Snow Blower Battery Compartment Deflector for Snow Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow blowers face issues with limited battery runtime, requiring frequent battery changes and exposure of battery compartments to snow and debris, which complicates use and reduces durability.
Innovation Solution
A snow blower design featuring a battery compartment with a movable deflector plate that can switch between obstructed and unobstructed positions, protecting the battery terminal from snow and debris, and a guide rail for sliding battery packs, enhancing ease of use and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery compartment is left open for easy battery access, then ease of operation is improved, but snow and debris can enter the battery compartment reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector plate is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust between blocking snow/debris and allowing battery access. The plate can pivot between a first position that blocks the opening and a second position that clears the opening, enabling the system to adapt to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector plate is biased by a spring mechanism that automatically positions it based on battery insertion/removal actions. When a battery is removed, the spring automatically moves the plate to the blocking position; when a battery is inserted, the plate is pushed to the clear position, eliminating the need for manual operation.
2Reliability
If a fixed cover is used to protect the battery terminal, then protection from snow and debris is improved, but ease of battery insertion and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective deflector plate is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to automatically clear the battery terminal area when a battery is being inserted or removed. The plate pivots out of the way during battery operations and returns to the blocking position when batteries are stationary, providing both protection and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased mechanism automatically manages the deflector plate position based on battery presence. The system self-adjusts without user intervention, clearing the path for battery insertion/removal and then returning to protective positioning, eliminating the need for manual cover operation.
3Reliability
If the battery compartment design prioritizes protection from elements, then durability is improved, but user convenience and ease of use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The static protective barrier is transformed into a dynamic, movable deflector plate that automatically adjusts its position. During battery operations, the plate moves to clear the opening for user convenience; during normal operation, it returns to block the opening for protection, providing both durability and convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism enables the deflector plate to automatically respond to battery insertion/removal actions, clearing the way for user operations and then returning to protective positioning without requiring user intervention, thus maintaining both protection and convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
A snow blower may include a frame, a rotatable auger, and a battery compartment. The rotatable auger rotatably may be mounted to the frame. The battery compartment may be attached to the frame to receive a battery pack. The battery compartment may include a battery terminal in selective electrical communication with the battery pack. The battery compartment may also include a guide rail extending above the battery terminal. The deflector plate may be movably mounted above the battery terminal to move between an obstructed position and an unobstructed position. The obstructed position may include the deflector plate extended across at least a portion of the guide rail directly above the battery terminal to cover the battery terminal. The unobstructed position may include the deflector plate horizontally spaced apart from the battery terminal to uncover the battery terminal.