ADJUSTABLE SNOW REMOVAL SYSTEM FOR HEAVY VEHICLES

Abstract

An adjustable snow removal system for heavy vehicles, comprises of an inverted U-shaped first frame 101 associated with system and developed to be installed over a lane, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 is installed on frame for capturing and processing multiple images of first frame 101, an ultrasonic sensor integrated on first frame 101 for monitoring dimensions of vehicle, a motorized first sliding unit 105 integrated in between poles and structure to translate structure along first sliding unit 105, a pair of second poles 202 are integrated in second frame 201 for supporting second frame 201 on lane, a pair of second sliding units 203 integrated in between second poles 202 and panel to translate panel along second poles 202, plurality of heat guns 204 integrated on panel to produce heat radiations, an inverted U-shaped third frame 301 is assembled on lane for wiping melted snow from roof.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustable snow removal system for heavy vehicles that monitors the dimensions of the vehicle in order to produce heat radiations on the deposited snow, to melt the snow from the surface of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Snow is a crucial component of Earth's hydrological cycle, especially in regions where accumulates as snowpack. When snow accumulates on the ground, provide insulation, water storage, and a critical water source as melts during warmer months, contributing to freshwater supplies in many parts of the world. Sometimes heavy snowfall disrupts daily routines, including school closures, flight cancellations, and interruptions to public services and also limit mobility, making challenging for people to travel or commute. Traditionally, Heavy-duty snow brushes or brooms with stiff bristles are often used to manually sweep snow off the surfaces of trucks or buses. This method is effective for light snow accumulations and be used to clear windows, mirrors, and other exterior surfaces. In cases of heavy snow accumulation, snow shovels or scoops may be used to manually remove snow from the roofs, hoods, and other large surfaces of vehicles.

[0003] Conventionally, traditional methods are useful but they have their own limitations, removing snow from shovels or scoops requires physical effort and may be time-consuming for large vehicles. Industrial snow blowers equipped with powerful fans used to remove heavy snow from the exterior of vehicles. Snow blowers are effective for clearing large areas quickly but may require specialized equipment and trained operators. Therefore, there is need to develop a system that are capable of monitoring the dimensions of the vehicle in order to produce heat radiations on the deposited snow, to melt the snow from the surface of the vehicle.

[0004] US4321724A discloses to facilitate the removal of heavy accumulations of snow from vehicle surfaces, a roughly triangular sweeping head is secured to a manipulating handle and be reciprocated along the axis of the handle or swung from side-to-side in a wide sweeping arc. Rubber-like blades attached to the three sides of the sweeping head include tapered edges projecting equidistantly beyond the plane in which the sweeping head and handle are located, thereby rendering the device reversible. The construction of the device is such that damage to the finish of the vehicle by its use is precluded. Very little physical effort is required to completely remove large deposits of snow by means of the device. Although US'724 is able to removal of heavy snow deposits from the glass and metal surfaces of automotive vehicles but however lacks in determining the dimension of the vehicle.

[0005] US20100313451A1 discloses about a snow removal vehicle is described and it has an enclosed snow melting chamber provided with a plurality of high-pressure steam jets which are connected to one or more steam generators. The enclosed snow melting chamber has a water collecting reservoir in a lower portion thereof below a bottom wall of the snow melting chamber. The bottom wall has passages to channel water from the snow melting chamber to the water collecting reservoir. The vehicle body has a front entry opening communicating with the snow melting chamber and an auger screw is mounted in the front entry opening to eject snow inside a forward end of the snow melting chamber. Snow propelling wheels are secured along at least a front-end portion of the snow melting chamber to propel snow ejected from the auger along the snow melting chamber for contact by the high-pressure steam to melt the snow. An outlet evacuating valve is provided to evacuate water collected in the water collecting reservoir. The vehicle may also be equipped with a hopper Shute for use in a stationary mode to melt snow dumped in the Shute. Though US'451 is able to remove snow from road vehicle using high pressure steam jets to melt the snow but lacks in removing snow from the surface of the vehicle.

