Trailer Jack Adapter With Gear Reduction and Anti-Rotation Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer jack adapters do not effectively allow users to operate the trailer jack using a rotary drive while maintaining an ergonomic position and resisting unwanted rotation.
Innovation Solution
An inline gear reducer with a radially protruding handle and a connector that couples to both a rotary drive and a trailer jack, enabling operation with increased torque and reduced speed, allowing ergonomic handling and resistance to unwanted rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotary drive is connected directly to a trailer jack without an adapter, then the connection is simple, but the user cannot maintain an ergonomic position and cannot resist unwanted rotation effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter apparatus as an intermediary device between the rotary drive and the trailer jack. This adapter includes an inline gear reducer with a radially protruding handle that extends perpendicular to the rotational axis, serving as a mediator that enables ergonomic operation while connecting the rotary drive to the jack crank shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter apparatus is segmented into distinct functional components: an input shaft for the rotary drive, an inline gear reducer with radially protruding handle, and a connector portion with openings for both the rotary drive and trailer jack. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together as a unified system.
2Force
If the handle extends radially away from the inline gear reducer, then the user can grasp the handle and resist unwanted rotation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle extends in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the input shaft, utilizing a different spatial dimension to provide leverage. This radial extension allows the user to apply force perpendicular to the rotation plane, effectively resisting unwanted rotation while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The radially protruding handle is pre-positioned on the inline gear reducer before operation, allowing the user to immediately grasp and control the device without requiring additional components or assembly steps. The handle is preliminarily configured to provide the necessary leverage for resisting rotation during operation.
3Force
If the inline gear reducer reduces rotational speed, then the output shaft rotates at reduced speed with increased torque, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical coupling with a gear reducer system that uses meshing gears to transmit and modify rotational motion. The inline gear reducer substitutes a simple connection with a mechanical transmission system that reduces speed and increases torque through gear ratio multiplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The inline gear reducer changes the rotational parameters of the system by reducing the rotational speed of the input shaft and correspondingly increasing the output torque. This parameter transformation allows the trailer jack to operate with higher force at lower speeds, optimizing the mechanical advantage for lifting operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the connector removably couples to both the output shaft and crank shaft, then the adapter is versatile and easy to install/remove, but the connection stability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector portion is designed with dynamic coupling capabilities, allowing it to be readily assembled and disassembled while maintaining stable connection during operation. The removable nature of the connector provides adaptability for different applications while the engagement mechanism ensures reliability when connected.
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
Enables efficient operation of the trailer jack with a rotary drive while maintaining ergonomic grip and leverage, facilitating easier and more controlled operation.
Implementation Method 1
an inline gear reducer with an input shaft and an output shaft which are aligned with each other along a rotational axis... configured to urge the output shaft to rotate at a reduced rotational speed compared to an input rotational speed of the input shaft
Implementation Method 2
A handle is coupled to and extends radially away from the inline gear reducer... Such a handle provides leverage by facilitating the user in resisting any unwanted rotation of the apparatus by holding the inline gear reducer from a distance via the handle
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter apparatus for connecting a rotary drive to a trailer jack includes an inline gear reducer has an input shaft and an output shaft which are aligned with each other along a rotational axis and face opposite directions from each other. The inline gear reducer is configured to urge the output shaft to rotate at a reduced rotational speed compared to an input rotational speed of the input shaft. A handle is coupled to and extends radially away from the inline gear reducer. The handle includes a grip adjacent to a distal end of the handle with respect to the inline gear reducer. A connector is removably couplable to the output shaft. The connector defines a reducer opening and a jack opening on opposite sides of the connector from each other. The reducer opening receives the output shaft of the inline gear reducer when the connector is coupled to the output shaft. The jack opening has a size and shape such that the jack opening is configured to receive a crank shaft of the trailer jack, and the connector is configured to coupled to the crank shaft.