Hydraulic Vehicle Leveling System with Zone Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational vehicles face challenges in stabilizing their orientation when stationary, as existing leveling systems are inefficient in achieving precise leveling and stabilization, especially for towed vehicles, which can lead to bounce and sway.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic leveling system with three zones, each comprising multiple jacks connected for equalizing fluid pressure, controlled by a common fluid line and multi-position valves, allowing for precise adjustment of the vehicle's attitude using a hydraulic power supply and pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a hydraulic leveling system with multiple zones and equalized fluid pressure is used, then leveling precision and vehicle stabilization are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling system is divided into three distinct zones (front zone with jack 10, left side zone with jacks 20 and 21, right side zone with jacks 30 and 31), allowing independent control of different vehicle orientations. Each zone can be adjusted separately to achieve precise leveling in multiple directions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The blind sides of jacks within each zone are connected through common fluid lines (line 40 connecting jacks 20 and 21, line 50 connecting jacks 30 and 31), creating equalized fluid pressure groups. This merging allows synchronized adjustment of paired jacks while maintaining system complexity management through modular zone organization.
2Ease of operation
If manually-operated jacks with hand cranks are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual hand crank operation with a hydraulic power supply (pump 70 and reservoir 72) that provides automated fluid pressure to extend and retract jacks. This hydraulic mechanism significantly reduces physical effort required for operation while maintaining precise control over jack positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system with equalized fluid pressure in connected blind sides allows the jacks to self-regulate their extension and retraction based on fluid pressure distribution. The system automatically balances the leveling action across paired jacks without requiring manual coordination of each individual jack.
3Ease of operation
If electrically-actuated jacks with electric pumps are used, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system uses fluid pressure transmission to multiply mechanical advantage, allowing a relatively small electric pump to generate sufficient force for jack operation. The hydraulic mechanism efficiently transmits power through incompressible fluid, minimizing energy loss compared to direct electric motor drive on each jack.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple jacks within each zone share a common hydraulic circuit with equalized fluid pressure, allowing a single electric pump to control multiple jacks simultaneously. This merging of control functions reduces the total number of electric motors and power consumption compared to independently actuating each jack.
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 effectively stabilizes the vehicle by allowing for precise leveling and adjustment of the vehicle's attitude, ensuring stability and ease of use, including the ability to disconnect and reconnect from a towing vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to the blind sides of the leveling jacks
Implementation Method 2
the blind sides of the second zone leveling jacks being connected to one another for equalizing fluid pressure therein
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are disclosed for leveling a vehicle when stationary. The system includes three zones with a first zone at the front end, and the second and third zones on opposite sides of the vehicle. All zones include leveling jacks, each having a blind side and a rod side. At least one leveling jack is located in the first zone, and at least two leveling jacks are located in each of the second and third zones. The blind sides of the jacks in each zone are connected together. The rod sides of all of the jacks are connected to a common fluid line, which typically is at low fluid pressure or pressure-free. The method involves extending all of the jacks from retracted positions to extended positions until they meet the surface upon which the vehicle is located. Fluid is then applied to the blind sides of either the second or third zone leveling jacks to raise the lower of the two sides. If the front end is lower than the rear end, fluid is applied to the blind side of the leveling jack in the first zone. If the front end is higher than the rear, fluid is relived form the blind side of the leveling jack.