Bamboo splitter

Abstract

To provide a bamboo splitter that moves split bamboo without leaving it near a cutting blade and reliably splits it all the way to a rear end.SOLUTION: A bamboo splitter comprises: a chain hook that is provided on a roller chain spanning a plurality of sprockets and moves due to a rotation of the sprockets; a sprocket drive unit that rotates the sprockets; a bamboo feeding unit having a pair of inclined walls extending upward at an angle; a cutting blade positioned in front of a direction in which the chain hook moves; a guide unit positioned in front of the cutting blade; two intake rollers that are positioned with gaps to allow split bamboo to pass through after passing through the guide unit; and an intake roller drive unit that rotates the two intake rollers. The guide unit comprises: an inlet opening serving as an entrance for the split bamboo; an outlet opening serving as an exit for the split bamboo, with a height dimension smaller than that of the inlet opening; and a guide surface guiding the split bamboo from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. The cutting blade has a plurality of blades radially positioned.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bamboo splitting machine for splitting bamboo.

Background Art

[0002] As a method of using harvested bamboo, bamboo has been used for heat utilization by fuelizing it. As one of the methods of fuelizing bamboo, a method is used in which bamboo is cut vertically and divided into a plurality of pieces, and then the bamboo is cut into finer pieces with a chipper or the like to make chips. When bamboo is divided and its volume is reduced, it becomes easier to dry the bamboo. Since the calorific value of combustion of bamboo increases when the bamboo is dried, the efficiency of using bamboo as fuel can be improved by dividing the bamboo.

[0003] As a tool for manually splitting bamboo, a bamboo splitting tool having a plurality of blades provided radially or the like is used. However, in order to use bamboo as fuel, it is necessary to first split a large amount of bamboo. Therefore, a bamboo splitting machine, a bamboo splitting device, etc. are used for splitting bamboo. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a two-splitting device for bamboo that splits bamboo into two parts by pushing the bamboo with claws protruding from a chain and pressing the bamboo against a hatchet blade. Patent Document 2 also discloses a bamboo splitting machine that uses a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder to push and move the bamboo and splits the bamboo vertically with a blade. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a bamboo splitting device that vertically inserts bamboo and pushes the bamboo down from above against a splitting blade disposed below to split it. After splitting the bamboo with such a bamboo splitting machine or the like, the bamboo is cut into chips.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In order to use bamboo as fuel, before chipping it with a chipper or the like, a device is required that can continuously and smoothly divide a large amount of bamboo before chipping. Conventional bamboo splitters, for example, those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, are all bamboo splitters that press bamboo against a blade to split it. Conventional bamboo splitters that use only the means of pressing bamboo against a blade may have a situation where the split bamboo remains near the blade or cannot be split to the rear end of the bamboo. In such a state, it takes time to remove the bamboo from the blade, and it becomes impossible to continuously and smoothly divide a large amount of bamboo. Also, in order to divide thick bamboo into a size that can be used as fuel, it is necessary to increase the number of times the bamboo is divided. For example, in order to divide thick bamboo into 10 pieces, it is necessary to press the bamboo against the blade while moving the bamboo with a greater force in order to smoothly split the bamboo.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a bamboo splitter that can smoothly move bamboo without leaving the split bamboo near the cutting tool and can surely split the bamboo to the rear end.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The bamboo splitting machine according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided on a roller chain spanned over a plurality of sprockets, and includes a chain hook that moves by the rotation of the sprockets, a sprocket drive unit that rotates the sprockets, a bamboo input unit having a pair of inclined walls extending obliquely upward so as to expand from the vicinity of both sides of the tensioning portion of the roller chain, a cutting blade disposed in front of the chain hook in the direction in which the chain hook advances (hereinafter referred to as the "advancing direction") when the portion of the roller chain where the chain hook is provided forms the tensioning portion, a guide portion disposed in front of the cutting blade in the advancing direction, two retracting rollers disposed at intervals so that the split bamboo divided by the cutting blade and passing through the guide portion is inserted therebetween, and a retracting roller drive unit that rotates the retracting rollers so that the split bamboo inserted between the two retracting rollers is pulled out from the guide portion. The guide portion has an inlet opening that serves as an entrance for the split bamboo divided by the cutting blade, an outlet opening that serves as an outlet for the split bamboo having a smaller dimension in the height direction than the inlet opening, and a guide surface that guides the split bamboo entering from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. The cutting blade has a plurality of blades arranged radially.

[0008] According to the bamboo splitting machine having such a configuration, not only can the bamboo be pressed against the cutting blade by the chain hook, but also the split bamboo can be smoothly split to the rear end of the bamboo by pulling the split bamboo by the retracting rollers and moving it away from the cutting blade.

[0009] In the bamboo splitting machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, the chain hook has a contact portion that contacts the rear end of the bamboo, and the contact portion has a curved shape with a concave center in the vertical direction.

[0010] According to the bamboo splitting machine having such a configuration, the bamboo can be smoothly pushed to the end by the chain hook.

[0011] In the bamboo cutter according to the third aspect of the present invention, before pressing the bamboo against the cutting blade, the bamboo cutter further includes two rollers for positioning the bamboo in the left-right direction with respect to the cutting blade in the direction of travel. The two rollers are arranged obliquely symmetrically with respect to the roller chain at the front end of the bamboo input section such that the central axes of the two rollers intersect below the bamboo.

[0012] According to the bamboo cutter having such a configuration, the bamboo can be pressed against the cutting blade at an appropriate position.

[0013] In the bamboo cutter according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, setting means is provided for setting the sprocket drive section and the retracting roller drive section such that the speed at which the split bamboo is retracted by the retracting roller is faster than the speed at which the bamboo is moved by the chain hook. When the front end of the split bamboo starts to be retracted by the retracting roller, the rear end of the bamboo is in a state of being pushed by the chain hook.

[0014] According to the bamboo cutter having such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the bamboo from being forcibly pushed by the chain hook and smoothly retract the split bamboo with the retracting roller.

[0015] In the bamboo cutter according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the bamboo cutter further includes a sensor for detecting the diameter of the bamboo, a control device, and determination means for determining whether the split bamboo is being retracted by the retracting roller and the rear end of the bamboo is being pushed by the chain hook. When the sensor detects that the diameter of the bamboo is larger than a predetermined value, the control device controls the chain hook to temporarily stop.

[0016] According to the bamboo cutter having such a configuration, even a bamboo with a large diameter can be smoothly split.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bamboo splitting machine that can smoothly move the bamboo without leaving the split bamboo near the cutting tool and can surely split the bamboo to the rear end thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, the bamboo splitting machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in the side view of FIG. 1 and the plan view of FIG. 2, the bamboo splitting machine 1 of the first embodiment includes a chain hook 2 that pushes the bamboo 10, a sprocket drive unit 3, a bamboo input unit 4 into which the bamboo 10 is inserted, a blade 5 that divides the bamboo 10 into a plurality of pieces, a guide unit 6 that guides the divided split bamboo 10b, two pulling rollers 7 that pull in the split bamboo 10b, and a pulling roller drive unit 30. In the present embodiment, the bamboo 10 to be split by the bamboo splitting machine 1 is targeted at a size of about 1.8 m in length and 80 to 200 mm in diameter. The length, diameter, etc. of the target bamboo 10 can be changed.

