Snow blade for preparing ski slopes and its operating method

Abstract

A snow blade for grooming ski slopes and configured to be installed on a snow grooming vehicle and advanced in a forward direction to vary the distribution of snow along the ski slope. The snow blade having a frame configured to be connected to a snow grooming vehicle in a selectively orientable manner with respect to the snow grooming vehicle; a front face, which is supported by the frame, extends along a direction transverse to the forward direction, is configured to move a mass of snow, and has a concave front face; two side wings selectively adjustable relative to the frame and front face; and at least one actuator to vary the configuration of the front face and the degree of concavity of the front face.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102025000001173, filed on Jan. 23, 2025, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a snow blade for preparing ski slopes.BACKGROUND

[0003] Generally, a snow blade for ski slope preparation is configured to be mounted on a snow grooming vehicle to vary the distribution of snow along the ski slope.

[0004] A snow blade generally comprises a frame configured to be attached to a grooming vehicle selectively adjustable relative to the grooming vehicle; a front wall, which is supported by the frame extends along a direction transverse to the direction of travel, is configured to move a mass of snow, and has a concave front face; and two side wings selectively adjustable relative to the frame and front wall. Such a blade is described in the PCT Patent Application No. WO 2021 / 084457.

[0005] A snow blade, in addition to distributing the snow layer as relatively evenly as possible on ski slopes, is widely used in the construction of snow parks where it is necessary to move relatively large masses of snow, from one point to another point on the slope. Moving relatively large masses of snow is particularly efficient in terms of overall volume moved but particularly energy consuming.

[0006] To overcome this drawback, the front face of the arched front wall of certain snow blades has a concave profile that allows it to form a “whirlwind” of snow that partially rolls over the snowpack, thereby reducing the force required to move the snow mass. However, it is not always possible to form a “whirlwind” of snow because the formation of such a “whirlwind” depends on the type of snow. Snow comes in different types, such as relatively soft and fresh snow, processed snow, frozen and relatively compact snow, and processed and relatively pressed snow. Different types of snow have different characteristics of weight, texture and cohesion, and as a result, the snow mass may exhibit different behaviors when pushed by the blade.SUMMARY

[0007] A purpose of the present disclosure is to make a snow blade for ski slope preparation that is capable of adapting to different types of snow.

[0008] In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a snow blade for ski slope preparation is made and configured to be installed on a snow groomer vehicle and advanced in a forward direction to vary the distribution of snow along the ski slope. In these embodiments, the snow blade comprises a frame configured to be attached to a snow grooming vehicle selectively oriented relative to the snow grooming vehicle; a front face, which is supported by the frame, extends along a direction transverse to the direction of travel, is configured to move a mass of snow, and has a concave front face; two side wings selectively adjustable relative to the frame and front face; and at least one actuator to vary the configuration of the front wall and the degree of concavity of the front face. In this way, the front wall can be configured to minimize the torque and / or the power required by the snow groomer vehicle to move the snow mass and thus reduce energy consumption.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the snow blade comprises a plurality of actuators to vary the configuration of the front wall and the degree of concavity of the front face. The number of actuators is a function of the width of the blade so that the forces are distributed over a number of actuators. In particular, each actuator can be operated independently of the other actuators.

[0010] A differential actuation of the actuators makes it possible to warp the front wall, as well as vary its concavity, and to feed the snow mass in a direction transverse to the forward direction. Specifically, a front wall comprises a lower portion integral with the frame and an upper portion with a variable configuration.

[0011] The actuator can be conveniently articulated to the lower portion and to the upper portion of the front wall.

[0012] In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the upper portion is hinged to the lower portion with a mechanical hinge or elastomer hinge.

[0013] In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the upper portion is rigidly connected to the lower portion and is relatively flexible to the extent to be curved, at least in part by the actuator.

[0014] Generally, the upper portion is also grated or perforated so that bending thereof is also facilitated by these configurations. The upper portion can be made of elastomeric material.

[0015] A further purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a method of operating a snow blade for preparing ski slopes that mitigates certain of the drawbacks of certain of the known art.

