Device for separating lumber package into main plate and side plate

Abstract

To provide a device 1 for separating a lumber package 2 into a main plate 3 and side plates 4.SOLUTION: Separating means 9 are engaged in a sawing gap 5 between a main plate 3 and side plates 4 upon conveyance motion of a lumber package 2 and are positioned so as to push the side plates 4 away from the main plate 3. The side plates 4 are placed above and / or below the main plate 3 during a longitudinal conveyance of the lumber package 2. Two conical rollers 9 rotatably supported as the separating means 9 are arranged, and each of the conical rollers 9 has a separating edge 13 formed by two rotational surfaces 11, 12 surrounding an acute angle in a circumferential direction. Further, both of the conical rollers 9 are placed on both sides of the lumber package 2, and each of the conical rollers 9 engages in the sawing gap 5 through its separating edge 13 from a lateral direction and rotates on the main plate 3 through first rotational surfaces 11, 12 as well as each of the conical rollers 9 is oriented so as to push the side plates 4 away from the main plate 3 on second rotational surfaces 11, 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1. [Background technology]

[0002] In industrial wood processing, boards and similar products are generally obtained from tree trunks having a substantially circular cross section. In order to maximize the timber yield, such boards are produced from both the inner and outer cross sections of the tree trunk. For this purpose, the tree trunk is sawed along its longitudinal axis by a sawing machine, after which the boards are spatially bundled and present in the form of timber packages.

[0003] Because of the circular cross section of the sawn tree trunk, the planks taken from the inner cross section necessarily have different dimensions than the planks taken from the outer cross section. The planks of the timber package taken from the inner cross section are called main planks. The planks of the timber package taken from the outer cross section are called side planks. Both the main planks and the side planks can be present as single cuts or multi-cuts.

[0004] In order to be able to use the main and side panels for different purposes according to their dimensions, they must be separated from one another. The separation process required for this purpose is generally carried out efficiently during the transport movement of the timber package, using the device mentioned at the beginning.

[0005] Such a previously known device is known from Austrian Utility Model No. 17009 and is used to separate timber packages into main and side plates. The device comprises a wedge used as a separating means, which is positioned so that during the transport movement of the timber package it engages in the sawing gap between the main and side plates, thereby pushing the side plates away from the main plate.

[0006] The above-mentioned construction methods of the previously known devices require optimization because jamming of the timber package with the wedge frequently occurs, which interrupts the timber transport and the subsequent processing steps, and the clearing of such jamming is usually performed manually and is therefore very time-consuming.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,401,785 discloses a device using a conical roller supported for rotation about a horizontal axis as a separating means. During the conveying movement of the timber package, the roller penetrates a vertically extending sawing gap in the timber package at the circumferential separating edge, thereby spatially separating the planks of the timber package by deflecting them transversely to the conveying direction of the timber package. A disadvantage is that additional support and conveying means are required to enable the separated planks of the timber package to be further conveyed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Austrian Utility Model No. 17009 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 3,401,785 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention is based on the problem of proposing an apparatus with improved separation means in order to increase the operational safety of the apparatus and to ensure a constantly high productivity, for which purpose the apparatus should have a simple technical structure with the aim of high robustness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The problem is solved by a device according to claim 1. Advantageous developments can be found in the respective dependent claims.

[0011] The device according to the invention is used for separating timber packages obtained by cutting a tree trunk into main and side plates during longitudinal transport of the timber packages. The device comprises at least one separating means positioned to engage the sawing gap between the single-cut or multi-cut main and side plates during the transport movement of the timber package and to push the side plates away from the main plate. The side plates are arranged above and / or below the main plate during the longitudinal transport of the timber package. The separating means comprises at least two rotatably supported conical rollers, each having a separating edge formed by two circumferential surfaces of revolution that enclose an acute angle. The two conical rollers are arranged on either side of the lumber package and are oriented so that each conical roller laterally engages the horizontally extending sawing gap at its respective separating edge and rolls against the main plate with its first rotational plane, while each conical roller pushes the side plate away from the main plate with its second rotational plane.

[0012] The invention is based on the knowledge that the conical rollers, due to both their shape and their rotatable support, allow a reliable separation of the main plate and the side plates during the further transport of the timber package in its conveying movement. When the timber package strikes the conical rollers during its conveying movement, the separating edge of each conical roller enters the sawing gap. This causes each conical roller to perform a rotational movement, allowing the main plate to roll against the conical roller, and the timber package to be only slightly braked during its conveying movement. This prevents jamming between the conical rollers, which form the separating means, and the timber package. At the same time, due to the effect of the acute angle between the two rotation surfaces of each conical roller, the side plates are continuously pushed away from the main plate during the further movement of the timber package.

