Scissor Jack Design Project

GE 410
Fall 2005

Jim Ramirez
David Hettinger
Instructor: Hall
12/05/2005

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 ABSTRACT

Scissor jacks are simple mechanisms used to drive large loads short distances. The
power screw design of a common scissor jack reduces the amount of force required by the user
to drive the mechanism. Most scissor jacks are similar in design, consisting of four main
members driven by a power screw. In this report, a unique design of a scissor jack is proposed
which is very easy to manufacture. Each member, including the power screw sleeves, is made of
the common c-shape. This eliminates the need for machined power screw sleeves, which
connect the four members and the power screw together. The manufacturability of the proposed
scissor jack lowers the cost of production.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………... i
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………….. ii
Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………... iii

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Proposed Design…………………………………………………………………………… 5
Figure 1: Labeled Scissor Jack Design…………………………………………………….. 5
Table 1: Design Criteria……………………………………………………………………. 9
Conclusions and Recommendations……………………………………………………….. 10
Appendix A: Drawings…………………………………………………………………….. 11
Appendix B: Calculations and Assumptions for Components 2, 4, 6, and 8……………… 12
Appendix C: Calculations and Assumptions for Components 3 and 7……………………. 13
Appendix D: Calculations and Assumptions for Components 1 and 5……………………. 14
Appendix E: Calculations and Assumptions for Component 9……………………………. 15
Appendix F: Calculations and Assumptions for All Pins………………………………….. 16
Appendix G: Calculations and Assumptions for Crank Handle…………………………… 17
Appendix H: ANSYS Force Analysis……………………………………………………... 18

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Introduction

The most basic scissor jack design is truly engineering at its finest. With the power to
magnify input forces, scissor jacks allow us to raise vast loads using only a fraction of the force
ordinarily needed. Our goal in this project is to design an efficient scissor jack capable of raising
a 2000lb load. As a screw-driven mechanical system, the jack will be manually operated and
have at least 7 inches under load. The design will be transportable and storable, have a
removable crank handle, and operate with a factor of safety of n = 2 using standard mechanical
design methods for all components. The design itself has gone through multiple stages of
development. We have taken several possible failure modes into account and are confident that
our design is efficient and safe.
Proposed Design

Summary
The scissor jack design, shown in Figure 1, consists of four main lifting members, four
connection members, a power screw and a crank. Members 1 through 8 are all primarily c-
shapes with ideal pin connections. Members 1 and 5 both have additional details to account for
the contact surfaces. The power screw is single threaded with a collar at the member 3
connection. All members are 50 ksi strength steel with the exception of the rubber grip on the
crank. The following is a summary of the design features for our proposed scissor jack. Details
of the design specifications and failure criteria can be found in the attached appendices.

Figure 1: Proposed Scissor Jack Design with Labeled Members.

Main Lifting Members:
These members are made from simple c-shapes. The web of the members is cut out near
the pin connections to allow proper serviceability of the scissor jack at its maximum and
minimum heights. Members 4 and 6 have ideal gear connections to balance the load between the
left and right side.
The flanges of the channels are to wrap around the flanges of the sleeve members. The
lifting members are greater in length and are subjected to compression. Lifting member flanges
on the outside of the sleeve flanges is to compensate for slenderness ratio by increasing the
moment of inertia of the lifting members.

Sleeve Members:
The sleeve channels are to open inwards as shown in Figure 2. This is so the flanges are
subjected to tension instead of compression. The bending moment from the power screw creates
tension on the inner edge of the sleeve and compression on the outside edge. Tension along
flanges on the inside prevents the possibility of localized bucking in the flanges from
compressive forces.

Figure 2: Orientation of Sleeve Channels to Prevent Localized Buckling.

 Additionally, the threaded sleeve section is to have additional thread surface area, shown
in Figure 3. These additional threads safely transmit the stress from the power screw to the
sleeve. Threading the thickness of the web of the channel would not be sufficient for reasonable
power screw diameters. This addition is only made on the threaded sleeve section and not on the
collared sleeve section. The collar transmits the stress safely to the c-shape.

Figure 3: Addition to C-Shape to Provide Adequate Threaded Area.

