Method and apparatus for separating a lumber package into a main product and a by-product

Abstract

In a method for separating a lumber package obtained from a tree trunk into a main product and a by-product using a separating conveyor, the lumber package is transported longitudinally via a conveying device below the separating conveyor. While the main product consisting of one or more pieces is supported by the conveying device, one or more by-product plates are separated using gravity and / or external forces transverse to the longitudinal direction by briefly opening the lateral holding elements to allow them to fall. To enable processing of tree trunks over as large a diameter as possible, the by-product plates located on opposite sides of the lumber package are separated in two successive separating stages by opening the lateral holding elements of the separating conveyor on one side, respectively, of the falling side, in the successive separating stages.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for separating a sawn timber package obtained from a tree trunk into a main product and a by-product using a separating conveyor. In this method, the sawn timber package is transported longitudinally via a lower transport device, and while the main product, which consists of one or more pieces, is supported by the transport device, the by-product plates are separated transversely to the longitudinal direction by utilizing the action of gravity.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding separating conveyor, which has a lower transport device, controllable lateral holding elements, and a control device configured to open each of the lateral holding elements to drop one or more by-product plates.

Background Art

[0003] At a sawmill, each tree trunk is cut along its longitudinal direction using a sawing machine, particularly a gang saw. Since the dimensions of each tree trunk are different, each tree trunk is measured to determine an optimal cut for the trunk shape. During cutting, each board that can be used as a sawn timber package is produced. Here, the sawn timber package consists of a main product core composed of one or more pieces and a by-product composed of one or more by-product plates. The main product is arranged within the inner region of the sawn timber package, while the by-product is arranged on each side surface of the sawn timber package. Since the main product and the by-product are usually provided for different uses, they are separated after cutting and processed separately.

[0004] The separation of the main product and the by-product is carried out during longitudinal transportation by means of the force of a separation conveyor for the purpose of efficiency improvement. This type of separation conveyor is disclosed in DE202006012507U1. Therein, the main product is placed on the lower conveying device and is conveyed longitudinally by the conveying device, while the by-product is pressed against the main product by respective holding elements. Then, in order to separate the by-product from the main product, the respective holding elements open to both sides of the lumber package for a short time, causing the respective by-product plates on both sides to drop.

[0005] Each conveying roller is used as the conveying device. In order to be able to adapt the conveying device to main product packages having different strengths, it is necessary to make the width of the conveying device adjustable. For this purpose, the successive conveying rollers are formed so as to be laterally adjustable relative to each other, so that the respective conveying rollers can be arranged offset laterally relative to each other. The maximum adjustment width obtained thereby is three times the roller width, that is, the case where one roller is arranged on the left side and one roller is arranged on the right side relative to the central roller from the state where all the rollers are at the central position existing in the center. Thereby, an adjustment range between at least one roll width and at most three roll widths is obtained. This means that there are limitations to the maximum and minimum trunk diameters that can be processed by this type of device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to present a method and an apparatus for separating a sawn timber package obtained from a tree trunk, which is the main product and the by-products, into the main product and the by-products, since such a restriction does not exist in the adjustment area and it is possible to process the tree trunk in a larger diameter area.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The object is solved by the features of claim 1 for the method and by the features of claim 3 for the apparatus. Advantageous embodiments are obtained from the dependent claims.

[0009] In a method of the type described at the beginning, in the present invention, in each of the continuous separation steps of the by-product plates provided on the opposing side surfaces of the sawn timber package, one side of each of the holding elements on each side of the separation conveyor in each of the continuous separation steps is opened to separate them. By separating the fall of the by-product plates on one side and the other side of the sawn timber package in temporally continuous steps, there is no limit on the maximum or minimum width dimension of the main product package.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conveying device is adjusted laterally with respect to the conveying direction in order to adjust the falling end on one side in each of the continuous separation steps, and the holding elements on the falling end side are opened to drop the respective by-product plates.

[0011] Therefore, it is possible to correspond to the varying sawn timber dimensions and / or the varying positions of the by-products of the sawn timber package by laterally adjusting and moving the conveying device laterally with respect to the conveying direction.

[0012] Therefore, the separation conveyor according to the present invention has at least two continuous separation steps for separating the respective by-product plates on the opposing side surfaces of the sawn timber package on one side each. Further, a control device is provided which is formed so as to open each of the lateral holding elements on one side in each of the continuous separation steps.

