Telescopic Trailer Jacks with Segmented Posts for Sway Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camping trailer lift mechanisms lack adequate mechanical support and resistance to side and forward/backward sway, leading to potential buckling of push-pull rods and increased weight and cost with larger, stronger posts or jacks.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates telescopic posts or jacks with multiple sections to snugly receive push-pull elements, reducing the likelihood of buckling and providing improved mechanical support while minimizing weight and cost through a rectangular bottom section and efficient use of materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the diameters of the telescoping sections are reduced to closely fit the push-pull spring, then the lift mechanism can be more compact and efficient, but the mechanical support and resistance to sway are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping post is divided into multiple sections with different diameters. The uppermost section has a smaller diameter to fit the push-pull spring, while the lower section has a larger diameter to provide mechanical support and sway resistance. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the telescoping post have different local qualities - the upper section is designed for compactness and spring fit, while the lower section is designed for strength and stability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between compactness and mechanical support.
2Strength
If larger, stronger posts or jacks are used to provide adequate mechanical support and sway resistance, then the operation of trailer components is assured, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire post uniformly large and heavy, the post is segmented into sections where only the lower portion has the larger diameter needed for strength. The upper sections can be smaller, reducing overall weight while maintaining necessary mechanical support.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower section of the post has increased diameter locally to provide the necessary mechanical support and sway resistance, while the upper sections maintain smaller diameters. This localized strengthening provides the required strength without the penalty of uniformly increasing the weight of the entire post.
3Reliability
If the guide conduits fit the push-pull rods closely to prevent buckling, then proper uniform lifting is assured, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide conduit function is extracted and integrated into the telescoping post structure itself. The conduit becomes part of the post's wall structure rather than a separate component, simplifying the overall design while maintaining the close fit needed to prevent buckling.
Data Source
AI summary
A lift for a travel trailer top is disclosed which includes new and novel corner posts or jacks each of which comprises a plurality of telescoping members designed for strength and rigidity with the upper two or three sections of the posts or jacks containing integral, marginal portions for containing push-pull rods or springs and the bottom or lower section designed basically rectangular with a fastening leg and to contain the push-pull rods or springs and receive and stabilize the upper two or three sections when the top is up or down and may further be turned over, top to bottom, to be used as the bottom or lower section of the posts or jacks on the opposite side of the trailer eliminating the need to create lefts or rights of the bottom or lower sections.