DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to jacks in vehicles and more particularly, but not exclusively to a system and a method for evaluating reaction force of jack in the vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, jack is an essential tool of the vehicles. Jacks are used to safely lift a part of the vehicle to provide access for changing tires, emergency repairs and other maintenance purposes. The jacks are usually kept in the boot (trunk) of the vehicle. Conventional systems and methods for evaluating the jack reaction force in the vehicle involve calculation of maximum load acting on the jack by placing the jack on a load cell slab and a height gauge to measure the height of the vehicle. In the aforementioned system and method, the maximum load that the jack has to withstand has been calculated by monitoring the load that is acting on individual wheels of the vehicle during static condition and the same has been confirmed using CAE virtual analysis. However, in reality, due to CG height of the vehicle as well as the load distribution during lifting, there is a variation of the load acting on the jack thereby resulting in error in calculating the actual load that is acting on the jack. Further, the aforementioned method is not able to capture the dynamic changes in the load accurately as the jack tends to move from the initial position to the second position thus making a deflection in load cell readings. Further, aforementioned method captures the maximum load, yet it is not able to store the complete changes of the load with respect to time.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a system and a method for evaluating reaction force of a jack in the vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a system for evaluating reaction force of a jack in a vehicle, which accurately monitor load (both static load and dynamic load) acting on the jack with respect to time.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for evaluating reaction force of a jack in a vehicle, which accurately monitor load (both static load and dynamic load) acting on the jack with respect to time.
[006] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[007] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[008] FIG. 1 depicts a photographic view of a system for evaluating jack reaction force in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[009] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic view of the system for evaluating jack reaction force, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a graph plot between load and jacking point lift of the system, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a method for evaluating reaction force of a jack in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0013] The embodiments herein achieve a system for evaluating reaction force of a jack in a vehicle, which accurately monitor load (both static load and dynamic load) acting on the jack with respect to time. Further, the embodiments herein achieve a method for evaluating reaction force of a jack in a vehicle, which accurately monitor load (both static load and dynamic load) acting on the jack with respect to time. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a photographic view of a system for evaluating jack reaction force in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system 100 includes a jack unit 102, at least one bottom adapter 104, at least one top adapter 106, at least one load cell 108, a height gauge 110, at least one output device 112, and a data analyzer 114.
[0015] In an embodiment, the system 100 includes the jack unit 102. The jack unit 102 described herein is the vehicular jack which is used for lifting a part of the vehicle or a chassis (not shown) to provide access for changing tires, emergency repairs and other maintenance purposes.
[0016] In an embodiment, the system 100 for evaluating reaction force of the jack in the vehicle includes the at least one bottom adapter 104. In an embodiment, the at least one bottom adapter 104 is mounted above the jack unit 102. The at least one bottom adaptor 104 is used to hold the at least one load cell 108. In an embodiment, the at least one bottom adapter 104 is welded at the top of the jack unit 102. It is also within the scope of this invention to provide any other of attachment between the bottom adapter 104 and the jack without otherwise deterring the intended function of coupling as can be deduced from this description. The at least one bottom adaptor 104 is designed in such a way that it perfectly holds the at least one load cell 108 on top of the jack unit 102. In an embodiment, the at least one bottom adapter 104 is a plate having a threaded stud. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of construction of the adapter without otherwise deterring the intended function of the mounting as can be deduced from the description.
[0017] In an embodiment, the system 100 for evaluating reaction force of the jack in the vehicle includes the at least one top adapter 106. In an embodiment, the at least one top adapter 106 is mounted above the at least one load cell 108. The at least one top adaptor 106 is used for supporting the at least one load cell 108 from top. In an embodiment, the at least one top adaptor 106 is designed in such a way that it perfectly holds the at least one load cell 108. In an embodiment, the at least one top adapter 106 is mounted between the chassis (not shown) and the at least one load cell 108. In an embodiment, the at least one top adapter 106 is a plate having a threaded stud. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of construction of the adapter without otherwise deterring the intended function of the mounting as can be deduced from the description.
[0018] In an embodiment, the system 100 for evaluating reaction force of the jack in the vehicle includes the at least one load cell 108. In an embodiment, the at least one load cell 108 is used for measuring the reaction force acting on the jack unit 102 with respect to time. In an embodiment, the at least one load cell 108 is mounted between the at least one bottom adapter 104 and the at least one top adapter 106. In an embodiment, the at least one load cell 108 generates at least one first input signal (not shown) indicating the reaction force acting on the jack unit 102 with respect to time.
[0019] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic view of the system for evaluating jack reaction force, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system 100 includes the height gauge 110. In an embodiment, the height gauge 110 is used for measuring the height of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the height gauge 110 generates at least one second input signal (not shown) indicating the height of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the at least one first input signal and the at least one second input signal generated from the at least one load cell 108 and the height gauge 110 is in terms of millivolt.
[0020] In an embodiment, the system 100 for evaluating reaction force of the jack in the vehicle includes the data analyzer 114 (also referred as digital data analyzer). In an embodiment, the data analyzer 114 consist of a plurality of analog input channels which can accept +/- 10 volts from the at least one load cell 108, and the height gauge 110. In an embodiment, the data analyzer 114 includes a processing unit (also referred as software unit) to process the at least one first input signal, and the at least one second input signal, generated from the at least one load cell 108, and the height gauge 110. In an embodiment, the at least one first input signal, and the at least one second input signal, generated from the at least one load cell 108, and the height gauge 110, are electronically communicated to the data analyzer 114.
[0021] In an embodiment, the data analyzer 114 is configured to process and store a real-time value(s). In an embodiment, the data analyzer 114 generates at least one output data (not shown) in a predetermined format based on the input signals received from the at least one load cell 108, and the height gauge 110. In an embodiment, the predetermined format includes raw format (*.dat) which is the converted by software unit to MS-Excel. In an embodiment, the at least one output data generated by the data analyzer 114 is raw data which is converted to readable /process able MS-Excel format by the software unit.
[0022] In an embodiment, the software unit in the data analyzer 114 consists of special tools such as sampling, filters, storage to perform the various processes to convert the real-time signal to a predetermined format. In an embodiment, the special tools include:
• Sampling of signal
• Applying filter to eliminate noise component in a signal
• Specific sampling and storage rate configuration available to store the data in a specific time stamp intervals (sampling Fq : 100Hz, 10Hz, 1Hz …)
[0023] In an embodiment, the system 100 for evaluating reaction force of the jack in the vehicle includes the at least one output device 112. In an embodiment, the output device 112 is selected from an indicator and an amplifier. In an embodiment, the output device 112 communicates the at least one output data generated by the data analyzer 114 to a user. In an embodiment, the millivolt (+/- 10 volt) signal is amplified by the at least one output device 112 corresponding to full scale load value.
[0024] FIG. 3 depicts a graph plot between load and jacking point lift of the system, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, Fig. 3 shows the output data generated by the data analyzer for evaluation of the jack reaction force in vehicles.
[0025] FIG. 4 depicts a method for evaluating reaction force of a jack in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method 400 for evaluating reaction force of a jack in the vehicle comprises steps of placing a jack unit 102 under the chassis (step 402). Further, the method includes mounting at least one bottom adapter 104 above the jack unit 102 (step 404). Furthermore, the method includes installing at least one load cell 108 above the at least one bottom adapter 104 (step 406). In addition, the method includes mounting at least one top adapter 106 above the at least one load cell 108 (step 408), wherein the at least one top adapter 106 is configured to support the chassis. Moreover, the method includes electronically communicating a data analyzer 114 with the at least one load cell 108 (step 410). Further, the method includes electronically communicating a height gauge 110 with the data analyzer 114 (step 412). Also, the method includes electronically communicating at least one output device 112 with the data analyzer 114 (step 414).
[0026] Thus the embodiments herein achieve the system and method for evaluating reaction force of the jack in the vehicle, which accurately monitor load (both static load and dynamic load) acting on the jack with respect to time.
[0027] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Referral Numerals:
system 100
Jack unit 102
Bottom adapter 104
Top adapter 106
Load cell 108
Height gauge 110
Output device 112
Data analyzer (digital data analyzer) 114

