Collapsible Snow Paddle With Telescopic Handle for Vehicle Snow Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing snow removal tools for vehicles, such as ice scrapers and shovels, are bulky, difficult to use in hard-to-reach areas, and often require horizontal shoveling techniques, making them inefficient for deep or wet snow, especially on larger vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible snow paddle with a rotatable handle and interchangeable scraper edge, allowing for telescoping handle adjustment and simultaneous scraping and pushing/pulling of snow, designed for compact storage and versatile use on various vehicle surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a fixed-length ice scraper with a long handle is used to reach the center area of large vehicle windows, then the scraping capability is improved, but the storage space consumed in the vehicle increases substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle lengthVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed to be telescopic rather than fixed-length, allowing it to extend to a long length for reaching center windows and then collapse to a short length for compact storage in the vehicle, dynamically adapting between two states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a snow brush with flexible bristles is mounted on the handle, then the brush can prevent scratching vehicle surfaces, but the brush bends easily under snow resistance making snow removal difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface scratchingVSAvoidsnow removal efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into two separate functional ends: a paddle end for pushing snow and a scraper end for removing ice and snow from surfaces. This separates the functions so that the scraper handles surface contact while the paddle handles bulk snow movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The paddle end serves multiple functions: it can push snow off the vehicle, and when combined with the scraper end, it enables simultaneous scraping and pushing operations, making the device versatile for different snow removal scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If a conventional fixed-length snow shovel is used for deep or wet snow, then the snow removal capability is improved, but the shovel is bulky and consumes substantial storage space in the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnow removal capabilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle uses a telescopic mechanism that allows it to extend to a long length for effective snow shoveling and then collapse to a short length for compact storage, dynamically adapting between operational and storage states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Volume of moving object

If a collapsible snow shovel with a rigid shovel is used, then the storage space is reduced, but the shovel remains somewhat bulky and requires horizontal shoveling technique which is difficult to employ on roofs or in truck beds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidshoveling technique flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into a paddle end for snow pushing and a scraper end for surface cleaning, allowing vertical scraping motions that are effective for roof and truck bed snow removal rather than requiring horizontal shoveling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dual-ended design with paddle and scraper provides multiple functional capabilities including pushing, scraping, and simultaneous operations, making it versatile for different vehicle surfaces and snow conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

5Volume of moving object

If the Rapala Folding Pack Shovel with Bag is collapsed for storage, then the storage space is reduced, but the folded handle bends to abut the shovel end creating a relatively thick, space-consuming folded shovel and it lacks an integral ice scraper

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidfunctional capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device features distinct paddle and scraper ends that maintain their functional integrity when collapsed, with the scraper end providing ice scraping capability that was missing in previous designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collapsed configuration maintains both paddle and scraper functionality, enabling the user to perform multiple snow removal tasks (pushing and scraping) even in the compact folded state, enhancing versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3801166B1Collapsible snow paddle and method of use

Publication Date: 2025.07.23 WOOD STEPHEN PATRICK

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AI summary

A collapsible snow paddle. The paddle includes an elongated handle, a rotatable coupling affixed to one end of the handle, and a generally planar snow remover, the rotatable coupling affixed to a rear surface of the remover so that he remover may be collapsed against the handle for storage and extended transverse to the handle for use. The snow remover may have a scraper edge inclined at an angle relative to the surface of the snow remover for scraping ice and a relatively soft capped edge for removing snow.