Hydraulic Jack Mechanical Locking via Lever Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic jacks with articulated hydraulic cylinders, particularly long ones, lack a simple and cost-effective mechanical locking mechanism that is easy to manufacture and integrate, posing safety risks if the hydraulic system fails.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic jack design that utilizes the existing articulated connections between the hydraulic cylinder and the lifting arm as both functional and locking elements, with a lever member that rotates to engage a stopping element, eliminating the need for additional components like springs or dedicated axes, and allowing the mechanism to be activated by gravity for locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical locking mechanism is added to hydraulic jacks with articulated hydraulic cylinders, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking mechanism components with the existing articulated connection components of the hydraulic cylinder. The lever member is articulated to the main body at the same connection point where the hydraulic cylinder connects, and the stopping element is integrated into the second articulated connection between the hydraulic cylinder and lifting arm. This merging approach adds locking functionality without increasing the number of separate components or assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated connections of the hydraulic cylinder serve dual purposes: maintaining the hydraulic connection and acting as part of the locking mechanism. The lever member and stopping element utilize the existing articulated connection points to provide both hydraulic actuation and mechanical locking functions, making the components multi-functional and eliminating the need for dedicated locking components.
2Reliability
If a mechanical locking mechanism is added to hydraulic jacks, then safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the existing hydraulic cylinder articulation points, eliminating the need for separate locking components that would require additional manufacturing processes, materials, and assembly operations. The lever member and stopping element are integrated into the existing connection structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing articulated connection components are made multi-functional to serve both hydraulic actuation and mechanical locking purposes. This eliminates the need for dedicated locking components, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining safety functionality.
3Device complexity
If existing articulated connections are used as locking elements, then device complexity is reduced, but the locking mechanism may interfere with hydraulic cylinder operation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The lever member can rotate between locked and unlocked positions, and the stopping element can engage or disengage from the locking zone as needed. This dynamic design allows the mechanism to adapt to different operational states without interfering with normal hydraulic cylinder movement during lifting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the position and movement of the hydraulic cylinder and lifting arm. The mechanism uses the existing motion and forces in the system to activate locking and unlocking actions, eliminating the need for separate actuation systems and reducing complexity while ensuring proper operation.
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
This design simplifies the locking mechanism, reduces manufacturing costs, and provides a safe and reliable locking system for long hydraulic jacks, enabling easy retrofitting of existing jacks with a robust locking function without increasing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the mechanism to be activated by gravity for locking
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
Hydraulic jack (1, 1') comprising a main body (2), an articulated lifting arm (3) and a hydraulic cylinder (4) connected to the main body (2) by a first articulated connection (5) and to the lifting arm (3) by a second articulated connection (6), where the hydraulic jack (1, 1') comprises a lever member (7, 7') disposing of at least one locking zone (14) for receiving an element that is solidary to the lifting arm (3) and that serves as a stop, where the lever member (7, 7') is articulately connected to the first articulated connection (5). The element solidary to the lifting arm (3) that serves as a stop and is capable of lodging in at least one locking zone (14) is comprised in the second articulated connection (6). This way, a mechanical locking system is provided which presents optimal performance while minimizing the number of necessary components.