[0020] The chain hook 2 is provided on a roller chain 20 spanned across a plurality of sprockets 22 and moves by the rotation of the sprocket 22. A plurality (two in this embodiment) of chain hooks 2 are attached to the roller chain 20 at equal intervals by an attachment 23. As shown in FIG. 1, the roller chain 20 is spanned across a plurality (two in this embodiment) of sprockets 22. In this embodiment, when the portion of the roller chain 20 where the chain hook 2 is provided forms a stretched portion, the direction in which the chain hook 2 advances is referred to as the "advancing direction". Hereinafter, the above "advancing direction" is defined as the front, and the direction opposite to the above "advancing direction" is defined as the rear. The stretched portion means a portion of the roller chain 20 that is away from the sprocket 22 and is stretched between two sprockets 22. The advancing direction of the chain hook 2 is the same as the advancing direction of the bamboo 10.

[0021] In this embodiment, sprockets 22 are arranged before and after the bamboo input section 4. The sprocket drive section 3 is provided to rotate the sprocket 22 arranged in front of the bamboo input section 4. When one sprocket 22 is rotated by the sprocket drive section 3, two chain hooks 2 move simultaneously by the roller chain 20. The roller chain 20 includes a pair of link plates 21 arranged parallel to each other, rollers 28b arranged at the front and rear in the advancing direction between each pair of link plates 21, and pins 28a that are also arranged at the front and rear in the advancing direction between each pair of link plates 21, support the rollers 28b rotatably, and connect the link plates 21.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the chain hook 2 has a contact portion 24, a bottom portion 25, and a main body portion 27. The chain hook 2 is attached to the roller chain 20 using a pair of attachments 23. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the bottom portion 25 has a pair of attachments 23 attached by bolts. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the main body portion 27 has two walls 27a and a top portion 27b. The main body portion 27, together with the bottom portion 25 and the contact portion 24, has a box shape and is open at the rear in the advancing direction. By attaching a pair of attachments 23 attached to the bottom portion 25 instead of a pair of link plates 21 to the roller chain 20, the chain hook 2 is attached to the roller chain 20. At this time, the pair of attachments 23 are connected with a pair of link plates 21 by a pin 28a, and a roller 28b is attached to the pin 28a. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the attachment 23 has a portion having the same shape as the link plate and a portion extending upward from the upper end of the portion having the same shape as the link plate, and further has a substantially L-shaped portion bent in the lateral direction. When the bottom portion 25 is placed on the laterally bent portion of the attachment 23 and the bottom portion 25 and the attachment 23 are fixed with bolts, the bottom portion 25 is supported by the pair of attachments 23.

[0023] The abutting portion 24 abuts against the rear end of the bamboo 10 and is used to push the rear end of the bamboo 10. For this purpose, as shown in Fig. 3(a), the abutting portion 24 has a substantially rectangular shape in a front view, and as shown in Fig. 3(c), in a side view, the upper and lower ends protrude forward and the center in the vertical direction has a curved shape that is concave. The abutting portion 24 has a shape that extends further downward than the bottom portion 25 while being curved. The lower end of the abutting portion 24 extends to a height close to the roller 28b between the pair of attachments 23 when the chain hook 2 is attached to the roller chain 20. In order to extend the lower end of the abutting portion 24 downward to be close to the roller 28b, two notches 29 are provided at the lower end of the abutting portion 24 at the portion that contacts the link plate portion of the pair of attachments 23 and the link plate 21 to which the attachments 23 are connected. The portion of the link plate of the pair of attachments 23 and a part of the pair of link plates 21 to which the pair of attachments 23 are connected are inserted into the two notches 29 provided at the lower end of the abutting portion 24. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3(a), the lower end of the abutting portion 24 forms a protruding portion 26 in a state where the portion between the two notches 29 is inserted between the pair of attachments 23. In a state where the chain hook 2 is attached to the roller chain 20, a gap is formed between the bottom portion 25 and the roller 28b. In order to prevent the bamboo 10 from entering this gap, the lower end of the abutting portion 24 is extended downward from the bottom portion 25 to provide the protruding portion 26. By bringing the lower end of the protruding portion 26 close to the roller 28b between the pair of attachments 23, the protruding portion 26 fills the gap between the bottom portion 25 and the roller 28b between the pair of attachments 23. Also, since the lower end of the abutting portion 24 extends downward outside the pair of attachments 23, it is possible to prevent the bamboo 10 from entering the gap around the bolt that fixes the attachment 23 to the bottom portion 25. In this embodiment, in order to target bamboo 10 with a diameter of 80 to 200 mm, as an example, the size of the abutting portion 24 of the chain hook 2 is 100 mm × 100 mm, the amount of protrusion downward of the protruding portion 26 is 4 mm, and the width of the protruding portion 26 is 16 mm.The sizes of the connecting part 24 and the protruding part 26 are not particularly limited and can be appropriately changed according to the size (diameter) of the target bamboo 10, the size of the roller chain 20, etc.

[0024] By forming the contact portion 24 of the chain hook 2 into a curved shape, when the chain hook 2 presses a bamboo 10 with a large diameter, for example, a bamboo 10 with a diameter of 200 mm, as shown in Fig. 4(a), the contact portion 24 having the curved shape contacts the rear end of the bamboo 10, the front side of the contact portion 24 slightly lifts up, and the rear end of the bamboo 10 moves upward along the curved shape of the contact portion 24. Then, when the balance is achieved during the upward movement of the rear end of the bamboo 10 along the curved shape of the contact portion 24, the movement of the bamboo 10 along the contact portion 24 stops (the state shown in Fig. 4(b)). At this time, since the rear end of the bamboo 10 is in a lifted state, the front end of the bamboo 10 is in a lowered state. When the bamboo 10 is pressed by the chain hook 2 in such a forward-lowered state where the front end of the bamboo 10 is lowered, the front end of the bamboo 10 is pressed downward, so it is possible to prevent the front end of the bamboo 10 from bouncing when pressing the bamboo 10, and the chain hook 2 can stably press the bamboo 10. If the bamboo 10 is warped and bent, when the chain hook 2 starts to press the bamboo 10, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the front end of the bamboo 10 is likely to be in a lifted state. When a flat contact portion is used for the chain hook, if the front end of the bamboo 10 is in a lifted state and pressing continues, since the front end of the bamboo 10 can move freely, the bamboo 10 is likely to be in a state where the front end bounces or the front end further lifts up. Therefore, the chain hook using the flat contact portion cannot press the bamboo 10 against the blade in a stable state. In this embodiment, by pressing the rear end of the bamboo 10 with the chain hook 2 having the contact portion 24 with a curved shape, as shown in Fig. 5(b), even the warped and bent bamboo 10 can be in a state where the front end is lowered. By continuously pressing the bamboo 10 in a state where the front end of the bamboo 10 is lowered by the chain hook 2, the bamboo 10 can be stably pressed against the blade 5. When the bamboo 10 is in a forward-lowered state, the bamboo 10 is in a two-point support state where only the front end and the rear end are supported, and a gap can be provided between the roller chain 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the bamboo 10, so that even a bent bamboo 10 can be stably pressed. Further, when the bamboo 10 is divided by the blade 5, the bent bamboo 10 will move and crack along the fiber direction.

