Snow Plow Valve System for Automatic Wing Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow plows require additional hydraulic circuits and electronic controls to adjust plow wings, complicating the system and increasing operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A plow system with pivotable center plow and self-contained plow wings that pivot between forward and rearward orientations in response to the center plow's movement, utilizing a pressurized fluid valve system to actuate the wings without additional circuitry or controls, allowing for minimal operator inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional hydraulic circuits and electronic controls are provided to control plow wings, then the plow wings can be individually controlled to provide desired plow configuration, but the system complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control of plow wings with the center plow pivot control by using a single hydraulic circuit. The sequence valves merge the control functions so that wing actuation is automatically coupled with center plow movement, eliminating the need for separate hydraulic circuits and electronic controls for wing management.
Solution Approach 2:
The plow wing control system operates automatically through sequence valves that detect when the center plow reaches fully pivoted positions. The system self-regulates wing actuation based on center plow position without requiring additional operator inputs or electronic control systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional hydraulic circuits and electronic controls are provided to control plow wings, then the plow wings can be individually controlled to provide desired plow configuration, but the number of operator controls increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges wing control with center plow pivot control into a single operational sequence. The operator only needs to control the center plow pivot, and the wing movements are automatically integrated through the sequence valve system, reducing the number of required operator controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages wing actuation based on center plow position detection. The sequence valves self-regulate the hydraulic flow to actuate wings at appropriate moments without requiring separate operator commands, simplifying the operational interface.
3Ease of operation
If a valve system is used to automatically actuate plow wings based on center plow position, then additional controls are eliminated, but the valve system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control logic from the operator interface and embeds it within the hydraulic valve system itself. The sequence valves contain the control intelligence needed to automatically actuate wings based on center plow position, removing the need for external electronic controls while keeping the valve system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The sequence valves act as intermediaries between the center plow pivot control and the wing actuators. They automatically detect when the center plow reaches fully pivoted positions and trigger wing actuation accordingly, providing a simple mechanical-hydraulic mediation that eliminates complex electronic control systems.
4Ease of operation
If the plow wings are designed to pivot automatically with center plow movement, then operational simplicity is improved, but the mechanical complexity of the wing mounting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wing pivot mechanism with the center plow structure through mounting brackets that integrate both functions. The wings are pivotally mounted on the center plow in a manner that couples their movement with center plow positioning, achieving automatic wing actuation through integrated mechanical design rather than separate control systems.
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
Simplifies the operation of snow plows by eliminating the need for extra controls, enhancing plowing efficiency with angled wing functionality and reducing the risk of tire damage during pivoting.
Implementation Method 1
A pressurized fluid valve system or assembly is operable, responsive to pressurized fluid in actuators of a vehicle attachment or accessory, to pressurize or actuate one or more actuators of another vehicle attachment or accessory.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular accessory system includes a first accessory pivotable in a first direction via pressurized fluid at a first actuator and pivotable in a second direction via pressurized fluid at a second actuator, and a second accessory pivotable in a third direction via pressurized fluid at a third actuator and pivotable in a fourth direction via pressurized fluid at a fourth actuator. A valve assembly is in fluid communication with the first, second, third and fourth actuators. Responsive to pivoting of the first accessory to a first fully pivoted orientation, the valve assembly automatically operates to supply pressurized fluid to the third actuator to pivot the second accessory in the third direction. Responsive to pivoting of the first accessory to a second fully pivoted orientation, the valve assembly automatically operates to supply pressurized fluid to the fourth actuator to pivot the second accessory in the fourth direction.