[0013] The arrangement of two conical rollers according to the invention makes it possible to separate timber packages, which are transported one above the other due to the horizontal cuts made in the main and side panels, into main and side panels, and in particular makes it possible to separate one or more of the lowermost side panels, on which one or more of the main panels are stacked, from the main panel for further transport along a separate transport path.

[0014] The two conical rollers engage in the sawing gap from two sides relative to the conveying movement of the timber package, so that opposing separating forces are exerted on the timber package, thereby centering both the main plate and the side plates relative to the conveying movement, which makes it possible to dispense with other support means for the timber package, such as lateral guide rollers, or at least to reduce their burden since they have to absorb fewer lateral forces.

[0015] In an embodiment in which the side plates are arranged below the main plate, the main plate can be loaded onto each of the conical rollers, while the side plate can be ejected below the main plate, preferably with the aid of gravity, at each of the second rotation surfaces of each of the conical rollers or can be conveyed further in the conveying direction via a separate guideway below the main plate, so that each of the conical rollers is simultaneously used as a support element for the main plate and as a separating means for one or more of the side plates.

[0016] In an embodiment in which the side plates are arranged above the main plate, the side plates can slide off the main plate against gravity at the separating edge and at the second rotation surface of each of the conical rollers according to the acute angle enclosed by each rotation surface, and in this region the device can comprise additional guide means, in particular cylindrical rollers, for receiving and further transporting the side plates.

[0017] Preferably, the device comprises at least four conical rollers, a first pair of which is arranged on either side of the lumber package and oriented so that each conical roller of the first pair engages laterally at its respective separating edge in a first sawing gap formed between the main board and a side board stacked above it, and a second pair of which is arranged on either side of the lumber package and oriented so that each conical roller of the second pair engages laterally at its respective separating edge in a second sawing gap formed between the main board and a side board positioned below it.

[0018] The invention is not limited to a particular geometry of each of the conical rollers, so that essentially different rolling bodies can be used, the only important thing being that each of the conical rollers has two rolling surfaces, each of which encloses an acute angle, which may be, for example, 45 degrees, at its common separating edge.

[0019] Each of the conical rollers may be made of metal, plastic, rubber or a combination of the aforementioned materials. Preferably, each of the conical rollers has one or more support means, in particular holes for receiving respective roller bearings, which allow for a rotatable, fixed or slidable support of each of the conical rollers relative to the machine frame of the device according to the invention in a structurally simple manner.

[0020] A fixed support is advantageous when the device according to the invention is used to separate timber packages of uniform size and the position of the sawing gap between the main plate and the side plate of different timber packages does not vary significantly, whereas a displaceable support of the conical rollers is advantageous when the position of their separating edges must be adjusted depending on the size of different timber packages and the position of the sawing gap.

[0021] Advantageously, at least the second rolling surface of each of the conical rollers has a convex curve in side view, which allows for an optimized pressure distribution on the corresponding conical roller when its separating edge engages in the sawing gap, thereby reducing the stress on the separating edge during the separating process.

[0022] In an advantageous development, each of the conical rollers has a respective outer circumferential surface and a respective flat base surface, each of the outer circumferential surfaces forming the first surface of rotation and each of the base surfaces forming the second surface of rotation.

[0023] According to the aforementioned development, each of the conical rollers is supported so that its respective outer circumferential surface rolls on the main plate, while the side plate is pushed aside on the side of the respective base plate. The orientation of each of the conical rollers and their rotation axes is not important here. The only important thing is that the separating edge of each of the conical rollers engages in the sawing gap of the timber package.

[0024] In an advantageous development, each of the conical rollers is supported rotatably about a rotation axis, which encloses an acute inclination angle with the sawing gap surface formed by the sawing gap in an inclined plane oriented perpendicular to the conveying movement, and the main plate is oriented so as to be in close contact with the respective separating edge, preferably on the respective outer circumferential surface.

[0025] In a possible embodiment of the aforementioned development, the inclination angle is smaller than the acute angle enclosed by the outer peripheral surface and the base surface, so that after each separating edge enters the sawing gap, the main plate rests on each separating edge, so that there are essentially two points of contact between the main plate and each of the conical rollers, thereby reducing friction between the main plate and the conical rollers on which it rolls during the separation process.

