Plow Blade Edge Carbide Insert and Impact Bar Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow plow blade edges are prone to damage and corrosion, leading to frequent repairs and replacements due to wear and tear from rough terrain and cold weather, and existing wear shoes are bulky, expensive, and brittle, failing to provide adequate protection.
Innovation Solution
A plow blade edge system featuring a combination of carbide insert blades, steel impact bars, and moldboard shoes with carbide matrix welding deposits, which are integrated into a single unit to reduce wear and enhance durability, allowing for adjustable angles and interlocking impact bars for improved protection and ease of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metallic plow edges (steel) are used, then the plow blade can perform cutting function, but the blade edge is excessively damaged or destroyed due to wear and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a steel moldboard body with carbide inserts at the blade edge. The carbide material provides superior wear and corrosion resistance compared to steel alone, while the steel body maintains structural integrity and cutting functionality. This composite construction resolves the contradiction by protecting the blade edge from harmful wear and corrosion factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying carbide inserts specifically at the blade edge where wear and corrosion occur most severely, rather than making the entire blade from carbide. This localized application of highly wear-resistant material at the critical contact point protects against damage while maintaining the overall structural properties of the steel blade.
2Force
If conventional wear shoes (cast iron) are used to support the blade, then part of the load is supported, but the shoes are prone to fracturing or breakage due to brittleness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces brittle cast iron wear shoes with a composite construction consisting of a steel moldboard shoe body and carbide wear surface. The steel body provides toughness and impact resistance, while the carbide surface provides wear resistance. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between load support capability and impact resistance by combining materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the wear shoe from brittle cast iron to a ductile steel-carbide composite. This parameter change in material composition and structure transforms the shoe's mechanical properties, enabling it to withstand impact forces without fracturing while still supporting the blade load.
3Force
If conventional wear shoes are used, then load support is provided, but the shoes are bulky, expensive to manufacture, and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the moldboard shoe and carbide wear surface into an integrated unit where the carbide is welded or bonded directly to the steel shoe body. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly components and simplifies installation, as the combined unit can be installed as a single piece rather than assembling multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite steel-carbide construction allows for a more compact and efficient shoe design compared to conventional cast iron shoes. The high strength-to-weight ratio of the composite material enables reduced shoe size and complexity while maintaining load support capability.
4Reliability
If frequent repair or replacement of blade edges is performed, then blade performance is maintained, but time and cost are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The carbide inserts provide extended service life to the blade edge due to their superior wear and corrosion resistance. This reduces the frequency of repairs or replacements needed to maintain blade performance, thereby reducing the time and cost associated with maintenance activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables easy replacement of only the carbide inserts when worn, while retaining the steel blade body. This selective replacement approach minimizes material waste and reduces maintenance time compared to replacing entire blade assemblies, allowing efficient recovery and reuse of the durable steel body.
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 significantly reduces blade wear, extends the life of snow plow edges and moldboard shoes, decreases maintenance costs, and provides enhanced protection against abrasion and impact, while allowing for efficient replacement of worn parts.
Implementation Method 1
a wear surface including an abrasion resistant carbide matrix welding deposit filling one or more cavities along, and integrated with, the wear surface
Implementation Method 2
at least one impact bar mounted to a front side of the adapter blade
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a plow blade edge device for mounting to a moldboard of a plow comprising at least one adapter blade including a bottom edge having a carbide insert along at least a portion of the bottom edge. The device further includes at least one moldboard shoe selectively reversible to present the adapter blade at a first angle or a second angle. The device further includes at least one impact bar mounted to a front side of the adapter blade. The at least one moldboard shoe can include a bottom edge having a carbide insert along at least a portion of the bottom edge.