Crank Handle Drive Device for Manual Trailer Jacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual trailer jacks require significant torque to raise or lower trailers, making them difficult for users to operate, especially when handling heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A handle attachment device that couples a drive shaft with an engagement head to the crank handle, allowing users to rotate the crank using a power tool like a drill, reducing manual effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual crank handle is used to raise or lower the trailer, then the jack can be operated without power tools, but the device requires a large amount of torque making it difficult for users to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical crank operation with a power tool (electric drill or impact driver) to provide the necessary torque. The attachment device interfaces the power tool's drive shaft with the jack's crank, substituting human mechanical effort with motorized power to overcome the high torque requirement.
2Strength
If the crank handle is designed to handle heavy loads, then the jack can raise or lower heavy trailers, but the torque requirement increases making it harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a power tool to substitute human effort in operating the crank, allowing the jack to handle heavy loads without increasing the physical effort required by the user. The power tool provides the necessary torque multiplication to operate high-strength jack mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device serves as an intermediary between the power tool and the jack crank. It transfers power from the drill's drive shaft to the crank while maintaining the structural integrity needed to handle heavy loads, bridging the gap between low-power manual input and high-force mechanical output.
3Ease of operation
If a power tool attachment is added to the crank handle, then the torque requirement is reduced for the user, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment device is designed to be universally compatible with standard power tools that have 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch drive shafts. This multi-functionality allows the same attachment to work with various drill and driver models, reducing the need for custom-designed solutions and simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device is divided into separate components: a body portion that interfaces with the crank, a drive shaft interface portion that connects to the power tool, and fastening elements. This segmentation allows for easy assembly, disassembly, and maintenance, reducing the operational complexity despite adding functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations include a handle attachment device. The device includes a body and a drive shaft. The body has a first portion and a second portion. Each of the first portion and second portion defines at least one fastener opening. Each of the at least one fastener opening defined by the first portion is alignable with one of the at least one fastener opening defined by the second portion. The first portion and the second portion are clampable on a crank when the device is in a mounted position. The crank has a crank rotational axis.