SPREADING DEVICE FOR SPREADING VEHICLES

Abstract

A spreading device is disclosed for spreading vehicles for discharging spreading agents. The spreading device includes at least one tank for receiving liquid spreading agents to be spread and at least one rotationally-driven discharge device, connected via a provided supply unit to the tank. The discharge device has at least one base body and one cover securely connected to the base body, wherein the base body defines a receiving chamber (AR) for the supplied liquid spreading agent and is in the shape of a cylinder. The base body has at least one bottom section, forming an underside (U) of the discharge device, with an inlet opening and at least one wall section projecting from the bottom section and concentrically surrounding an axis of rotation (RA). The discharge device has multiple discharge units, each having a discharge opening, for dispensing the liquid spreading agent from the receiving chamber (AR).

Claims

1. A spreading device for spreading vehicles for discharging liquid spreading agents, the spreading device comprising; at least one tank for receiving liquid spreading agents to be spread and at least one rotationally-driven discharge device, connected via a supply unit to the at least one tank, wherein the at least one rotationally-driven discharge device has at least one base body and a cover securely connected to the at least one base body, wherein the at least one base body defines a receiving chamber for the liquid spreading agents and is substantially in a shape of a cylinder, wherein the at least one base body has at least one bottom section, forming an underside of the at least one rotationally-driven discharge device, with an inlet opening and at least one wall section projecting from a bottom section and concentrically surrounding an axis of rotation, wherein the at least one rotationally-driven discharge device, for dispensing the liquid spreading agent from the receiving chamber, comprises multiple discharge units, each having a discharge opening, wherein the multiple discharge units are arranged in an area of a wall section of the at least one base body and interact with outlet openings provided in the wall section, the at least one rotationally-driven discharge device dispenses the liquid spreading agent outward from the receiving chamber in a jet through the multiple discharge units due to a centrifugal force generated by a rotation about an axis of rotation, and in that the multiple discharge units are variably adjustable in such a way that a direction of the jet of exiting liquid spreading agent can be adjusted at the discharge opening.

2. The spreading device according to claim 1, wherein the multiple discharge units are distributed uniformly across a periphery of the wall section and spaced apart from one another.

3. The spreading device according to claim 1, wherein each of the multiple discharge units is adjustable in at least one vertical direction in such a way that a free end of each of the multiple discharge units carrying the discharge opening may be deflected in the at least one vertical direction.

4. The spreading device according to claim 1, wherein the multiple discharge units are adjustable in at least a horizontal direction in such a way that a free end of the multiple discharge units, each carrying the discharge opening, may be deflected in the horizontal direction.

5. The spreading device according to claim 1, wherein each of the multiple discharge units is rotatable about a respective main axis for variable adjustment.

6. The spreading device according to claim 1, wherein each of the multiple discharge units is made from multiple parts and comprises at least one base piece for fixing on the wall section of the at least one base body and a head piece articulately connected to the at least one base piece and comprising the discharge opening.

7. The spreading device according to claim 6, wherein the head piece comprises a ball joint section and the at least one base piece forms a ball joint socket receptacle for the ball joint section.

8. The spreading device according to claim 1, wherein each of the multiple discharge units are fixed on the wall section of the base body in such a way that a main axis is arranged in a radial orientation with respect to the axis of rotation.

9. The spreading device according to claim 8, wherein the multiple discharge units have tubular pieces or tubular sections and are extended thereby in a direction of the main axis in such a way that the discharge openings have a predetermined distance from an outer surface of the wall section of the base body.

10. The spreading device according to claim 9 wherein each of the multiple discharge units comprises a tubular piece angled tube with a first tubular section and a second tubular section, wherein the first tubular section extends along the main axis and the second tubular section extends along a discharge axis.

11. The spreading device according to claim 10, wherein the first tubular section and the second tubular section define a predetermined angle in a range from 115 to 160.

