Laterally Shiftable Plow Frame for Road Shoulder Clearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snow plows face challenges in maintaining center alignment on roads while clearing snow from shoulders, leading to an uncomfortable and dangerous ride due to tire contact with rumble strips or depressions.
Innovation Solution
A side shift push frame assembly with a bracket attached to a vehicle, a rotatable frame, a mold board support beam, and an actuator that allows the mold board to shift laterally while maintaining the frame's position, utilizing resilient force assemblies and slide shafts to keep the mold board centered and aligned with the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the snow plow is used to clear snow from road shoulders, then the plowing capability is improved, but the vehicle stability deteriorates due to tire contact with rumble strips or road edges
Solution Approach 1:
The plow system is divided into two independent functional components: a fixed frame attached to the vehicle that maintains stability, and a movable mold board that can be laterally shifted to clear snow from road shoulders. This segmentation allows the vehicle to remain stable while the plow performs shoulder clearing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold board is designed with lateral shift capability through slide shafts and resilient force assemblies, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position relative to the vehicle. This enables the mold board to reach road shoulders for plowing while the vehicle itself remains centered and stable on the main roadway.
2Productivity
If the vehicle is positioned to clear snow from road shoulders, then the plowing effectiveness is improved, but the driver safety deteriorates due to proximity to gullies or depressions
Solution Approach 1:
The plowing function is separated from the vehicle positioning function. The fixed frame keeps the vehicle centered on the safe driving lane, while the laterally shiftable mold board extends the plowing reach to road shoulders without requiring the vehicle to move into dangerous positions near gullies or depressions.
3Area of stationary object
If the mold board is laterally shifted to clear road shoulders, then the plowing coverage is improved, but the vehicle center alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the vehicle positioning function (fixed frame maintaining center alignment) from the plowing function (movable mold board providing lateral coverage). This allows the mold board to shift left or right to clear road shoulders while the vehicle remains properly positioned in the center of the driving lane.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed frame acts as an intermediary between the vehicle and the laterally shifting mold board. It provides a stable mounting point that allows the mold board to move laterally for extended plowing coverage while the frame itself remains fixed to maintain the vehicle's center alignment.
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
Enables the snow plow to clear snow from road shoulders without deviating from the driving lane, improving driver and vehicle safety by maintaining the vehicle's center position and reducing contact with road edges.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient force assembly including at least one resilient member configured to impart a force on the mold board
Data Source
AI summary
A side shift push frame assembly including a bracket arranged on a first side and configured to be attached to a vehicle, a frame configured to be attached to the bracket, a mold board support beam arranged on the frame on a side opposite to the bracket, and configured to be attached to a mold board. An actuator is configured to be attached to the mold board for moving the mold board in a lateral direction relative to the frame while the frame remains in a fixed position.