[0013] Therefore, in order for the conveying device to form a falling end on one side in each of the two separation stages, the by-products on one side of the lumber package are caused to fall in the first separation stage, and the by-products on the other side of the lumber package are caused to fall in the second separation stage.

[0014] In the first separation stage, the lumber package including the main product is placed on the lower conveying device, while the by-products are held on both side surfaces of the lumber package by the respective side holding elements. Since the portion of the by-product to be dropped protrudes beyond the conveying device on one side in the first separation stage, after opening the respective holding elements on the side surface, the side end of the conveying device forms a falling end, while the other portion of the by-product on the opposite side of the lumber package is placed on the lower conveying device.

[0015] When it is intended to drop the by-products, the respective side holding elements on the side of the falling end are moved to the opening position. By opening only one side of each holding element, separation of each by-product plate that protruded beyond the falling end is carried out by gravity alone or in combination with an additionally acting force. The respective side holding elements on the other side of the lumber package remain unchanged, indicating a lateral boundary corresponding to the width of the remaining portion of the lumber package.

[0016] After dropping the by-product, the sawn timber package leaves the first separation stage and enters the second separation stage. In the second separation stage, the sawn timber package has only the main product and here the remaining by-product that protrudes beyond the drop end of the conveying device on the other side. If the second part of the by-product is to be separated from the main product, each of the lateral holding elements is opened on the drop side of the second separation stage. Thereby, due to the action of gravity and / or additionally acting forces, the second part of the by-product drops on one side along the drop end of the second separation stage. Surprisingly, the degree of freedom of the separation process can be significantly improved by the continuous one-sided dropping of the by-product. In contrast to the prior art, in the method described above, only the one-sided opening of each holding element corresponding to the relative position of the sawn timber package with respect to the individual drop ends is important. By keeping each holding element on the opposite side closed, there is no need to provide a second drop end. Thereby, the lower conveying device can have an arbitrary width, and the adjustment area corresponds to the full width of the conveying device. Thereby, it is possible to eliminate the lower limit of the adjustment area that is structurally necessary compared to the prior art, so that it is possible to reliably handle each sawn timber package having dimensions smaller than the full width of the conveying device in particular.

[0017] In particular, it is possible to provide that the conveying device is adjustable transversely to the conveying direction in both separation stages, the control device adjusts the conveying device so as to form a drop end on one side in each of the successive separation stages, and is formed to open each of the holding elements on the drop end side in order to drop the by-product plate. Therefore, adjusting the width to correspond to each sawn timber package having a different strength is implemented by simply adjusting the conveying device transversely with respect to each of the lateral holding elements.

[0018] To impart adjustability, the lower conveying device can be guided on each rail or each axis extending transversely to the conveying direction and can be adjusted along the rail or each axis. The adjustment operation can be carried out by each electromechanical or hydraulic actuator that can be controlled by a control unit.

[0019] To adjust the position of the dropping end as required, the control unit can acquire information regarding each dimension of the sawn timber package and the posture of the by-product within the sawn timber package. Each of the information is known from the aforementioned settings of the saw bench for each of the sawn timber packages that are usually continuous. Since it is possible to determine the adjustment path and the adjustment position for the lower conveying device according to each sawn timber package, it is possible to adjust the position of the lower conveying device to match each dimension and posture of the corresponding sawn timber package. The formation of the dropping end on one side and the lateral adjustment of the conveying device can be realized, in particular, by arranging the conveying device on one side on the side opposite to its own dropping end at each of the two separation sections. In the present invention, since the dropping of the by-product is carried out on one side at each of the separation sections, it is possible to utilize the opposite side of the conveying device to attach each bearing part and / or each driving element for the lower conveying device. Thereby, it is possible to form the device to be robust and have low maintainability.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the separation conveyor has knock-off devices respectively arranged on each side of the respective drop ends at the two separation stages. Each of the knock-off devices can apply an additional force to each of the by-product plates when the by-product plates do not separate from the main product by gravity on their own. Forming each of the knock-off devices can be particularly advantageous when the trunks of the trees are sawn at low temperatures and the surfaces of the main product and the by-product freeze to each other due to natural or process-required moisture. The application of force by the knock-off device can be implemented by the collision of the fixed element of the knock-off device with the by-product or by the operation of the knock-off device, which can be particularly directed in the direction along gravity.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, each of the holding elements is adjustable to open on both sides and on one side in the horizontal direction transverse to the conveying direction to correspond to different dimensions of the successive sawn timber packages. Thereby, it is possible to correspond to the width of the sawn timber package by adjusting the distance between the side surfaces of each of the holding elements, and it is possible to implement the dropping of the by-product plates on the corresponding side by opening one side. In any case, the lateral movement of each of the holding elements can be implemented by the same actuators.

