Snow Plow Mount Assembly Automated Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current snow plow mount designs require users to exit the vehicle to confirm alignment, engage retention devices, and make electrical connections, which is time-consuming, physically demanding, and exposes operators to hazards such as low temperatures, wind, and traffic hazards, while also being prone to errors due to impaired visibility.

Innovation Solution

A snow plow and mount assembly that allows for automatic alignment and secure attachment/detachment using electrical actuators and sensors, enabling the vehicle to drive towards the snow plow for automatic connection and disconnection without manual manipulation, ensuring proper alignment and electrical connectivity while keeping the operator inside the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual attachment process is used, then operator can confirm alignment and engage retention devices, but operator must exit vehicle which increases time, physical effort, and exposure to hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidoperator convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-alignment and self-attachment functions. The vehicle drives itself toward the snow plow for alignment, and the electrical actuators automatically engage the retention devices without operator intervention, eliminating the need for the operator to exit the vehicle while maintaining secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations (operator physically engaging pins, confirming alignment) are replaced by an electrical automation system. The controller receives signals from sensors and commands electrical actuators to perform alignment confirmation and retention device engagement, substituting mechanical manual operations with electrical automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual alignment confirmation is required, then proper plow to vehicle mount alignment can be achieved, but operator exposure to impaired visibility and hazards increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidoperator hazard exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-alignment by driving the vehicle toward the snow plow until alignment is achieved, with the controller monitoring alignment status through sensors. This eliminates the need for the operator to manually confirm alignment under hazardous conditions while maintaining precise alignment through automated sensing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Visual alignment confirmation by the operator is replaced by an automated sensor system. The sensor detects when the vehicle and snow plow are properly aligned, and the controller uses this information to control the attachment process, substituting human visual assessment with automated optical or electronic sensing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automated attachment system is used, then operator safety and time efficiency are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Manual attachment operations are replaced by an electrical automation system consisting of a controller and electrical actuators. The controller manages the automated sequence of operations based on sensor input, achieving rapid attachment while containing complexity within the electrical control domain rather than mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary between the sensor (which detects alignment) and the electrical actuators (which perform attachment). This intermediary coordinates the automated process, managing the complexity of sequencing operations while enabling high-speed automated attachment without requiring direct operator involvement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11555282B2Snow plow and mount assembly

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 DOUGLAS DYNAMICS LLC

AI summary

A snow plow and mount frame assembly permits an operator to attach and detach a snow plow to and from a mount frame secured to a vehicle, without the operator exiting a cab of the vehicle. The assembly comprises a mount frame, a snow plow frame, a plow blade, a first actuator for pivoting the A-frame relative to the lift frame, a latch mechanism, and a second actuator to either latch or unlatch the latch mechanism. When the vehicle is driven toward the snow plow the snow plow frame mates with the mount frame and an electrical connection is made between the vehicle electrical system and at least the first actuator without manual manipulation. The second actuator is energized to either latch the latch mechanism thereby securing the snow plow frame to the mount frame or unlatch the latch mechanism thereby freeing the snow plow frame from the mount frame.