Swinging Trailer Jack Mount With Hinge Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trailers experience jack scraping issues due to low ground clearance when traversing steep terrain, leading to potential damage during transit.
Innovation Solution
A trailer jack mount system with a hinge plate mechanism that allows the jack to be raised during transit for increased clearance and easily deployed for use, utilizing a locking bolt to secure the mount in either position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the jack extends downwardly from the trailer frame to support the trailer, then the jack can effectively support the trailer weight, but the ground clearance becomes low causing the jack to scrape against the ground during transit
Solution Approach 1:
The jack mount is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between two positions: a lowered position for ground support and a raised position for transit. The swing mount mechanism with hinge plates and locking bolts enables the jack to transition between these states, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements and avoid ground scraping during transit while maintaining effective support capability when deployed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the jack mount is fixed in a raised position to prevent ground scraping, then ground clearance is improved, but the jack cannot be easily deployed for use
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into discrete components including hinge plates, locking bolts, and knuckles that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows the jack to be easily reconfigured from the raised transit position to the lowered support position by simply removing and repositioning the locking bolts, making deployment quick and straightforward while maintaining ground clearance during transit.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex mounting system is used to raise the jack during transit, then ground clearance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting function is extracted from the jack itself and implemented through the swing mount mechanism that rotates the entire jack assembly. This separates the ground clearance function from the jack's support function, allowing the jack to remain simple while the mount handles the positioning. The hinge plate and locking bolt mechanism provides the necessary complexity only where needed for position change, keeping the overall system relatively simple.
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 effectively raises the jack to prevent ground scraping during transit while ensuring easy deployment for supporting the trailer, enhancing operational safety and reducing damage risks.
Implementation Method 1
A locking bolt is removably insertable through the first rear hinge knuckle and the second rear hinge knuckle to secure the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate in either the first position or the second position
Data Source
AI summary
In described embodiments, a trailer jack mount includes a first hinge plate mountable onto a frame of a vehicle. The first hinge plate has a first side hinge knuckle extending along a side of the first hinge plate and a first rear hinge knuckle extending along a length of the first hinge plate. A second hinge plate has a second side hinge knuckle hingedly connected to the first side hinge knuckle and a second rear hinge knuckle extending along a length of the second hinge plate. A locking bolt is removably insertable through the first rear hinge knuckle and the second rear hinge knuckle. The second hinge plate is rotatable between a first position wherein the second hinge plate is facing the first hinge plate and a second position wherein the second hinge plate is rotated away from the first hinge plate. In either the first position or the second position, the locking bolt is insertable through the first rear hinge knuckle and the second rear hinge knuckle to secure the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate in either the first position or the second position.