[0026] Alternatively, the inclination angle substantially corresponds to the acute angle enclosed by the outer circumferential surface and the base surface. In this case, each of the conical rollers is supported so that its outer circumferential surface rolls along a line contact point on the main plate. In this case, friction is greater than in the embodiment in which the main plate is placed on each of the separating edges. However, since the weight of the main plate is better distributed on each surface of each of the conical rollers, the load on the separating edges can be mechanically reduced.

[0027] In an advantageous development, the respective rotation axes enclose an acute working angle together with the inclined surfaces in the sawing gap plane, and the respective base surfaces of the conical rollers face in the direction opposite to the conveying movement of the timber package and are used as respective sliding surfaces for the respective side panels to be pushed aside.

[0028] The reliability of the separation process is further improved by this advantageous development, since the inclined position of the conical rollers, which respectively define the acute working angle (also called camber angle), causes the base surfaces to face in the opposite direction to the conveying movement of the timber package, so that the side plates can be guided ramp-wise away from the main plate via the flat base surfaces of the conical rollers. The resulting sliding surfaces allow the side plates to be guided away from the main plate in a geometrically defined manner.

[0029] In an alternative advantageous development, each of the conical rollers also has one outer circumferential surface and one flat base surface, but each of the base surfaces forms the first surface of rotation and each of the outer circumferential surfaces forms the second surface of rotation.

[0030] In the above-mentioned development, the conical rollers are supported so that the base surfaces roll on the main plates while the outer circumferential surfaces push the side plates aside. Preferably, the conical rollers are supported so that the base surfaces extend substantially parallel to the sawing gap surface formed by the sawing gap. In this case, the rotation axes of the conical rollers extend in a direction perpendicular to the sawing gap surface. Therefore, in this type of configuration, when the separating edges enter the sawing gap of the lumber package, the main plates come into close contact with the entire base surfaces while the side plates are pushed aside at the outer circumferential surfaces.

[0031] In an advantageous development, the conical rollers, the base surfaces of which respectively define the first surfaces of rotation and the outer circumferential surfaces of which respectively define the second surfaces of rotation, are positioned obliquely so that their axes of rotation respectively enclose an acute inclination angle with the sawing gap surface in an inclination plane oriented parallel to the conveying movement and perpendicular to the sawing gap surface, with the base surfaces oriented in the conveying direction.

[0032] In other words, the conical rollers are inclined about their respective rotation axes in the direction opposite to the conveying direction, so that the base surface of each of the conical rollers does not come into full contact with the main plate during the separation process. Instead, the base surface and the sawing gap surface formed by the sawing gap also surround the inclination angle that opens toward the conveying direction, thereby reducing friction between the base surface and the main plate.

[0033] In an advantageous development, each of the conical rollers has a drive which is designed to cause each of the conical rollers to perform a rotational movement about its respective rotation axis, with each of the conical rollers having a tangential velocity in the region of the separating edge which engages in the sawing gap, the tangential velocity being at least partly directed in the same direction as or opposite to the conveying movement.

[0034] The aforementioned development is based on the knowledge that the rotational movement of the conical rollers relative to the conveying movement contributes to the reliability of the separation process. Because the two conical rollers engage the sawing gap of the timber package on opposite sides and perform rotational movements in opposite directions, the lateral forces acting on the timber package are increased by friction. This allows both the main plate and the side plates to be better centered during the separation process. Furthermore, because the conical rollers are constantly moving, the drive ensures that the roller bearings of the conical rollers are not contaminated over time by dust and chips that inevitably arise during the sawing process and thus become sluggish.

[0035] The drive described above can comprise an electric machine in a simple manner. Furthermore, gears and / or clutches can be provided, in particular to enable the drive movement of the electric machine to be converted. The drive is preferably controllably configured and is connected in signal technology to an electric control unit of the device.

[0036] In an advantageous development, the device has a centering unit arranged in front of each of the conical rollers in the conveying direction, the centering unit being designed to orient the timber packages relative to the separating means during the conveying movement.