[0022] Since the operation of each of the holding elements can be implemented particularly linearly, it is possible to use a simple linear drive device or a linear drive guide. Since the holding element can always be aligned parallel to the side of the sawn timber package to be held at its contact surface, the linear movement operation is advantageous compared to the rotational movement operation of the lateral holding elements. Thereby, particularly when the dimensions of the sawn timber package vary, it is possible to set the respective closed positions of the holding elements only by adjusting the force, so that the degree of freedom of the separation conveyor is improved. In addition, it is also conceivable to combine the linear operation and the rotational operation.

[0023] It is also possible to laterally adjust each of the holding elements on the side opposite the side where the lumber package drops in the transport direction to adjust the width of each lumber package that does not overlap or is selectively continuous with the lateral adjustment of the transport device corresponding to each dimension of the lumber package to the one-sided drop end formed by the transport direction. Therefore, as an alternative method or in addition to laterally adjusting the transport device, it is possible to laterally adjust each of the holding elements on the side opposite the side where the lumber package drops, which functions as the lateral boundary of the non-dropping part of the lumber package, with respect to the transport device.

[0024] In the closed position, each of the lateral holding elements guides the lumber package in the correct posture along the transport direction to the drop end, and plays a role of holding not only each of the main product plates but also each of the sub-product plates. Since the closed position can be held by adjusting the force, it is possible to improve the reliability of transportation.

[0025] Each of the lateral holding elements can be formed as a guide plate that can extend, for example, over a part or the entire length of the separation stage. However, in a preferred embodiment, a plurality of holding rollers are provided as each of the lateral holding elements, and each of the holding rollers can be adjusted laterally with respect to its own axis by a corresponding actuator. The sub-products are supported in a low-friction state by each of the rollers. It is possible to perform the moving operation of each of the holding rollers via the control device. The moving operation can also be performed by controlling the path or the force, thereby making the pressing conditions of the lumber package constant and ensuring the reliability of transportation and dropping.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the separating conveyor, a plurality of holding rollers of one separating stage are grouped together to form one group of holding rollers, and in this case, the respective holding rollers are mechanically coupled to each other so as to be adjustable only jointly. By adjusting the plurality of holding rollers jointly, the number of each actuator, each guide element, and each bearing element required is reduced. Here, the mechanical coupling of the respective holding rollers can be formed by a holding roller carrier that is movable on a linear guide via at least one pneumatic, hydraulic, or electromechanical positioning unit.

[0027] In particular, it is practical that each of the separating stages has two or more of the groups of holding rollers on each side surface. This enables the groups of holding rollers existing in the rear to hold and guide the sawn timber packages that are still ahead collectively, while the groups of holding rollers in the front can already be positioned for the subsequent sawn timber packages.

[0028] The separating conveyor according to the present invention has a lower conveying device, and the sawn timber package can be placed on the lower conveying device and conveyed along the conveying direction. Here, the conveying can be carried out via a complementary engagement locking drive body that enables the transmission of a frictional locking force from the conveying element to the sawn timber package and / or the unambiguous positioning of the sawn timber package on the lower conveying device.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the lower conveying device has one or more conveying rollers for moving the sawn timber package along the conveying direction. Here, it is practical that at least some, preferably all, of the respective conveying rollers are driven by a driving device for conveying the sawn timber package. Here, the driving of each of the individual conveying rollers can be carried out jointly, in group units, or separately. Thus, during conveyance, the main product is placed on one or more conveying rollers and moved in the conveying direction by the rotational movement of each of the conveying rollers. Here, each of the conveying rollers is substantially cylindrical and can form the dropping end for dropping by the rotating end. The driving can be carried out in a conventional manner, particularly using an electromechanical device having a frequency converter or a hydraulic motor, particularly an oil motor. Furthermore, a speed-changing device can be provided to achieve different conveying speeds.