[0016] In accordance with the present disclosure, a method of operating a snow blade for ski slope preparation is provided and configured to be installed on a snow groomer vehicle and advanced in a forward direction to vary the distribution of snow along the ski slope; the snow blade comprising: a frame configured to be attached to a snow grooming vehicle selectively oriented relative to the snow grooming vehicle; a front face, which is supported by the frame, extends along a direction transverse to the direction of travel, is configured to move a mass of snow, and has a concave front face; two side wings selectively adjustable with respect to the frame and front wall, the method comprising varying the configuration of the front wall and the degree of concavity of the front face. In this way, a front face configuration can be found that minimizes the required torque of the snow mass for any type of snow and the energy consumption of the snow groomer vehicle.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the snow blade comprises a plurality of actuators to vary the configuration of the front face and the degree of concavity of the front face, the method comprising operating each actuator independently of the other actuators. In this way, it is possible to warp the front wall and determine a snow displacement in a direction transverse to the forward direction of the snow groomer vehicle.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the method also involves acquiring a signal related to the torque of the snow groomer vehicle, and varying the concavity of the front face of the snow blade according to the signal. This mode of operation enables the concavity of the front face to be adjusted automatically or semi-automatically.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will appear clear from the following description of a non-limiting example of its implementation, with reference to the attached Figures, in which:

[0020] FIGS. 1 to 3 are sectional side views, with parts removed for clarity, of a snow blade in accordance with three alternative forms of implementation of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of the snow blade of FIG. 3; and

[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic view, with parts removed for clarity, of a snowgroomer vehicle equipped with the snow blade of FIG. 3.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, a snow blade is identified by reference numeral 1, which comprises a frame 2 configured to be connected to a tracked vehicle (not shown in FIG. 1), to advance the snow blade 1 in a forward direction D1. The snow blade 1 comprises a front wall 3, which is supported by the frame 2 and extends along a direction D2 transverse to the forward direction D1, is configured to move a mass of snow; and has a concave front face 4.

[0024] The snow blade 1 further comprises an actuator 5 to vary the configuration of the front wall 3 and the degree of concavity of the front face 4. The front wall 3 comprises a lower portion 6 integral with the frame 2 and an upper portion 7 having a variable configuration.

[0025] In general, actuator 5 is articulated to the lower portion 6 and to the upper portion 7 and, in the examples shown in the attached Figures, is a hydraulic cylinder.

[0026] In certain alternative embodiments (not shown in the Figures), the actuator is an electric linear actuator, or an electric rotary actuator connected to a rod via a gearing.

[0027] In the case illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper portion 7 is hinged to the lower portion 6 via a mechanical hinge 8. The front face 4 has an overall concave shape even though it may comprise angular points and possible straight sections. The counterclockwise rotation of the upper portion 7 with respect to the lower portion 6 increases the concavity of the front face 4 and prevents snow from accumulating further in the vertical direction and promotes the downward fallout of snow that has been sliding along the front face 4 and has accumulated at the upper portion 7 of the front wall 3. Actuator 5 can modulate the amount of rotation of the upper portion 7 and define different levels of concavity of the front face depending on the type of snow. In practice, the operator of the snow groomer vehicle (not shown in the Figures) is able to set the concavity of the front face 4 according to the torque or power required to move the snow mass.

[0028] With reference to FIG. 2, the lower portion 6 and the upper portion 7 of the front wall 3 are articulated by an elastomer hinge 9, which is capable of making a connection between the lower portion 6 and the upper portion 7 free of angular points and a smooth transition between the lower portion 6 and the upper portion 7. The operation of the snow blade 1 in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0029] With reference to FIG. 3, lower portions 6 and upper portions 7 are joined together and differ from each other in stiffness in the sense that upper portion 7 has a lower stiffness than lower portion 6. Lower portion 6 is particularly stiff due to stiffening ribs 10 arranged along the back face 11 of front wall 3.

[0030] The upper portion 7 has no stiffening ribs 11 and is connected to the actuator 5, which is able to flex the part of the upper portion 7 between the lower portion 6 and the attachment point of the actuator 5. The upper portion 7 can be made of elastomeric material.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, the snow blade 1 comprises two lateral wings 12 hinged to the frame around respective axes A1 and operable by respective actuators 13. Snow blade 1 comprises a connecting device 14 configured to connect frame 2 to the snow groomer vehicle (not shown in the Figures), which comprises a frame 15 hinged to frame 2 around two axes A2, A3, and A4 transverse to each other, two actuators 16 configured to orient frame 2, front wall 3, and side wings 12 around axis A2, and an actuator 17 configured to orient frame 2, front wall 3, and side wings 12 around axis A3; and two actuators (not shown in the Figures) to orient frame 2, front wall 3, and side wings 12 around axis A4.

