Modular Vehicle Leveling Device with Sloped Projections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle leveling devices face difficulties in facilitating the movement of vehicle wheels onto and down from stacked units due to their solid structure and lack of inclined surfaces, making it challenging to level vehicles on uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A modular leveling device with partially beveled sides and sloped projections that include inclined planes and openings, allowing for the stacking of units in parallel or laterally offset configurations to create ramps for easier wheel movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If leveling devices are made solid in structure, then structural strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in moving wheels onto and off the units
Solution Approach 1:
The solid structure is segmented by introducing openings through the posts, creating a lattice or grid pattern that maintains structural integrity while reducing weight and enabling wheel passage. This segmentation allows the wheel to interact with the internal structure, facilitating easier movement onto and off the leveling units.
Solution Approach 2:
The openings in the posts create curved or rounded pathways that guide the wheel smoothly onto and off the leveling units. The curved surfaces reduce impact and friction, making wheel movement easier while maintaining the structural strength of the overall device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the height of stacked leveling units is increased, then leveling capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased difficulty in moving wheels onto the units
Solution Approach 1:
The posts are divided into multiple segments or sections with openings at different heights, allowing wheels to engage with the structure at various levels. This segmentation enables safer and easier wheel movement onto higher stacked units by providing intermediate contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The design adds a vertical dimension of openings and pathways through the stacked units, creating multiple levels of access. This dimensional approach allows wheels to move onto and off high stacks more easily by providing vertical pathways and contact points throughout the height of the stacked units.
3Ease of operation
If openings are added to posts, then ease of operation is improved by facilitating wheel movement, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The openings are strategically positioned in specific locations on the posts rather than uniformly distributed, maintaining structural strength in critical load-bearing areas while providing openings in non-critical areas to facilitate wheel movement. This localized approach balances strength requirements with operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The posts are constructed using composite materials or structures that provide high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing openings to be incorporated without significantly compromising structural integrity. The composite design enables both strength and ease of wheel movement to be achieved simultaneously.
4Ease of operation
If multiple openings are formed in posts, then ease of operation is improved by enabling wheel passage, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The posts are designed as segmented modular components that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows each segment to be manufactured with simpler tooling while the final assembled post has multiple openings, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The posts are designed as universal components with standardized opening patterns that can be used in various configurations and positions. This universality allows the same post design with multiple openings to be manufactured in large quantities using optimized tooling, reducing per-unit manufacturing complexity and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A leveling device for vehicle wheels comprising a first integral planar member for mating with one or more additional integral planar members of substantially the same shape and dimension in releasable relationship. All integral members have four sides and an upper surface divided into a plurality of vertically projecting rows of pins with a row of projections situated up front. The bottom surface of each of the integral planar members include rows of sockets, each of which is conformable in shape and size to receive an individual pin in releasable frictional engagement. Each planar member also includes one partially beveled side with a sloped projection with one or more openings conformable to the shape and dimensions of the individual pins. Two or more integral planar members are adapted to stack one upon the other by mating pins and sockets of respective planar members so that the sloped projections overlap one another and are positioned in parallel relation. The sloped projections of stacked planar members may also be disposed in a laterally offset relation. Both embodiments enable substantial alignment of the inclined planes to facilitate movement of a vehicle wheel up on to the surface of the device and back down.