Snowplow Auger Side Disk Structure for Cutting and Rigidity

Solution Overview

Problem

The trade-off between the ability of side disks to cut into a snow surface and their rigidity poses a challenge, as reducing thickness for improved cutting efficiency leads to decreased rigidity.

Innovation Solution

The design of side disks with annular outer and inner flat plate portions connected by inclined connecting portions forms protrusions, enhancing rigidity while allowing for reduced thickness, and the use of connecting members with wider joint areas for stable support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the thickness of the side disks is reduced to improve cutting ability into snow surface, then the cutting efficiency is improved, but the rigidity of the side disks decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidrigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The side disk is divided into multiple functional portions: an outer circumferential edge portion, an outer flat plate portion, an inner flat plate portion, an outer connecting portion, and an inner connecting portion. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting portions are designed with three-dimensional curvature and inclination angles, transitioning from simple planar structures to complex spatial geometries. This dimensional complexity enables the thin-walled structure to achieve high rigidity through geometric reinforcement rather than increasing material thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 3:

The outer and inner connecting portions are designed with curved surfaces and specific inclination angles (e.g., 45 degrees) to create geometric reinforcement. These curved, angled structures provide structural strength while maintaining thin walls, allowing the side disk to achieve both high rigidity and improved cutting ability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Loss of substance

If the thickness of the side disks is reduced to improve cutting ability into snow surface, then the material usage is reduced, but the rigidity of the side disks decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidrigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The side disk is divided into multiple functional portions: an outer circumferential edge portion, an outer flat plate portion, an inner flat plate portion, an outer connecting portion, and an inner connecting portion. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting portions are designed with three-dimensional curvature and inclination angles, transitioning from simple planar structures to complex spatial geometries. This dimensional complexity enables the thin-walled structure to achieve high rigidity through geometric reinforcement rather than increasing material thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 3:

The outer and inner connecting portions are designed with curved surfaces and specific inclination angles (e.g., 45 degrees) to create geometric reinforcement. These curved, angled structures provide structural strength while maintaining thin walls, allowing the side disk to achieve both high rigidity and improved cutting ability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20250347071A1Auger device of snowplow

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

[Task] To improve the ability of side disks to cut into a snow surface while ensuring the rigidity of the side disks[Solution] An auger device of a snowplow includes a pair of side disks (35), wherein each of the side disks (35) includes an annular outer circumferential edge portion (91), an annular outer flat plate portion (92) arranged closer to an inside in a prescribed direction than the outer circumferential edge portion (91), an annular inner flat plate portion (93) arranged closer to the inside in the prescribed direction than the outer flat plate portion (92), an annular outer connecting portion (95) connecting the outer circumferential edge portion (91) and the outer flat plate portion (92), and an annular inner connecting portion (96) connecting the outer flat plate portion (92) and the inner flat plate portion (93).