[0006] Conventionally, many adjustable snow removal systems for heavy vehicles have been developed that are capable of removing snow from road vehicle using high pressure steam jets. However, the system lacks in monitoring the dimensions of the vehicle in order to remove snow deposited on surface of the vehicle as well as the system are not capable of producing heat radiations on the deposited snow in order to melt the snow.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a system that needs to be capable of monitoring the dimensions of the vehicle to remove snow deposited on surface of the vehicle as well as the system produces heat radiations on the deposited snow to melt the snow.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a system that is capable of monitoring the dimensions of the vehicle in order to remove snow deposited on surface of the vehicle.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a system that is capable of producing heat radiations on the deposited snow in order to melt the snow.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a system that is reliable in nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an adjustable snow removal system for heavy vehicles that monitors the dimensions of the vehicle in order to produce heat radiations on the deposited snow, to melt the snow from the surface of the vehicle.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable snow removal system for heavy vehicles, comprises of an inverted U-shaped first frame associated with the system and developed to be installed over a lane, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit is installed on the frame and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the first frame to determine presence of a heavy vehicle passing through the lane and deposited with snow, an ultrasonic sensor integrated on the first frame and synced with the imaging unit for monitoring dimensions of the vehicle, a pair of first poles are integrated in the first frame and integrated with an inverted V-shaped structure mounted on top portion of the first poles, a motorized first sliding unit integrated in between each of the poles and the structure to translate the structure along the first sliding units, a pair of second poles are integrated in the second frame for supporting the second frame on the lane, a panel is mounted on top portion of the second poles by means of a pair of second sliding units integrated in between the second poles and panel to translate the panel along the second poles for orienting the panel over the roof of the passing vehicle.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the disclosed system further comprises of a plurality of heat guns integrated on the panel to produce heat radiations on the deposited snow, an inverted U-shaped third frame is assembled on the lane ahead of the second frame in view of wiping melted snow from roof, a pair of third poles integrated with a motorized third sliding unit are integrated in the third frame for supporting the panel over the lane, a pair of containers are assembled at base of each of the frames for collecting removed snow.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of an inverted U-shaped first frame associated with the system;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of an inverted U-shaped second frame associated with the system; and
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of an inverted U-shaped third frame assembled on the lane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to an adjustable snow removal system for heavy vehicles that is capable of monitoring the dimensions of the vehicle in order to produce heat radiations on the deposited snow, to melt the snow from the surface of the vehicle.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, 2 and 3, an isometric view of an inverted U-shaped first, second and third frame associated with the system is illustrated, respectively comprises of an inverted U-shaped first frame 101 associated with the system and developed to be installed over a lane, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 is installed on the frame, a pair of first poles 103 are integrated in the first frame 101 and integrated with an inverted V-shaped structure 104 mounted on top portion of the first poles 103, further illustrates a motorized first sliding unit 105 integrated in between each of the poles and the structure, an inverted U-shaped second frame 201 associated with the system and installed on the lane, a pair of second poles 202 are integrated in the second frame 201, a pair of second sliding units 203 integrated in between the second poles 202 and panel, plurality of heat guns 204 integrated on the panel, an inverted U-shaped third frame 301 is assembled on the lane, a pair of third poles 302 integrated with a motorized third sliding unit 303 are integrated in the third frame 301, a pair of containers 106 are assembled at base of each of the frames.

[0023] The disclosed invention comprises of an inverted U-shaped first frame 101 associated with the system and developed to be installed over a lane. Further, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 is installed on the frame for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the first frame 101 to determine presence of a heavy vehicle passing through the lane and deposited with snow. An artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 comprises of a camera lens and a processor, wherein the 360-degree rotatable camera captures multiple images of the first frame 101 and then the processor carries out a sequence of steps including pre-processing, feature extraction and segmentation. In pre-processing, the unwanted data like noise, background is removed out and the image is converted into a format recommended for feature extraction. The features like pixel intensities of the foreground image are extracted and are sent for classification to determine presence of a heavy vehicle passing through the lane and deposited with snow.

[0024] Upon determining the presence of a heavy vehicle passing through the lane and deposited with snow, microcontroller actuates an ultrasonic sensor integrated on the first frame 101 and synced with the imaging unit 102 for monitoring dimensions of the vehicle. The ultrasonic sensor works by emitting ultrasonic waves and then measuring the time taken by these waves to bounce back after hitting the surface of the vehicle. The ultrasonic sensor includes two main parts viz. transmitter, and a receiver for monitoring dimensions of the vehicle. The transmitter sends a short ultrasonic pulse towards the surface of vehicle which propagates through the air at the speed of sound and reflects back as an echo to the transmitter as the pulse hits the vehicle. The transmitter then detects the reflected eco from the surface vehicle and calculations is performed by the sensor based on the time interval between the sending signal and receiving echo to determine the dimensions of the vehicle. The determined data is sent to the microcontroller in a signal form.

[0025] Upon determining the dimensions of the vehicle, a motorized first sliding unit 105 integrated in between each of the poles and the structure are actuated by the microcontroller to translate the structure along the first sliding unit 105 for getting positioned at a required height in a manner that upon passing of the vehicle through the lane, edges of snow deposited on surface of the vehicle is obstructed by the structure in order to remove edges of the deposited snow. The motorized first sliding unit 105 consists of a pair of sliding rails fabricated with grooves in which the wheel of a slider is positioned that is further connected with a bi-directional motor via a shaft. The microcontroller actuates the bi-directional motor to rotate in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction that aids in the rotation of the shaft, wherein the shaft converts the electrical energy into rotational energy for allowing movement of the wheel to translate over the sliding rail by a firm grip on the grooves. The movement of the motorized first sliding unit 105 results in the translation of the structure along the first sliding unit 105 for getting positioned at the required height in order to remove edges of the deposited snow.

[0026] Upon removing the edges of the deposited snow, a panel mounted on top portion of the second poles 202 by means of a pair of second sliding units 203 integrated in between the second poles 202 and panel are actuated by the microcontroller to translate the panel along the second poles 202 for orienting the panel over the roof of the passing vehicle. Second sliding unit's works similar to first sliding unit 105 in order to orienting the panel over the roof of the passing vehicle.

