Tilt Sensing Device for Containment Plow Using Accelerometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containment plows face challenges in determining when they are level or tilted, leading to uneven wear of sacrificial skid members and potential damage, as traditional mechanical tilt indicators are prone to damage and difficult to read, especially in snowy conditions.
Innovation Solution
A tilt sensing and indicating device equipped with a sensor, such as an accelerometer, and visual indicators like LEDs, which provide a clear visual signal when the plow deviates from a defined angle, ensuring the plow remains level and engaged with the surface, thereby preventing excessive wear and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical tilt indicator (bar extending vertically with a freely pivoting bar) is used to indicate plow orientation, then the plow operator can see when the plow is tilted, but the indicator is prone to damage (bending, breakage), accumulation of snow and ice, and is difficult to see clearly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tilt indicator system (freely pivoting bar) with an electronic sensor system (accelerometer) that electronically detects and signals plow tilt status. This substitution eliminates the mechanical components that are susceptible to snow/ice accumulation and physical damage, while providing reliable visual feedback through LED indicators that are protected within the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a protective housing that encloses the electronic components, and specifically mentions a transparent or translucent cover that protects the LED indicators while allowing visibility. This protective enclosure shields the internal components from snow, ice, and physical damage while maintaining the indicator function.
2Measurement precision
If a mechanical tilt indicator is mounted at or near the side of the plow, then it can detect tilt, but it is difficult to see and prone to swinging as a pendulum in response to momentum changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pendulum-based tilt indicator with an electronic accelerometer sensor that is mounted on the plow blade. The accelerometer electronically measures tilt angles without being subject to pendulum swinging caused by momentum changes. The sensor data is processed by a microcontroller to determine tilt status and control LED indicators, providing stable and accurate tilt information regardless of plow movement dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the accelerometer sensor on the plow blade itself rather than on a freely pivoting mechanical structure. This changes the mounting dimension from a suspended mechanical indicator to a fixed sensor mounted directly on the plow structure, eliminating pendulum effects while maintaining tilt measurement capability through electronic sensing.
3Productivity
If the plow is tilted forward causing the rear to lift off the surface, then the operator may not notice the tilt, but the rear loses contact with the surface resulting in poor snow removal performance and excessive wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the accelerometer continuously monitors plow blade tilt angles, the microcontroller processes this data to determine when the plow is improperly tilted, and the LED indicators provide immediate visual feedback to the operator. This feedback loop enables the operator to adjust the plow tilt in real-time to maintain proper contact with the surface, preventing rear lift-off and ensuring consistent snow removal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color-changing LED indicators to communicate tilt status to the operator. Different LED colors (e.g., green for proper tilt, red for excessive tilt) provide intuitive visual feedback about plow orientation. This color-coded feedback system enables quick operator response to maintain optimal plow engagement and prevent performance degradation from improper tilting.
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 monitors and indicates the tilt of the plow, ensuring optimal engagement with the surface, reducing wear on skid members and preventing damage, while being robust and easy to read from the operator's perspective.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor, attached to the containment plow, for detecting the angular orientation of the containment plow
Data Source
AI summary
A tilt sensing and signaling device for a containment plow.