A saw chain for a feller-buncher

Abstract

The utility model relates to a saw chain for a feller-buncher, which belongs to the technical field of saw chains, and comprises connecting links, transmission links, cutting teeth and rivets. Adjacent transmission links are connected by two connecting links or a connecting link and a cutting tooth. The rivets pass through two connecting holes of the transmission links and are in clearance fit with the transmission links. The rivets are in interference fit with the connecting holes of the two connecting links on the two sides of the transmission links or the connecting holes of the connecting links and the cutting teeth. The connecting links and the cutting teeth are each provided with two connecting holes. The cutting teeth are arranged in left-right staggered manner along the length direction of the saw chain and are uniformly distributed. The cutting teeth are provided with a cutting angle control structure, a cutting depth control structure, a stability control structure and a cutting elevation angle control structure. The utility model has high cutting efficiency, high reliability, high flexibility, and the parts are not prone to mutual interference.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of saw chain technology, specifically relating to a saw chain for logging machines. Background Technology

[0002] Large logging machines are primarily used for high-speed cutting of trees, especially for felling large-diameter trees. The saw chain is one of the core components of the machine, and its performance has a significant impact on the logging machine, particularly its wear resistance and cutting efficiency.

[0003] Currently, the structure of logging saw chains is the same as that of ordinary saw chains, consisting of cutting teeth, drive chain plates, connecting chain plates, and rivets. The most common cutting teeth in logging saw chains are rounded, with some being right-angled. Rounded cutting teeth have the advantage of strong adaptability to complex environments and are less affected by hard particles, but they suffer from lower cutting efficiency. Right-angled cutting teeth have high cutting efficiency, but are easily affected by hard objects in the environment, and are prone to chipping or chain slippage when encountering hard objects during the cutting process. Since logging machines operate in complex environments and are significantly affected by them, rounded-cut tooth chains are more commonly used in normal applications.

[0004] Meanwhile, logging machines are generally high-powered, and the saw chains experience significant impact and tension when cutting timber. Therefore, to ensure the reliability of the chain, the parts are often thickened and enlarged. However, this leads to another problem: the parts are designed to be too large, which can cause them to interfere with each other during operation, restricting the chain's rotation and reducing its range of motion. This can also cause collisions between adjacent parts during movement, resulting in greater chain vibration and impact, which in turn can lead to excessive chain stretching or breakage, thus affecting logging efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the problems of the prior art, the present invention discloses a saw chain for logging machines, which aims to solve the problems of low cutting efficiency, low reliability, easy chipping or chain detachment, poor flexibility, and easy interference between parts of the existing saw chains described in the background section.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this invention is as follows:

[0007] A saw chain for a logging machine includes connecting chain plates, drive chain plates, cutting teeth, and rivets. Adjacent drive chain plates are connected by two connecting chain plates or by connecting chain plates and cutting teeth. The rivets pass through two connecting holes in the drive chain plates and are clearance-fitted with the drive chain plates. The rivets are also interference-fitted with the connecting holes of the two connecting chain plates on both sides of the drive chain plates or with the connecting holes of the connecting chain plates and cutting teeth. Both the connecting chain plates and cutting teeth have two connecting holes. The cutting teeth are staggered and evenly distributed along the length of the saw chain. The cutting teeth have a cutting angle control structure, a cutting depth control structure, a stability control structure, and a cutting elevation angle control structure. The front view of the cutting teeth is part of a regular polygon structure.

[0008] Preferably, the cutting tooth includes a first connecting part with two connecting holes. A guide plate is integrally formed at the front end of the top of the first connecting part. The front end of the guide plate has an arc-shaped edge. A cutting tooth is integrally formed at the top of the first connecting part where the rear side of the guide plate is located. The top of the cutting tooth is higher than the top of the guide plate. The cutting tooth is part of a regular octagonal structure when viewed from the front. It includes a first cutting surface arranged longitudinally, a second cutting surface arranged horizontally, and a third cutting surface that is inclined and connected between the top of the first cutting surface and the adjacent ends of the second cutting surface. The other end of the first cutting surface is integrally connected to the top of the first connecting part by a connecting plate that is folded outward. The included angle between the first cutting surface and the third cutting surface and the included angle between the third cutting surface and the second cutting surface are both 135°. The second cutting surface and the third cutting surface are used to cut into the wood, and the first cutting surface is used to form the cutting surface of the saw chain on the wood.

