Segmented Scraper Blade with Adaptive Bias Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snowplow blades with rigid edges are inefficient in cleaning irregular and obstructed roadway surfaces, leading to incomplete removal of frozen materials, increased de-icing chemical use, and potential damage from obstructions.
Innovation Solution
A scraper blade device with independently movable and pivotable blade segments, biased by first and second bias mechanisms, allowing for adaptive engagement with varying surface heights and temporary tripping over obstructions to maintain contact and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rigid snowplow blade is used to clean roadway surfaces, then the blade structure is simple and strong, but the cleaning efficiency is low and de-icing chemical use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into multiple independent blade segments that can move relative to each other, allowing each segment to adapt to local surface variations and maintain contact with the roadway, thereby improving cleaning efficiency and reducing the need for de-icing chemicals
Solution Approach 2:
The blade segments are made dynamically movable through bias mechanisms that allow them to independently adjust their positions in response to surface irregularities, enabling the blade to conform to varying roadway heights and maintain effective cleaning contact
2Area of stationary object
If a rigid snowplow blade is used to maximize cleaning width, then the blade coverage is maximized, but the blade cannot adapt to surface height variations
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is segmented into multiple independent units that can move relative to each other, allowing the overall blade structure to maintain wide coverage while each segment independently adapts to local surface height variations
Solution Approach 2:
Each blade segment has the capability to independently adjust its position according to local surface conditions, while the entire blade assembly maintains its wide coverage function, combining global coverage with local adaptability
3Strength
If a rigid snowplow blade is used to push frozen materials, then the blade structure is simple, but the blade and roadway surface can be damaged by obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The blade segments are designed to be dynamically movable rather than fixed, allowing them to pivot away from obstructions upon impact while maintaining overall blade strength through the bias mechanisms that control their movement
4Productivity
If blade segments are made independently movable to improve surface contact, then cleaning efficiency increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into modular segments with standardized bias mechanisms, where each segment is independently movable but follows a simple, repeatable design pattern that limits overall system complexity while enabling improved surface contact
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
Enhances cleaning efficiency from 40% to 80%, reduces de-icing chemical use, minimizes damage to the blade and roadway, and lowers maintenance costs while improving road safety and fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the bottom edges being biased towards a downward working position by a plurality of first bias mechanisms, the bottom edges being also pivotally movable between a forward working position and a rearward tripped position... the bottom edges being biased towards the forward working position by at least one second bias mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
The scraper blade device is provided for cleaning a surface, for instance a roadway surface, when moving in a forward direction relative to the surface. The scraper blade device includes an upper blade portion and a bottom blade portion. The bottom blade portion has a plurality of widthwise-disposed blade segments that are adjoined and juxtaposed to one another. The bottom edge of each blade segment is independently slidingly movable in an up and down movement out of alignment with reference to the bottom edge of the other blade segments and is biased towards a downward working direction. The bottom edge of the blade segments is also pivotally movable with reference to the surface to be cleaned about a pivot axis that is substantially parallel to the lowermost edge of the scraper blade device. The bottom edges is biased towards a forward working position.