Containment Plow Cutting Edge Articulation for Surface Irregularities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containment plows struggle to effectively accommodate obstructions and surface irregularities during snow plowing, leading to potential damage and increased passes required to clear pavement.
Innovation Solution
The plow design features moldboard and wing cutting edges with multiple degrees of freedom movement, including pivoting and translational movements, facilitated by biasing elements like compression and torsion springs, allowing the edges to adapt to obstructions and irregularities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cutting edges are made rigid and fixed, then the plow structure is simple and strong, but the plow cannot accommodate obstructions and surface irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting edge is divided into multiple segments that can move independently relative to each other and the moldboard. Each segment can pivot and translate to accommodate obstructions and surface irregularities, while the segmented design allows the complex movement capability to be achieved through simple, modular components rather than a single complex mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting edge segments are designed with dynamic movement capabilities through pivot pins and slots that allow pivoting and translational motion. This dynamic design enables the cutting edges to adapt to varying terrain conditions while maintaining structural integrity through controlled degrees of freedom
2Reliability
If the cutting edges are made movable to accommodate obstructions, then damage to the plow is reduced, but the mounting mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The movable cutting edge segments with their pivot and slot mechanisms provide inherent flexibility that cushions against impacts with obstructions before damage can occur. The segments can pivot away from obstructions and translate to follow surface irregularities, preventing damage without requiring separate cushioning elements
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting edge segments can change their positional parameters (angle and location) relative to the moldboard through pivoting and translational movement. This parameter change capability allows the cutting edges to adapt to different terrain conditions and avoid damage while maintaining a relatively simple mounting mechanism using standard mechanical components
3Productivity
If multiple passes are used to clear pavement completely, then thorough snow and ice clearance is achieved, but time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic cutting edge segments that can pivot and translate enable the plow to maintain continuous contact with the pavement surface by adapting to irregularities in a single pass. This eliminates the need for multiple passes to achieve complete clearance, thereby improving productivity and reducing time loss
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 the plow's ability to navigate obstacles and uneven surfaces, reducing damage and the number of passes needed for complete snow and ice clearance.
Implementation Method 1
A single biasing element can bias the segment forward relative to the lower edge of the moldboard about the first axis and downward relative to the lower edge of the moldboard. The biasing element can comprise a compression spring.
Implementation Method 2
The first biasing element can comprise a first torsion spring encircling the first pin and having first and second legs. Rearward pivoting movement of the segment about the first axis twists the first torsion spring and develops a forward pivoting restoring torque.
Data Source
AI summary
A containment plow adapted to be mounted to a vehicle such as a skid steer, a wheeled loader, or a tractor comprises a moldboard frame, a moldboard mounted to the moldboard frame, a wing pivotally connected to the moldboard frame adjacent each end of the moldboard, a moldboard cutting edge mounted to a lower edge of the moldboard and comprising a plurality of cutting edge segments, and a wing cutting edge mounted to a lower edge of each wing. Each moldboard cutting edge segment is mounted so as to have two rotational degrees of freedom movement relative to the moldboard and one translational degree of freedom movement relative to the moldboard. Each wing cutting edge is mounted so as to have two rotational degrees of freedom movement relative to the wing.