Hinged Plow Blade With Spring-Biased Trip Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snowplow blades face challenges in navigating hidden obstacles, leading to potential damage and safety issues due to the inability to adjust to different vehicle geometries, resulting in inefficient manufacturing and inventory management.
Innovation Solution
A modular materials moving blade system with articulating wing sections, spring-biased scraper blades, and a universal mounting panel, allowing for angular adjustment and easy interchangeability, along with a hydraulic actuator for wing control and a semi-elliptical hinge mechanism for improved obstacle navigation and versatile vehicle mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed, non-articulating plow blade is used, then the blade structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the blade cannot adapt to different vehicle geometries and is prone to damage when encountering hidden obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The plow blade is divided into multiple independent articulating sections (main blade and wing blades) that can pivot relative to each other. Each section is connected through hinge mechanisms that allow independent movement, enabling the blade to adapt its configuration to different vehicle geometries while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The blade transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure where wing blades can pivot and adjust their position relative to the main blade. This dynamic capability allows the blade to adapt to various vehicle configurations and terrain conditions without requiring completely different blade designs for each application
2Reliability
If a rigid, non-articulating blade is used, then manufacturing and inventory management are simplified, but the blade cannot absorb impact forces and causes damage to the vehicle and operator
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating hinge mechanisms are pre-configured with spring-loaded trip mechanisms that allow the blade sections to pivot backward upon encountering hidden obstacles. This beforehand cushioning capability absorbs impact forces by converting them into rotational movement of the blade sections, preventing direct transmission of shock forces to the vehicle and operator
Solution Approach 2:
The impact force from hitting hidden obstacles is converted from a harmful shock load into a beneficial rotational movement that triggers the articulation mechanism. The wing blades pivot backward upon impact, absorbing the energy and then returning to position, transforming the harmful impact into a protective response that safeguards the vehicle and operator
3Reliability
If the entire plow blade pivots when encountering an obstacle, then impact is absorbed, but the blade cannot selectively articulate and the top of the blade pivots forward causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is segmented into independently articulating sections with separate hinge mechanisms. When an obstacle is encountered, only the affected wing blade pivors backward while the main blade and other wing blades remain stable. This segmentation prevents the entire blade from pivoting forward, maintaining overall blade stability while still absorbing impact through localized articulation
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation capability is localized to specific hinge points at the base of each wing blade rather than being distributed throughout the entire blade structure. This local quality allows impact absorption at the point of contact while maintaining the structural integrity and stability of the rest of the blade assembly
4Adaptability or versatility
If custom blades are manufactured for each vehicle type, then optimal performance is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and inventory costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated blade design with standardized hinge mechanisms and mounting interfaces creates a universal blade system that can be adapted to multiple vehicle types. The same basic blade assembly can serve different vehicles by adjusting the articulation settings and mounting positions, eliminating the need to manufacture completely different blades for each vehicle type while maintaining optimal performance
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic articulation capability allows a single blade design to adapt its configuration for different vehicle geometries and applications. Rather than requiring static custom designs for each vehicle, the articulated blade can be adjusted and reconfigured to optimize performance across various vehicle platforms, simplifying manufacturing and inventory management
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 system effectively minimizes damage from obstacles by allowing the blade to adjust and absorb impact, reduces manufacturing complexity by accommodating various vehicle geometries, and simplifies inventory management through modular design and universal mounting.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of spring biased trip blades supported by a hinge axis along the lower edge of the materials engaging panel
Implementation Method 2
The plow blade may strike the obstruction with significant force, which is then transferred rearward from the plow blade to the plow assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A materials moving blade (1) comprising a main blade (3) having a materials engaging surface extending bounded by a first end, a second end, a top edge (37) and a lower edge (39) defining a hinge axis, a plurality of trip blades (9) supported at the lower edge (39) of the main blade (3) and a universal mounting panel having a plurality of holes in the mounting panel for accommodating different mounting system geometries.