Abstract
A device for artificially generating road spray and a method are provided. The device includes a frame, a roller, and a reservoir, wherein the roller is rotatably mounted on the frame and wherein the device is configured to supply a liquid from the reservoir to a surface of the roller. The method includes supplying water and/or a suspension comprising water to a surface of a rotating roller and exposing a vehicle to road spray generated by the rotation of the wetted roller.
Claims
1. A device for artificially generating road spray, the device comprising: a frame; a roller; and a reservoir; wherein the roller is rotatably mounted on the frame; and wherein the device is configured to supply a liquid from the reservoir to a surface of the roller.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a towable chassis having at least two wheels.
3. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a drive, wherein the drive is configured to cause a rotation of the roller relative to the frame.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein during operation, an axis of rotation of the roller is less than 1 meter above the ground.
5. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a nozzle; wherein the nozzle is connected to the reservoir; and wherein the nozzle is aligned and/or configured to supply the liquid from the reservoir through the nozzle onto the surface of the roller.
6. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an adjustable deflector for controlling a directivity of the artificially generated road spray.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a tray arranged below the roller.
8. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor for detecting a density and/or directivity of the road spray.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface of the roller is structured.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the roller comprises a cylindrical body and a removable sleeve mounted to the cylindrical body.
11. A method, comprising: supplying water and/or a suspension comprising water to a surface of a rotating roller; and exposing a vehicle to road spray generated by the rotation of the wetted roller.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: testing a sensor of the vehicle.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein during operation, an axis of rotation of the roller is less than 1 meter or less than half a height of the vehicle above the ground.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the vehicle moves while being exposed to the road spray.
15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: controlling properties of the road spray through a wireless connection.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views, unless otherwise specified.
[0022] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a side view of a device for artificially generating road spray.
[0023] FIG. 2a schematically illustrates a rear view of the device of FIG. 1 according to a first embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 2b schematically illustrates a rear view of the device of FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a first possible modification of the device of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a second possible modification of the device of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a third possible modification of the device of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a fourth possible modification of the device of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 schematically illustrate a fifth possible modification of the device of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a sixth possible modification of the device of FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a seventh possible modification of the device of FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 11 schematically illustrates an eighth possible modification of the device of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a ninth possible modification of the device of FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 schematically illustrate usage scenarios for the device of FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 15 shows a flow-chart of a method which involves artificially generating road spray.
[0036] Notably, the drawings are not drawn to scale and unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0037] FIG. 1 shows a side view of device 10 which is configured to artificially generate road spray. Device 10 comprises roller 12 rotatably mounted on frame 14, and reservoir 16. Reservoir 16 is connected to nozzles 18 which are arranged above roller 12. During operation, liquid flow through nozzles 18 onto surface 20 of roller 12 may be controlled by a valve and/or a pump (not shown). To most accurately replicate real road spray, roller 12 may be arranged close to the ground. For example, an axis of rotation of roller 12 may be less than 1 meter above the ground and/or a distance (clearance) between roller 12 and the ground may be less than 0.5 meters. Device 10 may enable only one direction of rotation of roller 12 (clockwise or counter-clockwise, i.e., conveying liquid from the nozzles 18 towards the ground before kicking it up or immediately kicking it up) or device 10 may enable both directions of rotation of roller 12.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 2a, device 10 may comprise a single roller 12. However, as illustrated in FIG. 2b, device may also comprise two (coaxial) rollers 12. For example, rollers 12 in FIG. 2b may have a distance that is substantially equal to a distance of two tires of a vehicle. Moreover, the distance may be adjustable so as to simulate road spray caused by vehicles of different sizes. As shown in FIG. 3, device 10 shown in Fig. may comprise towable chassis 22 with wheels 24. In particular, device 10 may be a one-axle or a two-axle (semi-)trailer that can be towed by a motored vehicle. Alternatively, device 10 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 may be mounted on a motored vehicle such as a truck.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 4, device 10 shown in the preceding figures may comprise drive 26 which controls the rotation of roller 12 relative to frame 14. Drive 26 may be arranged between frame 14 and roller 12 or may be integrated into chassis 22. Drive 26 may be connected to roller 12 by a transmission (and optionally a gearbox). Instead of drive 26, roller 12 may also be driven by one of wheels 24 such that roller 12 can be caused to rotate when device 10/chassis 22 moves. In this case, roller 12 may be connected to one of wheels 24 by a transmission (and optionally a gearbox).
[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 5, nozzle 18 may be arranged below the level of the axis of rotation of roller 12 and supply the liquid towards roller 12 in a horizontal or even upward direction. Moreover, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 6, the liquid may be supplied through channels in roller 12. For example, the liquid may be flown into roller 12 and supplied to surface 20 through openings in surface 20 from within roller 12. For instance, surface 20 may be mesh-like and the centrifugal force may force the liquid through the openings.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, device 10 shown in the preceding figures may comprise adjustable deflector 28 for controlling a directivity of the artificially generated road spray. Adjustable deflector 28 may be mounted above roller 12 and, depending on its size, position and/or orientation allows or avoids road spray being kicked-up in a particular direction.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 9, device 10 shown in the preceding figures may comprise tray 30 arranged below roller 12. Tray 30 may be used to collect excess liquid. The collected excess liquid may be kept in tray 30 to wet roller 12 or may be used to replenish reservoir 16. As shown in FIG. 8, reservoir 16 may also be integrated into chassis 22 and liquid may be supplied directly to tray 30 to be picked up by roller 12.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 11, surface 20 of roller 12 may be structured. For example, surface 20 may have pointed or rounded protrusions or fins. If it is desired to use different surfaces 20/surface structures, roller 12 may be replaced with another roller 12 or, as illustrated in FIG. 10, roller 12 may comprise a cylindrical body 32 and a removable sleeve 34 mounted to the cylindrical body 32 such that different surfaces 20/surface structures may be provided by replacing sleeve 34 with another sleeve 34.
[0044] FIG. 13, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 illustrate usage scenarios for device 10 shown in the preceding figures. At 36, water and/or a suspension comprising water is supplied to surface 20 of roller 12. The rotation of roller 12 generates artificial road spray and the process is continued at 38 with exposing vehicle 40 to the road spray generated by the rotation of wetted roller 12. Device 10 may comprise a sensor for detecting a density and/or directivity of the road spray and may be configured to change the density and/or directivity of the road spray based on sensor data in accordance with a testing scenario. Alternatively, or in addition, the properties of the road spray may be controlled through a wireless connection. As illustrated in FIG. 14, additionally and/or alternately liquid may also be sprayed from nozzle 42 which is arranged on top of device 10 onto vehicle 40.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0045] 10 device [0046] 12 roller [0047] 14 frame [0048] 16 reservoir [0049] 18 nozzle [0050] 20 surface [0051] 22 chassis [0052] 24 wheel [0053] 26 drive [0054] 28 deflector [0055] 30 tray [0056] 32 cylindrical body [0057] 34 sleeve [0058] 36 process step [0059] 38 process step [0060] 40 vehicle [0061] 42 nozzle
