Four-Jack Leveling Assembly with Coupled Front Pivots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction and mining equipment face stress and fatigue due to frame torsion when leveling, particularly when using four leveling jacks, which can lead to frame twisting and instability, and previous solutions with three jacks compromise stability.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a leveling assembly featuring four jacks (front-right, front-left, rear-right, and rear-left) and a front jack leveling system that controls the first and second jacks to move in opposite directions, simulating a single centrally located jack for side-to-side leveling, reducing torsion and maintaining stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If four leveling jacks are used for leveling the frame, then the machine achieves stable leveling capability, but the frame is exposed to unwanted stress and fatigue due to frame torsion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic front jacks from the leveling operation by coupling them together to form a single pivot point. This removes the source of frame torsion while preserving the stabilizing effect of having four jack locations, as the coupled front jacks function as one centralized pivot point during side-to-side leveling adjustments.
2Strength
If three leveling jacks are used instead of four, then frame torsion is reduced, but the machine stability is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of two separate front leveling jacks into a single coupled unit. By connecting the first and second jacks through a coupling mechanism, they operate together as one centralized pivot point, effectively reducing frame torsion to levels similar to three-jack systems while maintaining the structural configuration and stability benefits of four jack locations.
3Ease of operation
If rear leveling jacks are used for side-to-side leveling, then leveling adjustment is achieved, but damaging frame twisting occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the two front jacks, forcing them to move in unison and creating a virtual single pivot point. This intermediary device enables the front jacks to provide a stable pivot during rear jack adjustments, eliminating frame twisting while preserving the ease of leveling adjustment through the rear jacks.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine comprising a frame including a front-right portion, a front-left portion, a rear-right portion, and a rear-left portion. The machine includes a first jack coupled with the front-right portion for raising or lowering the front-right portion, a second jack coupled with the front-left portion for raising or lowering the front-left portion, a third jack coupled with the rear-right portion for raising or lowering the rear-right portion, and a fourth jack coupled with the rear-left portion for raising or lowering the rear-left portion. The machine includes a front jack leveling system operatively coupled with the first jack and the second jack. The front jack leveling system controls the first jack and the second jack such that a first movement of the first jack in a first direction corresponds to a second movement of the second jack in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction.