Log splitter for splitting wood

Abstract

A log splitter (100) for splitting pieces of wood (200), the log splitter (100) comprising: a main body (110) defining a splitting chamber (111) for arranging a piece of wood (200) to be split, the splitting chamber (111) having a base (112) on which the piece of wood (200) to be split can be arranged, and a splitting wedge (120) movable relative to the main body (110), the splitting wedge (120) being adjustable in a splitting direction (x) from an initial position arranged above the splitting chamber (111) far from the base (112) to a final position closer to the base (112) in a working stroke, thereby splitting a piece of wood (200) supported on the base (112), characterized in that the splitting wedge (120) has a fixed bearing on the main body (111) The splitting wedge (120) has a safety device (130) arranged which is designed to hold the piece of wood (200) in the axial direction (Y) perpendicular to the splitting direction (x).

Description

Technical FieldThe invention relates to a wood splitter for splitting wood, in particular pieces of wood, having a main body and a splitting wedge which is movable relative to the main body. The main body defines a gap space for arranging a piece of wood to be split, and the gap wedge is adjustable in a working stroke in the splitting direction from a starting position arranged above the gap space into a lower end position, wherein the gap wedge in this case splits the piece of wood arranged in the gap space.Prior ArtWood splitting technology has evolved over time to meet the operator's needs for efficiency and especially safety.Simple conventional wood splitters typically comprise a main body defining a splitting space and a movable splitting wedge which splits the piece of wood during the working stroke. These conventional models are expedient, but have deficiencies with regard to the fixing and securing of the piece of wood and, in the process, also the control over the piece of wood to be processed during the processing.Therefore, wood splitters have been developed in the prior art which allow fixing of the piece of wood during the splitting process in order on the one hand to ensure a precise splitting and on the other hand simultaneously to increase the safety of the operator. For example, DE 20 20 2018 105 945 U1 discloses a wood splitter having a splitting unit consisting of a timber support, i.e. a base, a column and a splitting wedge which can be moved up and down in the vertical direction. The wood splitter described therein has a timber protection device in the form of an elastically length-variable, flexurally soft traction means. The timber securing device is placed around the timber and can hold it.However, such known securing devices are complicated to mount and significantly lengthen the splitting process. In addition, it would be desirable to improve the shape of the known splitting wedges in order to reduce the effort, i.e. the energy required and to increase the safety for the operator.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe object of the invention is therefore to further develop the known wood splitters in such a way that they comprise a simple and less expensive possibility for securing pieces of wood during splitting and the above-described problems and disadvantages of the prior art can be eliminated thereby. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wood splitter having an improved splitting wedge.The object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are specified in particular in the dependent claims.The solution according to the invention consists in particular in specifying a wood splitter for splitting wood. The wood splitter has a main body which defines, i.e. fixes, a gap space for arranging at least one, preferably exactly one, piece of wood to be split. The splitting chamber preferably has a base on which the piece of wood to be split can be arranged.In a simple embodiment, the main body consists at least of the bottom and a column extending upwards from the bottom. Furthermore, the wood splitter has a splitting wedge that is movable relative to the main body. In particular, the splitting wedge can be arranged movably on the column of the main body.In a working stroke for splitting the piece of wood to be split, the splitting wedge can be adjusted in a splitting direction from a starting position, which is arranged above the splitting space and is remote from the ground, to the ground and thus the piece of wood, to an end position which is closer to the ground. In the working stroke, the splitting wedge splits a piece of wood supported on the ground. The splitting wedge thus has a smaller, preferably clear, distance from the base in the end position than in the starting position.Independently of this, the column connects the base and the splitting wedge to one another in a force-fitting manner in such a way that the wood to be split is placed under pressure between the splitting wedge and the base when the splitting wedge is lowered. As a result, the splitting wedge is driven into the wood to be split and splits it.The wood to be split is arranged on the ground in a position standing along its main growth direction. The main growth direction is the direction of the longitudinal axis in which the stem extends, and the same applies analogously to a branch section. Positioned vertically, the wood to be split is arranged so that its main growth direction extends substantially vertically.The splitting wedge typically has a blade which penetrates the wood and separates the wood. The splitting wedge also has lateral wedge surfaces which lever apart the wood and thereby bring it to splitting. The floor, which is configured as a timber support, the column and the splitting wedge typically form a C-shaped arrangement. The frictional connection is closed by inserting the wood to be split between the two open ends, i.e. into the split space, of this C-shaped arrangement.According to the invention, it is now provided that the splitting wedge has at least one securing device arranged in a fixed position on the splitting wedge. The securing device is designed to hold the piece of wood in the axial direction perpendicular to the direction of the gap.Since the securing device is arranged in a fixed position on the splitting wedge, in contrast to the known securing devices, it does not have to be fastened to the piece of wood to be split before a splitting process, but is always automatically positioned during the movement of the splitting wedge. The securing device is arranged at such a position that it holds the piece of wood in the axial direction, i.e. prevents uncontrolled movement of the piece of wood in the axial direction. In particular, the securing device is therefore designed to prevent the piece of wood from moving in the axial direction. For this purpose, the securing device is preferably designed as a retaining device which projects beyond the remaining splitting wedge. The securing device is thus designed as a protruding region. In this case, the protruding region prevents the piece of wood from moving in the axial direction in the manner and function of an anchoring or a barb.In