Hydraulic Jack Cradle Attachment for Heavy Wheel Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for lifting and maneuvering large and heavy automotive wheels/tires are expensive and require an attached compressed air line, making them impractical for routine servicing.
Innovation Solution
An attachment for a standard hydraulic jack comprising a cradle with side plates, cross supports, a base plate, and adjustable rollers, which engages with the jack to facilitate lifting, lowering, and moving wheels/tires, allowing for easy installation and removal without additional equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional devices are used to lift and maneuver large and heavy wheels/tires, then the wheels can be lifted and moved, but the devices are expensive and require an attached compressed air line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wheel lifting and maneuvering function with a standard hydraulic jack by attaching a cradle structure to the jack's existing lifting mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate expensive compressed air-based devices while utilizing the hydraulic jack's already-present structure and power source.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic jack, originally designed for general lifting operations, is enhanced to perform multiple functions including lifting, maneuvering, and supporting large and heavy wheels/tires through the attached cradle. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized equipment for each task.
2Ease of operation
If conventional devices are used to lift and maneuver large and heavy wheels/tires, then the wheels can be lifted and moved, but additional equipment such as compressed air lines are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the hydraulic jack's existing hydraulic power and structural components to support the wheel lifting operation. The cradle attaches to the jack's existing lifting mechanism, allowing the system to serve itself without requiring external compressed air lines or additional specialized equipment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a cradle attachment is added to a standard hydraulic jack, then the jack can support large and heavy wheels/tires, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle is designed as a separate, modular attachment that can be independently added to the hydraulic jack. This segmentation allows the cradle to be attached only when needed for wheel support, keeping the base jack structure simple while adding complexity only when required for the specific application.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective lifting and maneuvering of large and heavy wheels/tires using a standard hydraulic jack, enhancing usability and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of rollers adjustably engaged with and extending between the pair of side plates
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment configured to engage with a hydraulic jack to aid in raising, lowering, and moving automotive wheels and tires may include a cradle configured to engage with the jack and hold a tire, wherein the cradle may include a pair of side plates, each having an inner face; a pair of cross supports extending between the inner faces of the pair of side plates; and a base plate attached to and extending between the pair of cross supports; and a pair of rollers adjustably engaged with and extending between the pair of side plates.