Segmented Snow Plow Cutting Edge with Spring Bias
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional snow plows with fixed cutting edges struggle to effectively remove snow and ice from uneven road surfaces, leading to subpar performance, environmental concerns due to salt usage, and high maintenance costs, as they fail to adapt to cambered roads, obstacles, and varying road conditions.
Innovation Solution
A modular snow plow cutting edge device with independently removable and replaceable cutting edge attachments, featuring an adapter plate, cover retaining plates, springs, and cutting edges that can move vertically or tilt to maintain contact with the road surface, allowing for independent adjustment to varying road conditions without modifying existing snow plows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed blade arrangement is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot adapt to uneven road surfaces and performs poorly
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting edge is divided into multiple independent segments that can move relative to each other. Each segment is mounted on individual support structures with springs, allowing them to independently adapt to road surface variations while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade structure transitions from a fixed arrangement to a dynamic one where cutting edge segments can move vertically and tilt independently. Springs provide the necessary compliance, allowing the blade to conform to uneven surfaces while maintaining contact during operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing snow plows are modified to improve road surface adaptation, then adaptability increases, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter plate is designed with universal mounting features that fit standard snow plow moldboards without requiring custom modifications. The same adapter plate design can be used across different plow sizes and configurations, simplifying manufacturing and installation while maintaining adaptability to uneven surfaces.
3Ease of repair
If cutting edges are made removable and replaceable, then maintenance ease improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting edge is segmented into modular sections that can be independently removed and replaced. Each segment is attached to the adapter plate through standardized mounting mechanisms, allowing quick replacement of only the worn portion rather than the entire cutting edge assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting edge segments are designed to be easily extracted from the adapter plate mounting system. The cover retaining plates and fasteners provide a simple release mechanism that allows operators to remove and replace cutting edges without specialized tools or complex disassembly procedures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cutting edges are made independently movable, then adaptability to road conditions improves, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each cutting edge segment is mounted on individual support structures with springs that allow independent vertical movement and tilting. This dynamic configuration enables each segment to independently respond to local road surface variations while maintaining simple mechanical connections through bushings and fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting edge segments can change their position parameters (vertical height and tilt angle) independently in response to road surface variations. The spring-mounted support structures provide the necessary compliance, allowing parameter changes without complex mechanical actuation systems.
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 solution enhances snow and ice removal efficiency, reduces environmental impact, and lowers maintenance costs by allowing each cutting edge to be easily installed, repaired, or replaced, while adapting to uneven surfaces and obstacles, thereby improving road clearance and extending equipment lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of springs bias the cutting edge toward the road surface so that the bottom edge of the cutting edge maintains contact with the road surface
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge coupling for coupling a snow plow blade assembly to a moldboard of a snow plow includes a spring having a first and second legs, a plow mount portion, and a blade mount portion. The plow mount portion includes first and second side plates having respective hinge barrels thereon. A plow mounting plate extends between the first and second side plates and is secured to the moldboard. A spring plate extends between the first and second side plates and includes a recess for receiving the first leg of the spring. The blade mount portion includes a pin extending between the first and second side plates; the pin being rotatably received within the hinge barrels. A blade mounting plate is secured to the pin while the second leg of the spring is coupled to the blade mounting plate. The blade mount portion is rotatably moveable relative to the plow mount portion.