which is embedded in the road surface to be monitored.

[0010] Preferably, the snow thickness acquisition unit includes a laser rangefinder and a snow thickness calculation subunit; The snow thickness calculation subunit calculates the snow thickness by comparing the real-time data collected by the laser rangefinder with the original data.

[0011] Preferably, the triggering condition for the control module to control the spraying and spreading module to spread is: the road surface temperature is <1℃ and the snow thickness is ≥1cm.

[0012] Preferably, the control module includes a time-delay shut-off unit, which shuts off the spraying module according to a preset time when the road surface temperature is ≥1℃ or the snow thickness is <1cm.

[0013] Preferably, it also includes a mobile vehicle body, which includes a mobile chassis and mobile wheels, and the spraying and spreading module is mounted on the mobile chassis.

[0014] Preferably, a control box is provided on the mobile chassis, and the control module is arranged inside the control box.

[0015] Preferably, the spray pipe is provided with multiple nozzles spaced apart along its length.

[0016] Preferably, the energy supply module includes a solar panel, an energy storage battery, a power detection unit, and a mains power backup interface; The solar panel is electrically connected to the energy storage battery. The power detection unit is used to detect the power of the energy storage battery in real time. The mains backup interface is electrically connected to the energy storage battery and is used to connect to an external power source for supplemental power supply.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: The monitoring module collects road surface temperature and snow thickness information through temperature acquisition unit and snow thickness acquisition unit, respectively, to obtain the real ice and snow condition of the road surface. It can replace manual on-site inspection and judgment, greatly reduce reliance on manual labor, detect snow accumulation in a timely manner, and eliminate the safety hazards of manual monitoring operations in low temperature and snowy environments.

[0018] The control module is linked to the flow regulating valve, which can dynamically adjust the spraying flow of the spraying module based on the actual ice and snow data of the road surface collected by the monitoring module. This solves the problem of insufficient or excessive spraying caused by the traditional manual setting of a fixed spraying amount, and achieves precise spraying.

[0019] Utilizing an energy supply module, it can operate autonomously for extended periods without manual power connection, enabling fully unattended automatic snow melting operations and solving the problems of delayed response and high inspection and maintenance costs associated with manual handling.

[0020] Furthermore, by using a road surface temperature sensor as the core component for temperature acquisition, it is possible to stably and continuously collect real temperature data of the road surface.

[0021] Furthermore, by using a laser rangefinder sensor in conjunction with a snow thickness calculation subunit, the snow thickness is automatically calculated by comparing the difference between the snow-free baseline distance and the real-time range measurement. This achieves automatic snow thickness calculation without the need for manual on-site measurement, enabling unattended monitoring.

[0022] Furthermore, the control logic is designed to trigger synchronously under two conditions: road surface temperature <1℃ and snow accumulation ≥1cm. Spreading will only begin when both conditions are met simultaneously, avoiding the limitations of relying on a single indicator. This prevents wasteful application of pesticides when the temperature is low but there is no snow, and eliminates the need for operation when the road surface is covered in snow but the temperature is high and there is no risk of icing. This significantly reduces pesticide consumption and environmental pollution, while also preventing unnecessary startups that waste equipment energy.

[0023] Furthermore, a delayed shutdown unit is added so that the sprinkler system will not be shut down immediately when the ice and snow index does not meet the trigger threshold. The spraying time is extended to allow the de-icing agent to fully penetrate the residual thin ice and the bottom snow, preventing insufficient agent action and rapid secondary icing in some sections. This compensates for the incomplete snow melting caused by immediate shutdown and improves the overall de-icing and traffic maintenance effect.

[0024] Furthermore, a mobile vehicle body and chassis with wheels are added, and the entire spraying and spreading module is integrated on the chassis. Unlike fixed support devices, it can be flexibly transported to temporary key areas for use, expanding the applicable scenarios of the device.

