Telescopic Snow Removal Head With LEDs for Low-Light Vehicle Clearing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current devices for removing snow and ice from vehicles are inefficient and limited by the amount of snowfall and vehicle size, and they often fail to reach difficult areas such as the top of vehicles, especially in low-light conditions.

Innovation Solution

An extendable device with a telescopic extension, a scraper portion, and a removal head equipped with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that allows for adjustable length, enabling effective removal of snow and ice from various vehicle sizes and providing illumination for nighttime use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a conventional brush is used to remove snow from vehicles, then the device is simple to use, but it cannot reach difficult areas such as the top of vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereach of the deviceVSAvoidstructure of the device
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a telescopic extension that can be adjusted to different lengths, allowing the device to reach various areas of vehicles including the top. The telescopic mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of the device length to match different user needs and vehicle sizes, resolving the contradiction between extended reach and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device is divided into multiple components: a handle, a telescopic extension, a scraper portion, and a removal head. This segmentation allows the telescopic portion to be extended or retracted independently, providing extended reach without making the entire device overly complex or difficult to manage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single device is used to remove both snow and ice, then the device becomes versatile, but it increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to remove different kinds of debrisVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device integrates multiple functions into a single tool: the scraper portion for removing ice and the foam removal head for clearing snow. Both components are attached to the same telescopic handle, allowing users to address different types of debris (ice versus snow) with one versatile device rather than requiring separate tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the scraper portion and the foam removal head onto a single telescopic extension assembly. This merging of functions into one device provides versatility for handling both ice and snow removal tasks while maintaining a unified, manageable structure that does not excessively increase complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Illumination intensity

If the device is used at night or in low light conditions, then the user needs illumination, but adding lighting elements increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting around the removal headVSAvoidcomponents of the device
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting element is integrated directly into the removal head assembly, merging the illumination function with the existing snow removal component. This combination provides necessary illumination for nighttime use without requiring a completely separate lighting device, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the telescopic extension is made adjustable for various users and vehicle sizes, then the device becomes more adaptable, but it increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability for various users and vehiclesVSAvoidtelescopic mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic extension incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the length to be modified according to different user heights and vehicle sizes. This dynamic adaptability enables a single device to serve multiple users and various vehicle types without requiring multiple fixed-length devices, effectively managing the complexity through a standardized adjustable design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 device effectively removes snow and ice from vehicles of different sizes, including hard-to-reach areas, while the embedded LEDs enhance usability in low-light conditions, improving safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

One or more lighting elements, for example light emitting diodes (LEDs), are embedded in the head to assist in illuminating an area around the head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3223674B1Device with removal head and lighting element
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 SNOW JOE LLC
  • EP3223674B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3223674B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3223674B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device or tool for removing snow and other debris from vehicles, and other surfaces including a handle having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a scraper portion coupled to the first end, and a head coupled to the second end. One or more light emitting elements are incorporated into the head to provide for ease of use in low light situations. The head may be a laterally extended foam head that is non- abrasive, freeze resistant, and durable. The handle may include a telescopic extension to allow a reach of a user to be increased or decreased allowing the user to clear away snow and other debris from various sizes of vehicles.