Snow Shovel with Pivotable Blade and Adjustable Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow-clearing devices are cumbersome and dangerous for users, especially elderly or frail individuals, as they require cumbersome frame rotation and lack adaptability to varying ground and snow conditions, making it difficult to push, pick up, and unload snow efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A snow-clearing device with a pivotable snow shovel and adjustable wheels, allowing for different positional configurations to adapt to various conditions and tasks, featuring handles for stability and ergonomic operation, with adjustable wheel positions and linkage mechanisms for easy snow handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire frame is rotated about its axis to adapt to different conditions and activities, then the device can be adapted to various ground and snow conditions, but the operation becomes cumbersome and dangerous for users, especially elderly or frail people
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the adaptation function from the frame rotation to individual component adjustments. The shovel can be pivoted independently about a horizontal axis, and wheels can be moved independently, allowing adaptation without rotating the entire frame. This segmentation enables localized adjustments that maintain overall frame stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic adjustability through the pivotable shovel mechanism and movable wheels. The shovel can be pivoted to different positions (pushing position, picking up position, unloading position) while the frame remains stable. This dynamic adjustment of individual components provides adaptability without the instability of full frame rotation.
2Ease of operation
If the shovel is fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but picking up and unloading snow becomes difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The shovel is made dynamically adjustable through a pivot mechanism about a horizontal axis. This allows the shovel to be positioned in different orientations (for pushing, picking up, or unloading snow) while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure. The pivot mechanism enables functional versatility without requiring complex multi-component systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wheels are fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot be adapted to different ground conditions and activities
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel positioning system is segmented into independently movable wheels that can be adjusted relative to the frame. This allows individual wheels to be positioned according to ground conditions and activities without requiring complex centralized control mechanisms. Each wheel can be moved independently to optimize device performance for specific tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheels are designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing them to be moved to different positions relative to the frame. This dynamic adjustment enables the device to adapt to varying ground conditions and operational requirements while maintaining a simple overall structure. The movable wheels provide adaptability through straightforward mechanical adjustment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the shovel cannot be pivoted about a horizontal axis, then the device structure is simple, but snow picking up and unloading becomes difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The shovel incorporates a pivot mechanism that allows rotation about a horizontal axis, enabling it to assume different positions for pushing, picking up, and unloading snow. This single pivot degree of freedom provides comprehensive snow handling capability while adding minimal complexity to the device structure. The pivot mechanism is integrated into the existing frame-shovel connection.
Data Source
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AI summary
The snow clearing equipment (1) has a frame (2), where a snow shovel (5) is provided for shifting or receiving of snow. A wheel (6) is provided for supporting the frame. The position of the wheel is changed with respect to the frame or with respect to the shovel.