Snow and Ice Removing Assembly with Heated Air Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow and ice removing devices are inefficient in effectively melting snow and ice on ground surfaces, lacking a comprehensive solution for simultaneous heating and chemical melting.
Innovation Solution
A snow and ice removing device comprising a housing with a hot air conduit, an air warming unit, a container for snow melting compound, and a dispensing unit that uses heated air and a snow melting compound to melt snow and ice, with a power supply for the air warming and dispensing units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing snow and ice removing devices are used, then snow and ice can be removed to some extent, but they are inefficient in effectively melting snow and ice on ground surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different snow and ice removal mechanisms into a single device: a heating element that generates thermal energy and a dispensing mechanism that applies chemical melting agents. This merging allows the device to simultaneously use both thermal and chemical methods to melt snow and ice, significantly improving effectiveness compared to single-method devices
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with multiple functions within a single unit: it can heat surfaces, dispense melting compounds, and clear debris. The housing accommodates both the heating element and the compound container with dispensing mechanism, creating a universal snow and ice removal tool that addresses multiple aspects of the problem simultaneously
2Reliability
If a comprehensive solution for simultaneous heating and chemical melting is implemented, then melting effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the compound container and dispensing mechanism are integrated within the housing that also contains the heating element. The dispensing mechanism is positioned to work in coordination with the heating element, creating a compact nested arrangement that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a heating element module, a compound storage container, and a dispensing mechanism. Each module can potentially be manufactured separately and assembled into the final device, making the complex system easier to manufacture, maintain, and repair while still achieving comprehensive snow and ice melting capability
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 device efficiently melts snow and ice by combining heated air with a snow melting compound, providing a reliable and effective method for clearing surfaces of snow and ice.
Implementation Method 1
An air warming unit is mounted in the housing. The air warming unit draws air into the housing through an air intake that extends through the housing and warms the air when the air warming unit is turned on.
Implementation Method 2
The dispensing unit is actuated to extract the snow melting compound from the container and dispense the snow melting compound outwardly from the housing such that the snow melting compound melts the snow and the ice positioned on the ground surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A snow and ice removing assembly includes a housing that has a front wall, a back wall and a peripheral wall that extends between the front wall and the back wall. A hot air conduit is fluidly coupled to the housing and extends away from the front wall. An air warming unit is mounted in the housing and draws air into the housing through an air intake that extends through the housing. The air warming unit warms the air then forces the air outwardly of the housing through the hot air conduit when turned on. A container is positioned remote of the housing and holds a snow melting compound therein. A dispensing unit is mounted on the housing and is fluidly coupled to the container. The dispensing unit is actuated to extract the snow melting compound from the container and dispense the snow melting compound outwardly from the housing.