HYBRID MECHANICAL JACK FOR AUTOMATED VEHICLE LIFTING AND POSITIONING

Abstract

The present invention relates to vehicle lifting device designed for enhanced ease of use, and accessibility. This jack combines manual, bluetooth, and IoT-based operation modes, enabling users to lift and position the jack remotely through a smartphone, laptop, and bluetooth-enabled device. The jack is equipped with small wheels, and can be handled smoothly under the vehicle, and a built-in camera provides a live video-feed for precise placement. Safety features includes load, tilt, and position sensors that monitors the jack’s operation, ensuring stability and preventing overload. The IoT mode allows long-range remote control, and the automatic high beam activation improves visibility in low-light conditions. The device is powered by an internal battery, and the jack’s motorized actuator efficiently raises and lowers the vehicle with minimal physical effort. This invention offers a convenient, versatile, and safe solution for users needing a reliable lifting device for various situations.

Specification

Description:The present invention is a device designed to improve the lifting and positioning of vehicles through automation and remote control. This invention provides multimode operational capability, that includes three distinct methods:
Manual Operation: This operation allows for traditional manual control of the jack, providing a familiar option for users, if automated methods are unavailable, and impractical.
Bluetooth Controlled Operation: In this mode, the jack is operated manually through Bluetooth enabled devices such as smartphones, and alternatively tablets. This control is achieved by pairing the jack with a Bluetooth application, that allows users to handle the jack with directional buttons for forward, reverse, left, and right movements. This method is especially useful in situations with no internet connection.
IoT-Based Remote Control with Raspberry Pi Integration: The third mode is IoT technology, incorporating a Raspberry Pi microcontroller that connects to laptops, smartphones, and other devices via the internet. This system allows the user to control the jack from any location with network access. The IoT setup enables long-range control, and provides the added benefits of a live video feed from a built-in camera allowing the operator to view the precise positioning of the jack in real-time. This mode is especially valuable when the operator is not in proximity to the vehicle, and is unable to operate the jack manually due to physical constraints. Additionally, the IoT beam activates an automatic high beam light during low-light and night time conditions ensuring visibility. This feature enables the operator to see the live camera feed clearly, making it easier to position the jack accurately under the vehicle. The camera is rotated and adjusted remotely to provide a complete view of the surrounding area, enhancing the convenience and usability of the device.
The invention is designed in a step-wise sequence to make the vehicle lifting process smooth, efficient, and user-friendly. The main components of the invention:
Power Supply Unit: The device operates on a rechargeable battery that powers the motor, IoT module, and camera. The power management system is designed to allocate power efficiently to each component, ensuring consistent and reliable operation.
Mechanical Jack Assembly: The lifting mechanism consists of a motor and actuator connected to a mechanical jack. The motor drives the screw and hydraulic arm that raises and lower the jack, making it possible to lift the vehicle with minimal physical effort. The assembly is equipped with small wheels, allowing the jack to be easily handled into position beneath the vehicle.
Control unit: This unit contains a Raspberry Pi microcontroller, that manages the jack operational modes (manual, Bluetooth, and IoT). The control unit interfaces with the motor driver, enabling precise control of the jack's movements. The motor driver regulates the direction and speed of the motor based on the user input from either Bluetooth and IoT commands.
Sensor system: The invention incorporates several sensors to enhance safety and functionality. A load sensor measures the weight applied to the jack, preventing overloading and ensuring safe operation within specified limits. A position sensor continuously monitors the jack's height and position, helping to maintain the correct level required for secure lifting. Additionally, a tilt sensor detects any imbalance and tilt in the jack's alignment, ensuring stability throughout the operation, and reducing the risk of the jack tipping over. These sensors work together to provide a safe, reliable lifting process for various vehicles.
Camera Module: A camera mounted on the jack provides a live video feed of the jack's positioning and the area beneath the vehicle. This video feed is accessed through the IoT interface, allowing users to see the position of the jack, and make necessary adjustments remotely. The camera's settings are adjusted through the control interface to suit different lightning conditions and angles.
Iot Connectivity Module: This module enables wireless communication via Wi-Fi, and alternatively Bluetooth, providing remote control of the jack through a mobile application. It transmits real-time data, including camera feed, load information, and jack status, back to the user's device for monitoring and control. This connectivity allows for operation from a significant distance, making the jack accessible to users even when they are not physically near the vehicle.
User Interface: The device is controlled via mobile application, and alternatively computer interface. This user-friendly interface platform allows the operator to control the jack's movement, view the live video feed from the camera, and monitor real-time sensor data. This interface also provides access to an optional cloud server for data storage, enabling remote access to historical data and operation logs.
Safety Features: The invention features critical safety mechanisms to protect both the user and the device during operation. An emergency shut off system automatically halts the jack's operation, if it detects an overload, and any other malfunction, ensuring user safety by immediately stopping the lifting process in potentially hazardous situations. Additionally, an overload protection system prevents the jack from lifting beyond its maximum capacity, safeguarding the device from damage and protecting the operator from risks associated with overloading. These features ensure safe, controlled, and reliable operation at all times.
The present invention operates through a combination of components that provides safe, efficient, and user-friendly functionality. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery, that supplies energy to the motor, IoT module, and camera. A power management system ensures efficient distribution of energy to maintain consistent and reliable operation across all components. The lifting mechanism consists of a motor and actuator connected to a mechanical jack. This motor drives a screw, and alternatively hydraulic arm, enabling the jack to lift and lower a vehicle with minimal physical effort. Small wheels attached to the assembly allows for easy handling, and precise positioning beneath the vehicle. The control unit is equipped with a Raspberry Pi microcontroller, that manages the jack's operational modes, including manual, Bluetooth, and IoT based control. It interfaces with the motor's speed and direction based on user's commands. This allows for precise and smooth movements during the lifting process. The invention increases the safety and functionality by integrating a sensor system. A load sensor prevents overloading by measuring the weight applied to the jack, and a position sensor continuously monitors the height and alignment of the jack to maintain secure lifting. Additionally, a tilt sensor detects any imbalance, and ensures the jack remains stable throughout the operation, and reducing the risk of tipping over. The camera module provides a live video feed of the jack's positioning and the area beneath the vehicle, allowing users to make precise adjustments remotely. The camera's settings are adjusted through control interface to accommodate various lightning conditions and viewing angles. The IoT connectivity module enables wireless control through Wi-Fi, and alternatively Bluetooth, allowing the jack to be operated from a mobile application. Real-time data including video feed, load information, and jack status is transmitted to the user's device monitoring and control. This functionality allows the jack to be operated from significant distances, offering convenience and accessibility even when the user is not physically near the vehicle. A user-friendly interface provides control over the jack's movements, live video feed access, and real-time sensor monitoring. It also supports data storage on an optional cloud server, enabling remote access to operation logs and historical data for maintenance and review purposes. To ensure safety, the device includes an emergency shutoff system that halts operation immediately upon detecting overload and malfunction preventing accidents. An overload protection system safeguards the jack by restricting its operation beyond its maximum lifting capacity. These safety features provide controlled and reliable operation under all conditions, making the device versatile and safe tool for vehicle lifting.

