Self-Aligning Jack Stand with Inclined Lift Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing commercial two-part jacking systems face challenges such as shifting lift plates, unreliable locking mechanisms, excessive pivotal travel of hydraulic rams, difficult handle control, and manufacturing issues with lift arms and bridges, leading to inefficiencies and durability problems.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a self-aligning jack stand with inclined surfaces, a robust dual locking mechanism for frame alignment, improved handle controls, and an automatic-slide-forward-bridge assembly, all fabricated from heavy-duty materials to enhance manufacturability and durability, allowing the power unit to function as both a conventional jack and a load lifting device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional lift plates are used in the jacking system, then the basic lifting function is achieved, but the lift plates shift during lifting and require redesign for self-aligning engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The lift plate incorporates curved or conical surfaces that engage with corresponding curved surfaces on the lift arms. This curvature allows the lift plate to self-align and maintain stable engagement during lifting operations, preventing shifting while ensuring manufacturable mating components through standardized curved surface designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The lift plate design enables self-aligning engagement where the geometry of the curved surfaces automatically guides proper alignment during the lifting process. The system self-corrects positioning errors without requiring external adjustment mechanisms, improving reliability while maintaining ease of manufacture through inherent geometric self-correction.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to retain the second frame during elevation, then frame stability is improved, but the mechanism is not reliable and has a short life requiring redesign with specific cam angles and heat treating
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism employs specifically engineered cam angles (such as 30-45 degrees) and controlled heat treating parameters (hardness levels) to optimize the wear resistance and reliability of the locking components. These parameter optimizations ensure long service life while maintaining manageable design complexity through standardized parameter selections.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism utilizes composite material strategies combining different steel grades with specific heat treating treatments to achieve optimal durability. The combination of material selection and thermal processing creates a reliable locking mechanism that withstands repeated use while maintaining reasonable design complexity through established material science practices.
3Productivity
If the hydraulic ram operates on the middle of the lift arms, then the lifting action is achieved, but excessive and pivotal travel is required which reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic ram is repositioned from the middle of the lift arms to the rearward ends, extracting it from the inefficient pivotal travel zone. This relocation eliminates excessive travel requirements while maintaining the essential lifting function, thereby improving productivity through reduced energy consumption and faster operation cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the hydraulic ram centrally for traditional lifting action, the design inverts the arrangement by placing the ram at the rearward ends of the lift arms. This inverted configuration reduces the travel distance and eliminates pivotal movements, achieving the same lifting effect with improved efficiency and shorter operational cycles.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple jack stands are carried within the chassis, then the power unit can service multiple locations, but the power unit becomes useless until another jack stand is available to be extracted and reused
Solution Approach 1:
The system includes a bridge component that is pre-positioned and ready for immediate use. When a jack stand is extracted from the chassis, the bridge is already in place to receive and support the next jack stand, eliminating downtime and extraction/reuse delays. This preliminary preparation maintains continuous operational capability across multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge component serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support element, a mounting platform for jack stands, and a rapid exchange mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the power unit to maintain service capability while transitioning between different jack stand locations, reducing the time lost during extraction and reuse operations.
5Quantity of substance
If the power unit is designed to carry up to four jack stands, then the capacity is maximized, but additional jack stands require reloading and the power unit remains useless until another stand is extracted
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge component is pre-configured to immediately receive and secure additional jack stands when they are loaded into the chassis. This preliminary readiness ensures that the power unit maintains full service capability even when carrying the maximum number of jack stands, preventing productivity loss during capacity transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge component enables continuous operational readiness by providing an immediate transfer point for jack stands. When the power unit is carrying its maximum capacity, the bridge is already prepared to receive and support additional stands, ensuring uninterrupted service availability and eliminating idle time during capacity management operations.
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 provides a robust, reliable, and durable commercial lifting system with improved alignment, locking, and control features, enabling efficient and long-lasting operation, including the ability to convert between jack and load lifting functions.
Implementation Method 1
The lift plate has a pair of side flanges with lower ends with inclined surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A jack stand is for use with a power unit. The power unit includes a rectangular frame and a pair of parallel lift arms having forward ends extendable vertically over the frame. The forward ends of each lift arm have a frusta-conical disc pivotally attached to the inner sides thereof, so that the upper surface of the disc inclines upwardly at an acute angle. The jack stand includes a base plate with a first tubular frame attached thereto and extending vertically therefrom. An upper tubular frame is positioned in telescoping relationship relative to the first tubular frame and has a rectangular lifting plate attached to the upper end thereof. The lifting plate has parallel sides with flanges extending downwardly, with the lower ends of the flanges having an acute angle for engaging the upper surface of the frusta-conical discs of the power unit. The angle of the upper surface of the frusta-conical disc extends upwardly and the acute angle of the lower ends of the side flanges of the lift plate extends downwardly, each at an angle ranging from about 15° to about 30°, and are preferably both inclined at an angle of about 20°.