Airplane Nose Wheel Jack with Pivoting Lever and Roller Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for lifting a light airplane's nose wheel for maintenance, such as using jacks or manual labor, are inefficient and can damage the propeller or impede access, highlighting a need for a safer and more efficient device.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight airplane jack with a lever that pivots on rolling mechanisms and an adjustable base, featuring a two-sided nose wheel fork and safety features like non-metallic, low-friction blocks and a sliding lever to securely lift the nose wheel assembly, allowing one person to perform the task effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a jack is positioned in front of the nose wheel to lift the airplane, then the nose wheel can be lifted off the ground, but access to the nose wheel is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fork as an intermediary component that engages with the nose wheel assembly from the sides rather than from in front. The fork cradles the nose wheel, allowing the jack to lift the airplane without positioning equipment directly in front of the wheel, thus maintaining access for maintenance operations.
2Reliability
If pressure is applied to the propeller to lift the airplane, then the nose wheel can be lifted, but the propeller may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lifting action from the propeller entirely. Instead of applying pressure to the propeller, the jack applies pressure through the fork that engages with the nose wheel assembly, completely removing the harmful factor of propeller stress while maintaining the lifting function.
3Ease of manufacture
If two technicians are used to manually hold down the tail and remove the nose wheel, then the nose wheel can be maintained, but one technician's time is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service by providing a mechanical device that automatically holds the airplane in the lifted position once positioned. The over-center locking mechanism maintains the lifting action without requiring continuous human effort, allowing one technician to perform the entire maintenance operation independently and efficiently.
4Productivity
If a lightweight jack is used to raise the nose wheel, then one person can operate it, but the jack must be sufficiently strong to lift the airplane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic mechanical advantage through a lever arm that pivots on rolling mechanisms. The lever allows a single operator to generate sufficient lifting force by applying effort at a distant point from the fulcrum, converting small input forces into large output forces needed to lift the airplane while keeping the jack structure lightweight.
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
The jack provides convenience, simplicity, and safety by enabling efficient one-person operation, preventing damage to the airplane and ensuring stable lifting and access to the nose wheel for maintenance, with the ability to be scaled for various aircraft weights.
Implementation Method 1
Blocks of a non-metallic and low-friction material to be anti-marring to the fork are attached to the vertical supports
Implementation Method 2
The lever is slid forward of the invention and locked by a spring pin connected to the base to secure it for positioning the invention
Implementation Method 3
an operator applies a downward physical force to the lever thereby pivoting on the roller assemblies and imparting a lifting force to the nose wheel fork
Implementation Method 4
A lever allows for sliding while carried by the base
Data Source
AI summary
An airplane jack to lift a light airplane nose wheel off the ground by the nose wheel fork to allow maintenance. The jack uses a lever to manually pivot on rollers to lift the nose wheel fork by non-marring cradling supports. A sliding lever provides unencumbered wheel access and extra safety against any possible pivoting of the jack by repositioning the lever. The jack's width can be adjusted to work with a plurality of nose wheel forks and varied in size and material to operate with a plurality of airplanes.