Modular Vehicle Roof Snow Scraper for Easy Assembly and Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow and ice removal systems for vehicle roofs are large, cumbersome, and require significant space and resources for assembly and operation, making them impractical for small businesses and inefficient in terms of time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A modular snow and ice remover system composed of a frame assembled from a limited number of modular pieces, allowing for easy disassembly and reassembly, and featuring a movable plow assembly and ballast system that can be operated with standard equipment, reducing the need for heavy machinery and specialized labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional large-scale snow scraper structure is used, then snow and ice removal capability is sufficient, but the structure occupies significant space and requires heavy machinery for assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The snow scraper structure is divided into multiple modular components including vertical supports, horizontal cross-members, and a removable scraper assembly. Each component can be independently manufactured, transported, and assembled, eliminating the need for heavy machinery during assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper assembly is designed to be removable and reconfigurable, allowing the structure to transition between a complete operational state and a reduced storage state. This dynamic configuration enables easy storage in limited spaces while maintaining full functionality when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable snow scraper structure is used, then storage flexibility is improved, but the structure becomes heavy and requires specialized equipment for relocation
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is segmented into lightweight modular components that can be easily disconnected and reconnected. This segmentation reduces the weight of individual pieces that need to be moved, allowing standard equipment rather than specialized heavy machinery to handle relocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for temporary disassembly where components can be separated for storage or transport, then recovered and reassembled when needed. This approach enables flexible storage without requiring the entire structure to be moved as one heavy unit.
3Ease of manufacture
If snow and ice removal is done manually by workers, then equipment cost is reduced, but worker safety risks increase due to height and slipping hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The snow scraper is designed to be self-supported through its modular frame structure with integrated ballast systems, eliminating the need for workers to manually position or stabilize the equipment during operation. The structure serves itself by maintaining stability through its own design features rather than requiring human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular ballast system acts as an intermediary between the scraper structure and the ground, providing stable support and preventing slipping hazards. This intermediate element ensures safety without requiring workers to be in dangerous positions during operation.
4Productivity
If snow and ice is not removed from vehicle roofs, then operational time is saved, but fuel consumption increases and safety risks arise from falling snow slabs
Solution Approach 1:
The snow scraper is designed for rapid deployment and quick operation, allowing snow and ice to be removed from vehicle roofs before vehicles depart or before loading operations begin. This preliminary action prevents the energy loss from increased fuel consumption and eliminates safety hazards from falling snow.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper assembly can be quickly positioned and adjusted to match different vehicle roof heights and configurations, enabling efficient removal operations across various vehicle types without significant setup time, thus maintaining productivity while ensuring safety.
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle snow and ice removers are disclosed. An example vehicle and ice remover includes a plurality of first modular frames, where the first modular frames have a first shape and a plurality of second modular frames, where the second modular frames have a second shape different than the first shape. The first modular frames and the second modular frames are connected to form a first side frame, a second side frame opposite the first side frame, and a cross frame connecting the first side frame and the second side frame.