Vehicle Jack Winch Interface for High Lift Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automobile jacks lack the necessary lift range to handle the weight and height of large four-wheel drive vehicles, making tire changing and maintenance activities physically challenging, and existing solutions do not effectively utilize the winch system for lifting these vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle jack with a vertical support member and base support, operably coupled to a winch, featuring a vehicle attachment assembly that includes pulleys and a hook/cable interface, allowing the winch to assist in lifting the vehicle by using the winch's cable, with two embodiments for coupling to either the front or rear end, including a towing hitch receiver and bumper attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional automobile jacks are used, then the jack structure is simple, but the lift range is insufficient for large four-wheel drive vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the jack structure with the vehicle's existing winch system by providing a winch cable interface that couples the winch cable to the jack frame. This merging allows the winch to provide the lifting force while the jack frame provides the structural support and lift range, resolving the contradiction between sufficient lift range and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The jack frame acts as an intermediary between the winch system and the vehicle body. It transfers the lifting force from the winch cable to the vehicle, enabling the winch to function as a lifting mechanism while maintaining the structural integrity needed for large vehicle weights.
2Length of moving object
If manual high-lift bumper jacks are used, then the necessary lift is provided, but physical strain increases due to vehicle weight
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's own winch to perform the lifting operation, eliminating the need for manual cranking or physical effort to operate the jack. The winch self-services the lifting function by using its motor to reel in the cable and lift the vehicle, significantly reducing physical strain on the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of traditional jacks with an electrically-powered winch system. The winch motor substitutes for manual mechanical input, converting electrical energy into mechanical lifting force, thereby eliminating physical strain while maintaining adequate lift range.
3Ease of operation
If the winch system is utilized for lifting, then physical strain is reduced, but the coupling mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jack frame is designed with multiple attachment options including a winch cable interface, towing hitch receiver, and bumper attachment points. This multi-functionality allows the same frame structure to work with different vehicle configurations and winch types, reducing the need for specialized coupling mechanisms for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into separate functional components: the winch cable interface for cable attachment, the towing hitch receiver for alternative coupling, and the bumper attachment points. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall system adaptable and not overly complex.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional jacks are used, then the device is simple, but adaptability to different vehicle types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The jack frame incorporates multiple attachment interfaces including winch cable interfaces, towing hitch receivers, and bumper attachment points, allowing the same device to be adapted to different vehicle types and configurations. This universality enables compatibility with various vehicle architectures without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is designed to be dynamically configurable, allowing the user to select and configure the appropriate attachment method based on the specific vehicle type and winch configuration. This dynamic adaptability enables the same frame to serve multiple vehicle types while maintaining structural integrity.
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 safe and efficient lifting of large four-wheel drive vehicles by leveraging the winch's mechanical advantage, reducing physical strain and providing adequate lift range for tire changes and maintenance tasks.
Implementation Method 1
utilize the winch to provide lifting of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
leveraging the winch's mechanical advantage
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of pulleys secured to the frame of the present invention
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle jack configured to provide lifting of either the front end or the rear end of the vehicle wherein the vehicle jack is operably coupled to a winch secured to the vehicle. The vehicle jack includes a frame having a vertical support member wherein the vertical support member further includes a base member secured to the first end thereof. The vehicle jack includes a vehicle attachment assembly that is slidably coupled to the vertical support member and is provided in a first embodiment operable to secure to the rear end of a vehicle and a second embodiment that is configured to be secured to the front end of the vehicle. The first embodiment of the vehicle attachment assembly is configured to operably couple with a frame hitch. The second embodiment of the vehicle attachment assembly operably couples to the front bumper.