Multi-Stage Snow Thrower Impeller for Wet Snow and Lower Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snow throwers struggle with efficiently clearing large quantities of snow or wet snow, often bogging down or stalling as they struggle to move snow past the impeller and out of the device, leading to degraded performance.
Innovation Solution
A high-efficiency snow thrower apparatus with a high-efficiency impeller design and a power system that includes an electric motor and a distribution system to transfer mechanical power for expelling snow, featuring a boost mode actuator for enhanced performance, and a control system allowing operators to select power consumption levels and impeller speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional impeller design is used to move snow, then snow can be discharged, but the machine bogs down or stalls when handling large quantities or wet snow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the impeller blade geometry, specifically the blade angle, curvature, and spacing parameters. These parameter modifications enable the impeller to handle heavy and wet snow more effectively without stalling, thereby improving both productivity and reliability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through a variable speed control system that allows the impeller rotation speed to be adjusted dynamically based on operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment prevents stalling under heavy load while maintaining efficient operation during normal conditions, resolving the contradiction between discharge capability and machine stability.
2Length of moving object
If higher power is used to throw snow farther, then snow throwing distance increases, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the impeller blade design, specifically optimizing blade angle and curvature parameters to maximize snow throwing distance while minimizing the power required. This allows the system to achieve longer throw distances without proportionally increasing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces a purely mechanical power transmission system with an electronically controlled variable speed system. This substitution allows for precise control of power delivery to the impeller, enabling the machine to achieve optimal throwing distance at minimal power consumption by adjusting speed rather than relying solely on increased mechanical power.
3Device complexity
If single-stage design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but performance degrades in heavy snow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the impeller to perform multiple functions: it both moves snow axially and throws it discharge. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components while maintaining high productivity in heavy snow conditions, thus reducing device complexity without sacrificing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in the impeller blade geometry to enhance snow removal efficiency in heavy snow conditions. By optimizing parameters such as blade width, angle, and spacing, the single-stage impeller achieves performance comparable to or exceeding multi-stage designs, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing overall device complexity.
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 snow thrower achieves significantly reduced power consumption while maintaining excellent snow throwing distances, with the boost mode enabling very high performance when needed, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional snow throwers.
Implementation Method 1
Impellers are usually devices such as discs and blades that are shaped and configured such that when rotated they receive materials (snow) and then centrifugally discharge the materials through openings in the housings
Data Source
AI summary
An electric powered snow thrower having high efficiency and high performance is disclosed. The electric powered snow thrower can incorporate an impeller that achieves high throw distances even at significantly lower power than conventional devices. Additionally, aspects of the electric powered snow thrower enable adjustment between different performance and power levels to adjust snow throw distance to optimize performance with power consumption and battery longevity. In some disclosed aspects, the performance level is coupled with a chute deflector height to simplify a selection between low power consumption and short throwing distance and high power consumption and long throwing distance, and all ranges there between.