Adjustable Weight Supporting Apparatus for Limited Chassis Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automotive settings, the limited space under the chassis often prevents the placement of jack stands due to the occupation by lifting devices like hydraulic floor jacks, posing hazards to vehicles and personnel, necessitating a weight supporting apparatus that is easily locatable, adjustable in height, and capable of being disassembled for storage.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable weight supporting apparatus comprising a support member, adapter, and leg, where the leg can be inserted to a selectable length and fixed using pins, allowing the apparatus to be positioned adjacent to lifting devices and supporting objects with limited clearance, and featuring a design that allows for disassembly for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydraulic floor jack is used to lift the automobile, then the lifting function is achieved, but the jack occupies the jacking point space preventing proper placement of jack stands
Solution Approach 1:
The jack stand apparatus is designed to nest within the limited space under the automobile chassis. The support member fits into the jacking point area, and the leg extends downward into the available space, effectively nesting the entire apparatus within the confined under-chassis environment without requiring additional external space.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg of the jack stand apparatus is made adjustable in length, allowing it to adapt to different clearance heights under the vehicle. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the apparatus to fit various spatial configurations and accommodate the limited and varying space available under different automobile chassis designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the space under the chassis is limited, then the apparatus must be compact, but adjustability in height is needed to fit different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The jack stand apparatus is divided into separable components: a support member and an adjustable leg connected by a joint. This segmentation allows the leg to be detached and stored alongside or within the support member, significantly reducing the storage volume when not in use, while maintaining full height adjustment capability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg incorporates an adjustable length mechanism with selectable positions, allowing the apparatus to adapt to different height requirements under various vehicles. The dynamic adjustability is achieved through mechanisms that allow the leg to be extended or retracted to specific lengths, providing versatility without requiring a completely different apparatus for each application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the leg is made adjustable to fit limited clearance, then the apparatus can accommodate various vehicles, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is segmented into a support member and a separate adjustable leg assembly. This segmentation isolates the complexity of the adjustment mechanism to only the leg portion, while the support member remains simple and straightforward. The joint connecting them provides a clear interface that simplifies both assembly and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment and locking mechanisms are localized to specific regions of the leg, such as at the joint connection point or at discrete adjustment positions along the leg length. This local concentration of complexity allows the majority of the apparatus structure to remain simple, while providing the necessary adaptability only where required for height adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for partially supporting a vehicle is provided especially for a vehicle having a very limited area on its underside within which to safely apply an upward force, including vehicles with a small distance between the bottom of the chassis and the ground such as a sports car which allows the user to position a lifting jack at the proper access jack point for lifting a portion of the vehicle, and lifting the jack and vehicle portion upwardly to a desired height. The legs of the jack stand can be temporarily inserted into a support member engaging the vehicle and the jack. The jack stand includes a support member with open ends telescopically connected to a pair of rigid legs that are curved and each of the legs are telescopically attached to supporting bases using locking pins. Once the jack stand is installed, the lifting jack can be removed.