Spraying device

Abstract

The invention relates to a spraying device for spraying a liquid, in particular a salt-containing liquid, preferably brine, onto a roadway, comprising a housing (1) preferably made of coated metal or plastic sheet, a fluid-conducting system (7) having a feed line (2), a pump (3) and at least one nozzle (4, 4') for generating a spray jet, wherein the feed line (2) is designed to connect the spraying device to an external tank of the liquid in a fluid-conducting manner, and wherein the intensity of the spray jet from the nozzle (4, 4') can be adjusted by open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the pump (3), characterized in that the spraying device has a coupling device (5) for fastening, in particular for toollessly fastening, the spraying device to a trailer coupling of a motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] Spray device

[0002] The invention relates to a spraying device according to the independent claim. In particular, the invention relates to a spraying device for spraying a liquid, especially a salty liquid, preferably brine, onto a roadway.

[0003] Conventional spraying systems are usually custom-built for a specific vehicle, such as a truck. Typically, a liquid tank and the spraying system's pump are mounted on a flatbed, and the spray boom is permanently attached to the tank frame with a bracket. The entire assembly, including the tank, pump, and spray nozzles, is rigidly connected in these systems. Therefore, each system must be adapted to the specific vehicle it will be used with.

[0004] However, not every vehicle is suitable for all applications of spraying equipment. Large vehicles, such as trucks, allow for high payloads, meaning, for example, tanks with a particularly large liquid volume. They can therefore spray a large area with a single tankful. Due to their limited maneuverability and agility, however, such large vehicles are not well-suited for narrow and / or winding terrain. For such applications, smaller, more maneuverable vehicles are needed, which, however, usually allow for a lower payload and can therefore use tanks with a smaller volume.

[0005] Therefore, it may be necessary to provide several vehicles, each particularly well-suited for a specific application. With conventional spraying systems, this requires adapting a spraying system with tank, pump technology, and spray bar specifically for each vehicle. This is usually associated with high costs.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to improve the operational efficiency of spraying systems.

[0007] This problem is solved by a spraying device according to the independent claim.

[0008] According to the invention, the spraying device comprises a housing, preferably made of coated metal or plastic sheet. When liquids are sprayed, a spray mist often forms around the spray nozzles and / or due to the impact of the sprayed liquid on the surface to be sprayed, which can also settle on the housing. Housings made of these materials have proven to be particularly resistant to the corrosive properties of liquids, especially salt-containing liquids.

[0009] According to the invention, the spray device comprises a fluid guidance system with a supply line, at least one pump, and at least one nozzle for generating a spray jet. The pump can draw in liquid via the supply line and transport it to the nozzle.

[0010] The supply line is designed to connect the spray device to an external liquid tank via a fluid-conducting connection. The spray device can be connected to the tank via this supply line in such a way that the pump can draw liquid from the tank.

[0011] According to the invention, the strength of the spray jet from the nozzle is adjustable by controlling and / or regulating the pump.

[0012] This allows the range of the spray jet to be adjusted to the distance to be overcome between the nozzle and the area to be sprayed.

[0013] According to the invention, the spraying device has a coupling device for attaching, in particular for tool-free attachment, the spraying device to a trailer hitch of a motor vehicle. This enables easy connection of the spraying device to a motor vehicle.

[0014] With a spray device according to the invention, it is therefore possible to use one and the same spray device with several motor vehicles. Since tanks are generally more cost-effective than pump technology, several motor vehicles can be provided more efficiently for different applications, each with its own adapted tank. The tanks can thus remain on the respective motor vehicles, while only a single spray device is needed, which is then attached to one of the motor vehicles depending on the intended use.

[0015] Optionally, the coupling device may be connected to the housing via an adjustment device. The position of the coupling device relative to the housing can be adjusted in at least one direction by the adjustment device. Preferably, the adjustment device allows for height adjustment of the spray device relative to the trailer hitch of the vehicle. Trailer hitches can have different distances from the ground on different vehicles. An adjustment device can allow for adjustment of the distance between the spray device, in particular the nozzles, and the ground.

[0016] If necessary, a power connection may be provided to supply energy to the spraying device. The power connection may be connectable to a power supply line, in particular to a taillight line of the vehicle.

[0017] Since the spraying device may also obscure the taillights of motor vehicles, it may also have taillights that can be powered via the taillight wiring and electrical connection. Furthermore, the spraying device may also obscure a vehicle license plate. Therefore, a license plate holder, which may be illuminated, may be provided on one side of the spraying device.

[0018] If necessary, the coupling device may be designed for coupling with a ball head coupling, in particular comprising a ball head with a diameter of 50 mm.

