Sliding Extendable Plow Blade for Width and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plow blades are limited in their ability to efficiently extend and contract to accommodate varying snow removal needs, often compromising on stiffness and stability during operation.
Innovation Solution
A plow blade design featuring a central section with lateral sections that can slide within channels, allowing for a collapsible and extendable configuration, enhanced by telescopic beams and actuators for stability and ease of movement, and friction blocks for reduced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the plow blade is designed to be extendable to double its width, then the snow removal capacity is improved, but the structural stability and stiffness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The plow blade is divided into a central section and two lateral sections that can move independently. The lateral sections are separated by gaps from the central section and from each other, allowing the blade to be segmented into movable units that can be positioned independently to maintain structural integrity while changing overall width.
Solution Approach 2:
The plow blade transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the lateral sections can slide along the longitudinal axis relative to the central section. This dynamic configuration allows the blade to adjust its width by moving the lateral sections between retracted and extended positions along guide channels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lateral sections are moved to extend the plow blade width, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical linkage systems traditionally used for extending plow blades are replaced with a simplified sliding mechanism. The lateral sections slide along guide channels defined by the central section, eliminating the need for complex hinges, pins, and locking mechanisms while achieving the same width adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral sections are designed to nest alongside the central section when retracted, with the gaps between them allowing for compact storage. When extended, the lateral sections slide out from beside the central section, creating a nested configuration that minimizes space when not in use while allowing full extension when needed.
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 design enables a plow blade that doubles in width between collapsed and extended configurations while maintaining structural integrity and stability, facilitating efficient snow removal operations.
Implementation Method 1
friction blocks for reduced friction
Implementation Method 2
at least one actuator operatively connected to the central section and the two lateral sections for moving the two lateral sections relative to the central section
Data Source
AI summary
A plow blade securable to a vehicle, has: a central section having: a central panel, and a member secured to the central panel via a transversal rib, the member defining at least one channel; two lateral sections having: lateral panels having lateral and medial edges, the lateral panels defining slots, and beams secured to the lateral panels and protruding from the medial edges, the beams slidably received within the at least one channel; and at least one actuator operatively connected to the central section and the two lateral sections, wherein the two lateral sections are movable relative to the central section between a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration, the two lateral sections being overlapped by the central section in the collapsed configuration and being offset from the central section in the extended configuration, in the collapsed configuration, portions of the transversal rib are received within the slots.