[0037] The centering unit can comprise, in a structurally simple manner, one or more cylindrical rollers by which the timber package is guided. Preferably, each roller is driven to support the transport movement of the timber package. Preferably, such cylindrical rollers are displaceably supported so that their displacement results in a corresponding displacement of the timber package. Preferably, such a centering unit comprises at least one displacement means, which is formed in a simple manner as an electric or hydraulic linear actuator. The centering unit can be signal-technically connected to the control unit of the device, and the displacement can be performed depending on the expected timber dimensions and / or the expected position of the sawing gap in the timber package.

[0038] It is within the scope of this advantageous development that a sensor, preferably an optical sensor, is configured to metrologically acquire the timber dimensions and / or the position of the sawing gap in the timber package. This type of sensor is arranged upstream of the centering unit with respect to the transport movement of the timber package and is preferably configured as an optical sensor, in particular a camera, which acquires the timber package in its front area. Preferably, the optical sensor with an integrated evaluation unit or the control unit is configured to determine the position of the sawing gap in the timber package by digital image processing. The control unit performs a displacement of the centering unit in response to the measurement signal in order to adapt the timber package to the position of the separating edge in the sawing gap.

[0039] In an advantageous development, the device comprises a positioning unit, which is configured to displace and / or rotate each of the conical rollers relative to the timber package about at least one displacement axis.

[0040] In a simple embodiment, the device comprises a positioning unit configured to position each of the conical rollers in the timber package in a plane oriented perpendicular to the conveying movement according to the position of the sawing gap, and to adapt each position of each of the separating edges of each of the conical rollers to the position of the sawing gap.

[0041] The positioning unit may comprise at least one electric or hydraulic linear actuator, which is signal-technically connected to the electric control unit, and which is used to displace each of the conical rollers along a linear path. The displacement may be performed in any spatial direction, i.e., in the same direction as the conveying direction, opposite to the conveying direction and / or transverse to the conveying direction. It is also within the scope of this advantageous development that the positioning unit is configured to change the tilt angle and / or the working angle and / or the tilt angle of each of the conical rollers before and / or during the separation process.

[0042] In particular, the positioning unit allows the conical rollers to be dynamically sent during the separation process, thereby advantageously influencing the separation process, since in this way it is possible to influence the movement path of the displaced side plates or to remove the side plates from the main plate.

[0043] Further advantages are explained with the aid of example embodiments and drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] 1 is an isometric side view of a first example embodiment of an apparatus having a conical roller arrangement for separating lumber packages; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the first embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a top view of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an isometric side view of a positioning unit having a cylindrical roller supported according to the first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a front view of the positioning unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a top view of the positioning unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a side view of the positioning unit. [Figure 9] 1 shows the first embodiment of the device for separating the timber packages, with four positioning units. [Figure 10] 1 shows the first embodiment of the device for separating timber packages, with four horizontally displaceable positioning units. [Figure 11] 1 is a rear view of the first example embodiment of the device for separating timber packages, having four horizontally displaceable positioning units; FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is an isometric side view of a second example embodiment of an apparatus having a conical roller arrangement for separating lumber packages; FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a side view of the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a first front view of the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a second front view of the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is an isometric side view of a positioning unit having a cylindrical roller supported according to the second embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] In Figure 1, an apparatus 1 for separating timber packages 2 is shown. The timber packages 2 originate from tree trunks having a substantially circular cross section. In the example shown, the tree trunks have been processed so as to obtain single-cut boards, subsequently referred to as main boards 3, from their inner cross-sectional area. Each board obtained from the outer area of ​​the tree trunk and adhering to both the upper and lower surfaces of the main board is referred to as a side board 4. For ease of understanding, in the following, only the side boards 4 arranged above the main board 3 will be mentioned.

[0046] The main plate 3 is separated from the side plate 4 by a sawing gap 5, which is arranged in a horizontally extending sawing gap plane 6, which is also indicated.

[0047] The timber packages 2 shown in Figure 1 are conveyed in a conveying direction 7 by a conveying device not shown, the main boards 3 being guided laterally by four cylindrical rollers 8. For a better overview, only one cylindrical roller 8 is numbered.

[0048] By means of a conveying movement, the timber packages 2 reach the device 1, which comprises separating means formed as four conical rollers 9. The conical rollers 9 are arranged axially symmetrically on each side of the timber package 2 with respect to the conveying direction 7. For the sake of a better overview, not all the conical rollers 9 are numbered.

[0049] Each of the conical rollers 9 has a frustum shape and an axis of rotation 10 about which it is supported for rotation. Each of the conical rollers 9 has a base surface 11 and an outer peripheral surface 12, which enclose an acute angle of approximately 45 degrees and are bounded by a circumferential separating edge 13.

