Removable Snow Plow Hitch with Spring-Loaded Blade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow plows are inconvenient for individuals due to their weight, complexity, and requirement for professional installation and maintenance, making them difficult to attach and remove from vehicles, and often necessitate permanent installation, which is inefficient for personal use.
Innovation Solution
A snow plow towing hitch system comprising a connecting bar, a vertical support bar, a plow blade, and a spring that allows for easy attachment and removal from a vehicle hitch, enabling a single individual to plow snow safely from a warm vehicle, with adjustable angle options and the ability to convert the plow blade into a manual shovel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a snow plow is mounted to the front of a vehicle, then snow removal effectiveness is improved, but the vehicle requires large horsepower and front wheel drive, increasing complexity and limiting applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The snow plow system is divided into separate components: a removable plow assembly that can be detached from the vehicle. This segmentation allows the plow to be used only when needed, eliminating the need for permanent installation and reducing vehicle complexity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The plow assembly is designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable from the vehicle hitch receiver. This dynamic configuration allows the system to transition between being attached (for snow removal) and detached (for storage or non-snow conditions), providing flexibility without requiring permanent modification to the vehicle.
2Productivity
If a snow plow is professionally installed with complicated machinery and wiring, then snow removal capability is improved, but attachment and removal become difficult, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The plow assembly is segmented into removable components that can be easily attached and detached without professional installation. The simplified connection system eliminates complicated machinery and wiring, allowing users to install and remove the plow themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The plow assembly is designed for self-service installation and removal by the vehicle owner without requiring professional technicians. The simple attachment mechanism enables users to perform maintenance and storage operations independently.
3Reliability
If a snow plow is permanently installed on a vehicle, then snow removal consistency is improved, but flexibility for storage and transport is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The plow assembly transitions from a permanent installation to a dynamic, removable configuration. It can be attached to the vehicle hitch receiver when snow removal is needed and detached for storage or transport, providing both reliability during use and flexibility when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The plow assembly can be temporarily discarded (removed from the vehicle) when not in use and recovered (reattached) when needed. This reversible attachment allows the system to be stored in a garage or transported separately, providing flexibility while maintaining readiness for snow removal.
4Productivity
If a heavy snow plow is used for effective snow removal, then plowing performance is improved, but weight makes it difficult for a single individual to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The plow assembly is segmented into lighter-weight components that can be more easily handled by a single individual. The removable design allows the user to manage the weight distribution and make adjustments without requiring multiple people or heavy equipment.
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 provides a lightweight, compact, and easy-to-use snow plow that can be quickly attached and removed, allowing for efficient snow removal while remaining flexible in angle adjustments and enabling storage when not in use, thus addressing the inefficiencies of prior snow plows.
Implementation Method 1
a spring attached to the stopper and the stopper arm, the spring being in tension to vertically orient the plow blade
Data Source
AI summary
A snow plow towing hitch system removably attached to an existing vehicle hitch which is lightweight and compact to allow an individual to attach the snow plow towing hitch system to a vehicle hitch when needed and to remove and store it when not in use. The snow plow towing hitch system includes a connecting bar connected to a vehicle hitch, a vertical support bar attached to the connecting bar, a plow blade rotatably attached to the vertical support bar, and a spring attached to the vertical support bar and the plow blade to limit rotation of the plow blade. Another alternate embodiment of the snow plow towing hitch system comes in a kit form allowing the user to easily assemble the snow plow towing hitch for use and to disassemble for storage or to use portions as a snow shovel.