[0025] Furthermore, by extending the lower end of the contact portion 24 of the chain hook 2 downward from the bottom portion 25, the following effects can be achieved. As the chain hook 2 advances forward while pushing the rear end of the bamboo 10 and reaches the sprocket 22 after passing through the bamboo input portion 4, the chain hook 2 begins to move downward along the sprocket 22. At this time, if there is a gap between the lower end of the contact portion 24 and the upper end of the roller chain 20, the lower side of the rear end of the bamboo 10 may be caught in the gap. If the rear end of the bamboo 10 is caught, the rear end of the bamboo 10 will be pushed downward by the chain hook 2, and the bamboo 10 will not be able to separate from the chain hook 2, and the operation of the bamboo splitting machine 1 must be stopped. However, as in this embodiment, by extending the lower end of the contact portion 24 downward and further inserting the protrusion 26 between the pair of attachments 23, the gap between the chain hook 2 and the roller chain 20 is almost eliminated, thereby preventing the rear end of the bamboo 10 from being caught in the gap. The shape of the chain hook 2 is not particularly limited, and the configuration, shape, size, etc. can also be changed according to the diameter of the bamboo 10, etc., and it is also possible to prepare and replace a plurality of chain hooks.

[0026] In this embodiment, the sprocket drive unit 3 is a motor. For example, when using a motor with an output of 1.5 - 2.2 kw and a reduction ratio of 1 / 30 as the sprocket drive unit 3, the sprocket drive unit 3 can move the chain hook 2 at a speed of 20 - 25 m / min. The operator feeds the bamboo 10 into the bamboo input portion 4 with respect to the chain hook 2 moving at such a speed.

[0027] The bamboo input section 4 has a pair of inclined walls 42 that extend obliquely upward so as to expand from the vicinity of both sides of the tensioning section of the roller chain 20, and a groove 41. The bamboo input section 4 is arranged on the gantry 11, and the sprocket drive section 3 is arranged in the gantry 11. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wheels 14 are attached to the four corners of the gantry 11 where the bamboo input section 4 is arranged, and the bamboo cutter 1 can also be moved. It is also possible to place the bamboo cutter 1 in a fixed position without providing the wheels 14 on the gantry 11. The groove 41 is formed by a C-channel, and the groove 41 extends along the traveling direction of the chain hook 2. The tensioning section of the roller chain 20 is located in the groove 41. The roller chain 20 travels from the rear to the front in the groove 41 toward the cutting tool 5. The roller chain 20 that exits from the front end of the groove 41 is then caused to change its traveling direction to the opposite direction by a sprocket 22 arranged in front of the bamboo input section 4. The roller chain 20 whose traveling direction has been changed travels from the front to the rear below the groove 41. Then, the roller chain 20 whose traveling direction has been changed to the opposite direction by a sprocket 22 arranged behind the bamboo input section 4 enters the groove 41 again. As shown in FIG. 1, the roller chain 20 moves up and down the groove 41 and circulates by a plurality of sprockets 22. By such movement of the roller chain 20, the chain hook 2 travels in the bamboo input section 4 toward the cutting tool 5.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, two inclined walls 42 are attached to the upper ends of both sides of the groove 41. The two inclined walls 42 extend obliquely upward so as to expand from the upper ends of both sides of the groove 41. As shown in FIG. 6, the cross section of the bamboo input portion 4 is formed in a substantially V shape by the groove 41 and the two inclined walls 42. In the present embodiment, the bamboo input portion 4 is configured to be able to input bamboo 10 with a diameter of 200 mm. When the bamboo 10 is input forward in the bamboo input portion 4 in the advancing direction from the chain hook 2, the rear end of the bamboo 10 is pushed by the advancement of the chain hook 2. The bamboo input portion 4 is not limited to the form in which the two inclined walls 42 are attached to the groove 41. For example, the two inclined walls may be arranged independently, and the bamboo input portion may be formed in a form in which the lower ends of the two inclined walls are separated without providing grooves at the lower ends of the two inclined walls. The chain hook 2 advances between the lower ends of the two inclined walls in such a form of the bamboo input portion.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cutting tool 5 is disposed in front of the advancing direction. The chain hook 2 that advances toward the cutting tool 5 within the bamboo input section 4 and moves downward along the sprocket 22 is arranged such that the cutting tool 5 does not come into contact with it. The cutting tool 5 is fixed on the gantry 11 at a predetermined interval from the roller chain 20. As shown in FIG. 7, in the cutting tool 5, a plurality of (ten in this embodiment) blades 51 are radially arranged within the rectangular tube-shaped outer peripheral wall 52. Within a predetermined radius from the center of the cutting tool 5 (the range indicated by the virtual line in FIG. 7), it has a shape that inscribes a cone protruding toward the bamboo input section 4. In this embodiment, the size of the cutting tool 5 is 350×350 mm, and the diameter of the circle indicated by the virtual line is 260 mm. By using the cutting tool 5 of such a size, even when the bamboo 10 with a diameter of 200 mm is divided and spreads out, the bamboo 10 can be reliably divided. The bamboo splitter 1 of this embodiment can divide the bamboo 10 with a diameter of 80 to 200 mm into ten pieces. The number of the blades 51 is not limited to ten, and can be appropriately changed according to the number of divisions of the bamboo 10. The size and shape of the blade 51 can also be appropriately changed. It is also possible to prepare in advance a plurality of cutting tools 5 with different numbers and sizes of the blades 51, and exchange the cutting tool 5 according to the size of the target bamboo 10. In this embodiment, since the cutting tool 5 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, when the bamboo 10 is divided by the cutting tool 5, if the bamboo 10 with a large diameter protrudes from the circle indicated by the virtual line of the cutting tool 5, and also when the divided split bamboo 10b spreads over a wide range and protrudes from the circle indicated by the virtual line of the cutting tool 5, the cutting tool 5 can divide the bamboo 10 at the portion outside the circle indicated by the virtual line. In this way, by making the front view of the cutting tool 5 rectangular, the bamboo 10 can be reliably divided. However, the front view of the cutting tool 5 is not limited to rectangular, and it is also possible to change the front view of the cutting tool 5 to circular or the like. The outer peripheral wall 52 is fixed to the frame 53. By detachably attaching the outer peripheral wall 52 to the frame 53 with bolts or the like, the cutting tool 5 can easily exchange various types of blades.