[0050] The conical rollers 9 are sturdy and made of steel, and accordingly have high mechanical rigidity. During the conveying movement of the timber package 2, the conical rollers are used to separate the side plates 4 from the main plate 3. For this purpose, each conical roller 9 enters the sawing gap 5 of the timber package 2 at its circumferential separating edge 13. In doing so, the side plates 4 slide transversely to the conveying direction 7 on the base surfaces 10 of the conical rollers 9, while the main plate 3 rolls on the outer circumferential surfaces 12 and is conveyed in the conveying direction 7. The position and orientation of the conical rollers 9 relative to the timber package 2 are explained in detail with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0051] Figure 2 shows a front view of the device 1 shown in Figure 1. As already explained with reference to Figure 1, each of the conical rollers 9 has an outer peripheral surface 12 and a circumferential separating edge 13. The base surfaces of the conical rollers 9 shown in Figure 2 are oriented into the image plane and are therefore not visible.

[0052] The conveying movement of the timber packages 2 is performed along the conveying direction 7, which according to Figure 2 is directed out of the image plane and is oriented perpendicular to the additionally drawn inclined plane 14. Each of the conical rollers 9 is positioned obliquely on its respective rotation axis 10 and at the inclined plane 14 encloses an acute inclination angle 15 with the sawing gap surface 6.

[0053] The inclination angle 15 is selected according to the shape and size of each of the conical rollers 9 and corresponds to the acute angle between the base surface and the outer circumferential surface 12 of each of the conical rollers 9. As a result, during the separation process, the main plates 3 are placed on or in close contact with the outer circumferential surfaces 12 along the contours of the outer circumferential surfaces 12 and roll against the conical rollers 9 via the outer circumferential surfaces. In an alternative embodiment, the inclination angle can be adjusted smaller so that the main plates 3 roll at the separating edges 13 of the conical rollers 9 via point contacts.

[0054] Figure 3 shows a plan view of the device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. According to Figure 3, the visible base surface 11 of each conical roller 9 faces outward from the image plane, which extends parallel to the sawing gap surface 6. As can be seen from Figure 3, each conical roller 9 is further supported such that its respective rotation axis 10 encloses an acute working angle 16 (also called a camber angle) with the inclined surface 14 in the sawing gap surface 6. This arrangement results in the base surface 11 of each conical roller 9 facing in the opposite direction to the conveying direction 7, corresponding to the working angle 16. As a result, each base surface 11 forms a sliding surface for the side plate 3, along which the side plate 3 slides from the main plate 4.

[0055] Figure 4 shows a side view of the device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3. As can be seen in Figure 4, each of the conical rollers 9 is supported such that its respective rotation axis 10 encompasses an acute angle 18 with the inclined surface 14 in an image plane extending parallel to the inclined surface 17 shown below.

[0056] Each of the conical rollers 9 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is displaceably supported in a manner not shown, and for this purpose the device 1 has a total of four positioning units, one of which is shown in each of the different Figures in Figures 5 to 8.

[0057] 5 shows a positioning unit 19 with a holder 20 in which one conical roller 9 is rotatably supported. In a manner not shown here, the conical roller 9 has a hole along its axis of rotation 10 in which roller bearings are accommodated that allow the conical roller 9 to rotate freely relative to the holder 20 and about the axis of rotation 10. In an alternative embodiment, it is also possible to arrange a drive for the conical roller 9 in the holder 20 in order to force the conical roller to rotate.

[0058] The positioning unit 19 also has a fixing element 21 that fixes the positioning unit 19 immovably relative to, for example, a machine frame. The holder 20 is displaceably supported relative to the fixing element 21 by a guide 22 to enable displacement of the conical roller 9. A hydraulic linear actuator 23 is disposed between the holder 20 and the fixing element 21. The linear actuator 23 has a displacement axis that corresponds to the guide axis of the guide 22. Therefore, by appropriately controlling the linear actuator 23, the holder 20 and the conical roller 9 disposed therein can be automatically displaced relative to the fixing element 21. This is advantageous when the positioning unit 19 with the attached conical roller 9 is used in devices used to separate lumber packages of widely different dimensions, since by displacing the conical roller 9, the separating edge 13 of the conical roller 9 is also displaced, allowing it to be adapted to the position of the sawing gap in the lumber package.

