Automated Snow Plow Mount Assembly with Remote Actuation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current snow plow mount designs require users to exit the vehicle for manual attachment and detachment, which is time-consuming, physically demanding, and exposes operators to hazards, with potential misalignment and malfunction risks due to ergonomic and environmental factors.

Innovation Solution

A snow plow and mount assembly that uses electrical actuators and sensors to automate the alignment and latching process, allowing the snow plow to be attached and detached from the vehicle while the operator remains inside, with electrical connections made automatically and latch pins positioned remotely, ensuring secure and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual attachment and detachment processes are used, then the user can control the plow positioning and latching, but the user must exit the vehicle which increases time required, physical effort, and exposure to hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEase of plow attachment and detachmentVSAvoidTime required for plow attachment and detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation where the plow frame automatically performs alignment and latching functions. The lift frame automatically pivots to align arms with receivers, and latch pins automatically engage with holes in the arms, eliminating the need for manual positioning and latching operations by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated mechanical system. Electric motors drive the lift frame pivoting mechanism and latch pin positioning mechanism, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated electromechanical systems that perform alignment and latching functions remotely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual alignment and latching operations are performed, then the user can ensure proper connection, but ergonomic factors and environmental exposure make operation difficult and more time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveReliability of plow to vehicle connectionsVSAvoidEnvironmental exposure and ergonomic hazards to user

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces intermediary automated mechanisms between the user and the plow attachment process. The user remains inside the vehicle as a remote operator, while automated lift frame pivoting and latch pin positioning mechanisms serve as intermediaries that perform the physical alignment and latching operations, eliminating direct user exposure to harsh environmental conditions and ergonomic hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If automated actuators are used for alignment and latching, then operator safety and convenience are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAutomation of plow attachment processVSAvoidComplexity of mount assembly mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lift frame serves multiple functions: it supports the plow blade, enables pivoting movement for alignment, and drives the latch pin positioning mechanism. The arms and receivers structure serves dual purposes as both mechanical connection elements and alignment guides. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11499280B2Snow plow and mount assembly

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 DOUGLAS DYNAMICS LLC

AI summary

A snow plow and mount frame assembly permits an operator to attach a snow plow to a mount frame secured to a vehicle, without the operator exiting a cab of the vehicle. The assembly comprises first and second connectors on the mount frame and the snow plow, respectively, that connect during mating of the mount frame with the snow plow as the vehicle is driven toward the snow plow, to provide power to the snow plow from an electrical system of the vehicle, a first actuator powered by the vehicle electrical system to pivot a lift frame of the snow plow upwardly relative to an A-frame of the snow plow to align holes in the lift frame with holes in the mount frame, a second actuator powered by the vehicle electrical system to extend latch pins through the lift frame and mount frame holes to a latched position, a first sensor powered by the vehicle electrical system to determine that the lift frame and mount frame holes are aligned, a second sensor powered by the vehicle electrical system to determine that the second actuator is fully extended, and a controller that receives signals from the first and second sensors and sends signals to the first and second actuators in response to the signals received from the first and second sensors.