Spray controlling system and splash guard for automotive vehicles

Abstract

A spray controlling system is provided for vehicles that includes, for a wheel-set, a splash guard and a side shield positioned at the rear and side of a wheel set, respectively. The guard comprises a panel having a plurality of rows of conical projections and a plurality of upstanding ribs formed on a wheel-facing surface thereof in a spaced parallel relationship. Both projections and ribs are disposed in an inverted-V configuration oriented on a vertical centerline of the panel with six rows of projections interposed between adjacent ribs. The projections are disposed closely adjacent in the rows to form water flow channels between rows and ribs with the ribs being about twice the height of the projections. Vertically extending flanges are formed at each side of the panel in outwardly spaced relationship to the ends of the rows of projections and ribs forming channels to divert outwardly and downwardly flowing water from the ribs and projections for discharge in relatively large streams downwardly toward the roadway. Each side shield is of a length to extend forwardly from the splash guard to a point forward of the front of the wheel-set and a vertical height to extend downwardly from the vehicle body to a point below the top of the wheel. Each shield comprises a panel having an inwardly facing surface provided with a plurality of vertically extending, spaced parallel ribs for directing air and water flow downwardly at the side of the wheel set.