Portable Wheeled Snow Melter With Circulation System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow melting devices are large and industrial-scale, making them impractical for residential and commercial use, as they require heavy machinery and lack a portable solution for homeowners to melt snow on-site without transporting it.
Innovation Solution
A portable, wheeled snow melting device with a tankless water heater and circulation system that uses heated water to melt snow, recycling the melted water to continuously melt additional snow, eliminating the need for manual transportation and equipped with drain tubes to manage excess water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large industrial-scale snow melting devices are used, then snow melting capability is improved, but device portability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into functional modules: a hopper for snow intake, a water circulation system with pump and heater, spray nozzles for water application, and drain tubes for water removal. This modular segmentation enables the system to maintain industrial-level snow melting capability while reducing overall device complexity and improving portability for residential and commercial use.
2Productivity
If snow is transported to another location, then snow removal is achieved, but labor effort and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Water serves as an intermediary substance in this invention. Instead of transporting snow directly, the system sprays water onto the snow in the hopper to melt it, transforming solid snow into liquid water that can then be drained away. This intermediary water-based melting process eliminates the need for mechanical snow transportation, significantly reducing labor effort and time consumption while maintaining high snow removal efficiency.
3Productivity
If heated water circulation system is implemented, then snow melting efficiency is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water circulation system operates continuously, with water being pumped from the hopper, heated by the heating element, sprayed back onto the snow for melting, and then recirculated. This continuous circulation maximizes snow melting efficiency by constantly applying heat and fresh water to the snow. The system manages complexity through efficient integration of the pump, heater, and spray nozzles into a cohesive circulation loop that maintains optimal operating conditions throughout the snow melting process.
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
Enables efficient on-site snow melting for residential and commercial users, reducing the effort and space required for snow removal by allowing snow to be melted in place, using a compact and durable design suitable for standard shovels and small-scale applications.
Implementation Method 1
a water heater...heated water is directed from the water line via the nozzles onto the snow within the housing to melt the same
Implementation Method 2
heated water is directed from the water line via the nozzles onto the snow within the housing to melt the same
Implementation Method 3
a heated water circulation system...snow is melted in the housing and dispensed as a liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A snow melting device is provided that is suitable for residential or commercial use. The device comprises a wheeled hand cart having a housing that is partitioned into a first portion and a second portion. Snow to be cleared is deposited into the first portion and melted using hot water dispensed from a water circulating system and spray nozzles disposed about the housing periphery. The snow is melted and circulated through the water circulating system, which includes a hot water heater, a water pump, fuel supply reservoirs, a motor to drive the pump, and a water line that communicates heated water from the hot water heater to the nozzles. Snow is melted as it is shoveled into the device, and overflow water exits the housing through drain tubes at a given water level. The device eliminates having to transport or carry snow from an area being cleared.