[0025] Furthermore, solar panels paired with energy storage batteries construct a self-sufficient power supply system, storing energy during the day and releasing it at night or during cloudy, rainy, or snowy weather, achieving energy self-sufficiency. A power detection unit monitors the remaining battery level in real time, triggering a remote alarm via the control module when the battery is low, reminding maintenance personnel to replenish power promptly and preventing equipment shutdown and loss of snow melting monitoring functionality. An additional mains power backup interface is provided; during prolonged periods of cloudy, rainy, or snowy weather, or when solar power is insufficient due to low sunlight, external mains power can be connected for supplementary charging or direct power supply, forming a dual power supply guarantee system. This eliminates equipment downtime under extreme weather conditions and significantly improves the stability of 24 / 7 unattended operation.

[0026] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the module connection of an unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device according to the present invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the snow thickness acquisition unit of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the temperature acquisition unit of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the solar power supply and energy storage management of the present invention.

[0029] The components include: 1. Solar panel; 2. Charging management module; 3. Energy storage battery; 4. Power consumption module; 5. Road surface temperature sensor; 6. Thermopile; 7. Thermistor; 8. Laser rangefinder sensor; 9. Receiver; 10. Laser transmitter; 11. Antenna; 12. Column; 13. Control box; 14. Energy storage box; 15. Mobile chassis; 16. Feed port; 17. Snow melting agent storage tank; 18. Spray pump; 19. Filter; 20. Nozzle. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "one side," "one end," and "one side," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0033] It should be understood that, when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms "comprising" and "including" indicate the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or collections thereof.

[0034] It should also be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0035] It should also be further understood that the term "and / or" as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0036] The accompanying drawings illustrate various structural schematic diagrams according to embodiments disclosed in this invention. These drawings are not to scale, and some details have been enlarged for clarity, and some details may have been omitted. The shapes of the various regions and layers shown in the drawings, as well as their relative sizes and positional relationships, are merely exemplary and may deviate from reality due to manufacturing tolerances or technical limitations. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can design regions / layers with different shapes, sizes, and relative positions as needed.

[0037] Please see Figures 1 to 5 The present invention provides an unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device, comprising a monitoring module, a control module, a spraying module, and an energy supply module.

[0038] The spraying and spreading module includes a de-icing agent storage tank, a spray pump 18, a spray pipe, a flow regulating valve, and nozzles 20 connected in sequence. The nozzles 20 are positioned at the road surface to be covered. The spray pump 18 delivers the de-icing agent from the storage tank to the nozzles 20 via the spray pipe, spraying it onto the road surface. The flow regulating valve is used to adjust the spreading flow rate of the nozzles 20.

[0039] Specifically, the de-icing agent storage tank is used to store liquid de-icing agent or de-icing agent solution, and is preferably made of corrosion-resistant materials such as PE, PP, or stainless steel with an anti-corrosion lining. The storage tank has a filling port 16 at the top for easy replenishment of de-icing agent, and a liquid outlet and a drain outlet at the bottom. The liquid outlet is connected to the spray pump 18, and the drain outlet is used to periodically remove sediment and impurities. The storage tank volume can be determined according to the road length and spraying frequency, preferably 200L to 500L, but can be increased according to actual project needs.

[0040] A spray pump 18 is located at the rear end of the outlet of the de-icing agent storage tank, and is used to draw the de-icing agent solution from the storage tank and pressurize and deliver it to the spray pipeline. The spray pump 18 is electrically connected to the control module and receives start or stop signals from the control module. In this embodiment, a filter 19 is preferably provided at the inlet end of the spray pump 18 to filter impurities in the de-icing agent solution and prevent the nozzles 20 from becoming clogged.

[0041] Preferably, in this embodiment, a plurality of nozzles 20 are spaced apart along the length of the spray pipe. Specifically, one end of the spray pipe is connected to the liquid outlet of the spray pump 18, and the other end is provided with a plurality of branch pipes, each branch pipe being connected to a nozzle 20. The spray pipe is preferably made of corrosion-resistant PVC pipe, stainless steel pipe, or low-temperature resistant rubber hose.