12. The spreading device according to claim 1, further comprising a reservoir for receiving solid spreading agents to be spread and at least one conveying and loading unit for applying the solid spreading agent on an upper side of the at least one rotationally-driven discharge device, wherein the spreading device simultaneously discharges liquid and solid spreading agents, wherein the cover of the at least one rotationally-driven discharge device is a shape of a spreading plate for simultaneous discharge of the liquid and solid spreading agents.

13. The spreading device according to claim 12, wherein the cover is a spreading plate that has a plate radius which is greater than a base body radius of the base body.

14. The spreading device according to claim 13, wherein guide walls projecting upward are provided on an upper side of the spreading plate facing away from the base body.

15. The spreading device according to on claim 1, wherein a cover screen is provided and is arranged in the receiving chamber, wherein the cover screen is for an inner side shielding of at least one of the outlet openings in the wall section.

16. The spreading device according to claim 15, wherein the cover screen comprises a curved screening surface area, wherein a height of the curved screening surface area and a peripheral length of the curved screening surface area are selected so that the curved screening surface area is adapted to the wall section and completely covers at least one outlet opening.

17. The spreading device according to claim 16, wherein the cover screen is arranged and fixed stationarily in the receiving chamber in a predetermined position, or at least one movable working cylinder is provided which presses the curved screening surface area of the cover screen against an inner side of the wall section.

18. The spreading device according to claim 17, wherein a position of the cover screen is adjustable in a controlled manner.

19. The spreading device according to claim 1, wherein two or more rotationally driven discharge devices are provided, wherein the two or more rotationally driven discharge devices are arranged next to one another or above one another.

20. A rotationally driven discharge device for a spreading device of a spreading vehicle for discharging spreading agents, the rotationally driven discharge device comprising; at least one base body and a cover securely connected to the at least one base body, wherein the at least one base body defines a receiving chamber for supplied liquid spreading agent and is substantially in a shape of a cylinder, wherein the at least one base body comprises at least one bottom section, forming an underside of the rotationally driven discharge device, with an inlet opening and at least one wall section projecting from the bottom section and concentrically surrounding an axis of rotation, wherein the rotationally driven discharge device, for dispensing the liquid spreading agent from the receiving chamber, comprises multiple discharge units, each having a discharge opening, wherein the multiple discharge units are arranged in an area of the wall section of the base body and interact with outlet openings provided in the wall section, wherein the rotationally driven discharge device dispenses the liquid spreading agent outward from the receiving chamber in a jet through the multiple discharge units due to a centrifugal force generated by a rotation about the axis of rotation, and in that the multiple discharge units are variably adjustable in such a way that a direction of the jet of exiting liquid spreading agent can be adjusted at the discharge opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The invention will subsequently be described in greater detail by way of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. As shown in:

[0046] FIG. 1a a top view from above of a winter road maintenance vehicle with a mounted spreading device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 1b a winter road maintenance vehicle in a side view with a mounted spreading device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] FIG. 2 a schematic side view of one embodiment of a discharge device;

[0049] FIG. 3 a schematic side view of another embodiment of a discharge device;

[0050] FIG. 4 one embodiment of a base body with discharge units fixed thereon schematically depicted in a perspective view;

[0051] FIG. 5 the base body from FIG. 4 with additional cover screen in the receiving chamber schematically depicted in a perspective view;

[0052] FIG. 6 an exploded drawing of one embodiment of a discharge unit of a discharge device in a roughly schematic side view:

[0053] FIGS. 7 A and B show a vertical cross section of a mounted discharge unit schematically depicted in different adjustment positions; and C and D show a top view from above of a cross section of the base body with the fixed discharge unit in different adjustment positions;

[0054] FIG. 8 an alternative embodiment of a base body with discharge units fixed thereon schematically depicted in a perspective view;

[0055] FIG. 9 A shows a vertical cross section of a discharge unit from FIG. 8, and B shows a top view from above of a cross section of the base body with the fixed discharge unit according to FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0056] A winter road maintenance vehicle 100 with in each case an exemplary embodiment variant of a spreading device 1 according to the invention for spreading agents is depicted in FIGS. 1a and 1b respectively, wherein spreading device 1 is designed in particular to be set up on a conventional support vehicle. Winter road maintenance vehicle 100 of FIG. 1a is depicted in a top view and that of FIG. 1b in a side view.

