Wheel Dolly Using Vehicle Jack for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wheel dollies are heavy and expensive due to integrated hydraulic jack systems, and require users to be close to the dolly when lifting, posing safety risks and mechanical failure hazards.
Innovation Solution
A wheel dolly design that uses a common vehicle floor jack instead of an integrated hydraulic lift, featuring two straddle bars with non-swing and swing caster assemblies, a lift bar, and a locking pin, allowing for safe operation at a distance and reducing weight and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an integrated hydraulic jack system is used in the wheel dolly, then the lifting function is achieved, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydraulic jack system from the dolly structure entirely, extracting the lifting function from the dolly itself. The dolly now only provides wheel support and positioning, while the vehicle's existing hydraulic jack performs the lifting function, eliminating the weight penalty of carrying a redundant jack system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the vehicle's hydraulic jack serve dual purposes: it lifts the vehicle during maintenance operations and also lifts the dolly with the wheel during wheel removal operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated dolly jack, reducing overall system weight.
2Reliability
If an integrated hydraulic jack system is used in the wheel dolly, then the lifting function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the hydraulic jack system from the dolly design, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture, inventory, and maintain expensive hydraulic components in the dolly. The dolly becomes a simpler, cheaper structure that leverages the vehicle's existing hydraulic infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simpler, less expensive dolly structure without expensive hydraulic components. The dolly can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, while the expensive hydraulic jack system is retained in the vehicle where it provides multiple functions.
3Reliability
If a threaded bolt system is used to create lift, then the lifting function is achieved, but the ease of operation decreases and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to lift itself by using the vehicle's hydraulic jack to lift the dolly, rather than requiring manual operation of a threaded bolt system. The hydraulic system provides mechanical advantage automatically, reducing manual effort to zero for the lifting action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual threaded bolt mechanical system with a hydraulic system, substituting manual mechanical advantage with hydraulic pressure-driven mechanical advantage. This provides the same lifting function with significantly reduced manual effort.
4Reliability
If a threaded bolt system is used to create lift, then the lifting function is achieved, but the safety of the user decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the vehicle's hydraulic jack as an intermediary between the user and the lifting operation. The user operates the jack from a safe distance, and the hydraulic system mediates the lifting force, eliminating the need for the user to be close to the dolly with manual tools during lifting.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing the manual threaded bolt system with a hydraulic system, the patent allows the user to operate the lifting mechanism from a safe distance using the hydraulic jack handle, rather than requiring close proximity to manually turn a bolt while the dolly is under load.
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
The solution provides a safer, lighter, and more cost-effective wheel dolly that allows users to operate at a safe distance while lifting, reducing the risk of mechanical failure and weight-related issues, and is more efficient in transitioning between configurations.
Implementation Method 1
When lifted, the swing frame may rotate about the swing axle due to the force of gravity, thereby transitioning the wheel dolly to the raised configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel dolly for raising a vehicle wheel off the floor is disclosed. The dolly has at least two wheel straddle bars, each straddle bar having a non-swing caster assembly. A swing caster assembly is connected to each straddle bar. The assembly includes a stationary frame supporting a swing axle, a swing frame that rotates about the swing axle, and a swing caster connected to swing frame. The swing caster defines a swivel plane. A lift bar connects the two wheel straddle bars. The dolly can transition between two configurations: a lowered configuration, wherein the swivel plane is not parallel to the floor, and a raised configuration, wherein the swivel plane is substantially parallel to the floor.