[0042] Multiple nozzles 20 are all positioned facing the road surface, preferably rotatable atomizing nozzles 20 or fan-shaped nozzles 20, with adjustable spray angles to adapt to different lane widths, spraying distances, and installation positions. The coordinated spraying of multiple nozzles 20 ensures even coverage of the target road surface with the de-icing agent, avoiding localized over- or under-coverage.

[0043] A flow regulating valve is installed on the spray pipe between the spray pump 18 and the nozzle 20. In other embodiments, a flow regulating valve may also be installed on the branch pipe corresponding to each nozzle 20.

[0044] In this embodiment, the flow regulating valve is electrically connected to the control module and can automatically adjust its opening degree according to the snow thickness.

[0045] Specifically, when the snow depth is between 1cm and 3cm, the control module keeps the flow regulating valve at a medium opening. When the snow depth is greater than 3cm, the control module increases the opening of the flow regulating valve and extends the spraying time. When the snow depth is less than 1cm, the control module stops starting or performs a delayed shutdown.

[0046] The above adjustment methods can dynamically adjust the amount of de-icing agent according to the actual ice and snow conditions, improve the spreading accuracy and reduce the waste of de-icing agent.

[0047] In this embodiment, a level sensor is installed inside the de-icing agent storage tank to detect the remaining amount of de-icing agent in real time. The level sensor is connected to the input terminal of the control module and transmits the remaining amount of de-icing agent to the control module. When the de-icing agent level is lower than a preset value, the level sensor sends a low level signal to the control module, and the control module sends a replenishment reminder to the remote monitoring terminal through the wireless communication unit. If the level is too low and insufficient to ensure normal spraying, the control module can automatically prevent the spray pump 18 from running dry to protect the spray pump 18 and avoid equipment damage.

[0048] The monitoring module includes a temperature acquisition unit and a snow thickness acquisition unit. The temperature acquisition unit collects road surface temperature data, and the snow thickness acquisition unit collects snow thickness data. Both units are connected to the control module's data acquisition interface for transmitting temperature and snow thickness data. Based on the road surface temperature and snow thickness data monitored by the monitoring module, the control module controls the spraying module to spray de-icing agent.

[0049] The energy supply module provides power to the monitoring module, control module, and sprinkler module.

[0050] With the above setup, the monitoring module collects road surface temperature and snow thickness information through the temperature acquisition unit and snow thickness acquisition unit, respectively, to obtain the true ice and snow condition of the road surface. This can replace manual on-site inspection and judgment, greatly reduce reliance on manual labor, detect snow accumulation in a timely manner, and eliminate the safety hazards of manual monitoring operations in low-temperature snow environments.

[0051] The control module is linked to the flow regulating valve, which can dynamically adjust the spraying flow of the spraying module based on the actual ice and snow data of the road surface collected by the monitoring module. This solves the problem of insufficient or excessive spraying caused by the traditional manual setting of a fixed spraying amount, and achieves precise spraying.

[0052] Utilizing an energy supply module, it can operate autonomously for extended periods without manual power connection, enabling fully unattended automatic snow melting operations and solving the problems of delayed response and high inspection and maintenance costs associated with manual handling.

[0053] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0054] In an unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device of the present invention, the temperature acquisition unit includes a road surface temperature sensor 5. Using the road surface temperature sensor 5 as the core component for temperature acquisition, it is possible to stably and continuously collect real surface temperature data of the road surface.

[0055] Specifically, such as Figure 4As shown, the road surface temperature sensor 5 includes a housing, within which an embedded thermistor 7 is installed. The embedded thermistor 7 is embedded within the road surface to be monitored. The resistance of the thermistor 7 changes linearly with the ambient temperature, which can then be converted into ambient temperature data and transmitted to the control module to achieve real-time monitoring of the road surface temperature.