[0009] Preferably, the second and third cutting surfaces facing the guide plate have one end of the tooth wall coplanar and form the cutting edge. The cutting angle control structure is as follows: the angle between the line connecting the centers of the two connecting holes of the cutting tooth and the cutting edge is set as the cutting angle ∠B, and ∠B is set to 45°~70°.

[0010] Preferably, the cutting depth control structure includes: setting the maximum thickness of the second cutting surface as the front cutting depth D6, the maximum thickness of the third cutting surface as the side cutting depth D7, setting the pitch of the saw chain as P, the front cutting depth D6 is controlled between 0.05P and 0.16P, and the side cutting depth D7 is controlled between 0.06P and 0.17P.

[0011] Preferably, the stability control structure includes: the vertical distance D8 between the intersection line of the second cutting surface and the third cutting surface and the outer surface of the guide plate facing the third cutting surface is within ±0.03P.

[0012] Preferably, the cutting angle control structure includes: the line connecting the two connecting holes of each of the cutting teeth and the connecting chain plate used with them is not parallel to the outer edge of the guide plate of the logging machine. The distance L1 from the line portion of the line portion of the cutting teeth to the edge of the guide plate on the side facing the direction of travel when the saw chain cuts is greater than the distance L2 from the line portion of the cutting teeth to the edge of the guide plate on the side away from the direction of travel. This allows the cutting teeth to cut the wood at a certain angle, and the cutting teeth and the connecting chain plate fixed to them by rivets apply force to the guide plate on the side under the reaction force of the wood, thus avoiding chain skipping.

[0013] Preferably, the transmission chain plate includes a second connecting part with two connecting holes. The lower end of the second connecting part is integrally formed with teeth. The teeth and the second connecting part share a longitudinal midline. The thickness of the teeth is less than the thickness of the second connecting part. The intersection of the left and right ends of the teeth and the left and right ends of the second connecting part forms a stepped structure. Let D1 be the distance between the vertical surface of the stepped structure and the bottom end of the connecting chain plate or the cutting teeth, let D2 be the thickness of the second connecting part, and let D5 be the distance between the center of the connecting hole of the transmission chain plate and the vertical surface of the stepped structure. D1 and D5 are located between 0.1*D2 and 0.2*D2.

[0014] Preferably, to avoid impact caused by interference from the chain's own parts, the transmission chain plate, cutting teeth, and connecting chain plate are all modified. The minimum approach distance D9 between adjacent transmission chain plates is controlled between 0.013P and 0.034P, while the rotation angle ∠E of the transmission chain plate is controlled above 150°.

[0015] Preferably, in order to improve the rotatable angle of the cutting teeth, the four corners of the connecting chain plate are reshaped to allow for clearance, and the bottom of the cutting teeth is provided with an inward clearance.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the saw chain for logging machines of the present invention are as follows:

[0017] (1) By setting up a cutting angle control structure, a cutting depth control structure, a stability control structure, and a cutting elevation angle control structure, the logging efficiency and product reliability of the saw chain are improved, and the risk of cutting tooth chipping and chain derailment is reduced while ensuring cutting efficiency.

[0018] (2) The present invention can realize large-angle rotation of cutting teeth and transmission chain plate, which significantly improves the flexibility of chain parts. The clearance design avoids the problem that the adjacent parts are prone to collision during movement due to the large size of the parts, resulting in large chain vibration and impact, which can easily lead to excessive chain stretching or breakage failure. At the same time, through the clearance design of connecting chain plate and cutting teeth, as well as the fine stamping and thinning design of transmission chain plate, the flexibility of chain link movement is increased, and the weight reduction and cost reduction are also achieved.