general, the securing device, which is mounted in a fixed position on the splitting wedge, thus ensures reliable retention of the piece of wood in the axial direction. This increases the safety during the splitting process in that uncontrolled movement of the piece of wood, in particular in the axial direction, can be prevented.Thus, by means of the wood splitter, in particular also obliquely cut pieces of wood which tend in particular to slide away can be reliably split. The securing device holds the pieces of wood reliably in position in this case.Furthermore, in general, the securing device is preferably designed to be similar or fitting to the splitting wedge. This means that the securing device also has a cutting edge and a wedge region. In other words, the shape of the cross section of the securing device corresponds at least substantially to the shape of the cross section of the splitting wedge. However, the cross section of the securing device is preferably larger than the cross section of the splitting wedge. Particularly preferably, the cross section of the securing device is at least 5 mm wider than the cross section of the splitting wedge.According to an advantageous development of the invention, the securing device is arranged on an end face of the splitting wedge. The securing device is thus arranged on a front side of the splitting wedge. The end face of the splitting wedge is arranged on a plane along the normal of which the cutting edge extends.This has the advantage that the securing device can be retrofitted particularly easily to existing splitting wedges, for example by welding on a plate.Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable for the securing device to be arranged not on an end face of the splitting wedge, but for example at any desired point, for example in a central region, of the splitting wedge. Then, the securing device would protrude in the width direction beyond the splitting wedge by means of a protruding region and would preferably be formed circumferentially along the splitting wedge.Furthermore, it would be conceivable for a plurality of securing devices to be arranged at a plurality of positions spaced apart from one another in the axial direction. In principle, several spaced apart protruding regions are then arranged on the splitting wedge. Thus, the piece of wood to be split can be held at a plurality of positions.In an advantageous development of the invention, the securing device is at least substantially plate-shaped and has a main extension direction which preferably runs perpendicular to a cutting edge of the splitting wedge.Quite generally, the securing device preferably has a main extension direction which runs perpendicular to a cutting edge of the splitting wedge. In other words, the securing device is oriented perpendicular to the cutting edge of the splitting wedge. The main extension direction of the securing device runs in the width direction of the splitting wedge.Quite generally, the plate-shaped or planar configuration of the securing device can provide an efficient surface contact surface for holding the piece of wood. This increases the safety and reliability of the holding during the splitting process.In an advantageous development of the invention, the securing device, in particular a plate-shaped securing device, projects beyond the splitting wedge, in particular as viewed in the cross section of the splitting wedge. Particularly preferably, the securing device protrudes on all sides beyond the splitting wedge.In other words, the securing device extends beyond the splitting wedge, as seen in the cross section of the splitting wedge, and specifically preferably on all sides. On the upper side of the securing device, the protruding region is less important, so that the protruding region can be dispensed with here. Preferably, the protruding region is thus formed at least on the wedge surfaces and the cutting edge.The protruding region of the securing device thus ensures that the piece of wood is held not only in the region of the cutting edge but also on the lateral wedge surfaces. Thus, the wood is held by means of the lateral wedge surfaces even when levering apart. The securing device therefore holds the wood to be split not only at the beginning during the separation by means of the cutting edge, but also during the levering apart.In principle, it would already be effective if the securing device protrudes only at a lower region in order to form a local support there for the piece of wood to be split.According to an advantageous development of this embodiment, the securing device protrudes between 2 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 10 mm, at the splitting wedge. Particularly preferably, the securing device projects uniformly on all sides on the splitting wedge.According to an advantageous development of the invention, the securing device is designed as a stop in the axial direction for the piece of wood. If the piece of wood thus unintentionally moves in the axial direction during splitting, it comes into contact with the securing device, which holds the piece of wood accordingly.Alternatively, the securing device is driven into the piece of wood during the splitting of the piece of wood. Since the securing device protrudes in the width direction of the splitting wedge, the securing device holds the piece of wood firmly in the axial direction in the manner of an anchoring or barb.Since the securing device is also driven into the piece of wood, the securing device likewise has a corresponding cutting edge and a corresponding wedge region, as already described. Particularly preferably, the securing device and the splitting wedge are designed to have the same cross section, as already mentioned.In an advantageous development of the invention, the securing device is arranged between the splitting wedge and an operator of the wood splitter.As a result, the operator of the wood splitter can be protected particularly well by means of the securing device, since the securing device prevents a piece of wood located under the splitting wedge from being able to move in the direction of the operator.The object is furthermore achieved by means of a wood splitter for splitting pieces of wood, wherein the wood splitter has the following: a main body which defines a splitting space for arranging a piece of wood to be split, wherein the splitting space has a base on which the piece of wood to be split can be arranged; and a splitting wedge which can be moved relative to the main body, wherein the splitting wedge can be adjusted in a working stroke in a splitting direction from a starting position arranged above the splitting space and remote from the base towards the base into an end position closer to the base and in the process splits a piece of wood supported on the base.According to the invention, this splitting wedge has, in particular directly adjoining a cutting edge of the splitting wedge, a straight region with an at least substantially, preferably completely, constant width.The straight region preferably has a length in the gap direction of at least 3 cm, particularly preferably at least 5 cm. Particularly preferably, the length of the straight