[0019] In addition to their widespread availability, ball-joint couplings offer the advantage of forming a ball-joint joint with their counterpart. A spraying device with a coupling device for a ball-joint coupling can therefore be positioned in any position within the range of motion defined by the formed ball-joint joint.

[0020] If necessary, the coupling device may include a pivot lever and a safety locking bolt.

[0021] If necessary, a spray device that is movable relative to the housing and connected or connectable to the fluid guidance system may be provided.

[0022] If necessary, a radio device may be provided for the control and / or regulation of the spraying device, in particular the pump, which is equipped to receive control and / or regulation signals from a remote control.

[0023] For example, this makes it possible to control and / or regulate from inside the vehicle without having to run a line from the spraying device into the vehicle.

[0024] If necessary, handles, particularly on the housing, may be provided for holding, carrying, positioning and / or adjusting the position of the spray device.

[0025] If necessary, it may be provided that several nozzles are arranged on a common spray bar and are aligned in such a way that they emit spray jets in different directions.

[0026] Optionally, the housing may be provided with a base plate and two side plates, each forming an angle of substantially 120° to 150° with the base plate. Preferably, the angle formed is approximately 135°.

[0027] In all versions, it can be provided that the spray jets from the nozzles are fanned out, so that liquid is sprayed from each nozzle over an angular range.

[0028] Certain aspects of the present disclosure will be explained below using exemplary case studies.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a coupling-side view of the spray device from an oblique angle above. The spray device comprises a housing 1 in which a fluid guide system 7 is housed. According to this embodiment, the supply line 2 is guided through a coupling-side wall of the housing 1. Handles 12 are provided on the top of the housing 1 with which the spray device can be lifted. In addition, a power connection 8 for connection to the taillight circuit of a motor vehicle is provided on the top of the spray device. An antenna of a radio device 11 is attached to the coupling-side wall of the housing 1, with which control and / or regulation signals for the spray device can be received and / or transmitted.

[0030] A coupling device 5 is connected to the housing 1 of the spray device via an adjustment device 6. The adjustment device 6 allows the position of the coupling device 5 on the spray device to be adjusted. In the present embodiment, the coupling device 5 is screwed to the adjustment device 6, with several possible mounting positions being defined by holes in the adjustment device 6.

[0031] Other known connection options, in particular quick-release connections for example with cam levers and / or stepless connections for example with elongated holes, are also conceivable to further simplify adjustment. According to the present design, the adjustment device allows for vertical adjustment of the coupling device's position relative to the housing.

[0032] The coupling device 5 has a pivot lever 9 which can be secured with a safety locking bolt zen 10. The pivot lever 9 allows the coupling device 5 to be clamped to the trailer hitch of a motor vehicle. The safety locking bolt zen 10 prevents the pivot lever 9 from loosening, for example due to vibrations, and thus prevents the coupling device 5 from detaching from the trailer hitch.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a rear view of the spraying device from a low angle. The housing 1 is closed at the rear by a cover which is connected to the housing 1 by hinges. The cover can be locked to the housing 1 to protect the components of the spraying device located inside the housing 1 and can be folded away to allow access to the interior of the housing. Taillights, reflectors and a license plate holder are attached to the cover to ensure safe operation of the spraying device in road traffic and to comply with road traffic regulations.

[0034] The underside of the housing 1 is formed by a base plate 14 and two side plates 14', which have openings for dispensing sprayed liquid from the spraying device. Nozzles 4 are arranged in the housing 1 such that the liquid they spray can be dispensed through the openings in the base plate 14 in the form of a spray jet. The nozzles 4 are oriented essentially perpendicular to the base plate 14. Further nozzles 4' are arranged in the housing 1 such that the liquid they spray can be dispensed through the openings in the side plates 14' in the form of a spray jet. These further nozzles 4' are oriented essentially perpendicular to the side plates 14'. The side plates 14' are arranged at an angle of approximately 135° to the base plate 14.

[0035] In all embodiments, the nozzles 4, 4' can be protected from damage by the housing 1. In particular, this can prevent damage to the nozzles 4, 4' caused by collisions of the spraying device with other objects.

[0036] In all versions, the orientation of the nozzles 4, 4' can refer to the spray direction of the generated spray jet. The spray direction of a nozzle can be the mean direction of a fanned-out spray jet. A spray jet can, for example, be fanned out two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally, so that the spray jet can strike the surface to be sprayed in the form of a strip or an ellipse.