[0057] The structure of these types of winter road maintenance vehicles 100 is sufficiently known from the prior art. For example, winter road maintenance vehicle 100 may be designed as a conventional commercial vehicle, and in particular comprise a loading or carrying surface and a cab. A snowplow 101, which is designed for example on the front as a front snowplow or on the side as a side snowplow, may additionally be provided on winter road maintenance vehicle 100. In the example depicted in FIG. 1b, a front snowplow 101 is arranged on the front side, which may remove snow, lying in front of winter road maintenance vehicle 100, from the roadway during movement of winter road maintenance vehicle 100 in the travel direction FR.

[0058] Spreading device 1 in the example depicted in FIG. 1a is designed for discharging liquid spreading agents and, in the example, depicted in FIG. 1b is designed for simultaneously discharging solid and liquid spreading agents.

[0059] In each case, spreading device 1 comprises at least one tank 2, 2 for receiving liquid spreading agents to be spread and at least one rotationally driven discharge device 4 connected to tank 2, 2 via an additionally supplied supply unit 3. Tank 2, 2, which in the present example forms a brine tank and is also designated as a brine tank, is mounted on a support frame forming a support surface of winter road maintenance vehicle 100. Discharge device 4 is arranged on the rear side, i.e., at the back on winter road maintenance vehicle 100 with respect to the travel direction FR.

[0060] Supply unit 3 functions to supply or guide brine from brine tank 2, 2 into discharge device 4 arranged on the rear side and has for this purpose a supply line 3a, via which brine tank 2, 2 is connected to discharge device 4 in a leakproof way.

[0061] In the case of winter road maintenance vehicle 100 depicted in FIG. 1b, spreading device 1 additionally comprises a reservoir 10 for receiving solid spreading agents to be spread and at least one conveying and loading unit, not depicted, for transporting the solid spreading agent from reservoir 10 to discharge device 4 and for applying the solid spreading agent onto discharge device 4.

[0062] While not depicted in the figures, it is however possible, that spreading device 1 has two or more discharge devices 4. These may be mounted next to or over one another on winter road maintenance vehicle 100. For example, in use at airports, an arrangement of two discharge devices 4 mounted next to one another on the rear side of winter road maintenance vehicle 100 has proven particularly beneficial, as a larger, namely approximately double the casting distance may be achieved by this means. Discharge devices 4 may be mounted, for example, on brackets provided for this in order to project by a predetermined amount past the vehicle side on the left and right side of winter road maintenance vehicle 100.

[0063] One exemplary embodiment of a discharge device 4 is schematically depicted in FIG. 2 in a side view, wherein exemplary discharge device 4 is designed for discharging liquid spreading agent to be spread, in particular brine. Discharge device 4 is rotationally driven about an axis of rotation RA and comprises a base body 5 and a cover 6 securely connected to base body 5.

[0064] Drum-like base-body 5, designed substantially in the shape of a cylinder or also a cylinder section, has a bottom section 5.1 forming an underside U of discharge device 4, and a wall section 5.2 projecting from bottom section 5.1 and concentrically surrounding axis of rotation RA. Base body 5 thereby defines a receiving chamber AR, formed in the interior of the base body and delimited by bottom section 5.1 and wall section 5.2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) for the supplied liquid spreading agent. The supply of the liquid spreading agent into receiving chamber AR is carried out via supply unit 3 from below on discharge device 4, wherein bottom section 5.1 of base body 5 has an inlet opening 12 (not visible in FIG. 2, see FIG. 4) connected to supply line 3a.

