Plow Linkage Spring Tension Breakaway

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plow linkages can damage the plow or vehicle when encountering obstructions, especially in snowy conditions where obstructions are hard to notice due to the obscured ground surface, and articulating blades increase manufacturing and maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A linkage assembly for a plow assembly that includes a first and second elongate member with couplers and a spring element under tension, allowing the linkage to extend along its longitudinal axis and move from a primary operating position to a breakaway position when encountering an obstruction, thereby absorbing impact and reducing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid linkage is used to couple the vehicle to the plow, then the plow can be securely coupled to the vehicle, but the plow or vehicle can be damaged when encountering obstructions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling strengthVSAvoiddamage from obstructions

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The linkage is designed to transition from a rigid static structure to a dynamic system that can extend and absorb impacts. The elongate members are configured to extend along the longitudinal axis when force is applied, allowing the linkage to adapt its rigidity based on operating conditions - rigid during normal operation for secure coupling, and flexible when encountering obstructions to prevent damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element is pre-loaded in a compressed state between the first and second elongate members, creating a cushioning mechanism before any obstruction is encountered. This pre-compressed spring stores potential energy that is released to absorb impact forces when the plow hits an obstruction, preventing damage to the plow or vehicle while maintaining secure coupling during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an articulating blade is used to allow the plow to yield when encountering obstructions, then damage can be avoided, but the manufacturing and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage from obstructionsVSAvoidmanufacturing and maintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The linkage is segmented into separate elongate members that can move relative to each other along the longitudinal axis. This segmentation allows the first and second elongate members to extend and compress independently, enabling the linkage to yield when encountering obstructions without requiring a complex articulating blade mechanism, thus reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The linkage changes its physical parameters (length and rigidity) dynamically in response to external forces. When the plow encounters an obstruction, the spring element compresses further and the elongate members extend, changing the linkage's effective length and rigidity parameters to absorb impact. This parameter change allows the plow to yield without the complexity of an articulating blade.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the linkage is made rigid to maintain stable operation, then the plow can be reliably positioned, but the plow cannot absorb impact from obstructions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelinkage stabilityVSAvoidimpact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The linkage transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with controlled mobility. The elongate members are designed to extend along the longitudinal axis only when force is applied from an obstruction, while maintaining stable positioning during normal plow operation. This dynamic behavior allows the linkage to maintain stability when needed and absorb impact when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-compressed spring element creates a cushioning mechanism that activates only when the plow encounters an obstruction. During normal operation, the spring maintains a compressed state that provides stable linkage positioning. When impact occurs, the spring can compress further to absorb the shock, allowing the linkage to maintain stability during operation while protecting against impact damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 linkage assembly effectively reduces damage to the plow and vehicle by allowing the plow to absorb impact from obstructions, maintaining functionality while potentially lowering maintenance and manufacturing costs compared to articulating blade designs.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element coupled to each of the first and second elongate members and operable to urge the first linkage coupler toward the second linkage coupler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

with a spring under tension that urges the linkage toward a primary operating position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentUS11828031B2Plow assembly linkage

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 WEIHL RICKY A

AI summary

A linkage for an implement is provided for connection to a vehicle. The linkage may be configured to allow extension of the linkage along its longitudinal axis, with a spring under tension that urges the linkage toward a primary operating position.