[0030] The rollers are robust, less prone to failure, and do not get dirty easily. In particular, the flatly configured conveying rollers have the advantage that dirt does not easily accumulate on them. Furthermore, each of the rollers can have a coating that enables avoiding and / or precisely adjusting the slippage between the main product and each of the conveying rollers. It is possible to drive each of the conveying rollers at a speed slightly higher than the conveying speed, for example, to increase the gap between successive sawn timber packages.

[0031] In another preferred embodiment, in each of the respective separation stages, a plurality of the conveying rollers are grouped into one conveying roller group, where each of the conveying rollers in one conveying roller group is arranged on a common carrier element. This not only facilitates installation but also enables adjusting the conveying roller group laterally via a common actuator.

[0032] In particular, it is possible to group a plurality of such conveying rollers into one assembly by arranging them with respect to a common carrier element such as, for example, a cross beam or a shaped carrier or a carrier assembly. The carrier element is formed to be integral for all such groups of conveying rollers and may have mechanical interfaces for each shaft element on which each of the conveying rollers is mounted. Further, the carrier element may have interfaces for mounting electric drive devices for driving each of the conveying rollers. Further, the carrier element may have each guide rail and each positioning unit that is pneumatic, hydraulic or electromechanical, and it is possible to mechanically connect a plurality of such conveying rollers along their adjustment movements via each guide rail and each positioning unit to form the dropping end on one side. This makes it possible to reduce the number of required components. In particular, it is possible to group the conveying rollers in a way corresponding to the grouping of the lateral holding elements.

[0033] In another preferred embodiment of the separating conveyor, the separating conveyor has one or more vertically adjustable pressing rollers at the top, and each of the pressing rollers is formed to apply a pressing force to the sawn timber package during longitudinal conveyance. Thereby, it is possible to fix the main product during conveyance over the entire length of the separating conveyor and prevent tilting. This is particularly advantageous when the lateral holding elements are in the open position and the sawn timber package is no longer held on the corresponding side. Further, each of the main product plates may protrude from the top of the sawn timber package due to vibrations during conveyance. Here, each of the pressing rollers can be useful in enhancing the reliability of conveyance by pushing the protruding main product plates back in the direction of the lower conveying device.

[0034] Similar to each of the lateral holding elements, it is possible to group the plurality of pressing rollers of one separation stage into one pressing roller group. In this case, the pressing rollers can be mechanically connected to each other so that they can only be adjusted to their respective pressing positions jointly. The mechanical connection can be formed by a common carrier element that is moved along each linear guide by a positioning unit that is pneumatic, hydraulic, or electromechanical. This makes it possible to omit the number of each actuator, each guide element, and each bearing element. In addition to or as an alternative to the linear movement for adjusting each pressing roller, a rotational movement of each pressing roller is also conceivable. For example, in the latter case where the adjustability of each pressing roller is realized by a rotational movement, it is preferable that the pressing rollers are not connected to each other in groups but are actuated individually.

[0035] In another preferred embodiment of the separation conveyor, at least the lower conveying device and the lateral holding elements of both separation stages are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other. Due to the mirror-symmetrical structure of each separation stage, it is possible to at least partially follow the control principle of the first separation stage in the second separation stage, thus facilitating the structure, installation, and startup of the separation conveyor.

[0036] Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the description of the exemplary embodiments using the following drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0037]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0038] Figure 1 shows the first separation stage 1-1 of the separation conveyor 1 that conveys the lumber package 2 along the conveying direction 3. The lumber package 2 consists of each main product board 4 and each by-product board 5-1 and 5-2 arranged on the left and right of each main product board 4 with respect to the conveying direction 3. In Figure 1 shown, each by-product board 5-1 is separated from each main product board 4.

[0039] During conveyance, the main product boards 4 are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the lateral direction and are supported on the lower conveying device 7 along the continuous support width 6-1. The conveying device includes a plurality of conveying rollers 7-1 arranged to be continuous in the front-rear direction along the conveying direction.

