Automobile Salt Dispenser for Winter Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for improving traction on snow and ice require special tires or equipment attached to vehicles, which can be cumbersome and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that dispenses salt, sand, or brine directly under or near a vehicle's tire using containers and tubes, with a pump to facilitate material delivery, allowing for easy installation and operation without the need for special tires or equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tire chains or special tires are used to improve traction, then vehicle grip on snow and ice is enhanced, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to difficult attachment and special equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the traction enhancement function from the tire itself and implements it separately through a salt/brine dispensing system. Instead of modifying the tire with chains or studs, the system delivers de-icing material directly to the contact patch area, separating the traction function from the tire structure and eliminating the need for special tires or complex attachment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces salt or brine as an intermediary substance between the tire and the snow/ice surface. This intermediary material chemically or physically modifies the interface conditions to enable traction, rather than directly modifying the tire or the road surface with mechanical attachments.
2Reliability
If tire chains or special tires are installed to improve grip, then vehicle stability on ice is enhanced, but ease of operation worsens due to cumbersome attachment procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for mechanical attachment to the wheel by extracting the traction function and implementing it through a separate dispensing system mounted on the vehicle body, eliminating cumbersome installation procedures while maintaining vehicle stability enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing system serves multiple functions: it can deliver both salt and brine, can be activated on demand or continuously, and works with standard tires rather than requiring special equipment, making the system versatile and easy to operate across different winter conditions.
3Reliability
If salt or brine is dispensed onto snow or ice under the tire, then melting and traction are improved, but device complexity increases due to pump and tube system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be self-contained with the pump integrated into the container assembly, allowing the container to serve its own dispensing needs without requiring external pumping equipment. The system self-regulates material delivery to the dispensing point through the tube network.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the storage container and pump into a single integrated unit, and combines the tube network with the container mounting structure, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining effective salt and brine delivery to the tire contact area.
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
Enhances traction on snow and ice without the need for special tires or equipment, providing effective melting and grip for vehicles, especially during winter driving conditions.
Implementation Method 1
In one embodiment, a pump is used to pump the salt, sand, brine or similar material through the lines.
Implementation Method 2
containers for storing salt, sand, brine, or similar material that can be used to melt or provide traction on snow or ice
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to dispense salt, sand, brine or similar material under or in the area of a tire on a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, a truck or automobile. The apparatus comprises one or more containers for storing salt, sand, brine, or similar material that can be used to melt or provide traction on snow or ice. One or more tubes or lines run from the container(s) to a position above or near a vehicle wheel, or in the wheelwell, where the salt, sand, brine or similar material can be dispensed via a dispenser directly onto the snow or ice under or proximate to the tire, or onto the tire itself. A pump is used to pump the salt, sand, brine or similar material through the lines. The pump may be integrated with the container, or may be separately installed.