Screw Jack Handle Assembly With Stowed Position for Paving Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rotating handle of screw jacks in paving machines increases the overall width, causing interference during shipping and operation, leading to potential damage, increased costs, and the need for special shipping permits.
Innovation Solution
A screw jack assembly with a handle assembly that includes a tube member and second gear, allowing the handle member to rotate between an operating and stowed position, reducing protrusion and enabling compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotating handle is positioned in an operating position, then the screw jack can be operated to raise or lower the side gate, but the overall width of the paving machine increases causing interference during shipping and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is designed to be movable between an operating position (extending laterally for operation) and a stowed position (rotated parallel to the longitudinal axis for compactness). This dynamic repositioning allows the handle to provide full operational functionality when needed while minimizing width during shipping and operation near obstacles.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly rotates from a lateral orientation (perpendicular to longitudinal axis) to a longitudinal orientation (parallel to longitudinal axis), effectively changing its spatial dimension. This rotation moves the handle from occupying width-critical space to occupying length-along-the-machine space, resolving the width conflict.
2Ease of operation
If the rotating handle protrudes outwardly from the screed assembly, then the side gate can be adjusted, but the increase in overall width requires special shipping permits and increases shipping costs
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly can be dynamically positioned in a stowed configuration during shipping, eliminating the need for special permits and reducing shipping duration. The same dynamic mechanism allows quick transition to an operating position for side gate adjustment, maintaining ease of operation while resolving shipping constraints.
3Ease of operation
If the rotating handle protrudes outwardly, then the screw jack is accessible for operation, but the probability of damage to the screw jack and surrounding objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly can be stowed in a protected position parallel to the longitudinal axis during shipping and operation near obstacles, minimizing exposure to damage risks. When operational accessibility is needed, the handle rotates to the operating position, providing full functionality only when required.
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 solution allows for efficient operation while minimizing width protrusion, reducing damage risk, eliminating the need for special shipping permits, and simplifying shipping and operation near obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
a screw drive rotatably disposed within the first body and axially aligned along the longitudinal axis... movable relative to the first body along the longitudinal axis and operably coupled to each of the screw drive
Implementation Method 2
a first gear coupled to the first end of the screw drive... a second gear disposed within the tube member and operably coupled to the first gear
Data Source
AI summary
A screw jack assembly includes a first body defining a longitudinal axis and a screw drive disposed within the first body. The screw jack assembly also includes a second body movable relative to the first body and coupled to the screw drive, and a first gear coupled to the screw drive. The screw jack assembly further includes a handle assembly having a tube member coupled to the first body. The handle assembly also includes a second gear coupled to the first gear. The handle assembly further includes a handle member coupled to the second gear and adapted to rotate about a rotational axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The handle member is adapted to selectively rotate between an operating position and a stowed position about the longitudinal axis based, at least in part, on rotation of the tube member relative to the first body along the longitudinal axis.