,CLAIMS:STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim,

1. A system 100 for evaluating reaction force of a jack in a vehicle, the vehicle having a chassis, the system 100 comprising:
a jack unit 102 placed under the chassis;
at least one bottom adapter 104 mounted above the jack unit 102;
at least one load cell 108 mounted above the at least one bottom adapter 104;
at least one top adapter 106 mounted above the at least one load cell 108; wherein the at least one top adapter 106 is configured to support the chassis;
a data analyzer 114 electronically communicating with the at least one load cell 108;
a height gauge 110 electronically communicating with the data analyzer 114; and
at least one output device 112 electronically communicating with the data analyzer 114.

2. The system 100 for evaluating reaction force of a jack of claim 1, wherein the at least one load cell 108 is configured to generate at least one first input signal and electronically communicate the at least one first input signal to the data analyzer 114.

3. The system 100 for evaluating reaction force of a jack of claim 1, wherein the height gauge 110 is configured to generate at least one second input signal and electronically communicate the at least one second input signal to the data analyzer 114.

4. The system 100 for evaluating reaction force of a jack of claim 1, wherein the data analyzer 114 includes a processing unit to process the at least one first input signal, and the at least one second input signal, generated from the at least one load cell 108, and the height gauge 110 to generate at least one output data.

5. The system 100 for evaluating reaction force of a jack of claim 1, wherein the data analyzer 114 generates the at least one output data in a predetermined format.

6. The system 100 for evaluating reaction force of a jack of claim 1, wherein the at least one output device 112 is configured to display the at least one output data received from the data analyzer 114.

7. A method 400 for evaluating reaction force of a jack in a vehicle, the vehicle having a chassis, the method 400 comprising steps of:
placing a jack unit 102 under the chassis;
mounting at least one bottom adapter 104 above the jack unit 102;
installing at least one load cell 108 above the at least one bottom adapter 104;
mounting at least one top adapter 106 above the at least one load cell 108; wherein the at least one top adapter 106 is configured to support the chassis;
electronically communicating a data analyzer 114 with the at least one load cell 108;
electronically communicating a height gauge 110 with the data analyzer 114; and
electronically communicating at least one output device 112 with the data analyzer 114.

8. The method 400 for evaluating reaction force of a jack of claim 7, wherein the at least one load cell 108 is configured to generate at least one first input signal and electronically communicate the at least one first input signal to the data analyzer 114.

9. The method 400 for evaluating reaction force of a jack of claim 7, wherein the height gauge 110 is configured to generate at least one second input signal and electronically communicate the at least one second input signal to the data analyzer 114.

10. The method 400 for evaluating reaction force of a jack of claim 7, wherein the data analyzer 114 includes a processing unit to process the at least one first input signal, and the at least one second input signal, generated from the at least one load cell 108, and the height gauge 110 to generate at least one output data.

Dated: 19th October 2017 Signature:
Name of Signatory: Somashekar Ramakrishna