[0040] Each of the conveying rollers 7-1 has a rotation axis 8-1 and is connected to an electromechanical device 9-1 on one bearing side. Each of the conveying rollers 7-1 performs a rotational operation about its respective rotation axis 8-1 by each of the electromechanical devices. Thereby, the operation of the lumber package 2 along the conveying direction 3 is carried out.

[0041] During conveyance, the by-product boards 5-1 and 5-2 are not initially placed on the conveying rollers 7-1 and are pressed against the main product boards 4 by each of the lateral holding elements 10 in the form of holding rollers 10-1 and 11-1. Thereby, a frictional force is generated, and the by-product boards 5-1 and 5-2 can be conveyed in a freely floating manner by the frictional force.

[0042] Each of the holding rollers 10-1 and 11-1 can be linearly adjusted between a closed position and an open position. For this purpose, linear actuators 12-1 and 13-1 connected to the bearings of the holding rollers 10-1 and 11-1 are used. Although not visible here, additional holding rollers are arranged to be continuous in the front-rear direction behind the holding rollers 10-1 and 11-1 where the others are visible. As an alternative to or in addition to the illustrated linear actuators 12-1 and 13-1, the separating conveyor has positioning units, and the rotational movements of the holding rollers 10-1 and 11-1 can be carried out by the positioning units.

[0043] Each of the conveying rollers 7-1 is adjustable transversely to the conveying direction 3 along its rotation axis 8-1. The adjustment is carried out via a linear actuator 14-1, and the linear actuator is used to adjust the drop end 15-1 which is in close contact with the main product 4 almost flatly before the lumber package 2 enters.

[0044] When reaching the drop position of the first separation stage, the holding rollers 10-1 on the drop side are moved away from the lumber package 2 via the linear actuator 12-1, so that the frictional coupling between the by-product plates 5-1 and the main product plates 4 is eliminated. The by-product plates 5-1 that are freely floating due to gravity 16 are detached from the lumber package 2 and drop as shown. In addition, a knock-off device (see Fig. 5) can be provided in the area of the by-product plates 5-1 to be separated to detach the by-product plates from the main product. In addition, a sliding surface (not shown here) can be used to affect the detachment speed and direction of the by-product plates 5-1 as required.

[0045] Each pressing roller 17-1 is formed above the sawn timber package and is arranged in the front-rear direction with respect to the conveying direction. At the pressing position, each pressing roller applies a pressing force to each main product board 4, thereby preventing the individual main product boards from rising laterally unnecessarily from the conveying roller. Further, each pressing roller 17-1 serves to protect each main product board 4 from tilting during falling.

[0046] To be able to correspond to sawn timber packages of different heights, the pressing roller 17-1 is moved horizontally to the pressing position by the linear drive device 18-1. As an alternative or in addition, it is possible to provide a swivel mechanism to realize the operation of each pressing roller 17-1.

[0047] To reduce the number of required bearing components and drive components, the adjustment operations of the respective conveying rollers 7-1, the respective holding rollers 10-1 and 11-1, and the respective pressing rollers 17-1, which are arranged in the front-rear direction, are integrally coupled. This can be seen in Figure 2.

[0048] The first separation section 1-1 of the separation conveyor 1 illustrated in Figure 2 includes nine conveying rollers 7-1, and each of the conveying rollers is connected to its own electromechanics 9-1. Among the nine illustrated conveying rollers 9-1, three of them are grouped into one conveying roller group 19-1. Each of the conveying rollers in the conveying roller group 19-1 is formed on a common carrier element 20-1. The carrier element can be moved horizontally with respect to the conveying direction via the linear drive device 14-1, making it possible to adjust the falling end 15-1.

[0049] Furthermore, the first separation stage 1-1 includes nine holding rollers 11-1, and among these holding rollers, three of each of the holding rollers 11-1 are grouped into one holding roller group 21-1. Each of the holding rollers 11-1 in the holding roller group 21-1 is mechanically integrally coupled via a carrier 22-1, and since the carrier can be moved laterally via the linear drive device 13-1, each of the holding rollers 11-1 in the holding roller group 21-1 can only be adjusted jointly between its closed position and its open position.

