Heated Textile Snow Removal Tent with Sensor Activation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Shoveling snow can lead to increased blood pressure and heart rate, and the cold environment can reduce oxygen to the heart, making snow-clearing a hazardous activity, especially for those not in peak health, due to the combination of physical exertion and cold weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A tent with a textile material and integrated heating system, activated by a snow sensor, which melts snow upon contact, reducing the need for manual snow removal and minimizing health risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual snow removal methods (shoveling, snow blowers) are used, then snow can be cleared from surfaces, but physical exertion increases blood pressure and heart rate while cold air constricts blood vessels reducing oxygen to the heart
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical snow removal (shoveling) and heavy equipment (snow blowers) with a heating system that uses thermal energy to melt snow. The heating elements integrated into the tent structure convert electrical energy to heat, which is transferred to the ground surface to melt snow accumulation, eliminating the need for physical exertion and associated health risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the ground surface by applying heat through heating elements. By raising the surface temperature above freezing point, snow melts automatically. The system includes temperature sensors and controllers that monitor and adjust the heating parameters to maintain optimal melting conditions while energy efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a heating system is integrated into the tent to melt snow, then snow accumulation is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating system with the tent structure by integrating heating elements directly into the tent fabric or frame. The heating components are combined with the enclosure, support structures, and control systems in a unified design, eliminating the need for separate ground-based heating equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system is equipped with automatic snow detection sensors that trigger heating only when snow is detected, and temperature sensors that automatically regulate heating intensity. The system self-manages operation without requiring external control, adjusting power consumption based on actual snow conditions and preventing overheating.
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 tent effectively prevents snow accumulation by melting falling snow, thereby reducing the physical strain and health risks associated with snow-clearing activities, ensuring safer and healthier winter maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating system configured and disposed to heat the textile material
Implementation Method 2
melts falling snow upon contact
Data Source
AI summary
A tent for snow removal is provided. The tent comprises a tunnel portion comprised of a textile material. The tent further includes a front opening at a front side of the tunnel portion, a rear opening at a rear side of the tunnel portion, an enclosure affixed to the tunnel portion, a snow sensor mounted to the enclosure, wherein the snow sensor is configured and disposed to generate an electrical signal in response to snow contacting the sensor, and a heating system configured and disposed to heat the textile material, where the heating system is configured and disposed to be activated upon reception of the electrical signal.