Rounded Snow Plow Cutting Edge Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing snow plow cutting edges, particularly those with rectangular or sharp angles, tend to get caught on cracks and irregular surfaces, causing damage and vibration, and their attachment methods often require drilling into hardened steel or welding, which is difficult and poses safety hazards due to the risk of the edge dislodging and becoming a sharp vibrating edge.

Innovation Solution

A rounded cutting edge with a cylindrical shape that attaches to the mold board or existing cutting edges using existing mounting holes, made of materials like polyurethane, rubber, or steel, without the need for drilling or welding, ensuring even wear and reducing vibration and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional rectangular or sharp-edged cutting edges are used, then they can be easily manufactured and attached, but they get caught on cracks and irregular surfaces causing damage and vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufacturing cutting edgeVSAvoiddamage to surfaces and vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting edge is designed with a rounded cylindrical shape instead of traditional rectangular or sharp edges. This curvature allows the blade to bounce over and glide across irregular surfaces, cracks, and debris without getting caught, thereby reducing vibration and preventing damage to both the cutting edge and the surface being plowed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If drilling holes in hardened steel is used for attachment, then the cutting edge can be securely attached, but it is difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment of cutting edgeVSAvoidtime for drilling and attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A mounting bracket serves as an intermediary component between the cutting edge and the mold board. The bracket attaches to the mold board using existing mounting holes and bolts, eliminating the need to drill new holes in hardened steel. This intermediary solution provides secure attachment while significantly reducing installation time and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If welding is used for attachment, then the cutting edge can be securely attached, but it poses safety hazards due to risk of dislodgement and vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment of cutting edgeVSAvoidsafety hazards from dislodged edge

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into multiple components: the cutting edge, mounting brackets, and bolts. This segmentation allows for secure mechanical fastening through multiple attachment points rather than relying on a single welded joint, reducing the risk of complete dislodgement and eliminating safety hazards associated with welding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional cutting edges are used, then they can be made from various materials, but they cause significant road and surface damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariability of materialsVSAvoidroad and surface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded cylindrical shape of the cutting edge fundamentally changes its interaction with surfaces. Instead of sharp edges that cut and rip into pavement, cracks, and turf, the curved surface distributes contact forces and allows the blade to bounce over irregularities, dramatically reducing damage to roads, driveways, and landscapes while maintaining versatility in material selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 rounded cutting edge design reduces friction and wear, prolongs equipment life, minimizes road damage, and eliminates safety hazards by maintaining its shape and effectiveness throughout its usage, requiring less frequent replacement and reducing vibration and damage to surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

The rounded cutting edge will generate less friction than traditional edges and thus will cause less vibration to the plow blade and vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The speed at which the plow is moving, combined with the angle of the blade and weight of the vehicle and plow blade, will generate enough force to remove the material being plowed from the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS10113282B2Cutting edge attachment for snow plow

Publication Date: 2018.10.30 NORDIC AUTO PLOW LLC DBA NORDIC PLOW LLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a rounded edge“cutting edge” blade that attaches either directly to the bottom of a plow blade mold board or that attaches to the front side of a traditional cutting edge blade that is already mounted to the mold board using the existing mounting bolts and holes already present. The rounded edge of the blade, when making contact with the ground surface, will not get caught on cracks or irregular surfaces. The rounded edge can be made of steel, polyurethane, rubber or other appropriate composite material and the thickness can vary depending upon the blade and vehicle being mounted to.