[0056] In this embodiment, as Figure 4 As shown, the road surface temperature sensor 5 also includes a thermopile 6 installed inside the housing. Specifically, the thermopile 6 adopts a non-contact infrared temperature measurement method. The probe of the thermopile 6 is pointed upwards at the road surface and continuously receives the infrared heat signal radiated by the road surface. It converts the infrared radiation energy corresponding to the road surface temperature into a weak voltage signal. The control module acquires the electrical signal and converts it into ambient temperature data. Together with the embedded thermistor 7, it realizes the coordinated monitoring of the road surface temperature and avoids false triggering caused by a single monitoring method.

[0057] Preferably, in this embodiment, the snow thickness acquisition unit includes a laser rangefinder sensor 8 and a snow thickness calculation subunit. By using the laser rangefinder sensor 8 in conjunction with the snow thickness calculation subunit, the snow thickness is automatically calculated by comparing the difference between the snow-free baseline distance and the real-time range measurement, achieving automatic snow thickness calculation without the need for manual on-site measurement and enabling unattended monitoring.

[0058] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, the laser rangefinder 8 is arranged above the road surface. The laser rangefinder 8 includes a laser emitter 10 and a receiver 9. The laser emitter 10 is used to emit a rangefinder laser to the road surface, and the receiver 9 is used to receive the laser signal reflected back from the road surface, so as to realize the measurement of the distance between the laser rangefinder 8 and the road surface and output the distance data between the sensor and the road surface in real time.

[0059] In the initial stage, after the laser rangefinder 8 is installed, when there is no snow on the road surface, the laser rangefinder 8 collects the distance value between itself and the road surface and stores it in the control module as the baseline raw data. When it snows, the laser emitter 10 emits a laser that hits the surface of the snow, and the receiver 9 receives the reflected signal to obtain the real-time distance value. The snow thickness calculation unit calculates the snow thickness by calculating the difference between the real-time data collected by the laser rangefinder 8 and the raw data.

[0060] In this embodiment, preferably, the control module includes a control chip, a data acquisition interface, a data storage unit, a wireless communication unit, a threshold judgment unit, and an execution control unit.

[0061] The control chip can be a microcontroller, PLC controller or embedded control board, used to receive data sent by road surface temperature sensor 5, snow thickness sensor, liquid level sensor, power detection unit, etc., and perform logical judgment.

[0062] The data storage unit records operational data such as road surface temperature, snow thickness, spray start-up time, spray duration, remaining de-icing agent, battery level, and equipment fault information, facilitating later maintenance analysis, fault tracing, and optimization of snow melting strategies. The wireless communication unit can use 4G, 5G, NB-IoT, LoRa, WiFi, and other communication methods to establish a connection with a remote monitoring terminal. Managers can view the equipment's operating status via mobile phone, computer, or a backend platform and remotely adjust parameters such as temperature thresholds, snow thickness thresholds, spray flow rate, and delayed shutdown time as needed.

[0063] The control unit controls the automatic triggering of the spraying module based on the threshold judgment unit and the execution control unit. Specifically, the triggering conditions for the spraying module are: road surface temperature < 1℃ and snow accumulation thickness ≥ 1cm. In other embodiments, the triggering threshold can also be adjusted according to road grade, climate conditions, and management needs, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0064] The control logic is designed to trigger application under two conditions: a road surface temperature of <1℃ and a snow depth of ≥1cm. Application is only initiated when both conditions are met simultaneously, avoiding the limitations of relying on a single indicator. This prevents wasteful application of chemicals when the temperature is low but there is no snow, and eliminates the need for application when the road surface is covered in snow but the temperature is high and there is no risk of icing. This significantly reduces chemical consumption and environmental pollution, while also preventing unnecessary energy consumption from equipment.

[0065] Preferably, in this embodiment, the control module further includes a delayed shutdown unit. When the road surface temperature is ≥1℃ or the snow thickness is <1cm, the delayed shutdown unit shuts off the spraying module according to a preset delay time.

