Flexible Scraper Blade and Profiled Wheels for Snow Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sewage treatment plants face operational disruptions due to ice and snow on the running surface of the cover in the treatment tank, which existing electrical heating solutions are costly and inefficient in clearing.
Innovation Solution
A liquid treatment device with a flexible clearing blade and profiled running wheels that create a crowned surface to prevent water accumulation and ensure adhesion, allowing the scraper bridge to move uninterrupted by incorporating a parallelogram-like suspension and adjustable contact pressure for effective snow removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical heating is used to clear ice and snow from the cover running surface, then the scraper bridge can move, but energy consumption increases substantially and operating costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical heating system with a mechanical clearing system consisting of a snowplow blade and profiled wheels. The snowplow blade mechanically removes snow and ice from the cover surface, while the profiled wheels provide traction without requiring heated surfaces. This substitution eliminates substantial electrical energy consumption while maintaining scraper bridge operation continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper bridge system serves itself by equipping its own wheels with profiles that enable them to clear snow and ice independently. The profiled outer surface of the wheels creates a crowned effect that naturally directs water and snow away, allowing the system to maintain operation without external heating assistance.
2Reliability
If electrical heating is used to clear ice and snow, then the running surface is heated, but the heater does not immediately clear the surface in heavy snowfall or freezing rain
Solution Approach 1:
The snowplow blade is positioned in front of the scraper bridge's drive mechanism, performing preliminary clearing of snow and ice from the cover surface before the wheels make contact. This preliminary action removes accumulated snow and ice proactively, preventing it from interfering with wheel movement and eliminating delays in scraper bridge operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical snowplow blade immediately clears snow and ice upon contact, providing instant removal without the delay inherent in heating systems. The profiled wheels simultaneously provide traction on the cleared surface, ensuring continuous movement without the time lag associated with thermal heating processes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover running surface is made convex to prevent water accumulation, then water and snow are pushed off more effectively, but the wheel grip may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a profiled outer surface on the wheels specifically in the contact area, while the cover running surface maintains its convex shape. The profiling creates localized grooves and patterns that enhance traction where needed, compensating for the reduced contact area caused by the convex shape. This localized modification ensures sufficient wheel grip without flattening the entire cover surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly combines the convex cover surface with profiled wheel surfaces, creating a composite system where the convex shape directs water and snow away while the profiled wheel surface provides enhanced traction. This combination allows the system to benefit from both water shedding and improved adhesion simultaneously.
4Productivity
If a snowplow blade is added to clear snow, then snow removal effectiveness increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the snowplow blade function with the existing scraper bridge structure by integrating the blade into the bridge's front assembly. The snowplow blade is combined with the drive mechanism and wheel assembly, allowing it to be moved along with the scraper bridge without requiring a separate, independent snowplow system. This merging approach increases snow removal efficiency while minimizing additional structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper bridge system becomes multi-functional by incorporating the snowplow blade, enabling it to perform both its original scraping function and snow/ice clearance functions. The profiled wheels simultaneously provide traction and contribute to snow removal, creating a multi-functional system that handles multiple winter conditions with a single integrated structure.
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
Enables continuous operation of the scraper bridge by reliably clearing snow and ice without the need for energy-consuming electrical heating, ensuring uninterrupted movement and efficient wastewater treatment.
Implementation Method 1
the running surface of the cover is formed convexly transversely to the direction of movement of the track of the scraper bridge to create a central elevation of the track surface
Implementation Method 2
at least one wheel of the respective track of the snowplow bridge has sufficient grip on the running surface due to its profiling
Implementation Method 3
a flexible scraper blade is provided in front of it to clear snow and ice from the running surface
Data Source
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AI summary
Wastewater treatment plants or other liquid treatment facilities have a treatment basin (10) on the upper edge (14) of which a cover (15) is provided, and a scraper bridge (11). The scraper bridge (11) is supported by at least one wheel (20) on a running surface (17) of the cover (15). Especially when snow (34) accumulates on the cover (15), it must be cleared of the snow (34) as completely as possible so that the movement of the scraper bridge (11) is not interrupted. The invention provides for a flexibly suspended scraper blade (25) with flexible scrapers (38, 39) to be arranged in front of the wheel (20) of the scraper bridge (11). Additionally, it is provided that the running surface (17) is provided with a central elevation and that a cylindrical surface (24) of the wheel (20) is profiled to improve the adhesion of the running surface (17) of the wheel (20) to the running surface (17).By combining these measures, the snowplow blade (25) can effectively clear the running surface (17) of snow (34). This ensures uninterrupted, continuous movement of the scraper bridge (11) even in winter, without the risk of the wheel (20) of the scraper bridge (11) slipping on the cover (15).