Vehicle Leveler Spacer with Magnetic Attachment and Drain Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle leveler systems face challenges in safely and efficiently extending to uneven surfaces, as manual adjustment can be hazardous and alignment with blocks is difficult, especially when multiple levelers extend simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle leveler spacer with a magnetically attachable design, featuring a top surface rim to enclose the leveler pad and drain holes for fluid drainage, which reduces the extension distance and provides stable support by forming a gap between the spacer and the ground, allowing for secure attachment and easy alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If blocks are positioned on the ground below retracted levelers to shorten extension distance, then the leveler extension distance is reduced, but manual adjustment of blocks is hazardous and alignment is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is pre-positioned on the ground before the leveler extends. This preliminary placement of the spacer eliminates the need for manual block adjustment during extension, as the spacer remains stationary and provides a fixed reference point for the leveler to align with.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer acts as an intermediary element between the ground and the leveler. Instead of directly placing blocks on the ground and manually adjusting them, the spacer serves as a mediating component that simplifies the interaction between the leveler and the ground surface.
2Productivity
If multiple levelers extend simultaneously or in rapid succession, then the leveling process is faster, but alignment with blocks becomes more difficult and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
All spacers are pre-positioned on the ground before any levelers extend. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when multiple levelers extend simultaneously or in rapid succession, each leveler has a pre-placed spacer to align with, eliminating the need for manual adjustment during the extension process and maintaining both speed and safety.
3Device complexity
If the leveler extends directly to the ground, then the structure is simpler, but wear on the leveler increases and lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer serves as an intermediary component between the leveler and the ground. This simple addition protects the leveler from direct contact with the ground surface, reducing wear and extending lifespan while maintaining the overall simplicity of the system structure.
4Device complexity
If water accumulates on the top surface of the spacer, then the structure is simpler without drain holes, but the pad may rust due to retained water
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer incorporates drain holes in its top surface, transforming it from a solid non-porous structure to a porous structure that allows water to pass through. This enables water to drain off the top surface and prevents accumulation that would lead to pad rust, while adding minimal complexity to the spacer design.
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 spacer enhances safety by reducing the risk of injury during extension, simplifies alignment, and extends the leveler's lifespan by minimizing wear through reduced travel distance, while ensuring stable vehicle support on uneven surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The connector may be at least one magnet configured to magnetically connect the spacer to a pad of the leveler
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle leveler spacer and method of using the vehicle leveler spacer that may be selectively attached to a retracted leveler of a vehicle, such as a trailer or motor home. The spacer at least partially supports the vehicle upon extension of the leveler to the ground. The spacer includes at least one connector to selectively connect the spacer to the retracted leveler. The spacer may include one or more drain holes. The connector may be a magnet, strap, clamp, or another mechanical connector. The top surface of the spacer may include a rim along its perimeter configured to retain a pad of a leveler. The spacer may form a gap between the bottom surface and a supporting surface, e.g. the ground, when the spacer is connected to a retracted leveler. The connectors enable the spacer to be quickly attached or removed from a retracted leveler of a vehicle.