, Claims:1. A hybrid mechanical jack for automated vehicle lifting and positioning comprising:
a mechanical jack assembly with motorized actuator for lifting the vehicle;
a power supply unit with a rechargeable battery to power the motor, IoT module, and camera;
a set of small wheels attached to the base for mobility and ease of positioning under the vehicle;
a control unit with an integrated microcontroller that manages the jack's operation, and enables connectivity for remote control;
an IoT connectivity module that allows remote operation via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth;
a camera module providing a live video feed for precise positioning, accessible remotely through a user device;
a set of safety sensors for real time monitoring;
an emergency shutoff system that halts operation in case of malfunction and overload; and
an automatic high beam light for enhanced visibility in low-light condition.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit enables three mode of operation:
manual operation by the user;
Bluetooth-based short-range remote control through a mobile application; and
IoT- based remote control through internet connected devices, allowing operation from long-range distances.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IoT connectivity module is configured to transmit real-time data, including video feed from the camera, and sensor readings to the user interface for enhanced monitoring and control.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera module is capable of providing adjustable, live video feedback to the user for precise positioning of the jack beneath the vehicle.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety sensors includes load sensor that detects load levels to prevent overload and ensure safe operation, position sensor to monitor the jack's height and position to maintain the correct lifting level, and tilt sensor to ensure stability, and prevent the jack from tipping over and become unbalanced.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the emergency shutoff system halts the operation, if load and tilt parameters exceed safety limits, providing additional protection for the user and the device.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein mechanical jack operates with variable speed settings to provide smooth and controlled lifting and lowering the vehicle.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheels are lockable to secure the jack in place during operation, ensuring safety while lifting the vehicle.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera module is mounted on an adjustable bracket, allowing the user to rotate and tilt the camera remotely for enhanced visibility of the jack's surrounding.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit integrates with the motor driver to manage the direction and sped of the lifting operation in response to commands from the user interface.

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