Snow and Ice Clearing Vehicle with Integrated Heating and Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current snow and ice removal methods, such as snow plows and shovels, only displace snow and ice, leaving them to cause hazards and flooding when melted, rather than fully removing them from roadways and sidewalks.
Innovation Solution
A snow and ice clearing vehicle equipped with a snow clearing device, heating system, suction system, reservoir, pump, salt spreader, and scrubber, which work together to melt, collect, and remove snow and ice, and prevent re-formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If snow plows and shovels are used to clear snow, then snow can be displaced from roadways, but snow and ice accumulate in hazardous locations and cause flooding when melted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal energy to change the physical state of snow and ice from solid to liquid, enabling complete removal through suction. Heating elements and heated air streams raise the temperature of accumulated snow and ice, melting them so they can be extracted by the vacuum system, thus preventing hazardous accumulation and flooding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a vacuum suction system with a vacuum source to create negative pressure that extracts melted snow and ice water from the roadway surface. The pneumatic system draws liquid through hoses and nozzles, completely removing the melted material rather than allowing it to accumulate and cause flooding.
2Reliability
If heating elements are added to melt snow and ice, then complete removal becomes possible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single vehicle system: the vacuum system serves both for general debris removal and for extracting melted snow and ice; the heating elements are incorporated into existing structural components like the snow plow blade and suction nozzles. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite adding thermal processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the snow melting function with the existing vacuum extraction system. Heating elements are integrated into the snow plow blade and suction nozzle structures, merging thermal processing with mechanical removal operations. The control system integrates all functions (heating, vacuum operation, salt spreading) into a coordinated system managed from a single operator station.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a comprehensive removal system with heating and suction is implemented, then snow and ice can be completely removed, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or intermittent heating cycles rather than continuous heating, activating thermal processing only when snow or ice detection sensors identify accumulated material requiring removal. The vacuum system operates in cycles, activating only when material is present, thus reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements are positioned locally at specific points where snow and ice accumulation is detected, rather than heating the entire roadway surface. The vacuum nozzles are strategically placed to target specific accumulation zones, concentrating energy input only where needed to remove hazardous materials, thus optimizing energy efficiency.
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 vehicle effectively removes snow and ice from roadways and sidewalks, reducing hazards and flooding by melting and collecting snow, and preventing ice re-formation, providing a comprehensive solution for winter maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a snow clearing device having one or more heating elements disposed thereon
Implementation Method 2
the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when removing snow and ice from roadways and sidewalks
Implementation Method 3
a suction system disposed posterior to the heating system on the undersurface of the vehicle
Implementation Method 4
a pump coupling the reservoir to the outlet
Implementation Method 5
a salt spreader disposed on a rear of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A snow and ice clearing vehicle. The vehicle provides a combination of systems configured to facilitate the clearance and removal of snow and ice from roadways and sidewalks. The vehicle includes a snow clearing device, a heating system, and a suction system in communication with a reservoir. The snow clearing device is positioned on the front of the vehicle, wherein the heating system is positioned posterior to the snow clearing device and configured to apply heat to snow and ice not completely cleared by same. The suction system is positioned posterior to the heating system and configured to vacuum snow melted and loosened by the heating system. The reservoir is configured to retain water and snow captured by the suction system. The vehicle further includes a pump, wherein the pump is configured to remove the water from the reservoir through an outlet to an area remote from the vehicle.