region is 5 cm to 10 cm. The width is a dimension which, as seen in the cross section of the splitting wedge, runs perpendicular to the splitting direction.The splitting wedge has wedge surfaces at which the width of the splitting wedge increases in particular continuously in order to push apart the piece of wood in the width direction and thereby split it. In the direction of the gap in front of or under these wedge surfaces, a long region with a constant width is now formed. Thus, during splitting, the splitting wedge or the cutting edge can penetrate deeply into the piece of wood to be split before a splitting force in the width direction is caused by the wedge surface. This requires significantly less force for splitting the pieces of wood. At the same time, a reliable splitting is possible since less kinetic energy is supplied to the split pieces of wood than in splitting wedges without long straight regions.The straight region is also advantageous in the case of a splitting wedge without a securing device. Therefore, the straight area represents an inventive subject matter which is independent per se and is formulated here as being independent of the securing device.However, the straight region in combination with the securing device achieves a particularly good effect. Therefore, the splitting wedge with a straight region can be combined particularly preferably with the securing devices already described. All aspects of the securing devices also apply here to a splitting wedge with a straight region and securing device.In particular if the splitting wedge has the straight region, the securing device preferably likewise has a corresponding straight region. The securing device then has a straight region with a constant width.According to an advantageous development of the invention, the wood splitter has a motor-driven drive device for driving the splitting wedge.The motor-driven drive device is at least designed to move the splitting wedge from the starting position into the end position. The motor-driven drive device is therefore designed to move the wood splitter. The motor drive device can be, for example, a hydraulic device. This is preferably an oil-driven hydraulic system which can be driven by a tractor by means of a pin shaft, by an electric motor or an internal combustion engine. Preferably, the hydraulic system can be operated by means of a 230 volt electric motor. Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable for the wood splitter to be operable without its own motor and to use, for example, the energy source of a running motor, for example an agricultural utility vehicle, by means of a power take-off shaft.In an advantageous further development of the invention, the splitting wedge can be moved back into the starting position again in a return stroke, in particular a motor-driven return stroke. Thus, the motor drive device can also be designed to return the splitting wedge to the starting position.Brief Description of the DrawingsThe different and exemplary features described above can be combined with one another according to the invention, provided this is technically expedient and suitable. Further features, advantages and embodiments of the invention are evident from the following description of exemplary embodiments and on the basis of the figures.The figures used to explain the exemplary embodiments show: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wood splitter according to the invention; and FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of the wood splitter according to the invention.WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTIONFIG. 1 shows a perspective schematic view of a wood splitter 100. The wood splitter 100 includes a main body 110 defining a splitting space 111. A piece of wood 200 to be split is arranged in the splitting space 111. The piece of wood 200 lies on a base 112 of the gap chamber 111.The main body 110 further comprises a column 113 on which a splitting wedge 120 of the wood splitter 100 is movably arranged up and down. During its downward movement, the movable splitting wedge 120 performs a working stroke in a splitting direction x. In this case, the splitting wedge 120 moves from an initial position remote from the base 112 towards the base 112 into an end position closer to the base 112. As a result, the piece of wood 200 can be split by means of the splitting wedge 120.The splitting wedge 120 has a cutting edge 122 for penetration into the piece of wood 200. Furthermore, the splitting wedge 120 has a wedge surface 124, on which the width of the splitting wedge 120 increases in order to push apart or lever apart the piece of wood 200.The splitting wedge 120 preferably further comprises a straight region 123 at which the width of the splitting wedge 120 is at least substantially constant. Even if this straight region 123 is not formed to be long in FIG. 1, it preferably has a length of 5 cm to 10 cm.The straight portion 123 is disposed between the blade 122 and the wedge surface 124. In particular, the straight portion 123 is adjacent to the blade 122 and the wedge surface 124.As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wood splitter further has a securing device 130. The securing device 130 is arranged here on an end face 121 of the splitting wedge 120 and is at least substantially plate-shaped. The securing device 130 has a main extension direction which extends perpendicular to the cutting edge 122 of the splitting wedge 120, more precisely in the width direction of the splitting wedge 120.As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plate-shaped securing device 130, viewed in the cross section of the splitting wedge 120, protrudes beyond the splitting wedge 120. As a result, the securing device 130 forms a stop or barb-like retaining element in the axial direction y perpendicular to the gap direction x.This can be seen in particular in FIG. 2. The splitting wedge 120 is moved in the splitting direction x. During splitting, the splitting wedge 120 comes into contact with the piece of wood 200 to be split. The piece of wood 200 is retained by the securing device 130 during the splitting process. This prevents the piece of wood 200 from moving in the axial direction y perpendicular to the gap direction x.The securing device 130 likewise has a cutting edge 131, preferably designed as a pointed edge. Likewise, the securing device 130 preferably has a straight region 132, at which the width of the securing device 130 is at least substantially constant in the width direction of the splitting wedge 120. Furthermore, the securing device 130 has a wedge region 133 at which the width of the securing device 130 increases in the width direction of the splitting wedge 120.Reference numerals denote reference numerals100 Wood splitter 110 Main body 111 Gap space 112 Base 113 Column 120 Gap wedge 121 End side 122 Cutting edge 123 Straight region 124 Wedge surface 130 Securing device 131 Cutting edge of the securing device 132 Straight region of the securing device 133 Wedge region of the securing device 200 Piece of wood to be split x Gap direction y Axial directionReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 20 2018 105 945 U1