[0019] Instruction manual illustrations

[0020] Figure 1 : A side view of the saw chain structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 A front view schematic diagram of the saw chain of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 A side view of the cutting teeth of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 A front view schematic diagram of the cutting teeth of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 A side view of the connecting chain plate of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 A front view of the connecting chain plate of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 A side view of the transmission chain plate of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8 A front view schematic diagram of the transmission chain plate of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the flexibility of the transmission chain plate of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the flexibility of the transmission chain plate of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0030] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of the cutting tooth flexibility of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0031] Figure 12 Schematic diagram of the cutting tooth flexibility of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0032] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the chain cutting process of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of a partial structure of the chain cutting mechanism of the present invention.

[0034] In the diagram: 01: Position 1, 02: Position 2, 03: Position 3, 04: Position 4, 05: Direction of movement during chain cutting, 06: Regular octagonal structure, 1: Connecting chain plate, 2: Transmission chain plate, 21: Second connecting part, 22: Tooth part; 3: Cutting tooth, 31: First connecting part, 32: Guide plate, 33: Cutting tooth, 331: First cutting surface, 332: Third cutting surface, 333: Second cutting surface, 4: Rivet, 5: Guide plate, 6: Wood, 7: Upper clearance mechanism of connecting chain plate, 7-1: Upper left clearance of connecting chain plate, 7-2: Upper right clearance of connecting chain plate, 8: Lower clearance structure of connecting chain plate, 8-1: Lower left clearance of connecting chain plate, 8-2: Lower right clearance of connecting chain plate, 9: Concave clearance;

[0035] ∠A: Angle between the third cutting surfaces of the two cutting teeth; ∠B: Angle of entry; ∠C: Angle between the first and third cutting surfaces; ∠D: Angle between the second and third cutting surfaces; ∠E: Maximum angle of movement of the transmission chain plate; ∠F: Maximum angle of movement of the cutting teeth (first angle); ∠G: Maximum angle of movement of the cutting teeth (second angle); ∠α: Inclination angle of the bottom surface of the cutting teeth and connecting chain plate. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The following description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] The following embodiments can be understood as illustrating a part of the structure or method of the present invention individually, or as combining the embodiments to explain the broader structure or method of the present invention.

[0038] In the initial embodiment, the present invention provides a saw chain for a logging machine, such as... Figure 1-14 As shown, the saw chain includes connecting chain plates 1, transmission chain plates 2, cutting teeth 3, and rivets 4. Adjacent transmission chain plates 2 are connected by two connecting chain plates 1 or by connecting chain plates 1 and cutting teeth 3. The rivets 4 pass through two connecting holes of the transmission chain plates 2 and are clearance-fitted with the transmission chain plates. The rivets are interference-fitted with the connecting holes of the two connecting chain plates on both sides of the transmission chain plates or the connecting holes of the connecting chain plates and the cutting teeth. Both the connecting chain plates and the cutting teeth have two connecting holes. The cutting teeth are staggered and evenly distributed along the length of the saw chain. The cutting teeth are equipped with a cutting angle control structure, a cutting depth control structure, a stability control structure, and a cutting elevation angle control structure. The front view structure of the cutting teeth is part of a regular polygon structure.

[0039] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 3 , 4As shown, the cutting tooth 3 includes a first connecting part 31 with two connecting holes. A guide plate 32 is integrally formed at the front end of the top of the first connecting part 31. The front end of the guide plate 32 has an arc-shaped edge. A cutting tooth 33 is integrally formed at the top of the first connecting part where the rear side of the guide plate 32 is located. The top of the cutting tooth 33 is higher than the top of the guide plate 32. The cutting tooth 33 is part of a regular octagonal structure 06 when viewed from the front. It includes a first cutting surface 331 arranged longitudinally, a second cutting surface 333 arranged horizontally, and a connecting surface 331 connected to the first cutting surface 331. The third cutting surface 332 is inclinedly arranged between the top end of the first cutting surface 331 and the adjacent end of the second cutting surface 333. The other end of the first cutting surface 331 is integrally connected to the top end of the first connecting part 31 by a connecting plate that is folded outward. The included angle between the first cutting surface 331 and the third cutting surface 332 and the included angle between the third cutting surface 332 and the second cutting surface 333 are both 135°. The second cutting surface 333 and the third cutting surface 332 are used to cut into the wood, and the first cutting surface 331 is used to form the cutting surface of the saw chain on the wood.

