Autonomous Snow Blower Control to Limit Throw Speed and Surface Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current snow removal methods, including artificial sweeping, snow melting, and mechanical snow blower devices, are labor-intensive, energy-consuming, costly, and often ineffective, with mechanical devices causing damage to road surfaces and having poor snow removal efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An automatic moving snow removal device equipped with a working module, moving module, energy module, detection module, and control module that autonomously navigates and operates to collect and throw snow, adjusting its path and energy usage based on environmental and internal parameters, allowing for efficient and cost-effective snow removal without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical snow blower devices are used, then snow removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The snow blower is divided into functional modules: a working module (snow collection and throwing mechanisms), a moving module (wheels and drive system), an energy module (battery and motor), a detection module (sensors for snow depth and obstacles), and a control module (microcontroller for automated operation). This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single unit: automatic navigation, snow detection, snow collection, snow throwing, and energy management. The control module coordinates all these functions through a unified control system, reducing the need for separate devices and simplifying the overall system while maintaining high productivity.
2Productivity
If mechanical snow blower devices are used, then snow removal efficiency is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The snow blower is designed to be self-operating with automated snow detection, path planning, and throwing mechanisms controlled by a microcontroller. The device autonomously navigates to snow accumulation areas, collects snow, and throws it without human intervention, reducing labor costs and increasing efficiency while maintaining reasonable manufacturing costs through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses adjustable parameters such as throwing distance, collection width, and operating speed that can be optimized for different snow conditions. The control module adjusts operational parameters based on sensor feedback, allowing the same hardware to achieve high efficiency across varying snow depths and types without requiring multiple specialized devices.
3Productivity
If conventional mechanical snow blowers are used, then snow removal capability is improved, but damage to road surface occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The snow collection mechanism uses a rotating brush with bristles that gently engage the snow surface rather than a heavy metal auger. The throwing mechanism directs snow away from the road surface at a controlled angle, minimizing impact and damage to the underlying pavement while maintaining effective snow removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces heavy mechanical scraping and digging mechanisms with a lighter brush-based collection system driven by an electric motor. The control module regulates the brush rotation speed and throwing force to prevent excessive mechanical stress on the road surface, thereby reducing damage while maintaining snow removal effectiveness.
4Ease of operation
If automatic moving capability is added, then labor intensity is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The snow blower incorporates automatic navigation and operation capabilities where the control module receives input from snow depth sensors and obstacle detectors to autonomously plan and execute the snow removal path. The device self-adjusts its operation parameters and returns to the charging dock automatically when battery level is low, eliminating the need for manual control and significantly reducing labor intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses sensors to continuously monitor snow depth, obstacles, and battery level, feeding this information back to the control module which adjusts the navigation and operation in real-time. This feedback loop enables automatic adaptation to changing conditions without requiring complex manual intervention, balancing automation benefits with manageable system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic moving snow removal device including a moving module, driving a snow blower to move; a working module, including a working motor and a snow throwing mechanism driven by the working motor, the snow throwing mechanism is driven by the working motor to collect accumulated snow and inclusions on the ground and throw out of the snow throwing mechanism; and a control module, configured to control a rotary speed of the working motor to cause a speed when the inclusions depart from the snow throwing mechanism is not higher than 41 m/s.