Pivoting Plow Wing Linkage for Obstacle Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow plows with pivoting wings lack efficient mechanisms for adjusting wing angles during blade pivoting, leading to suboptimal snow removal performance, especially when encountering obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A plow assembly with a connecting member, such as a single link rod, resilient connecting member, or cam and follower mechanism, that allows the plow wing to pivot relative to the blade, adjusting its angle based on the blade's position, and includes a mechanism to retract when encountering obstacles, ensuring effective snow removal and obstacle clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical or hydraulic mechanism is used to pivot the trailing wing from the forwardly angled position to the aligned position as the blade end pivots toward the vehicle, then the wing can adjust its angle during blade pivoting, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the trailing wing from the blade structure and mounts it separately to the vehicle, allowing it to be controlled independently through the connecting member without requiring complex mechanisms on the blade itself
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member acts as an intermediary element between the vehicle and the trailing wing, providing a simple mechanical linkage that automatically adjusts the wing position based on blade movement without requiring complex control systems
2Productivity
If the wing is kept in a forwardly angled position relative to the plow blade during snow removal, then snow removal efficiency is improved, but the wing cannot safely clear obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The trailing wing transitions from a static forwardly angled position to a dynamic position that changes automatically with blade movement. The wing can be in the forwardly angled position during snow removal for efficiency, then pivot to the aligned position when the blade pivots toward the vehicle for obstacle clearance
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member provides mechanical feedback that automatically responds to blade position changes. When the blade pivots toward the vehicle, the connecting member automatically pivots the trailing wing to the aligned position, and when the blade returns to center, the wing returns to the forwardly angled position
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 solution enables improved snow removal efficiency by optimizing wing angles during blade pivoting and allows for safe passage over obstacles, enhancing the plow's operational performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the first resilient connecting member shortens to allow the first plow wing to pivot toward the plow support until such time as the first plow wing no longer contacts the obstacle at which time the first resilient connecting member lengthens to pivot the first plow wing away from the plow support
Data Source
AI summary
A plow assembly for attachment to a vehicle, the vehicle having a longitudinal axis, comprises a plow blade having first and second ends, a first plow wing pivotally mounted to the first end of the plow blade, a plow support adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, the plow blade being pivotally mounted to the plow support to permit the plow blade to pivot relative to the vehicle between a center position, where the plow blade is positioned generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and a first position, where the first end of the plow blade is pivoted toward the vehicle, and between the center position and a second position, where the second end of the plow blade is pivoted toward the vehicle, and either a single link rod, a resilient connecting member, or a cam and follower mechanism connected to the first plow wing and to the plow support and configured to pivot the first plow wing relative to the plow blade during pivoting of the plow blade relative to the vehicle such that when the plow blade is in the center position the first plow wing is angled forwardly relative to the plow blade, when the plow blade is in the first position the first plow wing is generally parallel to the plow blade, and when the plow blade is in the second position the first plow wing is angled forwardly relative to the plow blade.