[0040] In this embodiment, the blade teeth are designed with a regular octagonal shape at an angle of 0.6 degrees. Figure 4 As shown, ∠C and ∠D are both 135°, which is the degree measure of the interior angle of a regular octagon. This ensures that the cutting teeth will have at least three cutting surfaces during the cutting process as the chain moves. The second and third cutting surfaces are used to cut into the wood, while the first cutting surface forms the cutting surface of the saw chain on the wood, ensuring a smooth cut. The guide plate guides the chain's cutting trajectory, helping to ensure stable chain operation during cutting.

[0041] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the ends of the tooth walls of the second and third cutting surfaces facing the guide plate are coplanar and form the cutting edge. The cutting angle control structure is as follows: the angle between the line connecting the centers of the two connecting holes of the cutting tooth 3 and the cutting edge is set as the cutting angle ∠B, and ∠B is set to 45°~70°.

[0042] In this embodiment, by setting a cutting angle control structure, the cutting teeth can cut into the wood more easily, reducing the difficulty of cutting.

[0043] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the cutting depth control structure includes: setting the maximum thickness of the second cutting surface as the front cutting depth D6, the maximum thickness of the third cutting surface as the side cutting depth D7, setting the pitch of the saw chain as P, the front cutting depth D6 is controlled between 0.05P and 0.16P, and the side cutting depth D7 should be controlled between 0.06P and 0.17P.

[0044] In this embodiment, if the chain tension depth is too deep or too shallow, it is not conducive to keeping the chain in its optimal working state. Therefore, the present invention sets up a cutting depth control structure, specifically controlling the front cutting depth D6 and the side cutting depth D7. The front cutting depth D6 should be controlled between (0.05~0.16)P (P is the chain pitch), and the side cutting depth D7 should be controlled between (0.06~0.17)P (P is the chain pitch). Experiments have verified that this setting can maintain the saw chain in its optimal working state.

[0045] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the stability control structure includes: the vertical distance D8 between the intersection line of the second cutting surface 333 and the third cutting surface 332 and the outer surface of the guide plate 32 facing the third cutting surface 332 is within ±0.03P.

[0046] In this embodiment, to ensure stable cutting by the cutting teeth, the D8 dimension should be controlled within a certain range, that is, the left and right deviation of the intersection line relative to the outer surface of the guide plate should not exceed 0.03P; during cutting, if Figure 13 As shown, the top of the guide plate contacts and slides against the top of the wood 6. The intersection line is aligned with the movement trajectory of the outer surface of the guide plate within a certain error of ±0.03P (which can be understood as pressing the surface of the object being cut with a ruler, and the knife moves along the edge of the ruler, so that the cutting can remain stable). Since the guide plate and the knife teeth are integrally formed, combined with the above design, the stability of the cutting teeth can be guaranteed during the cutting of wood.

[0047] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 14 As shown, the cutting angle control structure includes: the line connecting the two connecting holes of the cutting tooth 3 and the connecting chain plate 1 used with it is not parallel to the outer edge of the guide plate 5 of the logging machine. The distance L1 from the line portion of the line portion facing the travel direction 05 when the saw chain cuts to the edge of the guide plate is greater than the distance L2 from the line portion of the line portion facing away from the travel direction to the edge of the guide plate 5. This allows the cutting tooth 3 to cut the wood at a certain angle, and the cutting tooth 3 and the connecting chain plate 1 fixed to it by rivets apply force to the guide plate side under the reaction force of the wood 6, thus avoiding chain skipping.