[0030] The cutting tool 5 is arranged such that the center (the tip of the portion protruding toward the bamboo insertion part 4 of the cutting tool 5) is below the center of the bamboo 10 being pushed by the chain hook 2. When the chain hook 2 pushes the rear end of the bamboo 10 and advances forward, finally, it moves downward along the sprocket 22. At this time, the chain hook 2 is in a state of pushing the rear end of the bamboo 10 downward. The height of the cutting tool 5 is set so that the bamboo 10 can pass through the cutting tool 5 even when the rear end of the bamboo 10 is pushed downward. The bamboo splitting machine 1 of the present embodiment targets bamboo 10 with a diameter of 80 to 200 mm. Since it splits bamboo 10 with different diameters, the height of the cutting tool 5 is set based on the state where the diameter of the bamboo 10 is the largest.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 8, the guide portion 6 has an entrance opening 61 that serves as an entrance for the split bamboo 10b divided by the cutting tool 5, and an exit opening 62 that serves as an exit for the split bamboo 10b. The guide portion 6 is disposed on the pedestal 11. The guide portion 6 guides the divided split bamboo 10b to the drawing roller 7. The widths of the entrance opening 61 and the exit opening 62 are the same, but the exit opening 62 has a horizontally long rectangular shape with a smaller dimension in the height direction than the entrance opening 61. The guide portion 6 has an upper guide plate 63 and a lower guide plate 64 as guide surfaces for guiding the front end of the split bamboo 10b that has entered from the entrance opening 61 to the exit opening 62, and further has two side guide plates 65. The upper guide plate 63 and the lower guide plate 64 are arranged so as to be inclined in a direction approaching each other from the entrance opening 61 toward the exit opening 62. The side guide plates 65 have a smaller dimension in the height direction from the entrance opening 61 toward the exit opening 62 in accordance with the inclination of the upper guide plate 63 and the lower guide plate 64. The interval between the two side guide plates 65 is constant without changing. The guide portion 6 guides the split bamboo 10b to the exit opening 62 in a state where it is pressed from above and below by the guide surfaces and spread laterally, and then guides the split bamboo 10b to the drawing roller 7 as it is. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the guide portion 6 arranges the split bamboo 10b laterally and reduces the height by the exit opening 62, making it easier for the drawing roller 7 to draw in the split bamboo 10b. Depending on the relationship between the diameter of the bamboo 10 and the interval between the two side guide plates 65, when the split bamboo 10b abuts against the two side guide plates 65, the two side guide plates 65 also function as guide surfaces. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lower plate 66 is provided between the guide portion 6 and the cutting tool 5. The lower plate 66 is inclined slightly upward from the flat portion toward the lower guide plate 64 and is connected to the lower guide plate 64. The lower plate 66 prevents the front end of the split bamboo 10b sent from the cutting tool 5 from hanging downward and protruding from the guide portion 6, and guides the front end of the split bamboo 10b smoothly to the entrance opening 61.

[0032] The split bamboo 10b divided by the cutting tool 5 is sent to the inlet opening 61 of the guide portion 6 in a state where it spreads in the radial direction more than the cross-section of the bamboo 10 before being split. Then, when the front end of the split bamboo 10b moves through the guide portion 6 to the outlet opening 62, the front end of the split bamboo 10b abuts against the upper guide plate 63 and the lower guide plate 64 which are guide surfaces. When the front end of the split bamboo 10b is pressed from above and below by the upper guide plate 63 and the lower guide plate 64 which are guide surfaces, it spreads in the lateral direction. Since the cross-section of the split bamboo 10b is in the shape of a minor arc or flat, when the front end of the split bamboo 10b approaches the outlet opening 62 while abutting against the guide surface, the split bamboo 10b is in a state of spreading in the lateral direction. The front end of the split bamboo 10b passing through the outlet opening 62 deforms from a substantially circular shape spreading in the radial direction and becomes a state arranged in two to three layers up and down as shown in FIG. 9. In this way, when the split bamboo 10b passes through the guide portion 6, the split bamboo 10b is sent to the drawing roller 7 in a state of being arranged in the lateral direction.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 10, two drawing rollers 7 are provided with a plurality of protrusions 71 on their surfaces, and two drawing rollers 7 are arranged vertically at a predetermined interval so that the split bamboo 10b that has passed through the guide portion 6 is inserted therebetween. The two drawing rollers 7 are arranged in front of the outlet opening 62 so that the gap between the two drawing rollers 7 is located within the range of the outlet opening 62 of the guide portion 6. The two drawing rollers 7 are supported by two support columns 75 at an interval through which the split bamboo 10b can be inserted. The distance between the front ends of the protrusions 71 where the two drawing rollers 7 are closest to each other is set to a value close to the thickness of the bamboo 10. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 71 utilizes the substantially conical tip of the tapered head hexagon socket set screw 72. The tapered head hexagon socket set screws 72 are arranged at a predetermined interval on the cylindrical roller body 70. The roller body 70 is provided with a plurality of screw holes 73 at a predetermined interval for inserting and engaging the tapered head hexagon socket set screws 72. In the present embodiment, 14 rows of 8 screw holes 73 arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction are provided on the roller body 70. At this time, the screw holes 73 in adjacent rows are arranged staggeredly in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the thickness of the cylindrical portion of the roller body 20 is 6 mm, and the tapered head hexagon socket set screws 72 and nuts 74 of M8 are used. The thickness of the roller body 20, the size of the tapered head hexagon socket set screws 72 and the nuts 74 are not particularly limited. When the tapered head hexagon socket set screw 72 is inserted into the screw hole 73 from the outside of the roller body 70 and engaged, and further the nut 74 is engaged with the tapered head hexagon socket set screw 72 on the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 70 to fix the tapered head hexagon socket set screw 72 to the roller body 70, the tip of the tapered head hexagon socket set screw 72 protrudes from the nut 74. In the present embodiment, the substantially conical tip portion of the tapered head hexagon socket set screw 72 protruding from the nut 74 is used as the protrusion 71. When the protrusion 71 pierces the surface of the split bamboo 10b, the drawing roller 7 can surely draw in the split bamboo 10b. At this time, since the interval between the drawing rollers 7 is set to a value close to the thickness of the bamboo 10, when the split bamboo 10b is inserted between the two drawing rollers 7, the joints 10a of the split bamboo 10b are broken and removed. The protrusion 71 is not limited to the one using the tapered head hexagon socket set screw 72 as in the present embodiment, and other forms are also possible.Also, the number, interval, arrangement, etc. of the stop screws 72 with a hexagonal hole at the pointed end are not limited to this embodiment. And the retracting roller can also be in a form without protrusions, and it is also possible to process the surface of the roller body so that the bamboo 10 can be retracted, or to form the roller body with rubber or the like.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 12, in the bamboo splitting machine 1 of this embodiment, the retracting roller drive unit 30 uses a chain 31 to rotate two retracting rollers 7 simultaneously in opposite directions with one motor. The chain 31 is wound around a sprocket 32 of the motor, a sprocket 34 fixed to the support column 75, and two sprockets 33 attached to the rotating shafts of the two retracting rollers 7. A cover 77 is provided above the retracting roller 7, and the retracting roller 7 is covered by the cover 77. It is also possible for the retracting roller drive unit 30 to use two motors to rotate the two retracting rollers 7. Elastic members 76 for holding the upper retracting roller 7 so that it can move up and down are respectively built into the two support columns 75. When the split bamboo 10b is being retracted by the retracting rollers 7, if the split bamboo 10b gets stuck between the two retracting rollers 7, the rotation of the two retracting rollers 7 may stop. To prevent such a stop in the rotation of the retracting roller 7, the upper retracting roller 7 is held by the elastic member 76 so that it can move up and down. When the split bamboo 10b is likely to get stuck between the two retracting rollers 7, a force acts on the two retracting rollers 7. Since the lower retracting roller 7 does not move, the upper retracting roller 7 held by the elastic member 76 moves upward, widening the interval between the two retracting rollers 7. When the interval between the two retracting rollers 7 widens, the split bamboo 10b can pass through without getting stuck between the two retracting rollers 7, so the stop in the rotation of the two retracting rollers 7 can be prevented.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bamboo splitting machine 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a temporary placement portion 8 for temporarily placing the split bamboo 10b in front of the drawing roller 7. Instead of the temporary placement portion 8, a chipper or the like can be arranged to directly chip the split bamboo 10b. Since the split bamboo 10b passing between the two drawing rollers 7 is in a state of being arranged side by side horizontally, it is moved to the temporary placement portion 8, and the split bamboo 10b is successively temporarily placed. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the temporary placement portion 8 has two side walls 81 and a bottom surface 82 extending along the traveling direction of the split bamboo 10b. The temporary placement portion 8 is open on the side of the drawing roller 7. When the split bamboo 10b is sent from the drawing roller 7 to the temporary placement portion 8, the split bamboo 10b that has been split and scattered and arranged side by side horizontally is successively temporarily placed.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the bamboo splitting machine 1 further includes two rollers 9. The two rollers 9 are provided at the front end of the bamboo input portion 4. As shown in FIG. 14, the two rollers 9 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the roller chain 20. Then, at the front end of the bamboo input portion 4, as shown in FIG. 15, the two rollers 9 are respectively arranged obliquely so that the central axes G of the two rollers 9 intersect below the bamboo 10. The roller 9 is rotatably attached to the tip of the arm 91. A shaft 93 is provided on the arm 91, and the shaft 93 is rotatably supported by a bearing 44 provided on the bamboo input portion 4. Further, an elastic means 92 is connected to the rear end of the arm 91. In the present embodiment, a spring is used as the elastic means 92, and the end of the spring is fixed to the gantry 11.

