Actuatable Skid Shoe for Snow Plow Blade Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current snow plow blade supports require manual adjustment for different surfaces, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially in inclement weather, and can lead to damage due to unknown surface types.
Innovation Solution
A ground support apparatus with actuable skid shoes that can be adjusted manually or automatically using hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric systems, integrated with GPS to sense the surface type and adjust the blade height accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of skid shoes is used, then the operator can adjust blade height for different surfaces, but the operator must exit the vehicle and use tools which is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional manual mechanical adjustment system with an automated actuation system. The skid shoe actuator uses hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric mechanisms to automatically adjust skid shoe height, eliminating the need for operators to manually handle adjustment tools and exit the vehicle. This substitution of manual mechanical operation with automated actuation directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of adjustment while dramatically reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuated skid shoe system enables the plow blade to self-adjust its height based on surface conditions. The system can be controlled remotely from the vehicle cab, allowing the skid shoes to automatically adapt to different surfaces without requiring the operator to physically access and adjust them manually. This self-service capability maintains operational ease while eliminating the time-consuming manual adjustment process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequent adjustment of blade supports is performed for different surfaces, then the blade height can be optimized for each surface type, but the operator loses time that could be spent plowing
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preliminary adjustment of skid shoe height before encountering different surfaces. By having the actuated skid shoes pre-positioned at appropriate heights for anticipated surface types, the operator avoids time-consuming adjustments during plowing operations. This preliminary positioning capability maintains adaptability to various surfaces while preserving plowing productivity by eliminating interruptions for height adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated actuation system replaces manual adjustment mechanisms, enabling rapid or automatic height changes when transitioning between different surface types. This substitution allows the skid shoes to be quickly repositioned without manual intervention, maintaining the ability to adapt to different surfaces while minimizing the time impact on overall plowing productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the operator manually adjusts skid shoes, then the blade height can be changed, but the operator must exit the vehicle which is incommodious and cumbersome in inclement weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual adjustment system with an automated actuation system that can be controlled from within the vehicle cab. The skid shoe actuator uses hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric mechanisms to automatically adjust skid shoe height, eliminating the need for operators to exit the vehicle and manually handle adjustment tools. This substitution directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of adjustment while completely eliminating exposure to inclement weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuated skid shoe system enables the plow blade to self-adjust its height based on surface conditions without requiring operator exposure to external environments. The system can be controlled remotely from the vehicle cab, allowing the skid shoes to automatically adapt to different surfaces while keeping the operator protected inside the vehicle. This self-service capability maintains operational ease while eliminating harmful exposure to inclement weather.
4Productivity
If the operator does not know the surface type, then the operator can proceed with plowing, but catastrophic results such as blade catching on the surface can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that provide information about surface conditions to the operator or automatically adjust skid shoe height in response to detected surface types. This feedback capability allows the operator to maintain continuous plowing without needing to manually identify surface types, while the system automatically adapts skid shoe height to prevent blade catching and ensure safety. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining productivity continuity while enhancing reliability through informed or automatic adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuated skid shoe system enables preliminary adjustment of blade height based on anticipated or detected surface types before the blade contacts the surface. This preliminary positioning prevents the blade from catching on unexpected surface conditions, thereby ensuring safety while maintaining continuous plowing operations. The system can be pre-configured or automatically adjusted based on surface detection, eliminating the need for operator knowledge of surface types while preventing catastrophic failures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective adjustment of snow plow blade supports from within the vehicle, reducing wear and damage, and optimizing plowing time by automatically adapting to different surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The actuation can be through hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or other systems
Implementation Method 2
The actuation can be through hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or other systems
Data Source
AI summary
A ground support apparatus for a material moving implement configured for moving a material from a surface. The material moving implement has a front surface and a rear surface. The ground support apparatus includes an actuating system that has at least one skid shoe actuator attached to the rear surface of the material moving implement, and at least one skid shoe operably coupled to the at least one skid shoe actuator. The skid shoe includes a first end configured for coupling to the at least one skid shoe actuator and a second end configured for contacting the surface. The ground support apparatus also includes manually-operated skid shoe controls operably connected to the actuating system and operable to actuate the at least one skid shoe actuator.