Adjustable Universal Adaptor for Lifting Jack Transmission Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lifting jack adapters are inadequate for securely supporting and stabilizing modern automotive transmissions with complex shapes, leading to safety hazards and increased risk of damage due to limited space and weight distribution challenges.
Innovation Solution
A universal adaptor for lifting jacks featuring a horizontal support plate with vertically offset elongated arms that can be adjusted in angle and length, equipped with holding assemblies to securely engage the transmission, providing enhanced stability and preventing side-to-side or front-to-back movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed top plate is used on the lifting jack, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot securely stabilize transmissions with complex shapes and provides insufficient constraint against side-to-side or front-to-back movement
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor divides the support structure into multiple segments: a fixed horizontal plate for basic support and multiple elongated arms that can be independently positioned and angled. Each arm can be adjusted to different angles and lengths, allowing the system to adapt to various transmission shapes and sizes while maintaining simplicity of the core fixed platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor transitions from a static fixed plate to a dynamic structure with adjustable elongated arms. The arms can be positioned at selectable angles and extended to different lengths, allowing the support structure to adapt dynamically to different transmission geometries and provide optimal stabilization for each specific application.
2Ease of operation
If ample room is provided around the transmission, then it is easier to apply tools and secure the transmission with straps, but modern automotive designs have limited spacing around components
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on horizontal spacing around the transmission, the adaptor utilizes the vertical dimension by extending arms upward from the horizontal plate. The holding assemblies engage transmission portions at elevated positions, allowing securement without requiring lateral clearance that is unavailable in modern compact engine bay designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor introduces intermediate holding assemblies that can engage various portions of the transmission casing. These intermediaries provide multiple engagement points and flexible positioning, enabling securement of transmissions even when direct strap application is difficult due to limited access space.
3Reliability
If a strap or chain is used to secure the transmission, then it can prevent falling, but it requires significant space to weave around the transmission and is time-consuming to apply
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor extracts the essential securing function from the complex process of weaving straps around the transmission. By providing pre-positioned holding assemblies on adjustable arms, the system separates the support function from the time-consuming strapping process, maintaining safety while dramatically reducing the time and effort required for securement.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor performs preliminary positioning and stabilization actions through its adjustable arms and holding assemblies before the transmission is fully lowered. The arms can be pre-positioned at appropriate angles and lengths, and the holding assemblies can engage transmission portions in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site strap application.
4Reliability
If two technicians are used to stabilize the transmission, then safety is improved, but this increases labor requirements and is not always feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor provides self-service stabilization capabilities through its own structural design. The multiple adjustable arms with holding assemblies create a self-supporting framework that stabilizes the transmission during lowering without requiring external human assistance. The system serves itself by using its adjustable geometry to distribute and manage loads independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor acts as an intermediary between the lifting jack and the transmission, providing the stabilization function that would otherwise require human technicians. The adjustable arms and holding assemblies serve as mechanical intermediaries that bridge the gap, transferring and distributing forces to maintain safety without human intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptor is provided for a jack assembly having a lifting jack carrying a horizontal plate for raising and lowering a heavy component supported by the jack assembly. The adaptor includes a horizontal support plate fastened to and vertically offset from the horizontal plate of the jack assembly by a height. A plurality of elongated arms is slidably mounted between the two plates to move in a generally horizontal plane. Each of arms includes a holding assembly configured to engage portions of the component supported on the support plate to stabilize the component as it is raised and lowered by the jack assembly. The arms are supported in the height between the two plates at different heights so that the arms are capable of a wide range of rotational and linear movements to adjust the position of the holding assembly of each arm relative to the heavy component.