Contact Members:
The members that make contact with ground and the service load are members 1 and 5
respectively. Member 1 has additional flanges to provide a stable base for the mechanism while
servicing the load. Member 5 has an attached plate atop to provide sufficient contact area. Most
scissor jacks have ridges which lower the area of contact. This causes stress concentrations
which can damage the underside of a car.
The Power Screw:
The Power Screw is single threaded with a collar on the side in contact with Member 3.
The collar is assumed to be frictionless and the power screw has been designed to be self-
locking. The primary raising method is through the power screw’s hook coupling which is
common to most scissor jacks. Incorporated into our proposed design is an option for a
secondary raising method. The collar on the power screw doubles as a bolt with a hexagonal
head. In a situation where the main hook coupling becomes inoperable, a standard socket
wrench can be used on the hexagonal nut to raise the mechanism.
Design Criteria

The design checks used in the design of the scissor jack are summarized in Table 1. The
criteria are organized by failure mode with the applicable members identified.

Table 1: Design Checks for Different Failure Modes of Members.

Failure
Member(s) Criteria Check Comments
Mode
Tr πd m4
Torsion 9 τ max ≤  J =
J 32
Pcr Cπ E 2
Long Columns
Buckling 2,3,4,6,7,8 ≤ 
A (l / k ) 2
(C=1)
2 2 Intermediate
Pcr S  l  1
Buckling 2,3,4,6,7,8 = SY −  Y     Length Columns
A  2π   k  CE (C=1)
Yielding S Distortion Energy
2,3,4,6,7,8 σ' ≤ Y 
in C and T n Theory
Self- πfd m > l
9 
Locking
S AP = d B t plate is
σP ≤ Y
n the projected area.
Bearing All Pins FB  Check both S Y and
Nominal σ P =
d B t plate SP
0.577 S Y
τ≤ Nominal includes
n
Shear All Pins  threads in shear
FB
Nominal τ = plane area At
At
Conclusion and Recommendations

Our proposed design is similar to common scissor designs in some aspects, but also
advantageous in others. Similar to others, our proposed design can safely raise a load of 2000
lbs to the required heights with relative ease on the user. Unique to our design, however, is the
manufacturability of our design, which is much simpler. Since only c-shapes are utilized, bulk
material can be more efficiently purchased and used. Also, less machining is required since
there are no complex sleeves for the power screw. Only simple attachments which can be
welded on are proposed. Therefore, when compared to similar scissor jack designs that perform
equally as well, our proposed design is recommended for its manufacturability and lower cost.
 Appendix A: Drawings
Note: All Drawings are in Inches
 Appendix B: Members 2, 4, 6, 8
Pcr Cπ 2 E
Buckling Criteria (Long Columns): ≤
A (n)( l / k ) 2

Pcr 3162 .28lbs

= = 3162 .28 psi
A 1in 2
Cπ 2 E (1)(π 2 )( 29 ,000 ,000 psi )
= = 508422 .58 psi 3.1
62 k
si ≤
50
8 .4
22 k
si

( n)( l / k ) 2 (2)( 6.32 in / 0.3767 in ) 2

2 2
P S  l  1
Buckling Criteria (Intermediate Length Columns): cr = S Y −  Y   
A  2π   k  CE

Pcr 3162 .28lbs

= = 3162 .28 psi
A 1in 2
2 2 2 2
S  l  1  50000 psi   6.32in  1
SY −  Y    = 50000 psi −     = 49385 psi
 2π   k  CE  2π   0.3767 in  (1)( 29000000 psi )

3.1
62 k
si ≤
49 .3
85 k
si

SY
Yielding Using Distortion Energy Theory: σ ' ≤
n

σ ' = σ X2 − σ X σ Y + σ Y2 + 3τ XY
2
= (3162 .28 psi ) 2 − 0 + 0 + 0 = 3162 .28 psi

SY 50000 psi
= = 25000 psi 3.1
62 k
si ≤2
5 k
si

n 2

*See “Appendix B Support” for supporting calculations (not computer-generated)

**See ANSYS printouts in Appendix H: All force analysis support can be found there.
 Appendix C: Members 3 and 7

SY
Yielding Using Distortion Energy Theory: σ ' ≤
n

1000 lbs
σY = = 1641 psi  This calculation simplifies the cross-section of member 7.
0.609375 in 2
The addition of material inside the C-section (left) is added
support for the power screw. It allows for increased shear
strength. As a result, this calculation is conservative.

