Spring-Loaded Snowplow Lift Frame for Stable Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snow plow assemblies experience instability during mounting and removal, particularly when detached from vehicles, and are prone to falling forward or on sloped surfaces, requiring multiple personnel for handling.
Innovation Solution
A snow plow assembly with a lift frame and couplings that include springs and bearing blocks, allowing vertical floating movement and independent rotation of the push frame relative to the lift frame, providing stability and support to prevent falling and enabling single-user operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the snow plow assembly is detached from the vehicle for mounting or removal, then it can be installed or taken off the vehicle, but it becomes unstable and tends to fall forward
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs springs as counterbalancing elements that provide an upward supporting force to counteract the forward falling tendency of the snow plow assembly. The springs are positioned to generate a counterbalancing moment that offsets the gravitational force causing the assembly to tip forward, enabling stable handling during mounting and removal operations without requiring multiple personnel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the snow plow assembly is placed on a sloped surface, then it can be positioned for storage or transport, but it becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic coupling system between the push frame and lift frame that allows the assembly to adapt to sloped surfaces. The couplings enable relative movement and rotation, allowing the snow plow assembly to self-adjust its orientation and maintain stability when positioned on inclined surfaces, rather than requiring a perfectly level surface for storage or transport.
3Strength
If the push frame is rigidly attached to the lift frame, then the structure is strong, but it experiences significant stress and wear during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connection between the push frame and lift frame into multiple separate coupling points rather than a single rigid attachment. This segmentation allows each coupling to independently absorb and distribute stresses, reducing the concentration of forces on any single component and thereby decreasing wear and improving overall reliability while maintaining structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces rigid fixed connections with dynamic couplings that permit controlled relative movement between the push frame and lift frame. These couplings allow the structure to flex and adapt to operational forces, reducing stress concentrations and preventing the significant wear that would occur with rigid attachments during snow plowing operations.
4Stability of the object's composition
If two personnel are used to hold the snow plow steady during mounting, then the assembly remains stable, but the operation requires more time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the snow plow assembly to be self-stabilizing through the incorporation of springs and couplings that automatically counterbalance the assembly's weight and maintain stability during mounting and removal operations. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional personnel to manually hold the assembly steady, thereby improving productivity while ensuring stability throughout the operation.
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 assembly maintains stability, allowing single-user mounting and dismounting, and remains upright on uneven surfaces, reducing wear and stress on components.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second couplings each include a spring for mounting between the push frame and the lift frame
Implementation Method 2
The respective bearing blocks of the first and second couplings are configured to vertically move with the respective retaining members
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes a snow plow assembly for a vehicle including a push frame to which a moldboard is mountable for enabling removal of snow and a lift frame configured for mounting to the vehicle. A lift device is mounted to the lift frame to vertically raise or lower the push frame and the moldboard. A first coupling and a second coupling, attaching respective left and right sides of the push frame to corresponding sides of the lift frame. The couplings each include a spring for mounting between the push frame and the lift frame, each of the springs including weldments at opposite ends of each spring for attaching to the push frame and to the lift frame. The springs provide support to the lift frame to help prevent the snow plow assembly from falling over when detached from the vehicle and to reduce movement during transport.