Belly-Mounted Snow Plow Leverage and Zero-Turn Radius

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing snow removal devices, such as zero-turn lawn mowers with plow shovels mounted to the front, suffer from reduced leverage and efficiency due to the upward force of snow, resulting in less effective snow plowing and limited maneuverability with a tight turning radius.

Innovation Solution

A snow removal vehicle with a plow shovel mechanism mounted between the front and rear wheels, featuring an adjustment mechanism with hydraulics for controlling the plow shovel's position, allowing for improved leverage and maintaining a tight turning radius, and optionally interchangeable with a mower attachment for year-round use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the plow shovel is mounted to the front of the lawn mower, then the snow removal capability is provided, but the leverage on the plow shovel is reduced and snow removal efficiency is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnow removal efficiencyVSAvoidleverage on plow shovel

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The plow shovel is inverted from the conventional front-mounted position to a belly-mounted position at the center of the mower frame, between the front and rear axles. This inversion repositions the plow to utilize the mower's weight more effectively, increasing leverage and snow removal efficiency while maintaining the ability to clear snow from the cutting path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The plow shovel is positioned in a new spatial dimension - mounted to the belly of the mower frame rather than the front. This dimensional change allows the plow to be driven by the mower's forward motion and weight directly, creating superior leverage compared to front-mounted configurations where the plow is pushed rather than driven.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the plow shovel is mounted to increase leverage, then snow removal efficiency is improved, but the turning radius may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnow removal efficiencyVSAvoidturning radius

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The belly-mounted plow configuration is designed to work with the mower's existing zero-turn capability, making the system universal for both snow removal and lawn mowing operations. The plow is positioned to clear snow from the mower's cutting path without interfering with the mower's turning mechanism, allowing tight turning radius to be maintained while achieving improved snow removal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the plow shovel position is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different snow conditions and operations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to snow conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The plow shovel is equipped with hydraulic actuators that enable dynamic adjustment of the plow blade angle and position. This allows the operator to adapt the plow configuration to different snow conditions (depth, density, type) and operational requirements, transforming a potentially simple fixed structure into a versatile, adaptive system while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 snow removal efficiency and control by providing increased leverage on the plow shovel and maintaining a tight turning radius, enabling precise operation and versatility in snow removal and lawn mowing tasks.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic cylinder affixed to the belly blade body and the snowplow blade, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is configured to rotate the blade about the rotatable hinge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

a trip spring affixed to the snowplow blade and the belly blade frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a snowplow blade rotatably affixed to the snowplow mount of the belly blade body by a hinge mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11649598B2Belly blade mounted to center of mower equipment

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 ARLINGTON POWER EQUIP INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to improvements in snow removal vehicles. A vehicle is disclosed, wherein the vehicle may have a reduced turning radius, or a zero-turn radius. The present disclosure also relates to improvements in snow shovels attached to the vehicle, including disclosure directed to a snow shovel mounted to the middle of the vehicle, rather than to the vehicle's front. Further yet, the present application discloses a snow shovel which is interchangeable with a mower attachment, thereby allowing a vehicle to be used as a snow plow or as a mower.