Spring-Clip Jack Pad for Stable Support on Soft Ground
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jack pads for vehicle leveling systems do not effectively distribute the weight of the vehicle, prevent sinking into soft ground, and accommodate uneven terrain, leading to potential damage to the ground and instability.
Innovation Solution
A jack pad system featuring a base with a central crown and spring clips and hard stops that secure the jack foot, allowing for adjustable attachment and drainage, preventing lateral and vertical movement, and distributing weight over a larger area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a jack pad is placed between the jack foot and the ground, then the surface area contact with the ground is increased to prevent sinking, but the device complexity increases due to additional attachment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into separate functional components: spring clips for vertical attachment, hard stops for lateral positioning, and drainage channels for water management. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The jack pad serves as an intermediary element between the jack foot and the ground, distributing the load over a larger area to prevent sinking. The pad itself is a simple flat component, but when combined with the attachment mechanisms, it creates a comprehensive solution that addresses multiple problems simultaneously.
2Stability of the object's composition
If spring clips and hard stops are used to secure the jack foot, then the stability and prevention of lateral movement is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clips provide dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the attachment to accommodate minor variations in jack foot positioning without requiring high manufacturing precision. The springs can compress and extend to maintain proper contact even when alignment is not perfect, reducing the precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The hard stops can be positioned at different locations along the drainage channels, allowing for adjustment of the lateral positioning parameters. This flexibility enables the system to accommodate variations in manufacturing precision while maintaining stable lateral positioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the jack pad is designed with drainage channels, then the ability to accommodate uneven terrain and prevent ground damage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage function is segmented into separate channels that are integrated into the jack pad structure. These channels are simple linear features that guide water away from the contact area, providing terrain accommodation without requiring a complex drainage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The jack pad serves multiple functions: it increases contact area to prevent sinking, provides drainage channels to manage water, and works with the spring clips and hard stops to provide stable attachment. This multi-functionality is achieved through a relatively simple design that addresses multiple problems simultaneously.
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 system provides stable and durable support for vehicle leveling systems, preventing sinking and ground damage while accommodating uneven terrain, ensuring effective weight distribution and stability.
Implementation Method 1
A spring clip (20) is attached to the base (12) at a first end and is pressed against a top surface (18) of the jack foot (14) at a second end
Data Source
AI summary
A jack pad with spring clip attachment to a jack foot is described for vehicle jacks. In one example, a jack pad has a base having a bottom surface configured to rest on the ground and a top surface having a crown. The crown is being configured to receive a jack foot. A plurality of spring clips, each having a first end attached to the base and a second end configured to press against the jack foot are over the jack foot when the jack foot is received in the crown.