Design modification and simulation of four posts lifting device for light duty vehicles

Abstract

The value of human life and equipment cannot be under estimated as far as growth and development of every establishment is concern. In many institutions, workshops, garages and companies, there are safety protocols and precautions governing the movement of theworkers and equipment. Once most of our repairs and preventive maintenance inspections (PMI) cannot be done without the assistance of vehicle lift, there is the need to re-engineer and re-packaged the trend in which some of this lift is designed so that it will provide the needed safety and reduce financial burden on its users. This research has come as a result of the challenges and concerns some researchers and users of these lifts had encountered; this has called for improving on the existing four poles lifts so that it can contribute in finding a lasting solution to the practical problems regarding the use of the said lifts. Also, this study is not to condemn the work of previous inventors but to display innovative ideas, ameliorate and redesign the unit so that it will perform the desired functions and become useful to others. The new design is focused on improving on lift frames and other components. It comes with four specific functions as follows; capable of lifting the entire vehicle, lifting the front end of the vehicle alone, tittered from the front end, lifting the rear end alone or tittered from rear end, a lift with a simple/physical/exclusive mechanical lock at each pole and finally a lift which is movable. Other accessories such as wheel chocks and stop switches have been incorporated. All the analysis and results under static structural analysis, have been discussed. The required load capacity and preferable material selection have been determined. Several tests were carried out to determine the effectiveness of the device in lifting loads of 1 ton, 2 tons, 3 tons, 4 tons up to 7 tons respectively. This study will help to overcome drudgery, injuries, increase timeliness and efficiency in the work places while carrying out maintenance works, would also help in reducing size, space occupied, cost employed in maintenance operations.