[0059] FIG. 6 shows a front view of the positioning unit 19 shown in FIG. 5. In the intended mounting position of the positioning unit 19, the conveying direction 7 of the timber packages to be separated lies in the plane of the drawing. As in the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 4, the conical roller 9 is positioned obliquely so that its rotation axis 10 encloses an acute inclination angle 15 with the sawing gap plane 6 shown here in the image plane. The lower contour line of the outer circumferential surface 12 of the conical roller 8 therefore extends substantially horizontally and thus parallel to the sawing gap plane (not shown). Thus, when a timber package is moved along the conveying direction 7, the separating edge 13 enters the sawing gap of the timber package in the manner described above, and the conical roller 9 rolls on the main plate in the region of the horizontally extending contour line. The side plates slide on the base 11 and are pushed away from the main plate transversely to the conveying direction 7.

[0060] Figure 7 shows a plan view of the positioning unit 19 shown in Figures 5 and 6. The conveying direction 7 of the timber packages is again shown to make it easier to understand the intended mounting position of the positioning unit 19. As already explained in connection with Figure 3, each conical roller 9 is positioned obliquely so that its rotation axis 10 encloses an acute working angle 16 (also called camber angle) in the image plane together with the inclined surface 14, which is additionally shown here.

[0061] Figure 8 shows a side view of the positioning unit 19 shown in Figures 5 to 7. Each of the conical rollers 8 is positioned obliquely so that its rotation axis 10 encloses an acute inclination angle 17 in the image plane with the inclined surface 14 as already explained in connection with Figure 4.

[0062] Figure 9 shows the device 1 according to Figures 1 to 4, in which the four conical rollers 9 are supported by positioning units 19 corresponding to Figures 5 to 8. For a better overview, only one positioning unit 19 and the components arranged therein are numbered.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, a camera system (not shown) determines the structure and geometry of the timber package 2 before the separating process and sends the resulting data to an evaluation and control unit. The determined information includes not only the outer dimensions of the timber package but also the position, size and extension of the sawing gap 6 within the timber package 2. The information is used in the evaluation and control unit to control the linear actuators 23 to displace the conical rollers 9 so that their respective separating edges fit into the position of the sawing gap 5. Alternatively, the dimensions of the timber package and the position of the sawing gap can be determined by a cutting formula calculated by optical measurement of the tree trunk and / or by the resulting adjustment of the sawing device as described above.

[0064] Additionally or alternatively, the conveying device may comprise a centering unit configured to displace the timber package 2 on the inclined surface 14 (not shown here) and to adapt the position of the sawing gap 5 to the respective positions of the separating edges of each of the conical rollers 9.

[0065] Figure 10 shows an apparatus 1 having the same components as the apparatus 1 shown in Figure 9. Unlike the arrangement shown in Figure 9, the positioning units 19, arranged in pairs above or below the timber package 2, are supported so as to be horizontally displaceable on horizontally extending guides 24. A hydraulic linear actuator 25 is provided to displace one of the positioning units 19 and the conical rollers 9 supported by the positioning units along the guides 24. This allows the positions of the conical rollers 9 and their respective separating edges 13 to be adapted not only to the vertical position of the sawing gap 5 but also to the width of the timber package 2. Figure 11 shows a rear view of the embodiment shown in Figure 10.

[0066] Figures 12 to 15 show a second embodiment of a device 1 for separating timber packages 2 obtained from tree trunks. The device has substantially the same structure as the device 1 shown in Figures 10 and 11, but differs in the mounting position of the conical rollers 9. The rotation axes of the conical rollers 9 extend perpendicularly through the sawing gap plane 6.

[0067] 13 shows the device 1 shown in FIG. 12 with a total of four conical rollers 9. As mentioned above, the rotation axes 10 of the conical rollers 9 extend perpendicularly to the sawing gap surface 6. During the separation process, the base surfaces of the conical rollers 9 lie flat on the main plate 3, while the side plates 4 are pushed away from the main plate 3 via their outer circumferential surfaces 12. In an alternative embodiment, the rotation axes 10 can be tilted in the drawing plane by an inclination angle so that the base surfaces do not lie completely against the main plate. Instead, the base surfaces together with the sawing gap surface enclose an acute angle corresponding to the inclination angle and opening into the conveying direction 7.