[0066] A delayed shutdown unit is added so that when the snow and ice index does not meet the trigger threshold for spraying, the spraying will not be shut down immediately. Instead, the spraying module will continue to run for a preset time to extend the spraying duration, ensuring that the de-icing agent fully acts on the snow and thin ice layer. This prevents insufficient agent action and secondary icing in some road sections, compensates for the incomplete snow melting caused by immediate shutdown, and improves the overall de-icing and traffic maintenance effect.

[0067] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 As shown, the automatic spraying device also includes a mobile vehicle, which comprises a mobile chassis 15 and mobile wheels. The spraying module is mounted on the mobile chassis 15. By adding a mobile vehicle with mobile wheels and a mobile chassis 15, the entire spraying module is integrated onto the chassis. Unlike fixed support devices, this allows for flexible transport to temporary key areas, expanding the device's applicable scenarios.

[0068] Specifically, in this embodiment, such as Figure 1As shown, a control box 13 is also installed on the mobile chassis 15, and the control module is arranged inside the control box 13. A vertical column 12 and an antenna 11 are also installed on the mobile chassis 15.

[0069] The vertical column 12 can be used to install the laser rangefinder sensor 8. The antenna 11 can be used to establish a connection with a remote monitoring terminal, sending or receiving information from the remote monitoring terminal for corresponding control.

[0070] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 As shown, the energy supply module includes a solar panel 1, an energy storage battery 3, a power detection unit, and a mains backup interface. The solar panel 1 is electrically connected to the energy storage battery 3. The power detection unit is used to monitor the power level of the energy storage battery 3 in real time. The mains backup interface is electrically connected to the energy storage battery 3 for connecting to an external power source for supplemental power supply.

[0071] By utilizing solar panels 1 in conjunction with energy storage batteries 3, a self-sufficient power supply system can be constructed. Energy is stored during the day and released at night or during cloudy / rainy / snowy weather, achieving energy self-sufficiency. A power detection unit monitors the remaining power of the energy storage batteries 3 in real time. When the power is low, it can trigger a remote alarm via the control module, reminding maintenance personnel to replenish the power promptly and preventing equipment shutdown and loss of snow melting monitoring functions. An additional mains power backup interface is added. During prolonged periods of cloudy / rainy / snowy weather or insufficient sunlight, when solar power is insufficient, external mains power can be connected for supplementary charging or direct power supply, forming a dual power supply guarantee system. This eliminates equipment downtime under extreme weather conditions and significantly improves the stability of 24 / 7 unattended operation.

[0072] Specifically, such as Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the solar panel 1 is fixedly mounted on the mobile chassis 15 by a mounting bracket, preferably tilted towards due south or the local best direction of sunlight, for converting solar energy into electrical energy.

[0073] In this embodiment, the energy storage battery 3 is installed in the energy storage box 14 on the mobile vehicle body. It can be a lithium battery, lithium iron phosphate battery or other energy storage battery 3 suitable for low temperature environment, used to store the electrical energy generated by the solar panel 1, and to power the monitoring module, control module and spraying module at night, in snowy weather or when there is insufficient sunlight.

[0074] Specifically, the energy storage battery 3 supplies power to the control module, monitoring module, wireless communication unit, spray pump 18 and flow regulating valve through the regulated output terminal.

[0075] The energy supply module also includes a charging management module 2, which is electrically connected to the solar panel 1, the energy storage battery 3, and the power consumption module 4. The charging management module 2 has overcharge protection, over-discharge protection, overcurrent protection, short-circuit protection, and voltage regulation output functions to ensure that each power consumption module 4 receives a stable voltage. The power consumption module 4 is the monitoring module, control module, and spraying module in this application.

[0076] The power detection unit is used to monitor the power level of energy storage battery 3 in real time. The power detection unit is connected to the input terminal of the control module to transmit energy storage battery 3 power information. When the battery power falls below a preset threshold, the control module sends a low power alarm to the remote monitoring terminal. This is to ensure reliable operation of the equipment during continuous rainy or snowy weather.

