Snowplough Work Tool Suspension for Uneven Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snowploughs face difficulties in navigating uneven terrain, leading to reduced effectiveness and increased operator stress due to the inability to adjust the work tool's height in response to terrain irregularities, resulting in incomplete snow removal and frequent re-passing over the same areas.
Innovation Solution
A snowplough with a flexible working condition that allows the work tool to move in height along an orthogonal adjustment direction, enabling it to follow the altimetric profile of the ground, maintain contact, and absorb variations in terrain, using a suspension system with a hydraulic or pneumatic piston and elastic elements to facilitate this movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the work tool is fixed in position to maintain stability, then the snowplough is stable and easy to control, but it cannot adapt to uneven terrain causing incomplete snow removal and frequent stops
Solution Approach 1:
The work tool is made dynamically adjustable in height through a suspension system with hydraulic or pneumatic pistons and elastic elements, allowing it to move between fixed and flexible positions based on terrain conditions. This resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability when needed while maintaining simplicity through a well-defined mechanical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the vertical position parameter of the work tool dynamically. By adjusting the height parameter through the suspension mechanism, the work tool can adapt to varying terrain altitudes, resolving the adaptability issue without requiring complete redesign of the positioning system.
2Productivity
If the work tool is lowered close to the ground for effective snow removal, then snow removal effectiveness increases, but the operator experiences higher stress and the work tool wears faster due to terrain irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system allows the work tool to dynamically adjust its height in response to terrain conditions. When encountering bumps or uneven surfaces, the work tool can rise slightly to reduce impact and wear, while maintaining close ground contact for effective snow removal on flat surfaces. This dynamic adjustment reduces harmful factors without sacrificing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic elements and hydraulic/pneumatic pistons in the suspension system act as cushioning mechanisms that absorb shocks and vibrations before they reach the work tool and operator. This beforehand cushioning reduces work tool wear and operator stress while maintaining the work tool's proximity to the ground for effective snow removal.
3Ease of operation
If the work tool is raised to avoid terrain obstacles, then the snowplough can navigate uneven terrain more easily, but snow removal effectiveness decreases due to incomplete contact with the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The work tool's height is made dynamically adjustable through the suspension system. The operator can raise the work tool when encountering obstacles to ease navigation, and lower it when terrain is flat to maximize snow removal effectiveness. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize for either ease of operation or productivity based on immediate terrain conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system is pre-configured with hydraulic or pneumatic pistons and elastic elements that automatically prepare the work tool for terrain variations. The system preliminarily adjusts the work tool position in anticipation of terrain changes, allowing smooth transitions between raised and lowered positions without sacrificing either ease of operation or snow removal effectiveness.
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
Enhances snow removal efficiency by allowing the snowplough to adapt to uneven terrain, reducing operator stress and wear on the work tool, while improving the ease of operation and effectiveness of snow removal operations.
Implementation Method 1
a suspension system (20) configured to allow the movement of the work tool (3) along the adjustment direction during the flexible working condition, in particular comprising a hydraulic or pneumatic piston (21) kinematically connected to the work tool (3) and movable in extension and compression during the flexible working condition
Implementation Method 2
a suspension system (20) configured to allow the movement of the work tool (3) along the adjustment direction during the flexible working condition, in particular comprising a hydraulic or pneumatic piston (21) kinematically connected to the work tool (3) and movable in extension and compression during the flexible working condition
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a snowplough, adapted to remove snowy material. The snowplough comprises a frame, movement means applied to the frame and configured to allow a movement of the snowplough on a ground and a work tool such as a blade, an auger or a turbine. According to the invention, the snowplough is configurable in a flexible working condition, in which the work tool is in an operating position for removing snowy material from the ground and in which the work tool is simultaneously left free to move along an adjustment direction, the main component of which is orthogonal to the ground.