Snow Block Forming Apparatus with Magnetic Compression Plate Arrest
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow brick making apparatuses are often complex, occupy excessive space, and are not user-friendly for both adults and children, making it difficult to efficiently form multiple compact blocks of snow in a short period.
Innovation Solution
A compact snow block forming apparatus with a hollow upper body, a lid, and a lower body with a sliding compression plate, utilizing magnetic attraction to arrest movement and facilitate easy operation, allowing for rapid formation of dense snow blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If prior art snow brick making apparatuses are used, then snow blocks can be formed, but the apparatus designs are unnecessarily complicated requiring numerous components and occupying excessive space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the upper body and lower body into a single integrated apparatus structure, where the upper body contains the compression chamber and the lower body provides the base and compression plate. This consolidation eliminates the need for numerous separate components found in prior art apparatuses, reducing overall complexity while maintaining the complete functional capability of forming snow blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression chamber serves multiple functions: it contains the snow during compression, defines the block shape, and acts as a mold. The upper body simultaneously provides structural support and houses the compression mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of dedicated components needed, simplifying the overall apparatus design.
2Productivity
If prior art snow brick making apparatuses are used, then snow blocks can be formed, but they are not amenable to making numerous snow blocks in a short period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The compression plate is designed to move dynamically between an upper position (for filling the compression chamber with snow) and a lower position (for compressing the snow and ejecting the block). This dynamic movement allows rapid cycling through the block-forming process, enabling numerous snow blocks to be produced in a short period while keeping operations simple for users of various ages.
3Ease of operation
If prior art snow brick making apparatuses are used, then snow blocks can be formed, but they are not easily used by both adults and children
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus uses the weight of the upper body itself as a counterweight to assist compression. When the upper body is lowered onto the snow in the compression chamber, its weight provides the primary compressive force, eliminating the need for users to apply excessive manual force. This makes the apparatus accessible to both adults and children while still producing dense, structurally sound snow blocks.
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 apparatus is easy to manufacture, repair, and use, enabling efficient and quick formation of multiple snow blocks, suitable for both adults and children, with a minimal number of components and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
at least one downwardly facing first ferromagnetic material that is attached to an underside section of the upper compression plate and at least one upwardly facing second ferromagnetic material that is attached to a shelf protruding into the compression chamber of the hollow upper body so as to contact the at least one downwardly facing first ferromagnetic material when the apparatus is in a raised configuration of operation, wherein a magnetic attraction exists between at least one downwardly facing first ferromagnetic material and the at least one upwardly facing second ferromagnetic material when the apparatus is in a raised configuration of operation, such that the magnetic attraction at least temporarily arrests any sliding of the upper compression plate within the compression chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses for forming blocks of compactable material such as snow, having a hollow upper body with a compression chamber within for containing and subsequently compressing the compactable material to form a block that can be used in connection with recreational activities. A lower body having a flat compression plate attached to a top end, is configured to slide within the compression chamber, the compression plate being capable of pushing the compactable material into a hinged lid that is attached to a top end of the upper body and acts to cover a top opening of the upper body. Ferromagnetic materials attached to the underside of the compression plate are configured to contact other ferromagnetic materials attached to the interior walls of the compression chamber, which at least temporarily arrests sliding movement of the upper and lower bodies, and allows a user to fill the apparatus with compactable material.