[0065] Cover 6 forms an upper side O of discharge device 4, wherein base body 5 is securely connected to cover 6 using suitable fixing means. Cover 6 in turn is operatively connected to a drive, not shown, which sets cover 6 into rotation about axis of rotation RA. Due to the fixing of base body 5 on cover 6, base body 5 rotates together with cover 6 at the same rotational speed and rotational direction D predetermined by the drive. Cover 5 may simultaneously be a rotating part of the drive or a motor, so that in such an embodiment variant, base body 5 is fixed or docked directly to the motor.

[0066] Discharge device 4 is equipped with multiple, variably adjustable discharge units 7 for dispensing the liquid spreading agent from receiving chamber AR, wherein variably adjustable discharge units 7 are arranged in the area of wall section 5.2 and are uniformly distributed across a periphery of wall section 5.2 spaced apart from one another. Each discharge unit 7 thereby interacts respectively with an outlet opening 13 (not visible in FIG. 2, see FIGS. 4 and 5) provided in wall section 5.2 of base body 5. Each discharge unit 7 comprises a discharge opening 7.1 on its free end side. Due to the rotation of discharge device 4 about axis of rotation RA, the liquid spreading agent supplied into receiving chamber AR and maintained there is dispensed outwardly out of receiving chamber AR through discharge units 7 based on the generated centrifugal force. The liquid spreading agent thereby exits out of discharge units 7 through the respective discharge openings 7.1 in a jet-like, bundled way, wherein an undesired, interfering nebulization of the liquid spreading agent, or the formation of superfine droplets is effectively prevented.

[0067] Depending on the rotational speed of discharge device 4, the casting distance may be adjusted as needed. For example, the rotational speed for the optimal discharge of the brine may have a value for a revolution count in a range from approximately 10 to 500 revolutions per minute. Depending on the revolution count, particularly advantageous casting distances of up to 13 meters may thus be achieved, and simultaneously a nebulization or aerosol formation through fine spraying is effectively prevented.

[0068] Another exemplary embodiment of a discharge device 4 is depicted in FIG. 3, which is designed for the simultaneous discharge of solid and liquid spreading agents to be spread. Discharge device 4 according to FIG. 3 differs from the embodiment variant depicted in FIG. 2 mainly in that cover 6 is designed in the form of a spreading plate. Spreading plate 6 is thereby operatively coupled to a drive, again not depicted, which sets spreading plate 6 into rotation about axis of rotation RA. Base body 5 is fixed on an underside 6b of spreading plate 6 and rotates, together with spreading plate 6, about axis of rotation RA.

[0069] Spreading plate 6 is designed in a known way and is designed in particular for discharging solid spreading agents, in particular for discharging wet salt. Spreading plate 6 has for this purpose a plate radius r.sub.T which is greater than a base body radius r.sub.G of base body 5. On its upper side 6a facing away from base body 5, spreading plate 6 is equipped with guide walls 8 projecting upward, which are designed in the form of throwing blades and arranged in the radial direction in such a way that they laterally delimit respective guide channels, shaped like pie wedges and arranged between guide walls 8, for the spreading agent.

[0070] The solid spreading agent, in particular road salt, is applied via a conveying and loading unit (not depicted in the figures) onto upper side 6a of the spreading plate, wherein the conveying and loading unit may comprise a chute which is designed so that the solid spreading agent, in particular road salt, impacts upper side 6a in the center of spreading plate 6. An impact dome 14 may be arranged in the center of spreading plate 6, which collects the road salt impacting downward from the chute and directs it radially outward through the guide channels. The solid spreading agent may additionally be wetted with brine or additional brine may be added to the solid spreading agent on spreading plate 6. For this purpose, for example, a brine line, not depicted in the figures, may be guided to upper side 6a of spreading plate 6, branching off of supply line 3a of supply unit 3, said brine line may additionally be connected to a spray assembly. A brine spray jet may be directed in the direction at the road salt exiting the chute by the brine line or the spray assembly connected thereto, the brine spray jet may additionally wet the road salt during the free fall or already at the center of spreading plate 6. The spray assembly may thereby be arranged stationarily or adjustably.

