Variable Snowplough Blade With Foldable Wings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current variable snow blades, such as Vario snow blades, are not optimized for efficiency in clearing snow, particularly in large areas, as they often result in lateral snow deposition, reducing effective clearing width and increasing effort due to snow accumulation and sliding off the blade.
Innovation Solution
The snow blade features additional foldable wings at the ends, which can pivot vertically to reduce length when folded and extend when unfolded, allowing for a U-shaped configuration to prevent snow escape, and includes pretensioned moving parts that fold back upon obstacles to avoid damage, all actuated by hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders for efficient snow handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the snow blade is configured as a straight blade for clearing large areas, then the clearing width is maximized, but snow slides off the sides laterally reducing effective clearing width and increasing effort
Solution Approach 1:
The snow blade incorporates movable wings at its free ends that can be dynamically adjusted between different positions. These wings can be folded out to form a U-shape configuration that prevents lateral snow escape, or folded in for straight blade operation. This dynamic adaptability allows the blade to optimize snow retention while maintaining clearing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The snow blade is divided into a central blade portion and separate wing elements at its free ends. These wings are articulated independently and can be positioned separately to create the U-shaped configuration. This segmentation allows the wings to be deployed only when needed for snow retention, while the main blade maintains its clearing function.
2Strength
If the snow blade is made rigid to maintain structural strength, then it can handle heavy snow loads, but it cannot adapt to obstacles and uneven terrain without damage
Solution Approach 1:
The wing elements are designed with articulation points and spring mechanisms that allow them to move dynamically in response to terrain variations and obstacles. When the blade encounters an obstacle, the wings can fold back independently, absorbing impact forces and preventing damage to the main blade structure, while maintaining overall structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Spring elements are pre-installed on the wings to provide cushioning force. These springs are pretensioned to push the wings in the direction of snow removal, but can allow the wings to fold back when encountering obstacles, providing beforehand cushioning against impact forces and preventing damage.
3Ease of operation
If the snow blade length is reduced for maneuverability, then it can navigate tighter spaces, but the effective clearing width is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The snow blade is segmented into a fixed central portion and extendable wing portions. The central blade maintains a manageable length for maneuverability, while the wings can be extended laterally to increase the effective clearing width when needed. This segmentation allows independent optimization of maneuverability and clearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wings are designed to be movable and can be extended or retracted based on operational requirements. When maneuverability is needed, the wings can be folded in, reducing the overall footprint. When clearing width is prioritized, the wings are extended to maximize the effective clearing area.
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
This configuration enhances snow holding and transport efficiency, maintaining clearing width and reducing effort by preventing lateral snow deposition, while the foldable design adapts to obstacles and uneven terrain for improved snow removal performance.
Implementation Method 1
The wing parts can be pivoted by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder about a vertical axis that coincides with the pivot pin
Implementation Method 2
The wing parts can be pivoted by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder about a vertical axis
Implementation Method 3
spring elements, which are pretensioned in particular by means of springs in the direction of snow removal
Implementation Method 4
can fold back against the spring force when hitting an obstacle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The blade (2) has two snow remover blade parts (3, 4) hinged to each other. The hinged blade parts are folded from a linear position, in which the blade parts form a linear snow remover blade, into a V-shaped position. Foldable wing elements (5, 6) are arranged at one free end of the hinged blade parts. The wing elements are folded in snow removing direction behind one of the hinged blade parts so that the wing elements run behind the blade part. The wing elements are pivoted around more than 180 in relation to the blade parts.