Snow Plow Mount Assembly Quick Hitch Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snow plow assemblies for pickup trucks face challenges in quick and easy hitching mechanisms, with existing solutions not fully addressing the need for efficient and secure attachment and detachment processes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed snow plow and mount assembly features a design with pivotally connected A- and lift frames, a plow blade, and an actuator system that includes arms, receivers, latch pins, and a lever mechanism for secure attachment and detachment, utilizing a hydraulic cylinder and linkage system to facilitate easy hitching and unhitching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hitching mechanism is used, then the snow plow frame can be attached to the mount frame, but the attachment and detachment process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch pins are pre-positioned in the arms before the hitching operation begins. When the vehicle is driven toward the snow plow, the arms are already in place to receive the receivers, eliminating the need for manual positioning during attachment. This preliminary arrangement of components enables quick and easy hitching without requiring complex manual manipulation.
2Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is implemented, then the snow plow frame is firmly attached to the mount frame, but the mechanism becomes more complex with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The latch lever automatically moves the latch pins to the latched position when the arms are received in the receivers and the actuator pivots the lift frame. The system self-secures without requiring additional manual operations or complex control mechanisms. The hydraulic actuator that is already part of the snow plow system performs the hitching function, eliminating the need for separate securing mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the snow plow frame is designed for quick detachment, then the unhitching process is simplified, but the attachment security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical operation of unhitching is replaced by hydraulic actuation. The actuator, which is part of the snow plow's existing hydraulic system, pivots the lift frame to automatically move the hitch pins out of the receivers. This substitution of manual mechanical manipulation with hydraulic actuation enables quick detachment while maintaining secure attachment during operation.
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
This design allows for a more efficient and secure attachment of the snow plow frame to the mount frame, enabling quick and easy operation while ensuring stability and ease of use, addressing the limitations of existing hitching mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder operable between the lift frame and the A-frame to pivot the A-frame about the transverse horizontal lift axis
Implementation Method 2
The lift frame has first and second latch pins and a latch lever operably associated with the latch pins for moving the latch pins to a latched position where respective ones of the latch pins secure the arms in the receivers
Data Source
AI summary
A snow plow and mount assembly has a mount frame, an A-frame, a lift frame, a plow blade, an actuator, arms, receivers, recesses, hitch pins, a latch mechanism, and a latch lever. The elements are arranged such that the vehicle is driven toward the snow plow so that the arms are received in the receivers, the actuator is energized to pivot the lift frame relative to the A-frame so that the hitch pins are received in the recesses, and the lever is moved to move the latch mechanism to the latched position. The snow plow frame is thereby removably secured to the mount frame.