[0037] The nozzles 4 and 4' can each be adjusted separately to set, for example, the amount of liquid dispensed, the degree of spray pattern dispersion, and the like. An adjustment element can be provided on each nozzle for this purpose. Alternatively or additionally, corresponding external nozzle sets with different spray characteristics can be available, between which one can be changed as needed.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 2, a coupling device 5 is connected to the housing 1 via an adjusting device 6. The coupling device 5 has an opening on its underside for receiving the coupling element of a trailer hitch of a motor vehicle. According to this embodiment, the opening is circular and suitable for coupling the spray device to a ball hitch of a motor vehicle.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows a rear view of the spray device from a top-down angle. In this view, the rear cover of the spray device, as shown in Fig. 2, has been removed to allow a clear view into the interior of the spray device. For clarity, some components inside the housing 1 have also been hidden.

[0040] The spray device has a fluid guidance system 7 inside the housing 1. According to this embodiment, the fluid guidance system 7 comprises two pumps 3, which can draw in liquid via supply lines 2. Each pump 3 conveys the drawn-in liquid via hoses to a spray bar 13, on which nozzles 4, 4' are arranged. According to this embodiment, five nozzles 4 are arranged on each spray bar 13, their spray direction being oriented substantially perpendicular to the base plate 14.

[0041] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, two nozzles 4 ' are arranged on each spray bar 13, in particular at the two ends of the respective spray bar 13, which are arranged with their spray direction essentially normal to the side plate 14 '.

[0042] Two handles 12 are arranged on the top of the housing 1 for improved handling of the spray device. Likewise, according to this embodiment, a power connection 8 is provided on the top of the housing 1.

[0043] According to this embodiment, housing 1 also includes a control cabinet for the electronics of the spraying device. This control cabinet can, for example, at least partially house a radio device 11, the antenna of which may protrude from housing 1.

[0044] Together with a remote control, the delivery of liquid during operation of the spraying device could be adjusted differently in different directions, for example to deactivate nozzles 4 ' so that vehicles on adjacent lanes of a multi-lane road are not sprayed with the potentially corrosive liquid.

[0045] Housing, pump inlet, 4' nozzle, coupling device, adjusting device, fluid guidance system, power connection, swivel lever, 0 safety locking bolt, 1 radio device, 2 handle, 3 spray bar, 4 base plate, 4' side plate

Claims

Claims 1. Spraying device for spraying a liquid, in particular a saline liquid, preferably brine, onto a roadway, comprising a housing (1) preferably made of coated metal or plastic sheet, a fluid guidance system (7) with a supply line (2), a pump (3) and at least one nozzle (4, 4') for generating a spray jet, wherein the supply line (2) is configured to connect the spraying device fluidly to an external tank of the liquid, and wherein the strength of the spray jet from the nozzle (4, 4') is adjustable by controlling and / or regulating the pump (3), characterized in that the spraying device has a coupling device (5) for attaching, in particular for tool-free attachment, the spraying device to a trailer hitch of a motor vehicle.

2. Spray device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling device (5) is connected to the housing (1) via an adjusting device (6), wherein the position of the coupling device (5) relative to the housing (1) is adjustable in at least one direction by the adjusting device (6), and wherein the adjusting device (6) preferably enables a height adjustment of the spray device relative to the trailer coupling of the motor vehicle.

3. Spray device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a power connection (8) for supplying energy to the spray device is provided, which can be connected to a power supply line, in particular to a taillight line of the motor vehicle.

4. Spraying device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the coupling device (5) is designed for coupling with a ball head coupling, in particular comprising a ball head with a diameter of 50 mm.

5. Spray device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coupling device (5) comprises a pivot lever (9) and a safety locking bolt (10).

6. Spray device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a spray device, in particular a spray gun, is provided which is movable relative to the housing (1) and in particular is connected or connectable to the fluid guidance system (7) via a flexible line, preferably via a spiral hose, and which has an actuating element for manual actuation.

7. Spray device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a radio device (11) is provided for controlling and / or regulating the spray device, in particular the pump (3), which is configured to receive control and / or regulating signals from a remote control.

8. Spray device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that handles (12) , in particular on the housing (1) , are provided for holding, carrying, positioning and / or adjusting the position of the spray device.

9. Spray device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that several nozzles (4, 4' ) are arranged on a common spray bar (13) and are aligned such that they emit spray jets in different directions.

10. Spray device according to claim 9, characterized in that the housing (1) has a base plate (14) and two side plates (14' ) which form an angle of substantially 120° to 150°, preferably about 135°, with the base plate (14), and wherein first nozzles (4) are arranged substantially normal to the base plate (14), and second nozzles (4' ) are arranged substantially normal to the side plates (14' ).

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