[0071] Analogous to the embodiment variant according to FIG. 2, base body 5 also rotates in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 due to its fixing on spreading plate 6 together with the same at the same rotational speed and rotational direction D predetermined by the drive. Due to the rotation, both the solid spreading agent, e.g., the wet salt, and also the liquid spreading agent, for example the brine, are thereby simultaneously discharged. Depending on the revolution count, particularly advantageous casting distances of up to 13 meters may thus be achieved both for the solid spreading agent and also for the brine, and simultaneously a nebulization or aerosol formation through fine spraying is effectively prevented.

[0072] An embodiment of a base body 5 with discharge units 7 fixed thereon is schematically depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively in a perspective view, wherein base body 5 is shown in FIG. 5 with a cover screen 11 additionally arranged in receiving chamber AR. Base body 5, designed in the shape of a cylinder, has a circular cross section and is designed as open on the upper side, namely on its end facing away from bottom section 5.1 and provided for fixing to cover 6 or on the spreading plate. An inlet opening 12, to which supply unit 3 is connected for supplying the brine in a leakproof way to base body 5, is centrally arranged in the center of bottom section 5.1.

[0073] Supply unit 3 is preferably coupled to inlet opening 12 of base body 5 in such a way that a supply end piece or a supply connecting piece 3.1, arranged coaxial to axis of rotation IRA, projects in a stationary way into receiving chamber AR, wherein inlet opening 12 in bottom section 5.1 of base body 5 and supply connecting piece 3.1 are coupled in such a way that base body 5 may rotate about stationary supply connecting piece 3.1.

[0074] Wall section 5.2, which substantially forms a lateral surface of cylindrical base body 5, extends projecting from bottom section 5.1 and connecting directly to bottom section 5.1. Multiple discharge outlet openings 13 are provided in wall section 5.2, uniformly distributed and spaced apart from one another across a periphery of base body 5, each discharge outlet opening 13 interacting with respectively one discharge unit 7 fixed to base boxy 5. Discharge units 7 are connected to base body 5 in such a way that a respective main axis HA of each discharge unit 7 is radially oriented with respect to axis of rotation RA.

[0075] To cover or screen individual outlet openings 13, an adjustable, in particular controllable, cover screen 11 may be provided, as depicted in FIG. 5. Cover screen 11 thereby comprises a protective shield-like screening surface area 11a, designed as curved, wherein screening surface area 11a is adapted with respect to its geometry to wall section 5.2 and is, in particular, designed to arrive at abutting or virtually abutting contact on the inner side on wall section 5.2. A height h and a peripheral length lu of screening surface area 11a is thereby respectively at least large enough that screening surface area 11a may completely cover or close or shield at least one outlet opening 13 in wall section 5.2. Height h of screening surface area 11a preferably corresponds to at least half the height of wall section 5.2 of base body 5, height h of screening surface area 11a is particularly preferably at least two-thirds or at least three-fourths of the height of wall section 5.2. Peripheral length lu of screening surface area 11a is preferably selected so that at least two or at least three outlet openings 13 in wall section 5.2 may be simultaneously completely covered or closed or shielded.

[0076] Cover screen 11 is fixed on supply connecting piece 3.1 by means of struts 11b, and therefore does not rotate with base body 5, but instead rests in a previously adjusted, stationary position even during the rotation of base body 5 about axis of rotation RA. Struts 11b may be spring mounted against supply connecting piece 3.1 so that screening surface area 11a is pressed with a predetermined force against an inner side of wall section 5.2, wherein it must be taken into account that wall section 5.2 and screening surface area 11a may slide past one another unimpeded.