[0032] Linkage device 14 comprises two actuators 18 configured to lift frame 15, frame 2, and, therefore, front wall 3 and side wings 12.

[0033] In the case illustrated, the snow blade 1 comprises two actuators 5 arranged between the frame 2 and the upper portion 7 of the front wall 3 to support the upper portion 7 at multiple points. In practice, the number of actuators 5 is a function of the width of the front wall 3 so that the stresses are distributed over multiple actuators 5.

[0034] When at least two actuators 5 are present, it is possible to warp the upper portion 7 of the front wall 3 by imparting different strains through the actuators 5. This configuration is possible when the upper portion 7 is integral to the lower portion 6 and flexible. Deflection of the upper portion 7 enables a lateral force component to be realized on the snow, which enables snow to be discharged laterally.

[0035] The operator of the snow groomer vehicle controls the actuation of the actuators 5 according to the specific requirements and operating conditions of the snow groomer vehicle.

[0036] In certain embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 5, 19 denotes a snow groomer vehicle 19, which is equipped with a control unit 20 configured to acquire a torque-related signal C from the snow groomer vehicle 19 and to output a control signal S to control the actuator 5 or a plurality of control signals S1, . . . , Sn to control the actuators 5 according to the torque signal C. The signal of C is a torque signal transmitted to the tracks epitomized by the torque component needed to drive the snow groomer 19 and representative of the torque needed and push snow through the snow blade 1. By adjusting the concavity of the front wall 3 at the push stage, it is possible to determine the concavity that minimizes the torque-related signal C and automatically set the snow blade 1.

[0037] It is understood that the present disclosure also finds application in variants not expressly described and falling within the scope of protection of the appended claims. That is, the present disclosure also covers embodiments that are not described in the detailed description above as well as equivalent embodiments that are part of the scope of protection set forth in the claims. Accordingly, various changes and modifications to the presently disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A snow blade configured to be advanced in a forward direction to vary a distribution of snow along a ski slope, the snow blade comprising:a frame configured to be attached to a snow groomer vehicle selectively oriented relative to the snow groomer vehicle;a front wall which is supported by the frame, extends along a direction transverse to a direction of travel, is configured to move a mass of snow, and has a concave front face;two side wings selectively adjustable with respect to the frame and the front wall; andan actuator configured to vary a configuration of the front wall and a degree of concavity of the front face.

2. The snow blade of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of actuators configured to vary the configuration of the front wall and the degree of concavity of the front face.

3. The snow blade of claim 2, wherein each actuator is operable independently of the other actuators.

4. The snow blade of claim 1, wherein the front wall comprises a lower portion integral with the frame and an upper portion having a variable configuration.

5. The snow blade of claim 4, wherein the actuator is articulated to the lower portion and to the upper portion.

6. The snow blade of claim 4, wherein the upper portion is hinged to the lower portion.

7. The snow blade of claim 4, wherein the upper portion is rigidly connected to the lower portion and is flexible to the extent of being curved, at least in part, by the actuator.

8. A method of operating a snow blade configured to be advanced in a forward direction to vary a distribution of snow along a ski slope, the snow blade comprising a frame configured to be attached to a snow groomer vehicle selectively oriented relative to the snow groomer vehicle, a front wall which is supported by the frame, extends along a direction transverse to a direction of travel, is configured to move a mass of snow, and has a concave front face, and two side wings selectively adjustable with respect to the frame and the front wall, the method comprising:varying a configuration of the front wall and a degree of concavity of the front face.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the blade comprises a plurality of actuators to vary the configuration of the front wall and the degree of concavity of the front face, and the method comprises operating each actuator independently of the other actuators.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising acquiring a signal related to a torque of the snow groomer vehicle, and varying the concavity of the front face of the snow blade based the acquired signal.

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