Heated Snow Guard With Infrared LEDs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Snow guards are ineffective in preventing excessive snow accumulation during large storms or long cold winters, leading to snow spilling over the top of the guard tubes and potentially causing avalanches.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating infrared LEDs or radiant infrared emitters into the snow guard tubes to heat and melt snow, combined with adjustable tube designs and coatings to optimize heat distribution, allowing for easy assembly and control through automation systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional passive snow guards are used, then they provide simple snow retention, but they become ineffective during large storms or long cold winters when snow accumulates beyond their capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnow retention effectivenessVSAvoidcapacity to handle excessive snow

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The snow guard system transitions from a static passive structure to a dynamic active system by incorporating heating elements that can respond to snow accumulation conditions. The system adapts its behavior based on environmental conditions, activating heat generation when snow retention capacity is exceeded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the thermal parameter of the snow guard by incorporating heating elements (electric heating wires or infrared LEDs) that alter the temperature of the snow guard and accumulated snow, enabling the system to handle excessive snow through controlled melting rather than relying solely on mechanical retention capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If heating elements are added to snow guard tubes, then snow melting capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnow accumulation controlVSAvoidstructural complexity of snow guard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating elements are integrated within the existing snow guard tube structure, merging the snow retention function with the snow melting function into a single unified device. This combination approach adds functionality while minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect snow accumulation and trigger the heating elements, enabling the snow guard to self-regulate snow accumulation without requiring external manual intervention or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If infrared LEDs are used for heating, then energy efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating energy efficiencyVSAvoidassembly complexity of heating components

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces traditional high-power resistive heating elements with infrared LEDs, which convert electrical energy more efficiently into thermal energy through electroluminescence. This substitution improves energy efficiency while the modular nature of LED arrays simplifies integration compared to traditional heating elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Prevents excessive snow accumulation by gradually melting snow and ice, reducing the risk of avalanches and enhancing the durability and versatility of snow guard systems for various roof types.

Implementation Method 1

Infrared LEDs and infrared light sources are typically used where the infrared light can radiate outward into an open space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The inventor reasoned that he could heat the snow guard tubes to prevent excess accumulation of snow and melt ice and snow gradually

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiant heating: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

The pipes or tubes are typically positioned parallel to the length-wise edge of the roof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10954674B2Heated snow guard

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 HEADER GREGORY A

AI summary

A snow guard assembly heated within one or more snow guard tubes. Heating of the snow guard tube prevents excessive accumulation of snow and helps prevent snow build up and spill over above the top of the snow guard. The tubes can be length-wise separable to place and service the heating elements. The heating element can be standard heat tape or infrared LEDs. The snow guard tubes can optionally have a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness to direct the heat more efficiently in a desired orientation. The interior of the snow guard tubes can be selectively coated with infrared absorbing or reflective material to direct the heat in a desired orientation when infrared LEDs are used as a heat source. The snow guard can be attached to many types of roof surfaces including tile roofs, metal roofs with or without standing seams, and shingle roofs.