Telescoping Engine Support Frame for Truck Engine Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine support systems for vehicles, particularly trucking vehicles, lack effective mechanisms for elevating and accessing different portions of the engine for servicing and maintenance, requiring improved access solutions to enhance operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A frame-mounted engine support system comprising a telescoping body with a first and second arm for lateral extension, a first and second jack assembly with collars and jack rods, and couplers for secure attachment to the engine block, allowing vertical lifting and secure clamping to the vehicle frame, enabling efficient engine access and support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a frame-mounted engine support system is implemented, then engine access and support capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine accessVSAvoidsupport system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is divided into separate functional modules: a frame mount with telescoping body for lateral positioning, jack assemblies for vertical lifting, and couplers for engine attachment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving overall system adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates dynamic elements including a telescoping body that can extend and retract laterally, and jack assemblies that can adjust vertical height. These dynamic capabilities enable the support system to adapt to different engine positions and access requirements, significantly improving ease of operation for various maintenance tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If telescoping body with lateral extension is used, then adaptability to different engine positions is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine position adjustmentVSAvoidtelescoping body structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The telescoping body employs a nested tube structure where inner tubes slide within outer tubes, similar to a nested doll configuration. This design achieves lateral extension and retraction capabilities while using relatively simple cylindrical components that are straightforward to manufacture using standard machining processes, balancing adaptability with manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Length of moving object

If jack assemblies with vertical movement are implemented, then engine elevation capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical lifting rangeVSAvoidjack assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The jack assemblies replace complex mechanical lifting mechanisms with simpler hydraulic or electric actuation systems. This substitution achieves the required vertical lifting range while reducing overall device complexity by using commercially available, standardized actuation components rather than custom-designed mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If multiple couplers are used to attach to engine block, then secure attachment is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidcoupler configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The couplers are designed with specific local features including threaded holes for bolting to the engine block and spherical interfaces for ball-and-socket connections. Each coupler is optimized for its specific attachment function, providing secure mechanical engagement through locally-tailored geometries rather than requiring complex overall structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11794565B2Engine support system and method

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

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.