[0077] Since cover screen 11 is arranged stationary, independent of the rotation of base body 5, alternating outlet opening(s) 13 is/are respectively covered depending on the rotation of the base body, wherein it is to be understood that outlet opening(s) 13 are respectively covered as they move past the corresponding peripheral position or rotational position.

[0078] Cover screen 11 is adjustable, in particular designed to be controllable, namely in such a way that a position of screening surface area 11a is changeable or adjustable. The spread pattern for the spreading agent to be discharged or spread may be varied by corresponding positioning or adjustment of cover screen 11. In particular, cover screen 11 is thereby preferably arranged so that it is arranged in travel direction FR of winter road maintenance vehicle 100 (compare FIGS. 1a, 1b) in front of axis of rotation RA of discharge unit 4 and thus faces a rear of a vehicle. In this way, the spread pattern is adjusted so that no spreading agent is cast out in the direction of the rear of the vehicle despite the uniform distribution or arrangement of discharge units 7 about the entire periphery of cylindrical base body 5. For example, the spread pattern thereby corresponds substantially to a dispersion circle, in which one area, similar to a pie wedge is left out, in which no discharge of spreading agent is carried out, wherein this left out pie wedge area faces winter road maintenance vehicle 100.

[0079] The adjustment or displacement of cover screen 11 may preferably be carried out via a controller, not depicted in the figures. In one embodiment variant according to FIG. 3, in which the base body is fixed on the underside on spreading plate 6, cover screen 11 may be displaced, for example, using a plate controller.

[0080] The variable adjustability of discharge units 7 according to one preferred embodiment variant is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. One preferred, exemplary embodiment variant of an adjustable discharge unit 7 of this type is shown in an exploded depiction in FIG. 6. Depicted discharge unit 7 is designed from multiple parts and comprises a base piece 7a, for fixing to wall section 5.2 of base body 5, which base piece is further provided with a sleeve-like fixing ring 7a, and a head piece 7b, articulately connected to base piece 7a, which comprises a ball joint section 9 and discharge opening 7.1. In the connected state or in the use position, head piece 7b with ball joint section 9 is accommodated in base piece 7a forming a joint socket in such a way that discharge opening 7.1 faces away from head piece 7b and forms a free end of discharge unit 7. By accommodating ball joint section 9 of head piece 7b in base piece 7a, a ball joint connection is formed which enables an adjustment in any direction, as demonstrated in more detail in FIG. 7.

[0081] In an initial position of discharge unit 7, head piece 7b, accommodated with its ball joint section 9 in base piece 7a, is aligned so that discharge opening 7.1 is likewise arranged along main axis HA and thus a discharge direction R.sub.AUS of the exiting spreading agent is oriented in the direction of main axis HA. This type of initial position is represented in FIG. 7 in parts A and C, wherein FIG. 7A shows discharge unit 7 in a vertical cross section in the direction of axis of rotation RA and FIG. 7C represents a cross sectional view of base body 7 in a top view from above.

[0082] Due to the ball joint-like connection of head piece 7b to base piece 7a, head piece 7b of discharge unit 7 may be deflected both in a vertical direction R.sub.V and also in a horizontal direction R.sub.H. FIGS. 7B and D respectively represent a corresponding deflection position. As depicted in FIG. 7B, discharge opening 7.1 is deflected upward in a preferred deflection of head piece 7B in vertical direction R.sub.V in such a way that discharge direction R.sub.AUS of the exiting spreading agent defines an angle with a horizontal plane E1 extending parallel to bottom section 5.1 of base body 5 and including main axis HA of discharge opening 7.1. In a preferred deflection of head piece 7B in horizontal direction R.sub.H, discharge opening 7.1 is pivoted in such a way that discharge direction R.sub.AUS of the exiting spreading agent defines an angle with a vertical plane E2 including axis of rotation RA, as depicted in FIG. 7D.

