Snow Blower On-Board Battery Compartment Foot Pedal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow blowers face challenges with limited battery runtime and inconvenient battery replacement, especially in cold weather, due to the need for spare batteries stored in a dry, climate-controlled environment.
Innovation Solution
A snow blower design featuring a compartment with on-board storage for additional batteries and a foot pedal to easily access and replace batteries, along with optional attachments like auxiliary battery storage and a spreader, enhancing user convenience and runtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If battery-powered snow blowers are used to reduce manual effort, then snow removal efficiency is improved, but runtime is limited and battery replacement becomes necessary during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a compartment specifically designed to store one or more spare batteries in advance. This preliminary preparation allows the operator to quickly swap batteries during operation without interruption, effectively extending the operational duration beyond what a single battery can provide.
2Reliability
If spare batteries are stored in a dry, climate-controlled environment, then battery performance is maintained, but user convenience is reduced due to the need to access indoor storage during cold weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery storage compartment with the snow blower body, creating an integrated system. The compartment is thermally coupled to the engine housing, which naturally provides warmth during operation. This eliminates the need for separate indoor storage and allows spare batteries to be kept warm and accessible directly on the equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The snow blower's engine housing automatically provides thermal protection to the stored batteries through passive thermal coupling. The system self-regulates the storage environment using the engine's own heat, eliminating the need for external climate control or heated storage solutions.
3Ease of operation
If a compartment for power source storage is added to the snow blower, then ease of operation during battery replacement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compartment serves multiple functions: it stores spare batteries, provides thermal protection through coupling with the engine housing, and integrates into the overall snow blower structure. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural element by providing several benefits simultaneously rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
Snow blowers are provided. A snow blower includes snow blower having a frame defining an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the outlet opening being circumferentially bounded about a chute axis; a rotatable auger mounted to the frame rearward from the inlet opening and below the outlet opening to motivate snow to the outlet opening; one or more wheels mounted to the frame apart from the rotatable auger to support the snow blower; a chute body extending from the frame along the chute axis above the outlet opening; and a compartment coupled to the frame. A power source for the snow blower is disposed within the compartment.