Autonomous or networked road salt or grit distribution device for vehicles (gritting box)

Abstract

Autonomous road salt distribution device for vehicles (scatter box) designed for integration into the bumper or as a retrofit module for vehicles, the device: ◯ is equipped with a container for a defined amount of road salt, ◯ has sensors for detecting road and weather conditions, including at least a temperature sensor, a friction sensor and a wheel speed sensor, ◯ has a micro-spreading mechanism that releases a precisely measured amount of road salt onto the road surface when slippery conditions are detected, and ◯ has a control unit that autonomously activates the spreading function based on the sensor data.

Description

[0001] Description of the invention: The salt spreader is an autonomous, networked system for distributing road salt, integrated into the bumper. The device can also be part of the vehicle and installed or integrated in other, more suitable locations. This system is intended to increase safety in the event of sudden ice hazards by preventively and specifically distributing road salt before conventional winter salt spreaders can intervene.

[0002] How the invention works: This autonomous road salt distribution device, a so-called salt spreader, is ideally integrated into the bumper of vehicles or can be retrofitted. The system serves as a complementary measure to support traditional winter salting services and is intended to quickly and specifically increase road safety in the event of sudden icy conditions.

[0003] The spreader box operates on two levels: autonomously and networked. Autonomously means that, thanks to its integration with the vehicle's on-board computer system, it can independently detect critical weather and road conditions. Using sensors that measure temperature, friction, and wheel rotation, the spreader box monitors the driving situation in real time. If the algorithm detects a dangerous situation—based on data such as a drop in temperature or slippery driving conditions—the box immediately spreads a small amount of grit. This occurs precisely and efficiently, ensuring protection as soon as the road becomes slippery, long before conventional winter grit vehicles can arrive on site.

[0004] At the same time, the system is designed to function as a network. Vehicles in a defined area can be connected via a communications network and exchange information about the amount of grit spread, the current road conditions, and the distance traveled. This networking enables coordinated, comprehensive distribution of grit, especially in danger zones. Although each vehicle carries only a small amount of grit—for example, 50 to 150 grams—the mass of the networked vehicles results in a significant effect. The coordinated, collectively generated spreading effect allows a larger area to be secured in the shortest possible time.

[0005] In the long term, the gritting box could be integrated into a central traffic safety system specifically optimized for winter road maintenance. This central platform could use GPS data to identify areas with a high risk of slippery conditions and specifically activate vehicles in these zones to spread grit. Data transmission is anonymous to protect driver privacy, while the gritting boxes communicate with each other and with the central office to ensure optimal distribution of the grit.

[0006] This solution is future-oriented and could serve as the basis for a new era of connected road safety, in which vehicles not only exchange information with each other but also react proactively to hazards. In the long term, such systems could, in cooperation with other safety functions, help to report obstacles or road conditions early and make adjustments in real time. This ensures that all vehicles traveling in a danger zone can adjust their speed or driving style.