[0083] Through corresponding adjustment of discharge units 7, a needs-based adjustment of the spread pattern may be achieved particularly advantageously and the casting distance for the spreading agent may be simultaneously adjusted, in particular increased. In order to achieve a particularly large casting distance, discharge units 7 are deflected upward particularly preferably from the initial position in vertical direction R.sub.V and deflected in horizontal direction R.sub.H counter to directional rotation D of discharge device 4. Discharge openings 7.1 in this preferred position face upward, as shown in FIG. 7B, and simultaneously counter to rotational direction D, as is shown in FIG. 7D. By this means, a substantially crescent shaped jet shape of the jet of spreading agent exiting from discharge openings 7.1 arises, by which means the spread pattern is adjustable to an ideal shape, and the casting distance may be significantly increased.

[0084] FIGS. 8 and 9 show an alternative, likewise preferred embodiment of a base body 5 with discharge units 7 fixed thereon, wherein FIG. 8 shows a perspective view and FIGS. 9A and 9B represent discharge units 7 of the preferred embodiment in more detail. FIG. 9A thereby shows discharge unit 7 fixed on wall section 5.2 of base body 5 in a vertical cross section extending in a direction of axis of rotation RA and FIG. 9B cross sectionally shows a top view from above.

[0085] Cylindrical base body 5 of the alternative embodiment substantially corresponds with respect to its structure and its configuration to those of the embodiments according to FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein a corresponding configuration of base body 5 with cover screen 11 is depicted in FIG. 8 only by way of example. It is naturally understood that base body 5 may also be carried out without cover screen 11.

[0086] The embodiment of FIG. 8 differs from that of FIGS. 4 and 5 firstly due to the alternatively designed discharge units 7, of which only four are depicted in FIG. 8 for reasons of better clarity. In the exemplary embodiment variant according to FIG. 8, more discharge units 7 are naturally arranged distributed across the entire periphery of base body 5, wherein the depicted example has twelve discharge units 7 distributed uniformly across the periphery of base body 5. In alternative embodiments, ten or eight discharge units 7 may also be fixed on base body 5.

[0087] In the preferred embodiment according to FIGS. 8 and 9A, 9B, discharge units 7 comprise a tubular piece 15 designed as a discharge tube. Tubular piece 15 in the present example is formed by an angled tube and has a first tubular section 15.1 and a second tubular section 15.2. First tubular section 15.1, extending along main axis HA, is connected to wall section 5.2 of base body 5, and second tubular section 15.2, connecting at an angle to first tubular section 15.1 and extending along a discharge axis AA, comprises discharge opening 7.1 at its free end.

[0088] Angled tubular piece 15, made from stainless steel, may thus be considered as an extension of discharge units 7, through which discharge openings 7.1 have a predetermined distance from wall section 5.2 of base body 5. Discharge openings 7.1 are thereby arranged on a circle concentrically surrounding wall section 5.2 of base body 5, said circle having a larger radius in comparison to base body radius r.sub.G(see FIG. 3).

[0089] For example, first tubular section 15.1 has a first length L1, which corresponds to approximately 1.3 times base body radius r.sub.G, and thus to approximately two-thirds of the diameter of base body 5, and is, for example, around 150 mm. Second tubular section 15.2 has a second length L2, which corresponds, for example, to approximately 40% to 50% of first length L1, and is, for example, 60 mm. First and second tubular sections 15.1, 15.2 are adjusted with respect to each other that they define a predetermined angle , which is around 135 in the depicted example. An outer diameter of tubular piece 15 lies, for example, in a range from 16 millimeters to 20 millimeters and is preferably around 18 millimeters. At a wall thickness of the material of around 1 millimeters to 2 millimeters, an inner diameter therefore lies in a range from 12 millimeters to 16 millimeters and is preferably around 14 millimeters.

