Telescoping Engine Support for Truck Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine support systems for vehicles, particularly trucking vehicles, lack effective mechanisms to elevate and support engines for maintenance and servicing, which limits access to various engine components.
Innovation Solution
A frame-mounted engine support system comprising a telescoping body with arms that engage the vehicle frame and a first jack assembly with a collar and jack rod that engages a coupler on the engine block, allowing for vertical lifting and support of the engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a frame-mounted engine support system with telescoping body and jack assembly is implemented, then engine accessibility for maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support system employs a telescoping body structure with nested inner and outer sleeves that can extend and retract. The jack assembly is integrated within the telescoping body, with the jack rod extending from the collar. This nesting arrangement allows the complex functionality of engine support and elevation to be achieved while maintaining a compact form when not in use, thus improving ease of operation without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system incorporates movable components including the telescoping sleeves that can extend and retract, and the jack rod that can be raised and lowered. The collar slides along the telescoping body to adjust the jack rod position. These dynamic elements allow the system to adapt to different engine positions and maintenance requirements, improving accessibility while the modular nature keeps complexity manageable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the telescoping body with sliding sleeves is used, then adjustability and support range are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping body consists of an inner sleeve and outer sleeve that slide relative to each other, allowing dynamic adjustment of the support length and position. The jack collar also slides along the telescoping body to provide additional adjustment. These dynamic, movable connections provide adaptability for different engine positions while being more tolerant to manufacturing variations compared to fixed rigid structures, as they can accommodate slight misalignments through their sliding nature.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the ball mount and coupler engagement mechanism is used, then engine support stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball mount acts as an intermediary element between the jack rod and the coupler attached to the engine. The ball mount engages with the coupler to provide a stable connection point, transferring the lifting force from the jack rod to the engine. This intermediary mechanism provides stable engine support while keeping the overall structure relatively simple, as the ball-and-socket type engagement is a straightforward mechanical connection that allows for some movement while maintaining stability.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to an engine support system and method. The engine support system includes a frame mounted engine support and at least one engine mounted coupler. The engine support includes a frame mount with a telescoping body and opposing arms to releasably engage a frame of a vehicle, and at least one jack assembly. Each jack assembly includes a collar coupled to and horizontally movable along the telescoping body, and a jack rod coupled to and vertically movable relative to the collar. The jack rod includes a ball mount configured to insert into the coupler at an underside of an engine block of the vehicle. Each jack assembly is configured to support and/or lift the engine block relative to the vehicle frame by vertical movement of the ball mount into the coupler and relative to the frame mount engaged with the vehicle frame.