σ ' = σ X2 − σ X σ Y + σ Y2 + 3τ XY
2
= 0 − 0 + (1641 psi ) 2 + 0 = 1641 psi

SY 50000 psi
= = 25000 psi 1.6
41 k
si ≤2
5 k
si

n 2

Mc S Y
Combined Bending and Axial Compression: σ B = ≤
I n

M = 3000 lbs ⋅ ( 2.38 in / 2) = 3570 lbs − in for Member 7 (see Drawings section)

Mc 3570 lbs − in ⋅ 0.35in

σB = = = 22718 psi = 22.7ksi
I 0.055in 4
SY 50 ksi
= = 25 ksi 2
2 .7 k
si ≤2
5 k
si

n 2

For this particular section, we understand that combined bending and axial compression leads to
eccentric loading that in turn magnifies the bending moment. However, given the small member
size it is highly unlikely that the member would bend significantly enough to consider a change.
Therefore, we just assume neglect the eccentric loading for our purposes.
*See “Appendix C Support” for supporting calculations (not computer-generated)
 Appendix D: Members 1 and 5

SY
Yielding Using Distortion Energy Theory: σ ' ≤
n

3000 lbs
σX = = 4000 psi
0.75in 2
σ ' = σ X2 − σ X σ Y + σ Y2 + 3τ XY
2
= (4000 psi ) 2 − 0 + 0 + 0 = 4000 psi

SY 50000 psi
= = 25000 psi 4.0 k
si ≤2
5 k
si

n 2

Note: The members are too short to consider buckling as a mode of failure.
 Appendix E: Member 9

SY
Yielding Using Distortion Energy Theory: σ ' ≤
n
Combined Tension and Torsion

Assume a frictionless collar.

Tr 16T 16 (50 lbs ⋅ 8in )
τ= = = = 8547 .8 psi = 8.548 ksi
J πd 3 π (0.62 in ) 3

FX 6000 lbs 6000 lbs

σX = = = = 19873 .67 psi = 19 .87 ksi
A (πd ) / 4 (π (0.62in ) 2 ) / 4
2

σ ' = σ X2 − σ X σ Y + σ Y2 + 3τ XY
2
= (19874 psi ) 2 − 0 + 0 + 3(8548 psi ) 2 = 24782 .2 psi

SY 50000 psi
= = 25000 psi 2
4 .8k
si ≤2
5 k
si

n 2


Self-Locking: πfd m > l

Assume coefficient of friction f =0.15, d m =0.62in and l =0.11in. (Referenced Table 8-3
Shigley)
πfd m = π(0.15 )( 0.62 in ) = 0.292 in
l = 0.11in 0 .2
92 i
n >0 .1
1 i
n


SY FB
Bearing Stresses on the Collar: σ P ≤ where σ P =
n A projected

FB 6000 lbs 6000 lbs 6000 lbs

σP = = = = = 20134 psi
A projected Acollar − A powerscrew 0.6in − 0302 in
2 2
0.298 in 2
SY 50 ksi
= = 25 ksi 2
0 .1
3 k
si ≤2
5 k
si

n 2


 Appendix F: All Pins

SY FB
Bearing Stresses: σ P ≤ where σ P =
n d B t plate

FB 3.162 kips
σP = = = 16 .864 ksi
2d B t plate 2(0.375 in )( 0.25in )

SY 50 ksi
= = 25 ksi 1
6 .8
64 k
si ≤2
5 k
si

n 2

Note: We use two times the projected area because there are actually two identical projected
areas through which the pin passes.

0.577 S Y FB
Shear Stresses: τ ≤ where τ =
n At

FB 3.162 kips 3.162 kips

τ= = = = 14 .315 ksi
2 At 2(πd / 4) 2(π (.375 in ) 2 / 4)
2

0.577 S Y (0.577 )50 ksi

= = 14 .425 ksi 1
4 .3
15 k
si ≤
14 .4
25 k
si

n 2


Note: We use two times the cross-sectional area because there are actually two shear planes
through which the pin passes.

We can assume that these hold true for all pins. The maximum axial force is 3.162 kips,
so all of our designs assume a worst-case scenario.
 Appendix G: Crank Handle

Check of Raising Torque Requirement: Tapplied ≥TR

Assume a human force of 50 lbs is applied to the crank handle.

Fd m  l + πfd m sec α  6000 lbs ⋅ 0.62in  0.11 + π (0.15)(0.62in ) sec 14.5 

TR =   =   = 396 .7lb − in
2  πd m − fl sec α  2  π (0.62in ) − (0.15)(0.11) sec 14.5 

Tapplied = (50 lbs )( 8in ) = 400 lb −in 4

00 lb −
in ≥
39
6 .7lb −
in

 Appendix H: ANSYS Force Analysis
Note: Power Screw is composed of members 9 and 10 in ANSYS report