Clevis Eye Block Jack Screw Connector Misalignment Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shallow pit car hoist systems face challenges in accommodating misalignment between lifting screws and drive mechanisms, which can lead to inefficiencies and reduced performance due to limited flexibility in connecting these components.
Innovation Solution
A jack screw connector with a flexible design that includes a clevis and eye block configuration, allowing for lateral movement and misalignment compensation, enabling the transmission of high axial and torque loads to actuate the lifting frame, featuring pivotable pins and a wear-resistant coating for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid connector is used to connect lifting screws and drive mechanisms, then structural strength is improved, but misalignment accommodation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a dynamic clevis and eye block configuration with pivotable pins that allow the connection to adapt its orientation. The clevis legs can rotate relative to each other around the pins, enabling the connector to dynamically adjust to misalignment between lifting screws and drive mechanisms while maintaining structural integrity under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector changes its geometric parameters (orientation angles, relative positions) through the rotation of clevis legs about the pins. This parameter change allows the rigid structural components to accommodate misalignment by adjusting their spatial configuration rather than deforming or failing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible connector is used to accommodate misalignment, then adaptability is improved, but load transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic rotation capability of the clevis legs allows the connector to maintain optimal load paths while accommodating misalignment. The pins serve as rotation centers that enable the clevis to dynamically reorient itself, ensuring that high axial and torque loads are transmitted efficiently to the lifting screws even when misalignment is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable pin joints introduce rotational degrees of freedom that allow the connector to navigate through angular misalignments. This curved/rotational motion path enables the flexible accommodation of misalignment while the rigid pin and clevis structure ensures high load transmission capability is maintained throughout the range of motion.
3Manufacturing precision
If misalignment is not accommodated, then manufacturing precision is improved, but system reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clevis and eye block configuration acts as an intermediary element between the lifting screws and drive mechanisms. This intermediary connector absorbs and compensates for misalignment through its rotational degrees of freedom, protecting the system from the negative effects of poor manufacturing precision while maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic rotation capability of the connector provides a mechanism to continuously adapt to misalignment conditions, ensuring reliable load transmission even when manufacturing tolerances result in imperfect alignment. This dynamic adjustment prevents stress concentrations and premature failures that would otherwise occur with rigid fixed-angle connections.
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 screw connector effectively accommodates misalignment, supporting high loads and maintaining efficient operation by allowing full range of motion and reducing torque on components, thus ensuring reliable vehicle lifting across various dimensions and weights.
Implementation Method 1
a first pin configured to be supported within the first bore and rotably carried by the pair of first clevis legs
Implementation Method 2
featuring pivotable pins and a wear-resistant coating for enhanced performance
Data Source
AI summary
A jack screw connector includes a first clevis including a pair of first clevis legs, an eye block including a first bore and a second bore such that the first and second bores are formed substantially perpendicular to each other, a first pin configured to be supported within the first bore and rotably carried by the pair of first clevis legs when a first end of the eye block is carried therebetween, a second clevis including a pair of second clevis legs sized to engage a second end of the eye block, and a second pin configured to be supported within the second bore and rotably carried by the pair of second clevis legs when aligned therewith.