Snow Tool Reinforcement Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snow tools, such as pushers and shovels, often suffer from structural weakness, leading to bend or breakage when users support or kick the rear wall to penetrate snow, and existing reinforcement methods like steel pipes increase weight or are insufficiently strong.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement element is attached to the rear wall of the scoop, featuring a receiving portion with snap fit fasteners and support ribbing, providing a strong structure that allows users to kick or push without damaging the scoop, with the reinforcement element being made of lightweight materials like plastic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a steel pipe is arranged at the top end of the rear wall and side walls to reinforce the scoop structure, then the strength and reliability of the scoop is improved, but the weight of the snow pusher increases and extra working phases are required to attach the steel pipe during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from steel to plastic for the reinforcement element, maintaining structural strength while significantly reducing weight. The plastic reinforcement element is designed with optimized geometry to provide sufficient strength without the density penalty of metal materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement element is strategically positioned at the rear wall where users kick to penetrate snow, providing localized strengthening exactly where needed. This targeted approach avoids the need for comprehensive reinforcement of the entire scoop structure, minimizing added weight while maximizing strength where it matters most.
2Strength
If a steel pipe is arranged at the top end of the rear wall and side walls to reinforce the scoop structure, then the strength and reliability of the scoop is improved, but the device complexity increases due to extra attachment working phases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement element is integrated with the scoop as a single unit or pre-assembled component, merging the reinforcement function into the main structure. This eliminates separate attachment operations and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the strength benefits of reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement element features self-retaining characteristics through its geometric design and integration with the scoop structure, allowing it to stay in place without complex attachment mechanisms. The element serves both as a structural component and as its own mounting system.
3Weight of moving object
If a honeycomb structure is implemented inside the plastic structure of the scoop to reinforce it, then the weight is kept low, but the structure may not be strong enough to endure heavy user support or kicking
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a distributed honeycomb structure throughout the scoop, the patent places a solid plastic reinforcement element specifically at the rear wall where kicking forces are applied. This localized solid structure provides the necessary strength to endure heavy user support while keeping the rest of the scoop lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction by combining the plastic scoop structure with a separate plastic reinforcement element. This composite approach allows optimization of each component for its specific function - the scoop for lightness and the reinforcement element for strength - while both being made from plastic materials.
Data Source
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AI summary
A snow tool (1, 26) comprises a scoop (2) comprising at least a rear wall (2d), and a reinforcement element (7) attachable to the rear wall (2d) of the scoop (2).