[0007] In summary: The spreading box performs a rapid, autonomous spreading function in icy conditions and is capable of integrating into a network, thus ensuring a safe road surface in affected areas in the shortest possible time. This innovative solution represents a significant expansion of winter maintenance services, which can save lives and defuse dangerous icy conditions through rapid response and networked communication. Technical details and structure of the litter box 1. Integration and installation: ◯ The litter box is installed in the front or rear bumper of the vehicle. Alternatively, it can be integrated into the vehicle as a retrofit module. The device can also be part of the vehicle and housed or integrated in more suitable locations. ◯ The dimensions of the litter box are designed so that it can be accommodated in the bumper without affecting the vehicle design. 2. Sensor technology: o The litter box has various sensors that are integrated into the vehicle's on-board computer system: ▪ Temperature sensor: Continuously measures the outside temperature and detects temperature fluctuations that could indicate a risk of slippery conditions (e.g. temperatures around freezing point). ▪ Friction sensor: Detects the contact and friction between the tires and the road. If there is a sudden loss of friction (e.g., due to black ice), the automatic spreading function is activated. ▪ Wheel speed sensor: Detects differences in wheel speed, which may indicate slippery roads. Slippery conditions increase the likelihood of speed differences. 3. Road salt distribution system: ◯ Micro-spreading mechanism: The spreader box is equipped with a mechanism that distributes small amounts of road salt (e.g. between 5 and 10 grams per activation) onto the road surface. ◯ Precise application: The spreading mechanism is designed to distribute the salt only in the immediate vicinity of the tires, minimizing consumption and providing targeted protection where the vehicle is at risk of skidding. ◯ Road salt container: The container in the spreading box can be filled with about 50 to 150 grams of road salt, sufficient for several small applications during one trip. 4. Autonomous operation: ◯ The spreading box is controlled via the vehicle's on-board computer. As soon as the sensors detect data such as sudden drops in temperature or friction loss, the algorithm autonomously activates the spreading function. ◯ A self-diagnosis system checks at regular intervals whether there is sufficient road salt in the container and, if necessary, displays a warning on the vehicle display. 5. Networking and communication: ◯ Inter-vehicle communication: Vehicles equipped with the litter box can connect to each other via a wireless communication protocol (e.g. vehicle-to-vehicle communication, V2V). ◯ Coordinated spreading: If multiple vehicles detect slippery conditions in the same area, they can share information about the amount of material spread and the road conditions. This allows neighboring vehicles to adjust the spreading rate and prevent over-spreading. ◯ Centralized hazard notifications: In conjunction with a central platform, vehicles could send their collected weather and road information anonymously to a traffic control center. This center can analyze the hazard situation and dispatch vehicles with litter boxes to the affected area. Practical application example

[0008] Imagine a vehicle driving along a road when the temperature suddenly drops below freezing. The temperature sensor detects this drop and activates the friction sensors to check the road surface condition. As soon as a risk of slipping is detected, the spreader automatically dispenses a small amount of salt. The vehicle uses V2V communication to inform neighboring vehicles about the risk of slippery conditions and the amount of salt spread. In this way, the system immediately ensures a safe road surface and prevents accidents before a conventional winter gritter can intervene.

[0009] In addition, a central platform could collect such information and forward it to vehicles in potentially hazardous areas, further increasing road safety and optimizing the efficiency of winter services.

Claims

[1] Autonomous road salt distribution device for vehicles (scatter box) designed for integration into the bumper or as a retrofittable module for vehicles, the device: ◯ is equipped with a container for a defined amount of road salt, ◯ has sensors for detecting road and weather conditions, including at least a temperature sensor, a friction sensor and a wheel speed sensor, ◯ has a micro-spreading mechanism that releases a precisely measured amount of road salt onto the road surface when slippery conditions are detected, and ◯ has a control unit that autonomously activates the spreading function based on the sensor data. [2] The device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is connected to the on-board computer system of the vehicle and autonomously responds to sensor data for detecting slippery conditions by adjusting the amount and frequency of salt application to the driving speed and the detected slipperiness. [3] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the micro-spreading mechanism applies the road salt at a predetermined angle in a targeted manner near the vehicle tires in order to minimize consumption and to specifically treat slippery areas. [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, which is integrated into a communication network for vehicle-to-vehicle communication (V2V), whereby it transmits data on the spread quantity and the road conditions to neighboring vehicles. [5] Device according to claim 4, wherein the networked vehicles exchange information with each other in a defined environment for coordinating the distribution of road salt in order to ensure efficient distribution of the grit to vulnerable road sections. [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is equipped with a self-diagnosis system which monitors the fill level of the road salt container and displays a warning message on the vehicle display when the fill level is low. [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, which can communicate via a central platform which analyses critical weather and road information and activates vehicles with gritting boxes specifically for the treatment of slippery areas.

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