[0048] In this embodiment, as Figure 13 , 14 As shown, when the saw chain rotates at high speed in the guide plate 5, the cutting teeth and the bottom surface of the connecting chain plate move against the guide plate, while the cutting teeth contact the wood 6 to perform cutting operations. At this time, the cutting edge of the cutting teeth will experience a resistance. If this resistance is too great, it will cause the chain to bounce or even break off. This invention designs the contact surfaces between the cutting teeth and the guide plate, and between the connecting chain plate and the guide plate, to be inclined, so that the line connecting the centers of the connecting holes is not parallel to the edge of the guide plate. Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the line connecting the centers of the two connecting holes of each cutting tooth and connecting chain plate is not parallel to the contact surface with the guide plate, and the included angle is ∠α (that is, the included angle between the line connecting the centers of the holes and the edge of the guide plate is ∠α). Figure 14 As shown, where L2 < L1, this design causes the cutter teeth to tilt backward at a certain angle when the chain moves on the guide plate, which helps to lower the chain's center of gravity (the center of gravity moves closer to the guide plate) and overcome the problem of chain skipping.

[0049] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, the transmission chain plate 2 includes a second connecting part 21 with two connecting holes. The lower end of the second connecting part 21 is integrally formed with a tooth 22. The tooth and the second connecting part share a longitudinal midline. The thickness of the tooth 22 is less than the thickness of the second connecting part 21. The intersection of the left and right ends of the tooth 22 and the left and right ends of the second connecting part 21 forms a stepped structure. Let D1 be the distance between the vertical surface of the stepped structure and the bottom end of the connecting chain plate or the cutting tooth, let D2 be the thickness of the second connecting part, and let D5 be the distance between the center of the connecting hole of the transmission chain plate and the vertical surface of the stepped structure. D1 and D5 are located between 0.1*D2 and 0.2*D2.

[0050] In this embodiment, if the value of D5 is too small, it is easy to cause deformation of the connecting hole of the transmission chain plate; if the value of D1 is too small, it is easy to cause interference between the chain and the guide plate.

[0051] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 9 , 10 As shown, in order to avoid impact caused by interference of the chain's own parts, the transmission chain plate, cutting teeth and connecting chain plate are all modified. The minimum approach distance D9 between adjacent transmission chain plates is controlled between 0.013P and 0.034P (P is the chain pitch), and the rotation angle ∠E of the transmission chain plate is controlled above 150°.

[0052] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 11 , 12 As shown, in order to improve the rotatable angle of the cutting teeth, the four corners of the connecting chain plate 1 are reshaped to allow for clearance, and the bottom of the cutting teeth 3 is provided with a concave clearance 9.

[0053] like Figure 11 , 12As shown, to increase the rotatable angle of the cutting teeth, the four corners of the connecting chain plate are designed with the following allowances: upper left 7-1, upper right 7-2, lower left 8-1, and lower right 8-2. In the diagram, the four corners are shown as continuous curves, but they can also be modified into various shapes such as straight lines and chamfers, as long as the chain plate strength is maintained while providing the allowance. While modifying the design of the connecting chain plate to provide the allowances, a concave allowance 9 is also provided at the bottom of the cutting teeth, further expanding the rotatable angle of the cutting teeth. The rotatable angle is as follows: Figure 11 , 12 As shown by ∠F and ∠G, the rotation angle of the cutting tooth between position 2 02 and position 1 01 is greater than 130°, and the rotation angle of the cutting tooth between position 4 04 and position 3 03 is greater than 135°.

