Collapsible Snow Paddle with Telescoping Handle and Rotatable Scraper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow removal tools, such as fixed-length snow shovels and collapsible snow shovels, are bulky, difficult to use in tight spaces, and often lack an integral window scraper, making it challenging to efficiently remove snow from vehicles, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible snow paddle with a telescoping handle and a rotatable paddle/scraper design, allowing for adjustable handle length and easy conversion between snow removal and ice scraping functions, while being compact enough for storage in small spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a fixed-length snow scraper is mounted to a long handle to reach the center area of large vehicle windows, then the scraping capability is improved, but the storage space consumed is substantial
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can be extended or retracted independently, allowing the handle length to be adjusted based on the task requirements while maintaining a compact form for storage
Solution Approach 2:
The handle transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic telescoping structure that can change its length, providing long reach when needed for scraping large windows and compact size when stored in vehicle compartments
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a snow brush with flexible bristles is used to prevent scratching vehicle surfaces, then the safety is improved, but the brush easily bends making snow removal difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The brush is segmented into multiple rigid or semi-rigid sections rather than using uniformly flexible bristles, allowing the brush to maintain its shape and structural integrity while still being gentle on vehicle surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the brush have different properties - the contact points with the vehicle surface use softer, more flexible elements to prevent scratching, while the structural support elements remain rigid to maintain brush shape and effectiveness in snow removal
3Productivity
If conventional fixed-length snow shovels are used for snow removal, then the snow removal capability is improved, but the storage space consumed is substantial and they are difficult to store in small vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The shovel is divided into a collapsible handle with multiple sections and a separate shovel head that can be attached or detached, allowing the components to be stored separately or nested together to minimize storage space while maintaining full functionality when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The shovel head and handle sections are designed to nest within each other when collapsed, with the shovel head fitting inside the handle sections, creating a compact package that fits in small vehicle storage spaces while providing full snow removal capability when extended
4Volume of moving object
If collapsible snow shovels with rigid shovels extending from the handle are used, then the storage space is reduced, but the shovels remain somewhat bulky and require horizontal shoveling technique which is difficult to employ on roofs or in truck beds
Solution Approach 1:
The shovel head is designed with dynamic articulation points that allow it to pivot and rotate relative to the handle, enabling the user to adapt the shoveling angle and technique to match the specific geometry of the surface being cleared, whether horizontal, vertical, or at an angle
Solution Approach 2:
The shovel head's orientation and angle relative to the handle can be adjusted during use, allowing changes in the operational parameters of the shovel to match different working conditions such as roof surfaces, truck beds, or ground-level snow removal
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 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.