Flexible Jack Pad System for Uneven Ground Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle jacks can damage surfaces due to sinking into uneven ground, posing safety hazards and efficiency issues during vehicle leveling and towing.
Innovation Solution
A jack pad system comprising a rigid pad bracket connected to a flexible or elastic jack pad, which increases the contact area with the ground, distributing the load and preventing sinking, while being easy to install and remove.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional jack base is used to support the vehicle, then the jack can lift and support the vehicle, but the jack base sinks into soft or uneven surfaces causing damage and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible pad material between the rigid jack base and the ground surface. This flexible element distributes the concentrated load from the jack base over a larger area, preventing sinking into soft surfaces while maintaining the structural support capability. The flexible pad conforms to uneven surfaces, increasing contact area and reducing pressure intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite support system combining the rigid jack base (for structural strength and lifting capability) with a flexible pad material (for surface protection and load distribution). This composite structure integrates the advantages of both rigid and flexible materials to simultaneously achieve support functionality and surface protection.
2Device complexity
If the jack base contacts the ground directly, then the structure remains simple, but the jack base damages the ground surface and poses safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pad serves as an intermediary element between the jack base and the ground surface. It mediates the interaction by distributing loads and conforming to surface irregularities, thereby preventing damage and enhancing safety without significantly complicating the overall jack structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is segmented into distinct functional components: the rigid jack base for lifting, the flexible pad for surface interaction, and the attachment mechanism for connection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system simplicity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the jack base is made larger to distribute load, then surface damage is reduced, but the jack structure becomes more complex and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the horizontal dimensions of the jack base, the invention introduces a vertical dimension by adding a flexible pad that can compress and conform to the surface. This dimensional approach achieves load distribution without increasing the jack's footprint or structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pad changes the physical parameters of the contact interface by increasing surface area through conformal deformation and reducing contact pressure through material compliance. This allows effective load distribution without modifying the rigid jack base dimensions or structure.
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 system enhances stability and safety by preventing surface damage and ensuring level positioning of vehicles, even on soft or uneven surfaces, without the need for external fasteners.
Implementation Method 1
the jack pad is formed of a flexible or elastic material
Data Source
AI summary
A system, and device for supporting a vehicle, the system may include a substantially rigid pad bracket and include a jack pad configured to engageably connect to the pad bracket, the jack pad includes body having an upper surface and a lower surface joined by a side wall and defining a recess for retaining a portion of the pad bracket, wherein the jack pad is formed of a flexible or elastic material.