Introduction
A jack is a mechanical device used as a lifting device to lift heavy loads or to apply great forces. A mechanical jack employs a screw thread for lifting heavy equipment. A hydraulic jack uses hydraulic power.[1] The most common form is a car jack, floor jack or garage jack, which lifts vehicles so that maintenance can be performed. Jacks are usually rated for a maximum lifting capacity (for example, 1.5 tons or 3 tons) and constructed to individual height clearances depending on design, manufacture and intended use. Industrial jacks can be rated for many tons of loads.
As are there many different types of jacks (lifting mechanisms or machines), there are also various means of supply power or simply put input to achieve the desired outcome ie lifting. Generally speaking in fact the very act of lifting a body clear of something or up to a desired level or from something could almost always be referred to as jacking or basically have an element and or stage of jacking involved in it.
Background of the project
Having given you a basic idea as to what the general idea of this project is, its primary or main focal point "Automobile Car Jack System" can therefore be better appreciated as we break the process down with a view to creating a system with specific applications and goals in mind whilst improving on current systems to provide an overall better system with holistic profitability, conservation of resources, efficiency etc. 'system' here referring to the processes, actual machinery, methods, principles etc involved in a product for lifting.
Our area of focus in the investigations of the project being the automobile industry is riddled with processes and instances where the lifting of an automobile and or several of its parts and machines are highly essential to perform the needed task from birth so to say (manufacturing and its various processes) through its lifetime (servicing, replacement of parts, overhauling, repairs etc) up until its death (scrap yards or other such facilities make use of lifts in their applications).
Little wonder that there are a very wide variety of products and or brands out there of automobile lifting machines for the different types of lifting, vehicles, preferences and so on even though all these contraptions follow the same basic and similar models, principles, theories, calculations even assumptions hence disappointing in the apparent lack of diversity and standard customizations.
Problem Identification
Lack of diversity:
Extensive research has brought to the fore and is clearly seen that amid the various types of automobile lifting mechanisms we have today as a result of the various types vehicles and applications needed, there is still a very narrow extent of diversity and is observed that most of such mechanisms today are confound to lateral lifting, tilt lifting, or what is claimed to be a combination of both (where a vehicle is lifted to two different levels irrespective of the sides chosen i.e. front-back, or side-side) which i personally see as merely just lifting. A true combination this project strives to achieve.
Compromisation in usage:
Due to the lack of diversity, it is observed and sadly commonplace for operators utilizing such automobile lifting mechanisms to compromise on the efficiency of their work, inconvenience themselves to be able to operate the mechanisms as per their design, and importantly fall short in terms of safety. It is a classic man bending to will of machine scenario playing out if i have a vehicle lift and cannot actually make it lift and manipulate a vehicle to suit my application and give me the best possible angle to work with without subjecting myself to it, now one that can do that truly is a well built machine as will be attempted in this project
Most automobile repair and servicing work require an operator to see the parts and fix things together and this is clearly not optimized in existing designs as usage still warrants operators to bend, look up, look down, reach in without clear vision, spillage and a host of other inconveniencies. This sure can be eliminated.
Auto repair, Maintenance and Training:
To cut it short, the simple fact that majority of the conventional automobile lifting mechanisms do not actually provide operators, trainers and trainees the best possible line of vision and flexibility of work with wider manipulations coupled with complete ease of use makes it difficult to train people adequately, most times conventional jacks leaving you with no vision at all that feeling around to get work done becomes the only option to get things done.
Aim and Objectives
This project will attempt to analyze critically the existing conventional automobile lifting mechanisms with a view to improving of the designs according to laid down requirements as will be better highlighted in the scope and limitations.
Necessary theories, models, laws, assumptions and the usual defining factors would be critically considered, proven, adapted and implemented into final design.
Eliminate the underlying inconveniencies posed with the usage of conventional types and or brands of automobile jacks while adhering to laid down standards and ethics.
Create a fully functional design with adequate testing through simulation and any other means deemed necessary during the course of the project at least as far as time and other resources would allow.
Scope and Limitations
As this is a first project on the topic, design and work will be restricted to small and medium size vehicles, which by no means disqualify use or adaptations for heavier vehicle categories but only serve to define our scope more so wise indeed to work in line with available resources.
The time frame of the project though long is however not sufficient enough to go to all possible lengths with the project therefore majority of resources would be made available to aspects of research, proof, calculations, design, and design testing. A small prototype if deemed necessary at best.
The single most important limitation however is the cost, referring to all resources engaged is it time, favors, monetary, etc. This indirectly limits our scope immensely considering the facilities and resources on ground however the leveled best is to be delivered, as there is no excuse to hide behind inadequacies of the system.
Lastly everything discussed and plans proposed would essentially have to pass a feasibility test or consideration or however you want to coin it as without this all effort put in might as well be wasted eventually.