Mobile Jack Locking Assembly for Stable Lifting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile jacks lack sufficient lifting power, stability, and safety due to single lifting contact points and are difficult to position under vehicles, with hydraulic jacks prone to inadvertent release or failure.
Innovation Solution
A mobile jack design featuring a movable base with rollers, scissor lifting assemblies, and dual hydraulic cylinders for increased lifting capacity and stability, along with a locking mechanism to secure the lifted position independently of hydraulic actuation, ensuring safety and preventing unintended lowering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional single cylinder jacks or pantograph designs are used, then the device is simple and compact, but the lifting power is insufficient for heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The jack is divided into multiple independent scissor lifting assemblies (first and second scissor assemblies) with separate legs and pivot points. Each assembly can be actuated independently by its own hydraulic cylinder, allowing the system to achieve greater lifting capacity through distributed mechanical structures rather than a single complex unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple scissor lifting assemblies are combined within a single jack body to work together on the same load. The first and second scissor assemblies are positioned adjacent to each other and both contribute to lifting the upper platform, effectively merging their lifting forces to handle heavier loads than a single assembly could provide.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional mobile jack designs with single lifting contact point are used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but it is difficult to position and unsafe due to lack of stability
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system is segmented into multiple contact points through the first and second scissor assemblies, which are spaced apart from each other. This segmentation creates multiple points of contact with the load, distributing the load across different locations and improving stability while allowing the jack to be positioned under various load configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The jack transitions from a single-point contact design to a multi-point contact design by adding the second scissor assembly adjacent to the first. This adds a spatial dimension to the lifting contact, creating a distributed contact pattern that improves stability without significantly increasing the overall footprint or complexity of the device.
3Reliability
If hydraulic jacks are used without locking mechanisms, then the device has fewer components and is easier to operate, but inadvertent release or failure can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the scissor assemblies reach their extended position, preventing inadvertent release before it can occur. The locking arm is positioned and biased to lock the scissor legs in place as part of the normal lifting sequence, providing proactive safety rather than reactive protection.
Solution Approach 2:
A locking arm with locking element is introduced as an intermediary component between the scissor assemblies and the load. This locking arm pivots to engage with the scissor legs, providing a mechanical intermediary that prevents unintended movement or release of the lifting mechanism, thereby enhancing safety without requiring complex control systems.
4Force
If multiple cylinders or multiple lifting points are added, then lifting power and stability are improved, but the jack becomes less maneuverable and harder to position
Solution Approach 1:
The jack body is segmented into distinct first and second scissor assemblies that are spaced apart, allowing each assembly to be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation enables the jack to be maneuvered into position under a load by adjusting individual assemblies, maintaining ease of operation while providing multiple lifting points for increased lifting power.
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 design enables safe and stable lifting of heavy loads with multiple contact points, providing enhanced maneuverability and safety by preventing unintended lowering, even in case of hydraulic failure.
Implementation Method 1
A pair of hydraulic cylinders are adapted for lifting the upper platform between the lowered and lifted positions
Implementation Method 2
the locking arm pivots so that the locking element is lowered and supported by the base outboard of the lower ends of the second scissor legs, thereby preventing the second scissor legs from sliding back to the lowered
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile jack is provided for a vehicle the where the mobile jack includes a movable base with a plurality of rollers adapted for moving the jack upon a generally horizontal support surface and positioning the jack under a load. The mobile jack may lift loads using a scissor assembly lying in a vertical plane where the scissor assembly connected between the movable base and an upper platform. Additionally, the mobile jack may include at least one hydraulic cylinder for actuating the scissor assembly. The mobile jack may include a safety lock for locking the upper platform in a lifted position where the lock is movable between at least one locked and unlocked position. When the upper platform is in the lifted position, the lock automatically moves to the locked position so that it cooperates with the scissor assembly to prevent the scissor assembly from lowering independent of the cylinders.