Ground-Following Snow Plow Attachment With Biasing Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow plow blade assemblies struggle to adapt to uneven ground surfaces, leading to instability, premature wear, and impact damage, while maintaining the ability to lift and control snow displacement.
Innovation Solution
A snow plow blade attachment assembly featuring an interface bracket, intermediate structure, and a trigger assembly with a biasing mechanism that allows the blade to pivot and adjust to ground unevenness, incorporating an articulated assembly for independent movement and a trigger mechanism to absorb impact forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the snow plow blade assembly is made rigid to maintain stability during lifting and grading operations, then the stability and control are improved, but the ability to adapt to uneven ground is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The snow plow blade assembly is divided into multiple independently movable segments. Each blade segment can pivot independently relative to the others and the mounting structure, allowing individual segments to adapt to ground unevenness while the overall assembly maintains stability during operations. This segmentation enables the blade to conform to irregular ground surfaces without compromising the structural integrity needed for lifting and grading.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment assembly incorporates dynamic elements including pivot points, articulated links, and spring mechanisms that allow the blade segments to move and adjust their positions in response to ground conditions. The biasing means provides continuous adjustment capability, enabling the blade to transition between stable operating positions and adaptive positions as needed during snow removal operations.
2Reliability
If the snow plow blade assembly uses a fixed attachment mechanism to ensure reliable connection to the vehicle, then the connection reliability is improved, but the impact damage from hitting obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment assembly incorporates spring mechanisms and biasing means that act as cushioning elements before impact occurs. These mechanisms are pre-configured to compress and absorb shock when the blade encounters obstacles, reducing the transmission of impact forces to the vehicle and preventing premature wear. The biasing means continuously applies a cushioning force that mitigates the effects of sudden impacts during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism transitions from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic system with movable components. The pivot points and articulated structures allow the blade to move and flex in response to impact forces, absorbing shock through controlled motion rather than rigid resistance. This dynamic behavior reduces the harmful effects of obstacle contact while maintaining reliable operational connection.
3Ease of manufacture
If the snow plow blade assembly uses a simple attachment structure to reduce complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to adapt to ground unevenness and reduce wear is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment assembly is segmented into modular components including interface brackets, intermediate structures, and trigger assemblies that can be manufactured separately and assembled together. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized for manufacturing efficiency while collectively providing the complex adaptive functionality needed for wear resistance and ground adaptation. The standardized interface points simplify assembly while enabling sophisticated movement capabilities.
4Ease of operation
If the snow plow blade assembly maintains a fixed position to ensure control during grading operations, then the grading control is improved, but the stability on uneven ground is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment assembly employs dynamic pivot mechanisms and biasing systems that allow the blade to automatically adjust its position and orientation in response to ground conditions. During grading operations, the blade can pivot to maintain optimal cutting angles and stability, while the biasing means ensures the blade returns to controlled positions. This dynamic adaptability provides both grading control and stability on uneven terrain simultaneously.
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 assembly provides enhanced stability and reduces wear by adapting to ground irregularities and absorbing impact forces, ensuring efficient snow removal and vehicle safety.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing means attached, at one end, to the pin assembly and attached, at an other end, to the static member such that the trigger assembly is biased toward a default position
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment assembly for attaching a snow plow blade to a vehicle includes a pair of interface brackets, a pair of articulated intermediate structures mounted to the interface brackets, a transversal member joining the intermediate structures, and a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly includes a static member with a pivoting attachment point for attachment to the snow plow blade and top and bottom attachment points for releasable attachment to the intermediate structure, a pin assembly, and a biasing means attached to the pin assembly and to the static member. The trigger assembly is biased toward a default position in which the pin member and the static member are at their closest. When applying a torque on the snow plow blade above a trigger threshold, the snow plow blade rotates from the default position to a triggered position.