Collapsible Snow Paddle With Telescoping Handle for Compact Vehicle Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snow removal tools for vehicles, such as fixed-length snow shovels and scrapers, are bulky, difficult to store, and inefficient for removing deep or wet snow, especially on larger vehicles, and often require extended use in cold conditions, causing discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible snow paddle with a telescoping handle and an oversized removable edge cap, allowing for adjustable handle length and increased snow removal capacity with each swipe, enabling efficient snow and ice removal from vehicles without the need for extensive storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a fixed-length snow shovel with a long handle is used to reach the center area of large vehicle windows, then the ability to remove ice from large vehicles is improved, but the storage space required in the vehicle increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can be extended or retracted relative to each other, allowing the handle length to be adjusted based on storage or usage needs
Solution Approach 2:
The handle transitions from a static fixed length to a dynamic adjustable length through telescoping mechanisms, enabling the user to have a long handle when needed for snow removal and a compact handle when storing in the vehicle
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a snow brush with flexible bristles is used to prevent scratching vehicle surfaces, then the safety of the vehicle surface is improved, but the ability to remove deep or wet snow efficiently deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The snow removal tool is divided into separate functional components: a scraper portion for removing snow and an optional brush portion for gentle surface cleaning, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other
Solution Approach 2:
The brush component is made optional and separable from the main scraper function, allowing users to employ the rigid scraper for efficient snow removal when needed, while the flexible brush is only used when gentle surface contact is required
3Volume of moving object
If a conventional snow scraper with a narrow scrapper portion is used to enable compact storage, then the storage space required is reduced, but the time required to remove snow increases due to multiple swipes
Solution Approach 1:
The scrapper portion is made adjustable in width through a telescoping mechanism, allowing it to expand to a wider configuration for efficient snow removal during use, and collapse to a compact configuration for storage, dynamically adapting to the operational requirements
4Strength
If a rigid shovel extends from one end of a collapsible handle, then the structural strength is improved, but the overall bulk and storage space required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid shovel component is separated from the collapsible handle through a detachable connection, allowing the rigid portion to maintain its structural strength during use while the collapsible handle can be folded or telescoped to a compact size for storage, reducing overall bulk when not in use
Data Source
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 the 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.