[0077] The mains backup interface is connected to the charging management module 2 and serves as a supplementary power input when solar power is insufficient. Specifically, when solar power is insufficient and the energy storage battery 3's charge is below a preset value, an external power source can be connected through the mains backup interface for supplementary power. The mains backup interface is converted into the low-voltage DC power required by the device by the power conversion module, which then charges the energy storage battery 3 or directly powers the power consumption module 4.

[0078] In this embodiment, the output of the control module is connected to the spray pump 18, the flow regulating valve, the alarm unit and the wireless communication unit, respectively, and is used to control the start and stop of the spray pump 18, the opening degree of the regulating valve, the transmission of alarm information and remote data interaction.

[0079] In other embodiments, depending on actual usage requirements, the snow thickness acquisition unit can be replaced by an ultrasonic ranging sensor, a millimeter-wave radar sensor, an image recognition device, or a pressure detection device, etc., as long as it can meet the actual snow thickness acquisition needs.

[0080] In other embodiments, depending on actual usage requirements, the device may not use a mobile vehicle body, but may be directly fixed to roads, bridges, guardrails or gantry by means of mounting rods or mounting frames.

[0081] The method of using the unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device of the present invention is as follows: First, place the device at the target location and secure the mobile vehicle to the target road section. Adjust the orientation of the solar panel 1, the angle of the sprinkler head 20, and the spray coverage area according to the actual situation. Complete the device deployment.

[0082] Add the prepared de-icing agent solution to the de-icing agent storage tank, and check whether the spray pump 18, spray pipe, flow regulating valve and nozzle 20 are connected and functioning normally; finally, turn on the control module and energy self-consistency module to put the device into automatic monitoring state.

[0083] During operation, the self-sufficient energy module continuously supplies power to all functional modules. The temperature acquisition unit collects road surface temperature data according to a preset sampling period, and the snow thickness acquisition unit collects snow thickness data and transmits the data to the control module. The control module filters, verifies, and performs threshold judgments on the collected data. When the road surface temperature is determined to be <1℃ and the snow thickness is ≥1cm, the control module outputs a start signal, the spray pump 18 starts, the flow regulating valve opens, and the de-icing agent solution is delivered to the nozzle 20 through the spray pipe and sprayed evenly onto the target road surface.

[0084] During the spraying process, the control module continuously receives snow thickness data and adjusts the opening of the flow regulating valve and the spraying duration according to changes in snow thickness. When the snow thickness is large, the spraying flow rate is increased or the spraying time is extended; when the snow thickness gradually decreases and falls below the preset value, the control module enters a delayed shutdown state, shutting off the spray pump 18 and the flow regulating valve after the delay. If insufficient de-icing agent level, low battery power, sensor malfunction, or spray pump 18 failure is detected, the control module immediately records the fault information and sends an alarm prompt to the remote monitoring terminal via the wireless communication unit.

[0085] Through the above structure and control method, the present invention can realize real-time perception of road ice and snow conditions, automatic and precise application of de-icing agents, coordinated power supply of solar energy and energy storage batteries, remote monitoring and alarm, and unattended operation, effectively improving the timeliness, reliability and intelligence level of winter snow melting and de-icing on key road sections.

[0086] In summary, the unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device of the present invention collects the road ice and snow conditions in real time through temperature acquisition unit and snow thickness acquisition unit, and the control module automatically judges and controls the spreading, eliminating the need for manual on-site start and stop, reducing reliance on manual labor and operational risks. This achieves unattended automatic spreading.

[0087] When the road surface temperature and snow depth meet preset conditions, the device can automatically start the spray pump 18 to promptly spread de-icing agent in the early stages of snow icing, reducing the risk of road icing and improving the timeliness of snow melting response.

