Flexible Traction Panel With Penetrating Grasps for Snow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing traction assist devices are ineffective in providing sufficient traction for vehicles stuck in snow and ice surfaces, as they fail to securely grip the tire and maintain a fixed position.

Innovation Solution

A flexible panel with a coarse top face and transversely extending grasps, such as blades, that penetrate into snow and ice surfaces, coupled with a handle for positioning and retention under the tire, ensuring traction by gripping the tire and retaining the panel in a fixed position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing traction assist devices are used, then they are simple in structure, but they fail to securely grip the tire and maintain a fixed position, resulting in insufficient traction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction effectivenessVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The traction device is divided into distinct functional segments: a flexible panel for conforming to the tire surface, coarse gripping elements on the top face for tire traction, and transverse grasps extending from the bottom face for anchoring in snow/ice. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, improving overall reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the device have different properties optimized for their specific functions: the top face has coarse gripping elements for high-friction tire contact, the bottom face has transverse grasps for penetrating snow and ice, and the panel itself is flexible to conform to the tire's curvature. This local differentiation of properties enhances traction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible panel is used to conform to the tire, then the device can adapt to different tire shapes, but the device becomes more complex to manufacture and deploy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire surface adaptationVSAvoidpanel flexibility implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses a flexible panel as its core structure, allowing it to conform to the curved surface of the tire. This flexible shell approach provides adaptability to different tire shapes and sizes while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process, as flexible panels can be produced using standard materials and techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If grasps extend transversely from the bottom face to penetrate snow and ice, then the panel is retained in a fixed position, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel position stabilityVSAvoidgrasps structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse grasps are pre-positioned on the bottom face of the panel, extending outward in the direction they need to penetrate. When the device is installed under the tire, these grasps automatically engage with the snow and ice surface, securing the panel in place without requiring additional activation steps or complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively supplies traction to vehicles stuck in snow and ice by securely gripping the tire and maintaining a fixed position, allowing for safe mobilization.

Implementation Method 1

The top face of the panel is configured to grip the tire, such that traction is supplied of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The grasps are configured to penetrate into surfaces, such as snow and ice, when the panel is positioned on the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPenetration and mechanical interlocking: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10132045B2Traction assist device

Publication Date: 2018.11.20 CLAWSON MICHAEL

AI summary

A traction assist device for mobilizing vehicles stuck in surfaces such as snow and ice includes a panel that has a top face, which is coarse. The panel is flexible, such that the panel is manipulable from an extended configuration into a rolled configuration. A plurality of grasps is coupled to and extends transversely from a bottom face of the panel. The grasps are configured to penetrate into surfaces, such as snow and ice, when the panel is positioned on the surface and a tire of a vehicle is positioned on the top face of the panel. The grasps retain the panel in a fixed position. The top face of the panel is configured to grip the tire, such that traction is supplied of the vehicle.