[0050] Furthermore, the first separation stage 1-1 includes nine holding rollers 10-1, and among these holding rollers, three of each of the holding rollers are grouped into one holding roller group 23-1. Each of the holding rollers in the holding roller group 23-1, similar to the holding roller group 21-1, is mechanically integrally coupled via a carrier 24-1. Therefore, the lateral adjustment of each of the holding rollers 12-2 in each of the holding roller groups 23-1 can only be carried out together between the open position and the closed position.

[0051] Furthermore, the first separation stage 1-1 includes nine pressing rollers 17-1, and among these pressing rollers, three of each of the pressing rollers 17-1 are grouped into one pressing roller group 25-1. Each of the pressing rollers 17-1 in the pressing roller group 25-1 is mechanically integrally coupled via a carrier 26-1, and the carrier can be driven laterally via the linear drive device 18-1 to move each of the grouped pressing rollers 17-1 to the pressing position. Alternatively or in addition, it is possible to provide a swivel mechanism to realize the operation of each of the pressing roller groups 25-1.

[0052] After dropping each of the sub-product boards 5-1, the lumber package 2 leaves the first separation stage 1-1 and enters the second separation stage 1-2 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0053] The second separation stage 1-2 is formed symmetrically with respect to a mirror plane with respect to the first separation stage 1-1.

[0054] After the lumber package 2 drops each of the by-product boards 5-1, it includes only each of the main product boards 4 and each of the by-product boards 5-2 held in the first separation stage 1-1, and each of the by-product boards is separated from the main product as shown in FIG. 3 in the second separation stage 1-2.

[0055] When transporting the lumber package 2 along the transport direction 3 in the second separation stage 1-2, the main product 4 is placed along the support width 6-2 of the transport roller 7-2. The transport roller has a rotation shaft 8-2, and the transport roller 7-2 is driven via an electromechanical device 9-2 on one bearing side via the rotation shaft.

[0056] Each of the side holding elements of the second separation stage 1-2 includes the holding rollers 10-2 and 11-2. Each of the rollers is linearly adjustable between a closed position and an open position. For this purpose, linear drive devices 12-2 and 13-3 are used, and each of the linear drive devices is connected to the shafts on which the holding rollers 10-2 and 11-2 are loaded. Although not visible here, additional holding rollers 10-2 and 11-2 are arranged in the front-rear direction. As an alternative to or in addition to the illustrated linear drive devices 12-2 and 13-2, the separation conveyor has positioning units, and it is possible to perform the rotational movement of the holding rollers 10-2 and 11-2 using the positioning units.

[0057] Each of the transport rollers 7-2 is adjustable along the rotation shaft 8-2 in a direction transverse to the transport direction 3. The adjustment is performed via a linear drive device 14-2, and the drop end 15-2 that is substantially flat and in close contact with the main product 4 before the entry of the lumber package 2 is adjusted by the linear drive device. The drop end 15-2 exists on the side of the lumber package 2 that faces the drop end 15-1 of the first separation stage 1-1.

[0058] When reaching the dropping position of the second separation stage portion 1-2, each holding roller 10-2 on the dropping side is moved via the linear drive device 12-2 so as to separate from the lumber package 2, thereby eliminating the frictional coupling between each sub-product plate 5-2 and each main product plate 4. Each sub-product plate 5-2 that freely floats by gravity 16 detaches from the lumber package 2 and drops, similar to the operation mode of the first separation stage portion 1-1. In addition, a knock-off device (see FIG. 5) can be provided in the area of each sub-product plate 5-2 to be separated to separate each sub-product plate from the main product. In addition, a sliding surface (not shown here) can be used as needed to affect the detachment speed and direction of each sub-product plate 5-2.

[0059] Each pressing roller 17-2 is formed above the lumber package and is arranged in the front-rear direction, although not visible here. At the pressing position, each pressing roller applies a pressing force to each main product plate 4, thereby preventing each individual main product plate from rising laterally unnecessarily from the conveying roller. Further, each pressing roller 17-2 serves to keep each main product plate 4 from tilting during dropping.

[0060] To be able to accommodate lumber packages of different heights, each pressing roller 17-2 can be moved to the pressing position by a linear drive device 18-2. As an alternative or in addition, a swivel mechanism can be provided to realize the operation of each pressing roller 17-1.

[0061] To reduce the number of required bearing components and drive components, the adjustment operations of each conveying roller 7-2, each holding roller 10-2 and 11-2, and each pressing roller 17-2 are integrally coupled, respectively. This can be seen in FIG. 4.

