Expandable Plow Blade With Vertical Pull Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plows have fixed lengths, limiting flexibility, and their mounting systems are prone to premature hydraulic cylinder failure due to lateral and rotational forces, while auxiliary lights are often rigidly mounted, obstructing standard headlights and requiring adjustable solutions to meet varying vehicle heights and angles.
Innovation Solution
A plow mounting apparatus with an expandable plow blade assembly, featuring a hydraulic cylinder, vertical pull structure, and adjustable auxiliary lighting system that can be easily mounted and dismounted, providing height adjustment and mechanical backup to prevent hydraulic cylinder failure, and accommodating additional features like adjustable lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length plow is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the flexibility to adapt to different job requirements and transport conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The plow blade assembly is divided into a main body section and two detachable end sections. These segments can be connected or separated independently, allowing the plow to be configured in different lengths (full, partial, or detached) based on operational needs. The end sections are attached to the main body through mounting brackets and fastening mechanisms that enable easy assembly and disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The plow structure transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic adjustable-length configuration. The end sections can be positioned in multiple states: attached for full width operation, partially attached for reduced width, or completely detached for transport. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the plow to adapt its effective length according to varying operational and transport requirements.
2Ease of operation
If a hydraulic cylinder mounting system is used, then the plow can be easily mounted and dismounted, but the hydraulic cylinder is subjected to lateral and rotational forces causing premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
A mounting frame is introduced as an intermediary component between the plow blade assembly and the vehicle. The mounting frame includes vertical pull structures that connect to the vehicle's hydraulic system, while the plow blade assembly connects to the mounting frame. This intermediary structure absorbs and redirects lateral and rotational forces, preventing them from being transmitted directly to the hydraulic cylinder, thus reducing wear and premature failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting frame and its connection structures are designed to preemptively absorb and cushion the lateral and rotational forces that occur during plow operation. By providing this protective structure in advance, the hydraulic cylinder is shielded from the harmful forces before they can cause damage, extending the cylinder's service life and reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If auxiliary lights are rigidly mounted on the plow frame, then the mounting is simple and stable, but the lights obstruct standard headlights and cannot be adjusted to meet varying vehicle heights and angles
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary lighting system transitions from a rigid fixed-position mounting to a dynamic adjustable mounting. The lights are mounted on the plow blade assembly through brackets that allow adjustment of position, angle, and orientation. This enables the lighting system to adapt to different vehicle heights, plow configurations, and operational requirements while maintaining stable illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary lighting system is designed with multi-functionality to serve various purposes: supplementing headlight illumination, providing work lights for plow operations, and adapting to different vehicle and plow configurations. The adjustable mounting allows a single lighting system to fulfill multiple functions across different operational scenarios, replacing the need for multiple fixed lighting solutions.
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
The solution enhances plow assembly flexibility, reduces hydraulic cylinder wear, ensures stable mounting, and provides adjustable lighting that meets regulatory requirements, improving operational safety and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder which controls the engagement of upper and lower hooks onto the vehicle mounting frame
Implementation Method 2
a vertical pull structure which is attached to the lift frame. The vertical pull structure includes an outer vertical sleeve and an inner vertical member which is slidingly engageable with the outer vertical sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a material handling assembly, such as a plow, that may contain additional features mounted thereon so as to increase the functionality of the assembly, and an apparatus and method for mounting such an assembly or other like structure onto a vehicle, such as a truck. A plow mounting apparatus may be used for automatically mounting and dismounting a plow blade to an end of an associated vehicle. The plow mounting apparatus includes a plow assembly comprising: an expandable plow blade; a lift frame; an auxiliary light mounting apparatus;h a height adjustment mechanism; and, a vertical pull structure.