[0037] A downward force acts on the rear end of the arm 91 by the elastic means 92. In the state of FIG. 14, a force acts on the arm 91 in a direction to rotate the roller 9 upward about the shaft 93 by the elastic force of the elastic means 92. In order to hold the roller 9 in the state of FIG. 14, a convex portion 94 is provided between the roller 9 and the shaft 93. The convex portion 94 abuts against the outer surface of the inclined wall 42 of the bamboo input portion 4, the rotation of the arm 91 is stopped, and the roller 9 is held by the bamboo input portion 4 in the state of FIG. 14.

[0038] The two rollers 9 position the bamboo 10 in the left - right direction with respect to the cutting tool 5 and with respect to the advancing direction of the chain hook 2, and press the bamboo 10 at an appropriate position against the cutting tool 5. Near the front end of the bamboo 10 that has been pushed forward and downward by the chain hook 2, in the bamboo input section 4, it is in contact with the roller chain 20. At this time, since there is nothing to fix the front end of the bamboo 10, until the front end of the bamboo 10 reaches the roller 9, the front end of the bamboo 10 is not only in contact with the roller chain 20, but also the front end of the bamboo 10 may move laterally and come into contact with the groove 41, the inclined wall 42, etc. Therefore, the bamboo 10 does not necessarily move to the center in the left - right direction of the bamboo input section 4, nor does it always move at the same position within the bamboo input section 4. Also, the bamboo 10 is not always straight, and may be warped or bent, so the front end of the bamboo 10 does not necessarily locate at the center in the left - right direction within the bamboo input section 4. Therefore, two rollers 9 are used to position the front end of the bamboo 10 in the left - right direction and press it against the cutting tool 5.

[0039] When the bamboo 10 is sent out from the bamboo input section 4, the front end of the downward-sloping bamboo 10 abuts against the two rollers 9. At this time, since the two rollers 9 can rotate downward about the shaft 93, depending on the position and size of the bamboo 10, etc., the two rollers 9 rotate downward slightly and support the bamboo 10 from below and move it so as to be evenly supported by the two rollers 9. As a result, as shown in Fig. 15, the bamboo 10 moves away from the roller chain 20 and moves directly above the roller chain 20. At this time, the center of the bamboo 10 in the left-right direction coincides with the blade 5. That is, the two rollers 9 position the bamboo 10 in the left-right direction with respect to the blade 5 in the advancing direction of the chain hook 2. And the position of the bamboo 10 in the height direction is determined by being held at a predetermined height by the two rollers 9. The two rollers 9, the chain hook 2, and the blade 5 are set so that the center of the bamboo 10 held by the two rollers 9 is above the center of the blade 5 (the tip having a shape inscribed in the cone of the blade 5). Therefore, the two rollers 9 position the bamboo 10 not only in the left-right direction but also in the appropriate position in the height direction.

[0040] In order to hold the bamboo 10 by the two rollers 9, as shown in Fig. 14, the lower end of the chain hook 2 is at a height where it abuts against the roller 9. Therefore, when the chain hook 2 passes between the two rollers 9, especially when the roller chain 20 moves in the direction opposite to the advancing direction for some reason, the chain hook 2 contacts the two rollers 9. At this time, since the arm 91 is held by the elastic means 92, when the two rollers 9 are pushed downward by the chain hook 2, the two rollers 9 can rotate downward, so that interference between the roller 9 and the chain hook 2 can be prevented.

[0041] When the bamboo splitting machine 1 of this embodiment splits the bamboo 10, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the front end of the split bamboo 10b is drawn into the drawing roller 7, the rear end of the bamboo 10 is pushed by the chain hook 2. And even after the chain hook 2 separates from the rear end of the bamboo 10, since the split bamboo 10b is drawn by the drawing roller 7, the bamboo 10 smoothly passes the cutting tool 5 to the rear end and is surely split to the rear end. However, when the speed at which the drawing roller 7 draws the split bamboo 10b is the same as the speed at which the chain hook 2 pushes the rear end of the bamboo 10, if the drawing roller 7 is delayed in drawing the split bamboo 10b, the chain hook 2 will continue to push the rear end of the bamboo 10 forcefully. As a result, for example, the split bamboo 10b may be excessively pushed into the drawing roller 7 and the split bamboo 10b may get stuck between the two drawing rollers 7. In order to cope with the delay in the drawing operation of the split bamboo 10b by the drawing roller 7, it is preferable that the bamboo splitting machine 1 is provided with setting means 12a for setting the sprocket drive unit 3 and the drawing roller drive unit 30 so that the speed at which the drawing roller 7 draws the split bamboo 10b is slightly faster than the speed at which the chain hook 2 pushes the bamboo 10. In this embodiment, the bamboo splitting machine 1 is provided with setting means 12a for setting the sprocket drive unit 3 and the drawing roller drive unit 30 so that the speed at which the drawing roller 7 draws the split bamboo 10b is about 5% faster than the speed at which the chain hook 2 pushes the bamboo 10. The setting means 12a is provided in the operation panel 12 provided under the bamboo input section 4.

