Segmented Auger Speed Control for Snow Removal Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow removal machines face inefficiencies due to complex structures and high costs, as well as issues with snow ejection and horsepower loss, particularly when using half or full auger widths for snow collection and throwing.
Innovation Solution
A snow removal machine design featuring an auger with snow-collecting units on both sides rotating at a lower speed than the central snow-throwing unit, using a speed reduction mechanism to transmit power, allowing efficient snow collection and discharge without external ejection, and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If snow-collecting units rotate at high speed to stir snow, then snow collection capability is improved, but horsepower loss of driving source increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auger is segmented into snow-collecting units and a snow-throwing unit, each performing different functions at different speeds. The snow-collecting units rotate at lower speeds for efficient snow gathering, while the snow-throwing unit rotates at higher speeds for effective snow ejection, thereby reducing overall horsepower loss while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the auger have different rotational speeds tailored to their specific functions. The snow-collecting units operate at lower speeds appropriate for snow gathering, while the snow-throwing unit operates at higher speeds for snow ejection, optimizing energy efficiency for each local function
2Productivity
If approximately half the auger width is used for snow removal, then work efficiency is improved, but snow is ejected to outside of the snow removal machine
Solution Approach 1:
The auger is divided into snow-collecting units that gather snow toward the center and a separate snow-throwing unit that controls snow ejection. This segmentation allows snow to be collected efficiently from half the auger width while the dedicated snow-throwing unit directs it properly through the chuter, preventing external ejection
Solution Approach 2:
The snow-throwing unit acts as an intermediary between the snow-collecting units and the external environment. It receives snow from the snow-collecting units and controls its discharge through the chuter, preventing direct ejection to the outside while maintaining work efficiency
3Ease of operation
If a driving mechanism is provided for each of blower and auger, then operational control is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The driving mechanisms for the snow-collecting units and the snow-throwing unit are merged into a single integrated drive system. The snow-collecting units are driven by the rotation of the auger shaft, while the snow-throwing unit is driven by the same shaft's rotation, reducing the number of separate driving mechanisms while maintaining operational control
Solution Approach 2:
The auger shaft serves multiple functions: it drives the snow-collecting units for snow gathering and simultaneously drives the snow-throwing unit for snow ejection. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining operational control over both functions
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
This configuration enhances snow removal efficiency by preventing external ejection of snow, improving biting performance into hard snow, and reducing energy consumption while maintaining a simple structure.
Implementation Method 1
a snow-throwing unit located at the center of the auger in the width direction, the snow-throwing unit casting snow collected by the snow-collecting units by a centrifugal force and discharging snow to an outside via a chuter
Data Source
AI summary
A snow removal machine is provided which may prevent ejection of snow collected by a snow-collecting unit to an outside and may perform efficient snow removal. A snow removal machine includes a driving source, an auger housing, a rotating shaft to be driven and rotated by the driving source within the auger housing, and an auger arranged within the auger housing and to be driven and rotated via the rotating shaft, the auger includes snow-collecting blades located on both sides in a width direction of the auger and collecting snow toward a center of the auger in the width direction and a snow-throwing blade located at the center of the auger in the width direction, casting snow collected by the snow-collecting blades by a centrifugal force, and discharging snow to an outside via a chute, and the snow-collecting. blades are rotated at a lower speed than the snow-throwing blade.