Skid Shoe Assembly for Snow Thrower Auger Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snow throwers often mar or deface surfaces due to the auger housing scraping against the ground as it slides, leading to surface damage and potential rust stains when stored.
Innovation Solution
A skid shoe assembly comprising a bracket and a replaceable insert, where the insert engages the ground surface without defacing it, and is secured between the bracket and the auger housing, allowing the snow thrower to move without direct contact, thus reducing surface damage and rust stains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the auger housing rests directly on the ground surface during snow removal operations, then the snow thrower can effectively channel and remove snow, but the auger housing will scrape and mar the surface causing damage and potential rust stains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a skid shoe assembly as an intermediary component between the auger housing and the ground surface. This assembly includes a replaceable insert that contacts the ground surface, allowing the snow thrower to slide during operation without the auger housing directly scraping the surface, thereby preventing marring and rust stains while maintaining snow removal functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a skid shoe assembly is added to prevent surface damage, then surface marring is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The skid shoe assembly is segmented into distinct components: a bracket that attaches to the auger housing and a separate replaceable insert that contacts the ground. This segmentation allows the insert to be easily replaced when worn while keeping the bracket and main auger housing intact, reducing overall device complexity in terms of maintenance and part replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed as a consumable, replaceable component that can be easily replaced when worn. This approach uses a simpler, less durable material for the insert that can be economically replaced rather than designing a complex, highly durable integrated skid shoe, thereby reducing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A skid shoe assembly for use on a snow thrower includes a bracket having a mounting portion configured to couple to the snow thrower and a support portion extending generally perpendicular from the mounting portion. The skid shoe assembly also includes a replaceable insert composed of a plastic material. The insert includes an elongated body extending generally parallel to the support portion and configured to engage a ground surface.