[0027] Upon orienting the panel over the roof of the passing vehicle, plurality of heat guns 204 integrated on the panel are actuated by the microcontroller to produce heat radiations on the deposited snow, while the vehicle passes from underneath the second frame 201 in view of melting the deposited snow. The heat gun is the device that emit the stream of hot air, usually at temperatures between 100 and 550 °C (373 and 823 K; 212 and 1,022 °F), with some hotter models running around 760 °C (1,030 K; 1,400 °F). The heat gun comprises a source of heat, usually an electrically heated element or a propane/liquefied, a mechanism to move the hot air such as an electric fan. The nozzle mounted on the heat gun directs the air pointing on the deposited snow in view of melting the deposited snow.

[0028] Upon melting the deposited snow, an inverted U-shaped third frame 301 assembled on the lane ahead of the second frame 201 and mounted with a sharp-edged wiping blade is oriented over the vehicle's roof in view of wiping melted snow from roof of the vehicle while the vehicle passes from underneath the third frame 301. Further, a pair of third poles integrated with a motorized third sliding unit are integrated in the third frame 301 for supporting the panel over the lane. Third sliding unit works similar to first sliding unit 105 in order to support the panel over the lane.

[0029] Further, a pair of containers 106 are assembled at base of each of the frames for collecting removed snow or water from the vehicle that are drained on the ground surface in order to prevent excessive deposition of the removed snow or water in vicinity of the frames.

[0030] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the inverted U-shaped first frame 101 as disclosed in the invention is associated with the system and developed to be installed over the lane. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 captures and processes multiple images in vicinity of the first frame 101 to determine presence of the heavy vehicle passing through the lane and deposited with snow. Upon determining the presence of the heavy vehicle, the ultrasonic sensor monitors the dimensions of the vehicle. Upon monitoring the dimensions of the vehicle, the motorized first sliding unit 105 are actuated by the microcontroller to translate the structure along the first sliding unit 105 for getting positioned at the required height in the manner that upon passing of the vehicle through the lane, edges of snow deposited on surface of the vehicle is obstructed by the structure in order to remove edges of the deposited snow. Further, the pair of second poles 202 support the second frame 201 on the lane in the manner that the panel mounted on top portion of the second poles 202 are actuated by the microcontroller to translate the panel along the second poles 202 for orienting the panel over the roof of the passing vehicle. Upon orienting the panel over the roof of the passing vehicle, plurality of heat guns 204 produces heat radiations on the deposited snow while the vehicle passes from underneath the second frame 201 in view of melting the deposited snow. Further, the inverted U-shaped third frame 301 is oriented over the vehicle's roof in view of wiping melted snow from roof of the vehicle while the vehicle passes from underneath the third frame 301. Further the pair of containers 106 collects removed snow or water from the vehicle which is drained on the ground surface in order to prevent excessive deposition of the removed snow or water in vicinity of the frames.

[0031] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An adjustable snow removal system for heavy vehicles, comprising:

i) an inverted U-shaped first frame 101 associated with said system and developed to be installed over a lane, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 is installed on said frame and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said first frame 101, respectively to determine presence of a heavy vehicle passing through said lane and deposited with snow;
ii) an ultrasonic sensor integrated on said first frame 101 and synced with said imaging unit 102 for monitoring dimensions of said vehicle, wherein a pair of first poles 103 are integrated in said first frame 101 and integrated with an inverted V-shaped structure 104 mounted on top portion of said first poles 103;
iii) a motorized first sliding unit 105 integrated in between each of said poles and said structure that are actuated by said microcontroller to translate said structure along said first sliding unit 105 for getting positioned at a required height in a manner that upon passing of said vehicle through said lane, edges of snow deposited on surface of said vehicle is obstructed by said structure in order to remove edges of said deposited snow;
iv) an inverted U-shaped second frame 201 associated with said system and installed on said lane, ahead of said first frame 101, wherein a pair of second poles 202 are integrated in said second frame 201 for supporting said second frame 201 on said lane in a manner that a panel is mounted on top portion of said second poles 202 by means of a pair of second sliding units 203 integrated in between said second poles 202 and panel that are actuated by said microcontroller to translate said panel along said second poles 202 for orienting said panel over said roof of said passing vehicle; and
v) plurality of heat guns 204 integrated on said panel that are actuated by said microcontroller to produce heat radiations on said deposited snow while said vehicle passes from underneath said second frame 201 in view of melting said deposited snow, wherein an inverted U-shaped third frame 301 is assembled on said lane ahead of said second frame 201 and mounted with a sharp-edged wiping blade that is oriented over said vehicle's roof in view of wiping melted snow from roof of said vehicle while said vehicle passes from underneath said third frame 301.

2) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of third poles, each integrated with a motorized third sliding unit are integrated in said third frame 301 for supporting said panel over said lane.

3) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of containers 106 are assembled at base of each of said frames for collecting removed snow or water from said vehicle which is drained on a ground surface in order to prevent excessive deposition of said removed snow or water in vicinity of said frames.

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