[0068] Each cross section shown in Figure 13 is shown in Figures 13 to 15. Cross section B-B corresponds to Figure 14, and cross section C-C corresponds to Figure 15.

[0069] 14 shows that during the separating process, each of the conical rollers 9 is in close contact with the main plate 3 at its base surface, while the side plate 4 is pushed away laterally with respect to the conveying direction 7 via its outer circumferential surface 12. The actuators 23 and 25 allow vertical or horizontal displacement of each of the conical rollers 9 in order to adapt the position of each of the separating edges 9 to the position of the sawing gap 5.

[0070] The position of each of the conical rollers 9 is illustrated in the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 15. Each of the conical rollers has a hole in the manner described above, in which each of the roller bearings 26 is housed. Each of the roller bearings is used to rotatably support each of the conical rollers 9, and each of the rotation axes 10 extends in a direction perpendicular to the sawing gap surface 6.

[0071] Figure 16 shows one of the positioning units shown in Figures 10 to 15. The positioning unit 19 has a substantially similar structure to the positioning unit according to Figure 5. However, as already explained, the conical roller 9 shown in Figure 16 is arranged so that its base faces face away from the holder 9 and, in its intended mounting position, faces the main plate during the separation process.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus (1) for separating timber packages (2) obtained by cutting a tree trunk into main boards (3) and side boards (4) during longitudinal transport of the timber packages (2), the apparatus (1) comprising at least one separating means (9) positioned to engage in a sawing gap (5) between the single-cut or multi-cut main boards (3) and the side boards (4) during the transport movement of the timber packages (2) and to push the side boards (4) away from the main board (3); the side plates (4) are arranged above and / or below the main plate (3) during the longitudinal transport of the timber packages (2); The separating means (9) comprises at least two rotatably supported conical rollers (9), each of which has a separating edge (13) formed by two circumferential rotating surfaces (11, 12) that surround an acute angle; The two conical rollers (9) are arranged on either side of the timber package (2), and are oriented such that each conical roller (9) laterally engages the sawing gap (5) at its respective separating edge (13) and rolls against the main plate (3) with its first rotational surface (11, 12), while each conical roller (9) pushes the side plate (4) away from the main plate (3) with its second rotational surface (11, 12).

2. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the conical rollers (9) has one outer peripheral surface (12) and one flat base surface (11), each of the outer peripheral surfaces (12) forming the first surface of rotation and each of the base surfaces (12) forming the second surface of rotation.

3. 3. The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the conical rollers (9) is supported rotatably about a rotation axis (10), each of the rotation axes (10) enclosing an acute inclination angle (15) with the sawing gap surface (6) formed by the sawing gap (5) in an inclined surface (14) oriented perpendicular to the conveying movement (7), and the main plate (3) is oriented so as to be in close contact with the respective separating edge (13) at least partially, preferably on the respective outer circumferential surface (12).

4. 4. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the rotation axes (10) encloses an acute working angle (16) together with the inclined surface (14) oriented perpendicular to the conveying movement (7) in the sawing gap plane (6), and each of the base surfaces (11) of each of the conical rollers (9) faces in the opposite direction to the conveying movement (7) of the timber package (2) and serves as a respective sliding surface for each of the side panels (3) to be pushed aside.

5. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the conical rollers (9) has one outer peripheral surface (12) and one flat base surface (11), each base surface (11) forming the first surface of rotation and each of the outer peripheral surfaces (12) forming the second surface of rotation.

6. 6. The device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that each of the conical rollers (9) is supported rotatably about a rotation axis (10), and each of the rotation axes (10) encloses an acute inclination angle (18) with the sawing gap surface (6) formed by the sawing gap (5) in an inclination plane (17) that is parallel to the conveying movement (7) and oriented perpendicular to the sawing gap surface (6).

7. 7. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of the conical rollers (9) has a respective drive configured to cause each of the conical rollers (9) to perform a respective rotational movement, and each of the conical rollers (9) has a tangential velocity in the region of the separating edge (13) engaging in the sawing gap (5), the tangential velocity being at least partly directed in the same direction as or opposite to the conveying movement.

8. 7. The device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a centering unit arranged in front of each of the conical rollers (9) in the conveying direction (7), the centering unit orienting the timber packages (2) relative to each of the conical rollers (9) during the conveying movement.

9. 7. An apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a positioning unit (18) which is configured to displace and / or rotate each of the conical rollers (9) relative to the timber package (2) along and / or about at least one displacement axis.

Images