Vehicle Jack Video Camera Positioning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Technicians face difficulties in accurately positioning vehicle jacks under vehicles due to limited visibility, especially in dark or obstructed areas, which can lead to improper placement and unsafe lifting operations.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lift jack equipped with a video camera and monitor system that captures and displays images of the area where the saddle contacts the vehicle, allowing operators to verify the jack's position without bending down, enhancing alignment accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a technician bends down to look under the vehicle to verify jack positioning, then the technician can see the relative positions of the jack and vehicle, but the technician's vision is obstructed by portions of the vehicle and it is awkward to get a good view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a video camera to create an optical copy (image) of the area under the vehicle where the jack is positioned. This copy is then displayed on a monitor, allowing the technician to view the positioning situation remotely without bending down or being obstructed by the vehicle body. The image serves as a copy of the real-world scene, enabling accurate assessment of jack positioning from a convenient distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a video camera and monitor system as an intermediary between the technician and the jack positioning area. Instead of the technician directly viewing the difficult-to-access area under the vehicle, the camera captures the scene and transmits it through the monitor, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between the operator's position and the positioning area.
2Measurement precision
If it is dark under the vehicle, then the technician has limited visibility of the jack positioning area, but adding lighting would increase the complexity of the system
Solution Approach 1:
The video camera system creates an optical copy of the dark area under the vehicle, capturing light reflected from the jack and vehicle components. This copied image is then displayed on a monitor where it can be viewed in good lighting conditions, eliminating the need to add physical lighting to the dark area while maintaining full visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of adding physical lights to illuminate the dark area with an optical/electronic solution. Instead of using light sources to illuminate the scene, the system uses a camera to capture the scene and electronically transmit the image to a monitor, substituting mechanical lighting with optical capture and electronic display.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the technician uses a portable service jack, then the jack can be easily moved to different locations, but minor adjustments still require the technician to bend down and look under the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The video camera provides a visual copy of the positioning area that remains stationary regardless of where the portable jack is moved. The technician can view the camera feed on the monitor while standing in a convenient location, allowing easy verification of positioning for any jack location without requiring the technician to bend down or move to different positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lift jack is provided. The jack may include: a frame; a lifting arm attached to the frame; a saddle attached to an end of the lifting arm; and a video camera attached to the jack and oriented to capture video footage of an area proximate to the saddle. A method of lifting a vehicle using a jack may be provided. The method may include: positioning the jack under the vehicle; capturing an image of the vehicle; viewing the image; determining the jack is in a desired position with respect to the vehicle; and raising the vehicle with the jack.