Development of an Automated Electric Snowplow for Vehicles by Using a Sprocket and Chain for Improving Durability

Abstract

Failure of conventional snowplows is usually caused by the strain put it its rotational parts. In the case of the vertical rotation, when the snowplow is rising or falling, the sensor automatically stops the rotation and the wire could be break due to the impact from an endless drive in the reverse direction or conversely from the winding of the wire. While in motion, snowplows are frequently over turned due to their heavy weight. Snowplows are manufactured with conventional steel plates and have heavy hydraulic cylinders which makes them heavy. This can result in the damaging of the vehicle due to the mounted snowplow and its malfunctions. In this study, a composite resin blade with a high-strength and is lightweight was developed for a snowplow. In order to ensure durability of the snowplows, a new bobbin was designed to mimic the clutch of a vehicle. This study was developed to eliminate the tension and fatigue of the wire by winding the chain instead of the wire in the newly designed bobbin.