Adjustable Shovel Blade Height for Strain-Free Snow Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional snow shoveling devices pose safety risks and physical strain, particularly for individuals with health concerns, as they require lifting and throwing snow, which can exacerbate injuries, and snow blowers are often unsuitable due to strength and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable shovel apparatus with a frame assembly and shovel assembly that allows the blade to be adjusted in height and position, enabling snow to be pushed without lifting, using a slidable and attachable design that reduces physical strain and accommodates varying snow heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a regular snow shovel is used, then snow can be removed from surfaces, but the individual must repeatedly lift and throw snow which causes physical strain and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The shovel assembly is made dynamically adjustable along the frame assembly, allowing the blade position to be changed based on snow depth and type. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the device to adapt to different operating conditions without requiring the user to exert excessive force, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing physical strain.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame assembly acts as an intermediary between the user and the snow. By positioning the blade close to the ground and allowing it to slide along the frame, the system transfers the force of pushing snow directly to the ground rather than requiring the user to lift and throw the snow, significantly reducing physical strain while maintaining snow removal effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If a snow blower is used, then snow can be cleared without lifting, but the device requires sufficient strength to operate, extra storage space, maintenance, and is difficult to move on decks
Solution Approach 1:
The snow removal device is segmented into a frame assembly and a separate adjustable shovel assembly. This segmentation allows the shovel assembly to be detached and repositioned along the frame, enabling easy storage in limited spaces and simple movement across different surfaces including decks, while maintaining the no-lifting operation benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame assembly is designed to accommodate the shovel assembly at multiple positions and orientations, making the device universally adaptable to various snow conditions and surface types. The adjustable blade position allows the same device to handle both light powder snow and heavy wet snow effectively, providing multi-functionality without requiring multiple specialized tools.
3Device complexity
If the blade is fixed at a single height, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying snow depths and heights
Solution Approach 1:
The shovel assembly is designed to slide along the frame assembly, transforming the fixed blade height into a dynamic, adjustable position. This dynamic configuration allows the blade to be positioned at different heights to accommodate varying snow depths while maintaining relatively simple structural components that do not require complex mechanisms for adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable shovel apparatus and method is disclosed which includes a frame assembly and a shovel assembly adjustable in relation to the frame assembly. The shovel assembly is in slidable communication with the frame assembly and can be repositioned in multiple configurations in relation to the frame assembly to allow a user to clear snow or debris of varying heights to be a surface without the need to lift and throw it.