Elevated Jack Base Structure for Lifted Vehicle Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicle owners face safety and stability issues when using standard jacks on vehicles with lifted suspension or larger tires, as the jacks' lifting height is insufficient to safely raise the vehicle, leading to potential instability and damage.
Innovation Solution
A base unit for jacks that elevates the jack's position using a central support surface and extension members, providing additional height and stability through recessed designs and secure mounting mechanisms, allowing the jack to accommodate increased vehicle heights safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the jack is used on a vehicle with lifted suspension or larger tires, then the jack can accommodate the increased vehicle height, but the jack becomes unstable and unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit introduces a vertical dimension by elevating the support surface above the base level. This allows the jack to be positioned at a higher elevation without extending the jack's own lifting height, thereby resolving the contradiction between accommodating taller vehicles and maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit acts as an intermediary between the ground and the jack. By placing the jack on the elevated support surface of the base unit rather than directly on the ground, the system achieves the necessary height clearance while the base unit's wide base maintains overall stability.
2Length of moving object
If the jack is used at a height beyond the recommended height limit, then the vehicle can be raised to the desired height, but the vehicle and jack become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit provides vertical elevation through its elevated support surface, allowing the jack to operate within its recommended height limits while still achieving the necessary clearance for lifted vehicles. This separates the height accommodation function from the jack's lifting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit serves as a stable intermediary platform that absorbs the height adjustment requirement, allowing the jack to maintain its optimal operating height range while the base unit's geometry provides the necessary elevation and stability.
3Length of moving object
If the jack is used at a different point on the vehicle than the recommended jacking point, then the vehicle can be raised to the desired height, but the vehicle and jack become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit acts as a stable intermediary platform with a wide base area that compensates for suboptimal jack positioning. By providing a broad, stable foundation, the base unit reduces the sensitivity of the system to deviations from the recommended jacking point, maintaining overall stability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If base units are designed to increase surface area for stability, then the jack becomes more stable, but the jack is not elevated to the desired level
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit simultaneously addresses both stability and height by introducing vertical elevation through its elevated support surface. The wide base provides stability in the horizontal plane, while the elevated support surface provides the necessary vertical clearance for lifted vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit merges two functions into a single component: stability enhancement through wide base area and height elevation through elevated support surface. This integration resolves the contradiction by achieving both objectives simultaneously rather than requiring separate solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to a base support for a jack, and in particular, to a base support for a jack that elevates the jack above a support surface to extend the lifting height of the jack.