[0088] The device simultaneously collects two key parameters: road surface temperature and snow depth, avoiding false starts, missed starts, and delayed starts caused by relying solely on human experience or temperature alone. This improves the accuracy of spreading decisions.

[0089] By adjusting the spray flow rate according to the snow thickness using a flow regulating valve, the amount of de-icing agent used is matched to the actual snow accumulation, reducing material consumption and environmental impact. This also reduces de-icing agent waste.

[0090] Multiple nozzles (20) are arranged along the mounting bracket, with adjustable spray angles, allowing for uniform coverage of the target road section and improving the contact effect between the de-icing agent and accumulated snow and thin ice. This enhances spray uniformity and snow-melting efficiency.

[0091] Powered by solar panels 1, energy storage batteries 3, and a charging management module 2, and equipped with a backup AC power interface, the equipment can operate continuously even without an external power source or during prolonged periods of cloudy, rainy, or snowy weather. This enhances power supply stability. Remote monitoring and replenishment reminders are achieved through wireless communication, liquid level detection, and fault alarms, reducing manual inspections; the adjustable support height and spray angle make it suitable for various scenarios such as urban roads, highways, bridges, ramps, and tunnel entrances / exits. This reduces operation and maintenance costs and expands the scope of application.

[0092] The above content is only for illustrating the technical concept of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications made to the technical solution based on the technical concept proposed in this invention shall fall within the scope of protection of the claims of this invention.

Claims

1. An unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device, characterized in that, It includes a monitoring module, a control module, a sprinkler module, and an energy supply module; The monitoring module includes a temperature acquisition unit and a snow thickness acquisition unit. The temperature acquisition unit is used to acquire road surface temperature, and the snow thickness acquisition unit is used to acquire road surface snow thickness. The spraying and spreading module includes a de-icing agent storage tank, a spray pump (18), a spray pipe, a flow regulating valve, and a nozzle (20) connected in sequence. The nozzle (20) is used to be placed on the road surface to be spread. The spray pump (18) transports the de-icing agent in the de-icing agent storage tank to the nozzle (20) through the spray pipe and sprays it onto the road surface to be spread. The flow regulating valve is used to adjust the spreading flow rate of the nozzle (20). The control module is used to control the spraying module to spray de-icing agent based on the road surface temperature and snow thickness monitored by the monitoring module. The energy supply module is used to provide electrical power to the monitoring module, control module and spray module.

2. The unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature acquisition unit includes a road surface temperature sensor (5).

3. The unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The road surface temperature sensor (5) includes an embedded thermistor (7), which is used to be embedded in the road surface to be monitored.

4. The unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The snow thickness acquisition unit includes a laser rangefinder (8) and a snow thickness calculation subunit; The snow thickness calculation subunit calculates the snow thickness by comparing the real-time data collected by the laser rangefinder (8) with the original data.

5. The unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The triggering conditions for the control module to control the spraying and spreading module are: road surface temperature < 1℃ and snow thickness ≥ 1cm.

6. The unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The control module includes a time-delay shut-off unit. When the road surface temperature is ≥1℃ or the snow thickness is <1cm, the time-delay shut-off unit shuts off the spraying and spreading module according to a preset time delay.

7. The unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a mobile vehicle body, which includes a mobile chassis (15) and mobile wheels, and the spraying module is mounted on the mobile chassis (15).

8. The unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device according to claim 7, characterized in that, A control box (13) is provided on the mobile chassis (15), and the control module is arranged inside the control box (13).

9. The unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spray pipe is provided with multiple nozzles (20) spaced apart along its length.

10. The unattended automatic de-icing agent spreading device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy supply module includes a solar panel (1), an energy storage battery (3), a power detection unit, and a mains power backup interface; The solar panel (1) is electrically connected to the energy storage battery (3). The power detection unit is used to detect the power of the energy storage battery (3) in real time. The mains backup interface is electrically connected to the energy storage battery (3) and is used to connect to an external power source for supplementary power supply.

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