Snowplow Blade Mechanical Valve for De-icing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current snowplow blades face inefficiencies in controlling the delivery of de-icing liquids, as manual operation can lead to excessive use and environmental damage, and electronic systems are prone to failure in harsh conditions due to sensitivity and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A snowplow blade with a mechanically operated monostable valve system that uses a feeler to control de-icing liquid delivery based on the cutting edge's position relative to the road surface, allowing autonomous operation without operator intervention or electronic controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual control or electronic control is used for de-icing liquid delivery, then the delivery can be controlled, but the control proves unsatisfying due to operator fatigue, environmental conditions, and high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a feeler that automatically detects the cutting edge position relative to the road surface and triggers valve closure mechanically, eliminating the need for operator intervention or complex electronic sensors. The feeler serves itself by directly interacting with the road surface to control the valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic control systems with a purely mechanical control mechanism. The feeler mechanically triggers the monostable valve through direct contact with the road surface, substituting complex electronic sensors and actuators with simple mechanical elements that are resistant to harsh environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If electronic control devices are used, then delivery control is achieved, but they are expensive and sensitive to de-icing liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The feeler is a simple, inexpensive mechanical component that can be easily replaced if needed. Unlike expensive electronic sensors, the mechanical feeler is not sensitive to de-icing liquids and can withstand harsh environmental conditions without degradation or corrosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic control devices with a mechanical feeler system that is inherently resistant to de-icing liquids. The mechanical components do not suffer from the same sensitivity issues as electronic sensors when exposed to saline solutions and harsh weather conditions.
3Productivity
If de-icing liquid is delivered in large quantities, then snow melting is effective, but it damages soil and pollutes the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The feeler provides continuous feedback about the cutting edge position relative to the road surface. When the cutting edge lifts above the threshold, the feeler triggers valve closure, automatically reducing liquid delivery to prevent over-application and environmental pollution while maintaining effective snow melting during active operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A snowplow blade has a rolling body, a snow removal cutting edge connected to a lower portion of the rolling body, a motorized assembly for attaching the rolling body to a means for moving the snowplow blade forward; a plurality of nozzles delivering a de-icing liquid for the residual snow left on the road surface by the cutting edge; and a circuit for feeding and controlling the de-icing liquid sent to the nozzles; the feeding and control circuit having a mechanically operated monostable valve and a feeler, which is designed to cooperate, in use, with the road surface or with a mobile member of the motorized attachment assembly in order to close the monostable valve when the height of the cutting edge from the road surface exceeds a predefined threshold value.