Angled Impeller Housing for Snowblower Drive Shaft Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing snowblowers face mechanical integrity issues and reduced power transmission due to the substantial angle required in the drive shaft to compensate for the height difference between the power unit's PTO and the snowblower impeller's rotation axis, which affects the efficiency and effectiveness of snow removal.
Innovation Solution
The snowblower design incorporates an angled impeller housing and body configuration, positioning the impeller rotation axis upward toward the power unit's PTO, reducing the angle in the drive member interconnecting the PTO and impeller, thereby minimizing the angle sustained by the drive shaft joints and maintaining a level ground-contacting portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the PTO is positioned at a higher vertical distance from the ground to accommodate powerful power units, then the power unit capability is improved, but the drive shaft angle increases which deteriorates mechanical integrity and power transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent angles the impeller housing and impeller rotation axis upward toward the PTO, transitioning from a purely vertical height compensation approach to a three-dimensional angular configuration. This dimensional change allows the drive shaft to connect the higher PTO to the lower impeller at a reduced angle, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high power unit capability and ensuring drive shaft mechanical integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameter of the impeller housing and impeller rotation axis relative to the ground and PTO axis. By optimizing this angle, the drive shaft operates at a more favorable angle that maintains mechanical integrity and power transmission efficiency while accommodating the height difference between the powerful PTO and the ground-level impeller
2Productivity
If the impeller is positioned lower to the ground for effective snow collection, then snow removal effectiveness is improved, but the drive shaft angle increases which deteriorates power transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an upward angle to the impeller housing and impeller rotation axis, moving the solution from a two-dimensional vertical positioning problem to a three-dimensional angular configuration. This allows the impeller to remain low for effective snow collection while the angled connection reduces drive shaft angle and minimizes power transmission losses
Solution Approach 2:
The angled impeller housing acts as an intermediary element between the high PTO and the low ground-level impeller. This intermediate angular structure enables the drive shaft to transmit power efficiently by reducing the angle it must sustain, while still allowing the impeller to operate at the optimal low position for snow collection
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
This configuration enhances the mechanical integrity and power transmission efficiency, allowing for optimal snow removal performance by reducing the angle in the drive shaft and maintaining a low position of the impeller close to the ground for effective snow collection and propulsion.
Implementation Method 1
The snowblower design incorporates an angled impeller housing and body configuration, positioning the impeller rotation axis upward toward the power unit's PTO, reducing the angle in the drive member interconnecting the PTO and impeller
Implementation Method 2
The PTO of such equipment is therefore at an increased vertical distance from the ground. Conversely, the snowblowing mechanism, more precisely the impeller of the snowblowing mechanism, is preferably disposed low next to the ground to collect and blow as much snow as possible. In other words, the rotation axis of the PTO is higher than the rotation axis of the impeller and that difference in height has to be compensated with an angled drive shaft interconnecting the PTO to the rotating impeller. Such drive shafts are generally equipped with a pair of universal joints, or constant velocity joints, to transmit rotational power at an angle between the drive input and the drive output.
Implementation Method 3
The snow is generally pushed toward the exterior diameter of the impeller when propelled by the rotating impeller, subjected to centrifugal forces. To some extents, the impeller can be compared to a turbine that is pumping air and snow.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a snowblower comprising a body including a pair of ground contacting members disposed at a bottom portion of the body, a blade for scraping the ground, the blade being secured at the bottom portion of the body, a snow blowing mechanism disposed in the body and an impeller housing located in the snow blowing mechanism, the impeller housing including an impeller rotation axis thereof disposed non-parallel with a horizontal ground when the snowblower is in an optimal levelled operation position, the impeller rotation axis being angled to increase a height of an impeller drive in direction of a power source.