What is the design for a heavy-duty scissor jack?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the dynamics equations for a two-stage scissor jack, focusing on the mechanical principles and calculations involved in simulating its behavior under various forces and loads. Participants explore both theoretical and practical aspects of scissor jack design, including configurations and mechanisms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks help in deriving dynamics equations for a two-stage scissor jack, indicating a lack of available resources.
  • Another participant describes a scissor jack as an elaborate lever and questions the meaning of "dynamics equations."
  • Some participants clarify that dynamics equations would simulate the jack's behavior under different applied forces and loads, involving rigid body dynamics.
  • There is a suggestion that a specific 'scissor jack equation' may not exist due to the complexity of lever systems, and a recommendation for intermediate mechanics textbooks is made.
  • A mechanical engineer shares that they have worked out the problem but finds it too lengthy to post, suggesting a simplified approach by considering a symmetrical arrangement of spars.
  • Another participant notes that calculations become complicated for non-symmetrical configurations and questions the practicality of asymmetrical jacks.
  • Links to examples of scissor jacks are shared, including variants that use slides and rollers for low-height storage.
  • Participants discuss the balance of forces and the importance of efficient screw and nut combinations in real jack design.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with the topic, and while some agree on the basic principles of scissor jacks, there is no consensus on the specific dynamics equations or the complexity of different configurations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to derive the necessary equations.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the potential dependence on specific configurations and the assumption of massless components in calculations. The discussion also highlights the need for a deeper understanding of moments in mechanical systems.

bbq_build
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Hello, I need to derive dynamics equations for a two-stage scissor jack. I have searched many books in the libraries and on the internet but there is no such example. Could anybody please help? Thank you
 
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A scissors jack is just an elaborate lever?

What do you mean by dynamics equations?
 
Equations that one could use to simulate the behavior of the jack under different applied forces and loads. One that involves rigid body dynamics.
 
bbq_build said:
Equations that one could use to simulate the behavior of the jack under different applied forces and loads. One that involves rigid body dynamics.
I don't think you are likely to find a 'scissor jack equation' anywhere because such a mechanism is just a part of an enormous field of lever systems. From your question, I get the impression that you are not too familiar with the basics of moments in mechanical systems. I think that you could benefit from an intermediate mechanics textbook with the basics and a number of worked examples. Most of the stuff you find on the net about levers and moments involves the simple see-saw type balance where the forces all act parallel to each other; useful but not enough for what you need here. I found this YouTube video, which gives a way into the topic and there are a number of relevant links leading from it. It's A level physics that you need - GCSE doesn't do 'angles' for moments.
If you have a nearby second hand book shop (or website) you should be able to get hold of a cheap A level textbook, which is exactly what you need and need not cost more than a very few Quid.
I don't know of one but I could imagine that there are a number of Mechanics Simulation packages that could take the pain out of the problem - but then you would not necessarily learn any physics from the exercise (this is fine if you just need a result).
 
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I myself worked out the problem -(Mechanical Engineer) since no where I could find the solution to this scissor lift problem- I think Its hard to post here its a lengthy calculation ,
 
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malemdk said:
I myself worked out the problem -(Mechanical Engineer) since no where I could find the solution to this scissor lift problem- I think Its hard to post here its a lengthy calculation ,
For a symmetrical (rhomboid) arrangement of four spars and a balanced load,, the problem can be reduced to considering just one spar, with two forces acting at each end. (Assume the jack is massless etc. of course). The calculation should not be too hard with so few variables. Don't ask me to put my money where my mouth is but the relationship between the vertical and horizontal forces with angle is going to involve a tan function of the the angle .
 
Yes it's for simple configuration, but the calculations become somewhat complicated for other configurations
 
@bbq_build : Is this a normal scissors jack with hand operated screw and nut drive or is it a more complicated version ? Can you post a picture ?
 
malemdk said:
Yes it's for simple configuration, but the calculations become somewhat complicated for other configurations
I wonder whether an asymmetrical jack would ever be used. After all, it wouldn't be 'foldable' as a normal jack is and the range of usable angles / heights would be less.
 
  • #11
Nidum said:
http://www.gustininc.com/norco-82002c-1-1-2-ton-scissors-jack/

A common variant on the scissors jack replaces part of the mechanism with a slide and roller . These can be low height for storage .
Wow. Never seen one of those; I never thought of that form of asymmetry. Could be very handy in the right conditions.
OK - multiply the number of equations by two (I don't think four is necessary). But still, there's no Statistics or Integration involved. Just plain old Algebra and a couple of Trig functions.
 
  • #12
sophiecentaur said:
But still, there's no Statistics or Integration involved. Just plain old Algebra and a couple of Trig functions.

Just so . Balance forces or equate incremental work done at the handle to incremental work done at the jacking point .

Biggest problem in design of a real jack is in finding a reasonably efficient screw and nut combination .
 
  • #14
Nidum said:
@bbq_build : Is this a normal scissors jack with hand operated screw and nut drive or is it a more complicated version ? Can you post a picture ?
It's hydraulic power cylinder version, do you design any scissor jack or is it course project?
 
  • #15
bbq_build said:
Yes it looks somewhat like, but not exactly what you have shown is small machine, the machine which I designed was for industrial use, the rated capacity of each cylinder is 40 t, there were 2 cylinders
 

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