Distributed De-icing Tote and Spreader System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing distribution of de-icing materials like salt and sand is inefficient, requiring central storage and transportation, leading to slow response times and high costs during snow emergencies, with excess salt application and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A material spreading system using a skid loader with a spreader attachment and freestanding totes allows on-site storage and quick distribution of de-icing materials, reducing the need for salt trucks and enabling precise application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If salt is stored at a central location and loaded onto gritters for distribution, then salt can be stored in large quantities, but response time increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the centralized salt storage into multiple distributed totes placed at various locations along the roadway. Each tote is an independent storage unit that can be individually engaged by spreaders, eliminating the need for one large central storage facility and enabling localized rapid response.
Solution Approach 2:
Salt totes are pre-loaded with salt and positioned at strategic locations before snow emergencies occur. This preliminary action allows spreaders to immediately engage and distribute salt when needed, eliminating the time required to travel to central storage facilities and load salt during emergencies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If salt trucks are used to transport salt from central location to remote sites, then salt can be delivered to remote locations, but fuel costs and insurance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for salt trucks to transport salt by placing totes directly at remote locations where they are needed. Local spreaders engage the totes and distribute the salt independently, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating fuel consumption associated with salt transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a horizontal transportation model (salt trucks moving salt along roadways) to a vertical distribution model (totes positioned at multiple locations along the roadway). This dimensional change eliminates the need for long-distance salt transportation while maintaining delivery capability to remote sites.
3Reliability
If excess salt is applied to roadways, then ice melting effectiveness may increase, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback through the transparent or translucent tote walls, allowing operators to observe salt levels in real-time. This enables precise control of salt application, ensuring that only the necessary amount is distributed and preventing excess salt from being applied to roadways and contaminating the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses precisely the right amount of salt needed for effective de-icing by allowing operators to monitor and control discharge based on visible salt levels in the totes. This eliminates the tendency to over-apply salt, ensuring adequate ice melting effectiveness while preventing environmental harm from excess salt contamination.
Data Source
AI summary
A material spreading system including a spreader and a tote, and related methods, are disclosed. The spreader may include a frame attachable to a loading machine such as a skid loader, an inlet for receiving a material, one or more connector members, and a discharge mechanism configured to selectively discharge the material onto the ground. The tote may include a container for storing the material and one or more connector members. The connector members of the tote may be configured to matingly engage the connector members of the spreader such that an opening in the container aligns with the inlet of the spreader. Accordingly, the material in the container may be transferred from the container to the spreader. Furthermore, the material spreading system may be used in various application including those involving the spread of granular and/or liquid de-icing material over the ground.