[0042] The operation of splitting bamboo 10 by the bamboo splitter 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the operator inserts the bamboo 10 into the bamboo input section 4. The timing for the operator to insert the bamboo 10 is when one chain hook 2 is located behind the bamboo input section 4, and the operator inserts the bamboo 10 in front of the chain hook 2 within the bamboo input section 4. At this time, the other chain hook 2 is located in front of the bamboo input section 4. In the present embodiment, an operator is arranged at the bamboo input section 4, and the bamboo 10 is manually inserted into the bamboo input section 4. However, it is also possible to separately provide a device for stocking a plurality of bamboos 10 in advance and feeding out the stocked bamboos 10 one by one to the bamboo input section 4 beside the bamboo splitter 1. When the chain hook 2 advances forward and the contact portion 24 contacts the rear end of the bamboo 10, if the balance is achieved while the rear end of the bamboo 10 moves slightly upward along the contact portion 24 of the chain hook 2, the vicinity of the upper end of the contact portion 24 contacts the rear end of the bamboo 10, and the upward movement of the bamboo 10 stops. In particular, when the diameter of the bamboo 10 is large, since the upper end of the contact portion 24 with a width of 100 mm enters the inside of the cylindrical bamboo 10, when the contact portion 24 contacts the inside of the rear end of the bamboo 10, it becomes easier to stop the upward movement of the bamboo 10. In this way, with the movement of the rear end of the bamboo 10 stopped, the chain hook 2 advances within the bamboo input section 4 and pushes the bamboo 10 forward. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the bamboo 10 is pushed by the chain hook 2 with the rear end lifted and in a slightly forward-downward state. The vicinity of the front end of the bamboo 10 being pushed by the chain hook 2 is pressed against the roller chain 20, and since the front end of the bamboo 10 moves together with the roller chain 20, the bamboo 10 can be moved to the two rollers 9 in a stable state. Then, when the front end of the bamboo 10 contacts the two rollers 9, the front end of the bamboo 10 is pressed against and passes through the two rollers 9 in a forward-downward state. Therefore, even if the front end of the bamboo 10 bounces slightly, the front end of the bamboo 10 will not be higher than the rear end and will easily return to the original forward-downward state immediately, so that the chain hook 2 can press the bamboo 10 against the blade 5 in a stable state.

[0043] When the front end of the bamboo 10 abuts against the roller 9, the two rollers 9 position the bamboo 10 so that the center of the bamboo 10 in the left - right direction coincides with that of the cutting tool 5. Then, the front end of the bamboo 10 is pressed against the cutting tool 5, and the bamboo 10 is divided into a plurality of pieces by the cutting tool 5. When the front end of the bamboo 10 is first divided by the cutting tool 5, the bamboo 10 reaches a state where the crack reaches near the next node 10a. When the front end of the bamboo 10 is divided by the cutting tool 5, the front end of the bamboo 10 further descends, and the rear end tries to bounce up. However, since the contact portion 24 having a curved shape presses the rear end of the bamboo 10, it is possible to prevent the rear end of the bamboo 10 from bouncing up significantly. When the rear end of the bamboo 10 is pushed by the chain hook 2 and the next node 10a of the bamboo 10 approaches the cutting tool 5, when the cutting tool 5 cuts the next node 10a that has not yet been divided, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the crack reaches even the next node 10a. In this way, when the bamboo 10 is divided by the cutting tool 5 up to one node 10a, the cutting tool 5 divides the bamboo 10 while repeating the state where the crack occurs up to the next node 10a. When the bamboo 10 is divided by the cutting tool 5, the downward inclination of the bamboo 10 decreases and the state changes. However, the contact portion 24 having a curved shape can contact the rear end of the bamboo 10 until the end regardless of the change in the inclination of the bamboo 10, and the contact portion 24 can stably continue to press the rear end of the bamboo 10.

[0044] The front end of the divided bamboo 10b passes through the inlet opening 61 of the guide portion 6 and is sent into the guide portion 6. At this time, the rear end of the bamboo 10 is continuously pressed forward by the chain hook 2. When the divided bamboo 10b enters the guide portion 6 from the inlet opening 61, the front end of the divided bamboo 10b that has spread in the radial direction contacts the upper guide plate 63 and the lower guide plate 64 which are guide surfaces. Since the upper guide plate 63 and the lower guide plate 64 approach each other as they go toward the outlet opening 62, the front end of the divided bamboo 10b is pressed from above and below, and the shape of the front end of the divided bamboo 10b deforms from a substantially circular state to a state of spreading horizontally. And when the divided bamboo 10b passes through the outlet opening 62, as shown in FIG. 9, the divided bamboo 10b is in a state of being arranged side by side horizontally in two layers. At this time, the divided bamboo 10b may be in three layers or the like depending on the overlapping condition.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the front end of the split bamboo 10b that has passed through the outlet opening 62 is drawn between the two drawing rollers 7. When the split bamboo 10b passes between the two drawing rollers 7, the protrusion 71 catches on the split bamboo 10b, so that the drawing roller 7 pulls the split bamboo 10b out of the guide portion 6, and further, the drawing roller 7 sends the split bamboo 10b to the next location. When the split bamboo 10b is inserted between the two drawing rollers 7, the split bamboo 10b is pressed from above and below by the drawing rollers 7, so that the joints 10a of the split bamboo 10b are cracked and removed. Since the distance between the front ends of the protrusions 71 of the two drawing rollers 7 is set to be close to the thickness of the bamboo 10, while pulling the split bamboo 10b by the drawing rollers 7, the drawing rollers 7 can also remove the joints 10a of the split bamboo 10b. In particular, when the bamboo 10 with a large diameter is inserted into the drawing roller 7 in two or three layers, since the thickness of the bamboo 10 is also large, the drawing roller 7 becomes more likely to break the joints 10a of the split bamboo 10b. Also, the ten-split bamboo 10b that has passed between the two drawing rollers 7 is pressed up and down by the protrusion 71, so that, as shown in FIG. 16, the height becomes lower, and as shown in FIG. 17, the width expands and it is in a state of lying flat side by side horizontally. In this way, the split bamboo 10b that has passed between the two drawing rollers 7 spreads in the horizontal direction and is in a somewhat bundled state, and is sent by the drawing roller 7 to the next location, for example, the temporary placement portion 8. The split bamboo 10b is crushed with a chipper or the like and used as fuel.

[0046] When the chain hook 2 moves downward along the sprocket 22, depending on the position of the joint 10a, the bamboo 10 is cracked up to the rear end, and a part of the lower side of the rear end of the cracked bamboo 10 is pressed against the lower end of the contact portion 24. In the present embodiment, by extending the lower end of the contact portion 24 downward and further providing the protruding portion 26, there is no gap between the lower end of the contact portion 24 and the upper end of the roller chain 20 such that a part of the rear end of the cracked bamboo 10 is pinched, so the rear end of the bamboo 10 is not caught by the chain hook 2. The chain hook 2 can continuously press the rear end of the bamboo 10 in a stable state until the end by the contact portion 24 having a curved shape. When the chain hook 2 can no longer push the bamboo 10 and the retracting roller 7 is in a state of retracting the split bamboo 10b, the next bamboo 10 is inserted into the bamboo input portion 4. At that time, since another chain hook 2 has moved into the bamboo input portion 4, another chain hook 2 starts to push the next bamboo 10.