[0090] In the depicted example from FIGS. 8 and 9A, 9B, tubular piece 15 is fixed to wall section 5.2 of base body 5 in such a way that first tubular section 15.1 projects away from wall section 5.2 substantially in a radial orientation and second tubular section 15.2 has an orientation deviating from the radial orientation. As indicated in FIG. 9B, discharge opening 7.1 thereby points in a direction counter to rotational direction D, wherein discharge axis AA defines an angle with a vertical plane E2 including axis of rotation RA, which angle is around 45 in the present example.

[0091] Tubular piece 15 may rotate about main axis HA and be fixed at a correspondingly desired position, so that a variable adjustment of discharge units 7 is also possible in this preferred embodiment. For example, tubular piece 15 is thereby adjusted for the optimal adjustment of the casting distance and the spread pattern such that discharge opening 7.1 faces slightly upwards, as indicated in FIG. 9A. Discharge axis AA thereby defines an angle at with a horizontal plane E1, extending parallel to bottom section 5.1 of base body 5 and including main axis HA of discharge unit 7.

[0092] Discharge openings 7.1 in this preferred position face counter to rotational direction D and simultaneously upward. By this means, a substantially crescent shaped jet shape of the jet of spreading agent exiting from discharge openings 7.1 is created, by which means the scatter pattern is adjustable to an ideal shape, and the casting distance may be significantly increased. By this means, a large casting distance for the spreading agent may be particularly advantageously achieved of around 12 to 13 m.

[0093] Tubular piece 15 may, for example, be fixed to the base body through screwing, wherein the fixing screws are slightly loosed for adjusting by means of rotating about main axis HA and after successful rotation of tubular piece 15 to the desired position, may be tightened again. In discharge units 7 according to FIGS. 8 and 9A, 9B, a tubular piece 15 with a head piece 7a and an assigned fixing ring 7a, depicted as in FIG. 6, may also be respectively assembled into discharge unit 7 and thus fixed on wall section 5.2.

[0094] Cover screen 11 of the example depicted in FIG. 8 is held via two working cylinders 16, alternatively to the example from FIG. 5, and pressed against an inner side of wall section 5.2. Naturally, however, struts 11b according to FIG. 5 may also be used for the example from FIG. 8, and vice versa, working cylinder 16 according to FIG. 8 may be used for the example from FIG. 5.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0095] 1 Spreading device [0096] 2, 2 Tank [0097] 3 Supply unit [0098] 3.1 Supply connecting piece [0099] 3a Supply line [0100] 4 Discharge device [0101] 5 Base body [0102] 5.1 Bottom section [0103] 5.2 Wall section [0104] 6 Cover [0105] 6a Upper side of spreading plate [0106] 6b Underside of spreading plate [0107] 7 Discharge units [0108] 7.1 Discharge opening [0109] 7a Base piece [0110] 7a Fixing ring [0111] 7b Head piece [0112] 8 Guide walls [0113] 9 Ball joint section [0114] 10 Reservoir [0115] 11 Cover screen [0116] 11a Screening surface area [0117] 11b Struts [0118] 12 Inlet opening [0119] 13 Outlet openings [0120] 14 Impact dome [0121] 15 Tubular piece [0122] 15.1 First tubular section [0123] 15.2 Second tubular section [0124] 16 Working cylinder [0125] 100 Winter road maintenance vehicle [0126] 101 Snowplow [0127] IA Discharge axis [0128] AR Receiving chamber [0129] D Rotational direction [0130] E1 Horizontal plane [0131] E2 Vertical plane [0132] FR Direction of travel [0133] h Height of the screening surface area [0134] HA Main axis [0135] L1 First length [0136] L2 Second length [0137] lu Peripheral length of the screening surface area [0138] O Upper side [0139] RA Axis of rotation [0140] R.sub.AUS Discharge direction [0141] R.sub.H Horizontal direction [0142] r.sub.G Base body radius [0143] r.sub.T Plate radius [0144] R.sub.V Vertical direction [0145] U Underside [0146] , Angle [0147] Angle