[0062] In order to realize the synchronous operation of each of the conveying rollers 7-2, each of the holding rollers 10-2 and 11-2, and each of the pressing rollers 17-2, each of these rollers is integrally coupled as is the case with the first separating stage portion 1-1, as can be seen in FIG. 4.

[0063] The second separating stage portion 1-2 of the separating conveyor 1 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes nine conveying rollers 7-2, and each of these conveying rollers is connected to its own electromechanics 9-2. Each of the three of the nine illustrated conveying rollers 9-2 is grouped into one conveying roller group 19-2. Each of the conveying rollers of the conveying roller group 19-2 is formed on a common carrier element 20-2. The carrier element can be moved transversely to the conveying direction by a (not visible) linear drive 14-2, making it possible to adjust the drop end 15-2.

[0064] Furthermore, the second separating stage portion 1-2 includes nine holding rollers 11-2, and each of the three of these holding rollers is grouped into one holding roller group 21-2. Each of the holding rollers 11-2 of the holding roller group 21-2 is mechanically integrally coupled via a carrier 22-2, and since the carrier can be moved via the linear drive 13-2, each of the holding rollers 11-2 of the holding roller group 21-2 can only be adjusted together between its closed position and its open position.

[0065] Furthermore, the second separating stage portion 1-2 includes nine holding rollers 10-2, and each of the three of these holding rollers is grouped into one holding roller group 23-2. Each of the holding rollers of the holding roller group 23-2 is mechanically integrally coupled via a carrier 24-2, as is the case with the holding roller group 21-2, so that the adjustment of each of the holding rollers 12-2 of each of the holding roller groups 23-2 can only be carried out together between the open position and the closed position.

[0066] Furthermore, the second separation stage 1-2 is provided with nine pressing rollers 17-2, and among these pressing rollers, three of the pressing rollers 17-2 are grouped into one pressing roller group 25-2. Each of the pressing rollers 17-2 in the pressing roller group 25-2 is mechanically integrally coupled via a carrier 26-2, and the carrier can be driven laterally via the linear drive device 18-2 to move each of the grouped pressing rollers 17-2 to the pressing position. As an alternative or in addition, it is possible to provide a turning mechanism to realize the operation of each of the pressing roller groups 25-2.

[0067] After dropping the by-product 5-2, the lumber package 2 consisting only of the main product boards leaves the separation conveyor 1.

[0068] In FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the separation stage of the separation conveyor 1 is illustrated. Compared with each separation stage illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a mechanical knock-off device 27 is provided at the position of the pressing roller in the separation stage illustrated in FIG. 5. In addition, each component of the separation stage in FIG. 5 is the same as each component in each of the separation stages in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0069] In the separation stage shown in FIG. 5, the knock-off device 27 is arranged on the carrier, includes a knock-off arm 28, and the knock-off arm can be corresponded to the position of the by-product to be knocked off in a direction transverse to the conveying direction by using a first servo cylinder 29. Further, the knock-off device 27 includes a second servo cylinder 30, and the knock-off arm 30 can perform a knock-off operation by using the second servo cylinder. The knock-off device 27 is not limited to two servo cylinders 28, 29 and one knock-off arm 30 with respect to its respective components. Rather, the knock-off device 27 may have additional positioning units and knock-off arms (not shown) in order to improve the knock-off accuracy and the knock-off effect. Arranging the knock-off device at another appropriate position or arrangement within or on the separation stage also belongs to the scope of the present invention in order to improve the processing reliability when separating the by-product from the main product.

Claims

1. A method for separating a sawn timber package (2) obtained from a tree trunk into a main product and by-products (4, 5-1, 5-2) using a separating conveyor (1), wherein the sawn timber package (2) is conveyed in the longitudinal direction (3) via a conveying device (7) below the separating conveyor (1), and while the main product (4) consisting of one or more pieces is supported by the conveying device (7), the by-products (5-1, 5-2) are separated by the action of gravity and / or an external force in the lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal direction (3). In the method, in each of the successive separation stages (1-1, 1-2), the by-products (5-1, 5-2) on both sides of the sawn timber package (2) are separated by opening the lateral holding elements (10-1) on the side of the separating conveyor (1) in each of the successive separation stages (1-1, 1-2) one by one.