[0047] In the bamboo splitting machine 1 of the present embodiment, for a certain period of time after the split bamboo 10b is retracted by the retracting roller 7, the rear end of the bamboo 10 is in a state of being pressed by the chain hook 2. And even after the chain hook 2 separates from the rear end of the bamboo 10, since the bamboo 10 is being retracted by the retracting roller 7, the force for moving the bamboo 10 acts on the bamboo 10 without interruption, and the bamboo 10 smoothly passes through the cutting tool 5 to the end, and the rear end of the bamboo 10 is surely split and sent to the next location. The bamboo splitting machine 1 of the present embodiment can perform the operation of pressing the bamboo 10 against the cutting tool 5 and the operation of removing the split bamboo 10b from the cutting tool 5 in parallel for a certain period. And since the bamboo splitting machine 1 can retract the split bamboo 10b by the retracting roller 7 and move it away from the cutting tool 5, the previously split split bamboo 10b does not remain near the cutting tool 5 and get in the way, and the next bamboo 10 can be split smoothly and continuously. Therefore, since the bamboo splitting machine 1 of the present embodiment can move the split bamboo 10b away from the cutting tool 5 and surely split the bamboo 10 to the rear end, a large number of bamboos 10 can be split smoothly and continuously.

[0048] Next, the bamboo cutter 1a of the second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the bamboo cutter 1a of the second embodiment is a form in which a sensor 13, a control device 15, and a determination means 16 are provided in the bamboo cutter 1 of the first embodiment. Since the configurations other than the sensor 13, the control device 15, and the determination means 16 are the same as those of the bamboo cutter 1 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used for description and the detailed description will be omitted.

[0049] As shown in the side view of FIG. 18 and the plan view of FIG. 19, the bamboo cutter 1a of the second embodiment includes a chain hook 2, a sprocket drive unit 3, a bamboo input unit 4, a cutting tool 5, a guide unit 6, two retracting rollers 7, a retracting roller drive unit 30, a temporary placement unit 8, two rollers 9, a sensor 13, a control device 15, and a determination means 16.

[0050] The sensor 13 is a sensor for detecting the diameter of the bamboo 10. In the present embodiment, a photoelectric sensor is used as the sensor 13. As shown in FIG. 19, the light emitter 13a of the photoelectric sensor is arranged outside one inclined wall 42 of the bamboo input unit 4, and the light receiver 13b of the photoelectric sensor is arranged outside the other inclined wall 42. Then, holes 46 through which the light of the photoelectric sensor passes are provided in the two inclined walls 42 respectively. At this time, the positions of the light emitter 13a, the light receiver 13b, and the hole 46 of the inclined wall 42 are arranged at a predetermined height according to the diameter of the bamboo 10 to be detected. In the present embodiment, the light emitter 13a, the light receiver 13b, and the hole 46 of the inclined wall 42 are arranged so as to detect that the diameter of the bamboo 10 is 180 mm or more. In this way, the sensor 13 is arranged to detect the diameter of the bamboo 10 passing through the bamboo input unit 4 using light. Other sensors can also be used as the sensor. Even when a photoelectric sensor is used as the sensor, it is not limited to the present embodiment, and it is also possible to arrange a light emitter and a light receiver and a reflector, or to arrange only a light emitter and a light receiver.

[0051] The control device 15 performs control to temporarily stop the advancement of the chain hook 2. To temporarily stop the advancement of the chain hook 2, the control device 15 controls the sprocket drive unit 3. The determination means 16 determines whether or not the split bamboo 10b is being drawn in by the draw-in roller 7 and the rear end of the bamboo 10 is being pushed by the chain hook 2. As shown in FIG. 18, the control device 15 and the determination means 16 are arranged in the operation panel 12 provided under the bamboo input unit 4. The positions of the control device 15 and the determination means 16 are not particularly limited and can be arranged in other locations. Also, it is possible to perform other controls of the bamboo splitting machine 1a by the control device 15. For example, it is also possible for the control device 15 to have the function of the setting means 12a that sets the sprocket drive unit 3 and the draw-in roller drive unit 30.

[0052] When the diameter of the bamboo 10 to be split by the bamboo splitting machine 1a is large, depending on the shape of the chain hook 2 and the like, the draw-in roller 7 may not be able to smoothly insert the split bamboo 10b. For example, the split bamboo 10b arranged in two upper and lower layers may be in a state where the split bamboo 10b in the upper layer is first drawn into the draw-in roller 7 and the split bamboo 10b in the lower layer is drawn into the draw-in roller 7 later. If the bamboo 10 in such a state is continuously pushed by the chain hook 2, the chain hook 2 may press down the rear end of the bamboo 10, and there is a possibility that the bamboo 10 cannot be pushed straight. In order to solve the problem caused by the state where the lower layer of the split bamboo 10b is delayed in being drawn into the draw-in roller 7, the sensor 13, the control device 15, and the determination means 16 are used. When the sensor 13 detects that the diameter of the bamboo 10 is larger than a predetermined value, and further, when the determination means 16 determines that the split bamboo 10b is being drawn in by the draw-in roller 7 and the rear end of the bamboo 10 is being pushed by the chain hook 2, the control device 15 temporarily stops the advancement of the chain hook 2 and then performs control to resume the advancement of the chain hook 2.

[0053] In this embodiment, the bamboo 10 with a length of about 1.8 m is targeted. In this case, when the bamboo 10 is divided by the cutting tool 5 up to about half of its length, the control device 15 performs control to temporarily stop the chain hook 2. The control device 15 sets the time for temporarily stopping the chain hook 2 to 1 second. From the time when the sensor 13 detects that the diameter of the bamboo 10 is larger than a predetermined value until the time t when half of the length of the bamboo 10 is divided is input as data in advance to the determination means 16. Then, when the determination means 16 receives a signal from the sensor 13 indicating that the diameter of the bamboo 10 is larger than a predetermined value, the determination means 16 determines whether the divided bamboo 10b is being pulled in by the drawing roller 7 and the rear end of the bamboo 10 is being pushed by the chain hook 2. When the determination means 16 receives a signal from the sensor 13 indicating that the diameter of the bamboo 10 is larger than a predetermined value and the time t has elapsed, the determination means 16 determines that the divided bamboo 10b is being pulled in by the drawing roller 7 and the rear end of the bamboo 10 is being pushed by the chain hook 2. The determination means 16 notifies the control device 15 of the determination result, that is, the timing for temporarily stopping the chain hook 2.

[0054] When the control device 15 receives the notification from the determination means 16, in order to stop the chain hook 2 for 1 second, the control device 15 performs control to stop the sprocket drive unit 3 for 1 second. While the control device 15 stops the chain hook 2 for 1 second, the drawing roller 7 draws in the split bamboo 10b, so that the bamboo 10 moves forward, and the chain hook 2 is not pressing the rear end of the bamboo 10. Therefore, the bamboo splitting machine 1a of the present embodiment can solve the problem that the drawing of the split bamboo 10b by the drawing roller 7 is delayed due to the large diameter of the bamboo 10. As a result, the bamboo splitting machine 1a can split the bamboo 10 more smoothly even if the diameter of the bamboo 10 is large. The time of the temporary stop of the chain hook 2 by the control device 15 and the timing of the stop can be appropriately changed according to the length of the bamboo 10, the overall length of the bamboo splitting machine 1a, and the like. The determination means 16 is not limited to the present embodiment, and it is also possible to use a sensor or the like to detect the state of the bamboo 10 by detecting the position of the bamboo 10 and notify the control device 15 of the timing to temporarily stop the chain hook 2. Further, it is also possible for the control device 15 to have the function of the determination means 16.

