Hydraulic Car Jack Base Structure to Prevent Lateral Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulically operated jacks, such as trolley jacks, experience lateral movement during lifting, compromising safety and maneuverability, especially when used in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
The hydraulic cylinder is rigidly connected to the jack's floor structure, preventing lateral movement by maintaining a stable base, and incorporating a rolling element that guides the jack along a track for maneuverability and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the jack uses rolling elements for maneuverability, then the jack can be easily moved to desired locations, but the jack performs lateral compensating movement during lifting which compromises safety
Solution Approach 1:
The jack is divided into two functional segments: a movable rolling support structure for maneuverability and a fixed rigid base structure for stability during lifting. The rolling elements are separated from the lifting mechanism, allowing independent optimization of movement capability and lifting stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing the entire jack to roll during lifting (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by fixing the base structure to the ground and using rolling elements only for positioning before lifting. The rolling function is inverted from during-lifting to pre-lifting positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hydraulic cylinder is made movable or pivotable to accommodate confined spaces, then the jack becomes more versatile, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cylinder is designed with dynamic positioning capability through the rolling support structure, allowing the cylinder to be oriented in different positions (horizontal, angled, or vertical) depending on the working location, while maintaining a simple fixed mounting to the base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic cylinder serves multiple functions: it provides lifting force, accommodates various orientations through the rolling support, and can be positioned in confined spaces. This multi-functionality is achieved without adding complex mounting mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the jack uses a rigid base structure that rests on the ground, then lateral movement is prevented and safety is improved, but the jack becomes difficult to move to another location
Solution Approach 1:
The base structure is segmented into a rigid portion that contacts the ground for stability during lifting and a rolling support portion that enables movement to different locations. This segmentation allows the jack to be stable when needed but mobile when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling elements are positioned and engaged before lifting begins, allowing the jack to be moved to the desired location and stabilized in advance. The rolling support is activated in advance to enable both mobility and subsequent stability.
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
Ensures safe and stable lifting by preventing lateral movement, allowing compact design and ease of handling, with enhanced maneuverability and safety features like a locking mechanism and electric motor control.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder (4) with a cylinder housing and a piston displaceably received therein and connected to a piston rod, wherein the hydraulic cylinder (4) or the piston rod is operatively connected to the lifting support (3) in such a way that actuation of the hydraulic cylinder (4), i.e. a displacement of the piston and thus of the piston rod relative to the cylinder housing (10), causes a pivoting movement of the lifting support (3)
Implementation Method 2
at least one rolling element, for example a pair of rollers or a roller, over which the jack can be driven or rolled to a desired working location for lifting a vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hydraulically actuated vehicle jack (1), including a lifting support (3) which can be pivoted about a horizontal axis (2) and moved from a lower starting position (A) into an upwardly pivoted lifting position (H), a support plate (5) arranged on the lifting support (3) for supporting a part of a vehicle to be lifted, a hydraulic cylinder (4), the actuation of which causes a pivoting movement of the lifting support (3), a pump unit (6) for actuating the hydraulic cylinder (4), at least one rolling element (9) for rolling the vehicle jack (1) to a desired work site for lifting a vehicle, and a rigid base structure (10) which rests on the ground (U) at the work site when a vehicle is being lifted and prevents lateral movement of the vehicle jack (1).