Claims

1. A saw chain for a logging machine, characterized in that: The saw chain includes connecting chain plates, transmission chain plates, cutting teeth, and rivets. Adjacent transmission chain plates are connected by two connecting chain plates or by connecting chain plates and cutting teeth. The rivets pass through two connecting holes in the transmission chain plates and are clearance-fitted with the transmission chain plates. The rivets are also interference-fitted with the connecting holes of the two connecting chain plates on both sides of the transmission chain plates or with the connecting holes of the connecting chain plates and cutting teeth. Both the connecting chain plates and cutting teeth have two connecting holes. The cutting teeth are staggered and evenly distributed along the length of the saw chain. The cutting teeth are equipped with a cutting angle control structure, a cutting depth control structure, a stability control structure, and a cutting elevation angle control structure. The front view of the cutting teeth is part of a regular polygon structure. The cutting tooth includes a first connecting part with two connecting holes. A guide plate is integrally formed at the front end of the top of the first connecting part. The front end of the guide plate has an arc-shaped edge. A cutting tooth is integrally formed at the top of the first connecting part where the guide plate is located. The top of the cutting tooth is higher than the top of the guide plate. The cutting tooth is part of a regular octagonal structure when viewed from the front. It includes a first cutting surface arranged longitudinally, a second cutting surface arranged horizontally, and a third cutting surface that is inclined and connected between the top of the first cutting surface and the adjacent ends of the second cutting surface. The other end of the first cutting surface is integrally connected to the top of the first connecting part through a connecting plate that is folded outward. The included angle between the first cutting surface and the third cutting surface and the included angle between the third cutting surface and the second cutting surface are both 135°. The second cutting surface and the third cutting surface are used to cut into the wood, and the first cutting surface is used to form the cutting surface of the saw chain on the wood. The second and third cutting surfaces facing the guide plate are coplanar at one end of the tooth wall and form the cutting edge. The cutting angle control structure is as follows: the angle between the line connecting the centers of the two connecting holes of the cutting tooth and the cutting edge is set as the cutting angle ∠B, and ∠B is set to 45°~70°. The cutting depth control structure includes: setting the maximum thickness of the second cutting surface as the front cutting depth D6, the maximum thickness of the third cutting surface as the side cutting depth D7, setting the pitch of the saw chain as P, the front cutting depth D6 is controlled between 0.05P and 0.16P, and the side cutting depth D7 should be controlled between 0.06P and 0.17P. The stability control structure includes a vertical distance D8 between the intersection line of the second and third cutting surfaces and the outer surface of the guide plate facing the third cutting surface, which is within ±0.03P.

2. The saw chain for a logging machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The cutting angle control structure includes: the line connecting the two connecting holes of the cutting teeth and the connecting chain plate used with them is not parallel to the outer edge of the guide plate of the logging machine. The distance L1 from the line portion of the line portion of the cutting teeth on the side facing the direction of travel to the edge of the guide plate is greater than the distance L2 from the line portion of the cutting teeth on the side away from the direction of travel to the edge of the guide plate. This allows the cutting teeth to cut the wood at a certain angle, and the cutting teeth and the connecting chain plate fixed to them by rivets apply force to the guide plate on the side under the reaction force of the wood, thus avoiding chain skipping.

3. A saw chain for a logging machine as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The transmission chain plate includes a second connecting part with two connecting holes. The lower end of the second connecting part is integrally formed with teeth. The teeth and the second connecting part share a longitudinal midline. The thickness of the teeth is less than the thickness of the second connecting part. The intersection of the left and right ends of the teeth and the left and right ends of the second connecting part forms a stepped structure. Let D1 be the distance between the vertical plane of the stepped structure and the bottom end of the connecting chain plate or the cutting teeth, let D2 be the thickness of the second connecting part, and let D5 be the distance between the center of the connecting hole of the transmission chain plate and the vertical plane of the stepped structure. D1 and D5 are located between 0.1*D2 and 0.2*D2.

4. A saw chain for a logging machine as described in claim 3, characterized in that: To avoid impact caused by interference from the chain's own parts, the drive chain plate, cutting teeth, and connecting chain plate are all modified. The minimum approach distance D9 between adjacent drive chain plates is controlled between 0.013P and 0.034P, while the rotation angle ∠E of the drive chain plate is controlled above 150°.

5. A saw chain for a logging machine as described in claim 4, characterized in that: To improve the rotatable angle of the cutting teeth, the four corners of the connecting chain plate are reshaped to allow for clearance, and the bottom of the cutting teeth is provided with a concave clearance.

Images