[0004]

Claims

A wood splitter (100) for splitting pieces of wood (200), the wood splitter (100) comprising: a main body (110) defining a splitting space (111) for arranging a piece of wood (200) to be split, the splitting space (111) comprising a base (112) on which the piece of wood (200) to be split can be arranged, and a splitting wedge (120) movable relative to the main body (110), the splitting wedge (120) being displaceable in a working stroke in a splitting direction (x) from an initial position arranged above the splitting space (111) and remote from the base (112) to the base (112) to an end position closer to the base (112) and splitting a piece of wood (200) supported on the base (112), characterized in that, the splitting wedge (120) has a securing device (130) which is arranged in a fixed manner on the splitting wedge (120) and is designed to hold the piece of wood (200) in the axial direction (Y) perpendicular to the splitting direction (x).The wood splitter (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the securing device (130) is arranged on an end side (121) of the splitting wedge (120).The wood splitter (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the securing device (130) is at least substantially plate-shaped and has a main extension direction which runs perpendicular to a cutting edge (122) of the splitting wedge (120).The wood splitter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the, in particular plate-shaped, securing device (130), viewed in the cross section of the splitting wedge (120), preferably protrudes beyond the splitting wedge (120) on all sides.The wood splitter (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the securing device (130) protrudes between 5 mm and 10 mm.The wood splitter (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing device (130) is designed as a stop in the axial direction for the piece of wood (200).The wood splitter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing device (130) is arranged between the splitting wedge (120) and an operator of the wood splitter (100).The wood splitter (100) according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the splitting wedge (120) has, adjacent to a cutting edge (122), a straight region (123) with an at least substantially constant width, wherein the straight region (123) preferably has a length in the splitting direction (x) of at least 3 cm, particularly preferably at least 5 cm.The wood splitter (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wood splitter (100) has a motor-driven drive device (140) for the splitting wedge (120).The wood splitter (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the splitting wedge (120) is displaceable back into the initial position again in a return stroke.

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