2. The conveying device (7-1) is adjusted laterally with respect to the conveying direction (3) in each of the successive separation stages (1-1, 1-2) to adjust the drop ends (15-1, 15-2) on one side respectively, and the method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the holding element (10-1) on the side of the drop ends (15-1, 15-2) is opened to drop the by-products (5-1, 5-2).

3. A separating conveyor for separating a sawn timber package (2) obtained from a tree trunk into a main product and by-products (4, 5-1, 5-2) during conveyance in its longitudinal direction (3), comprising a lower conveying device (7), a controllable lateral holding element (10), and a control device configured to open the lateral holding element (10) to drop one or more by-products (5-1, 5-2). In the separating conveyor (1), the separating conveyor (1) has at least two successive separation stages (1-1, 1-2) for separating the by-products (5-1, 5-2) present on both sides of the sawn timber package (2) on one side respectively, and the control device is configured to open the lateral holding elements (10) in the successive separation stages (1-1, 1-2) on one side respectively. **Claim 4**: The conveying device (7) in both of the separation sections (1-1, 1-2) is adjustable in a direction transverse to the conveying direction (3), and the control device adjusts the conveying device (7) to form a dropping end (15-1, 15-2) on one side in each of the successive separation sections (1-1, 1-2), and is configured to open each of the holding elements (10) on the side of the dropping end (15-1, 15-2) to drop the by-products (5-1, 5-2). The separating conveyor according to claim 3, characterized in that. **Claim 5** The separating conveyor according to claim 4, characterized in that the conveying device (7) is supported on one side on the opposite side of each dropping end (15-1, 15-2) in both of the separation sections (1-1, 1-2). **Claim 6** The separating conveyor according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that a knock-off device (27) for mechanically detaching the by-products (5-1, 5-2) is provided in one or both of the separation sections (1-1, 1-2). **Claim 7** The separating conveyor according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the holding element (10) is adjustable in a horizontal direction which is transverse to the conveying direction (3), with both sides for corresponding to different dimensions of successive lumber packages (2) and one side for opening. **Claim 8**: Each of the holding elements (10) is adjustable in a lateral direction which is transverse to the conveying direction (3) on the side opposite to the dropping end (15-1, 15-2) at the dropping end (15-1, 15-2) formed by the conveying direction (3) for arranging successive lumber packages (2). The separating conveyor according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that. **Claim 9**: Each of the holding elements (10) has a vertically arranged holding roller, and the holding roller is adjustable laterally in a direction transverse to its rotation axis. The separating conveyor according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that. **Claim 10** Since each of the plurality of the holding rollers is mechanically connected to one holding roller group (21-1, 21-2), the holding rollers can be adjusted only jointly, and each of the separating stage portions (1-1, 1-2) is provided with two or more holding roller groups on respective side surfaces, the separating conveyor according to claim 9.

11. The conveying device (7) includes one or more conveying rollers (7-1, 7-2), and the lumber package (2) is moved along the conveying direction (3) via each of the conveying rollers (7-1, 7-2), and at least a part of the conveying rollers (7-1, 7-2) is driven via a driving device for conveying the lumber package (2), the separating conveyor according to any one of claims 3 to 10.

12. In each of the separating stage portions (1-1, 1-2), a plurality of the conveying rollers (7-1, 7-2) are grouped into one conveying roller group (19-1, 19-2), and each of the conveying rollers (7-1, 7-2) of one conveying roller group (19-1, 19-2) is arranged on a common carrier element, the separating conveyor according to claim 11.

13. Having one or a plurality of vertically adjustable pressing rollers (17-1, 17-2) on the upper side, which are formed to apply a pressing force to the lumber package (2) during conveyance in the longitudinal direction (3), the separating conveyor according to any one of claims 3 to 11.

14. Each of the plurality of the pressing rollers (17-1, 17-2) is mechanically connected to each other into one pressing roller group, whereby the pressing rollers (17-1, 17-2) can be adjusted at least partially jointly, the separating conveyor according to claim 13.

15. In both of the separating stage portions (1-1, 1-2), at least the lower conveying device (7) and the respective side holding elements (10) are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other in a mirror image, the separating conveyor according to any one of claims 3 to 14.

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