[0055] The operation of splitting the bamboo 10 by the bamboo splitting machine 1a of the present embodiment will be described. First, the operator inserts the bamboo 10 in front of the chain hook 2 in the bamboo input section 4. The chain hook 2 advances forward, and the contact portion 24 starts to press the rear end of the bamboo 10. When the bamboo 10 pushed by the chain hook 2 passes between the light emitter 13a and the light receiver 13b of the sensor 13, the sensor 13 detects whether the diameter of the bamboo 10 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In the present embodiment, the sensor 13 detects whether the diameter of the bamboo 10 is 180 mm or more. When the diameter of the bamboo 10 is less than 180 mm, since it is not necessary for the bamboo splitting machine 1a to temporarily stop the chain hook 2, the bamboo splitting machine 1a splits the bamboo 10 without temporarily stopping the advancement of the chain hook 2 in the same operation as the bamboo splitting machine 1 of the first embodiment.

[0056] When the sensor 13 detects that the diameter of the bamboo 10 is 180 mm or more, the determination means 16 receives a signal from the sensor 13 indicating that the diameter of the bamboo 10 is larger than a predetermined value (180 mm). At this time, the bamboo splitting machine 1a continues to press the bamboo 10 with the chain hook 2 and is splitting the bamboo 10 with the blade 5. Then, when a time t elapses after the determination means 16 receives the signal from the sensor 13, the determination means 16 notifies the control device 15 that it is the timing to temporarily stop the advancement of the chain hook 2. When the control device 15 receives the notification from the determination means 16, it controls to stop the sprocket drive unit 3 for 1 second, and the chain hook 2 stops for 1 second.

[0057] When the chain hook 2 temporarily stops, the chain hook 2 moves away from the rear end of the bamboo 10 and can no longer press the bamboo 10. At this time, since the split bamboo 10b is being drawn in and moved by the draw-in roller 7, the bamboo 10 continues to pass through the blade 5 and is split. After the chain hook 2 stops for 1 second, the control device 15 drives the sprocket drive unit 3 again to resume the advancement of the chain hook 2. When the advancement of the chain hook 2 resumes, the already split bamboo 10b has moved forward by the draw-in roller 7. Therefore, the chain hook 2 does not press the bamboo 10 again, and the chain hook 2 continues to advance as it is and finally moves downward along the front sprocket 22. If for some reason the split bamboo 10b is delayed in being drawn in by the draw-in roller 7, the chain hook 2 can also press the bamboo 10 against the blade 5 by pressing the rear end of the bamboo 10 again. In this way, when the diameter of the bamboo 10 is large, the bamboo splitting machine 1a of the second embodiment can eliminate the state where the rear end of the bamboo 10 is pressed by the chain hook 2, which occurs when the split bamboo 10b is drawn in in two or three layers by the draw-in roller 7, by temporarily stopping the chain hook 2.

Industrial Applicability

[0058] The present invention can be used, for example, as a bamboo splitting machine for splitting bamboo in order to use the bamboo as fuel chips.

Description of Symbols

[0059] 1, 1a Bamboo Cutter 2 Chain Hook 20 Roller Chain 21 Link Plate 22 Sprocket 23 Attachment 24 Contact Portion 25 Bottom 26 Protrusion 27 Main Body 27a Wall 27b Top 28a Pin 28b Roller 29 Notch 3 Sprocket Drive Unit 30 Inlet Roller Drive Unit 31 Chain 32 Sprocket 33 Sprocket 34 Sprocket 4 Bamboo Input Portion 41 Groove 42 Inclined Wall 44 Bearing 46 Hole 5 Cutting Tool 51 Blade 52 Outer Peripheral Wall 53 Frame 6 Guide Portion 61 Inlet Opening 62 Outlet Opening 63 Upper Guide Plate 64 Lower Guide Plate 65 Side Guide Plate 66 Lower Plate 7 Inlet Roller 70 Roller Body 71 Protrusion 72 Set Screw with Tapered Tip and Hexagonal Socket 73 Screw Hole 74 Nut 75 Support Pillar 76 Elastic Member 77 Cover 8 Temporary placement part 81 Side wall 82 Bottom surface 9 Roller 91 Arm 92 Elastic means 93 Shaft 94 Convex part 10 Bamboo 10a Node 10b Split bamboo 11 Stand 12 Operation panel 12a Setting part 13 Sensor 13a Light projector 13b Light receiver 14 Wheel 15 Control device 16 Judgment part G Central axis

Claims

1. A chain hook provided on a roller chain spanned across a plurality of sprockets and moving by the rotation of the sprockets, a sprocket drive unit that rotates the sprockets, a bamboo input unit having a pair of inclined walls extending obliquely upward so as to expand from the vicinity of both sides of the tensioning section of the roller chain, a blade disposed in front of the chain hook in the direction in which the chain hook advances (hereinafter referred to as the "advancing direction") when the portion of the roller chain where the chain hook is provided forms the tensioning section, a guide portion disposed in front of the blade in the advancing direction, two drawing rollers disposed at intervals so that the split bamboo divided by the blade and passing through the guide portion is inserted therebetween, a drawing roller drive unit that rotates the drawing rollers so that the split bamboo inserted between the two drawing rollers is drawn out from the guide portion, comprising the guide portion has an entrance opening that serves as an entrance for the split bamboo divided by the blade, an exit opening that serves as an exit for the split bamboo having a smaller dimension in the height direction than the entrance opening, and a guide surface that guides the split bamboo entering from the entrance opening to the exit opening, the blade has a plurality of blades arranged radially, characterized in that it is a bamboo splitting machine.

2. The chain hook has a contact portion that contacts the rear end of the bamboo, the contact portion has a curved shape with a concave center in the vertical direction, characterized in that it is the bamboo splitting machine according to claim 1.

3. Before pressing the bamboo against the blade, it further comprises two rollers for positioning the bamboo in the left-right direction with respect to the advancing direction with respect to the blade, the two rollers are arranged obliquely symmetrically with respect to the roller chain at the front end of the bamboo input unit such that the central axes of the two rollers intersect below the bamboo, characterized in that it is the bamboo splitting machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. It comprises setting means for setting the sprocket drive unit and the drawing roller drive unit such that the speed at which the split bamboo is drawn in by the drawing rollers is faster than the speed at which the bamboo is moved by the chain hook, when the front end of the split bamboo starts to be drawn in by the drawing rollers, the rear end of the bamboo is in a state of being pushed by the chain hook, characterized in that it is the bamboo splitting machine according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A sensor for detecting the diameter of the bamboo, a control device, and a determination means for determining whether the split bamboo is being drawn in by the drawing roller and the rear end of the bamboo is being pushed by the chain hook. When the sensor detects that the diameter of the bamboo is larger than a predetermined value, the control device controls the chain hook to temporarily stop. The bamboo splitting machine according to claim 4.

Images