Self-Supported Boom for Cold Air Blower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cold air blowers have a boom that is supported on a track in front of the vehicle, obstructing the operator's view and limiting the boom's ability to be moved from a front operating position to a rear stowed position, restricting its functionality and usability.
Innovation Solution
A self-supported boom that can be rotated between multiple operating positions and a stowed position, featuring a turret for rotation, adjustable vertical discharge tube, and an airflow diverter to manage airflow without shutting down the engine, allowing for enhanced operational flexibility and unobstructed views during use and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the boom is supported on a track in front of the vehicle, then the boom is stable and supported, but the operator's view is obstructed and the boom cannot be moved to a rear stowed position
Solution Approach 1:
The boom support function is extracted from the front track-mounted structure and transferred to a rear-mounted turret system. This removes the obstructing support structure from the operator's field of view while maintaining boom stability through the turret's rotational and positioning capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The boom positioning system transitions from a fixed front-mounted single-plane support to a rear-mounted multi-axis rotational system. The turret provides rotation in multiple dimensions, allowing the boom to be positioned in various orientations including front, rear, left, and right positions, thereby solving both the obstruction problem and enabling versatile positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the boom is fixed in a front operating position, then the nozzle can direct airflow in front of the vehicle, but the boom cannot be rotated to rear stowed position or additional operating positions
Solution Approach 1:
The boom system transitions from a fixed static position to a dynamic multi-position configuration. The turret-mounted boom can be rotated and positioned in multiple orientations (front, rear, left, right) depending on operational requirements, providing adaptability while the ability to rotate to rear positions eliminates view obstruction during transport.
3Device complexity
If the vertical discharge tube is positioned in front of the vehicle cab, then the boom structure is simplified, but the operator's view is restricted during roadway operations and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge tube position becomes dynamic rather than fixed. The tube can be positioned in front of the cab during operational phases for simplified structure, and rotated to a rear position during transport phases to clear the operator's view, with the turret system enabling this positional change.
Data Source
AI summary
A cold air blower for removing debris from a ground surface that includes a boom rotatable between multiple operating positions and a stowed position. The boom is mounted to a power unit mounted to the vehicle chassis such that the boom is rotatable between at least a front-facing, operating position and a rear-facing stowed position. The boom includes a top tube and a discharge tube that includes a discharge nozzle. The combination of the top tube and the discharge tube are rotatable about the power unit such that the discharge tube is positioned behind the midpoint of the vehicle chassis in the stowed position. The nozzle on the discharge tube can be operated to automatically and continuously rotate between a first pan position and a second pan position. The boom can be rotated between opposite first and second side positions that extend perpendicular to the vehicle axis in opposite directions.