Snow Thrower Auger and Compressed Gas Knife Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing single-stage and two-stage snow throwers face difficulties with large amounts of snow or hardened snow, and may not adequately handle deep snow or clean underlying terrain, often requiring complex and expensive transmissions and being difficult to operate.

Innovation Solution

A snow thrower design featuring a vertical shaft engine, adjustable auger housing, housing support discs, and a sweeper system that includes flexible terrain-engaging members and a compressed gas knife for enhanced snow removal, along with a chute assembly and lighting system for improved operation and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single-stage snow thrower design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to handle large amounts of snow or hardened snow deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidability to handle snow

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The snow thrower is divided into two functional stages: an auger stage for cutting and gathering snow, and an impeller stage for throwing snow. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the handling of hardened and deep snow while maintaining reasonable overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the auger and impeller into a single integrated housing structure with a common drive system. The auger and impeller share the same rotational axis and are driven by the same engine through a simplified transmission, merging multiple functions into a compact unit that reduces overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a two-stage snow thrower design is used, then the ability to handle deep snow and hardened snow is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle snowVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single engine and transmission system perform multiple functions: driving the auger for snow gathering, driving the impeller for snow throwing, and powering the discharge chute rotation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate power sources and control systems needed, thereby reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If existing two-stage snow throwers are used, then hardened snow can be cut, but the transmission system becomes complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to cut snowVSAvoidtransmission complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex multi-gear transmission systems found in traditional two-stage snow throwers and replaces them with a simplified direct-drive system. The engine directly drives both the auger and impeller through a single rotational path, eliminating the need for complex gear trains and multiple transmission stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical gear transmissions with a simpler mechanical system using belts and pulleys or direct coupling. This substitution maintains the ability to transfer power effectively while significantly reducing the number of moving parts, gears, and associated control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If existing snow throwers are used, then snow can be discharged, but the underlying terrain is not adequately cleaned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnow discharge capabilityVSAvoidterrain cleaning ability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The auger performs preliminary action by cutting, gathering, and preparing the snow before it reaches the impeller. The auger's rotating blades break up hardened snow and push it toward the impeller inlet, ensuring complete terrain cleaning before the main throwing action occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The auger is designed with variable pitch blades and adjustable depth control, allowing different portions of the auger to engage the snow at different depths and angles. This local variation in auger characteristics ensures effective cleaning of the terrain surface while maintaining efficient snow gathering for discharge

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design allows for easier and more cost-effective snow clearing, effectively handling deep and hardened snow, reducing reliance on complex transmissions, and providing improved operational ease and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a compressed gas knife for enhanced snow removal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressed gas: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS10208442B2Snow thrower

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 BRIGGS & STRATTON CORP

AI summary

A snow thrower may include a housing, a rotatable snow moving member at least partially within the housing and a compressed gas knife coupled to the housing and aimed at an underlying terrain forward the housing.