Auxiliary Beam Grapple for Faster Energy Wood Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy wood harvesting with an excavator grapple is inefficient due to the need for frequent back-and-forth movement of the boom assembly to load and transport grapple bunches, especially in thinning sites, affecting fuel economy and operation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary beam with an integrated, independently operable grapple and a support leg that functions as a fixed jaw, allowing for material handling during harvesting, reducing the need for back-and-forth movement by enabling simultaneous collection and transfer of grapple bunches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the energy wood grapple is used to handle multiple trees at a time and form grapple bunches, then material handling capacity is improved, but the need for frequent back-and-forth movement of the boom assembly increases, affecting fuel economy and operation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent grappling systems: the original energy wood grapple for harvesting and the auxiliary beam grapple for material handling. This segmentation allows each grapple to perform specialized functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for the boom assembly to move back and forth for loading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary beam with its own grapple acts as an intermediary between the energy wood grapple and the loader. It receives grapple bunches directly from the harvesting operation and transfers them to the loader, eliminating the need for the boom assembly to perform both harvesting and loading functions.
2Ease of operation
If the boom assembly moves back and forth to move bunches to the load body, then loading operation is completed, but fuel economy deteriorates and operation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The loading function is separated from the boom assembly and assigned to the auxiliary beam grapple. This segmentation allows the boom assembly to remain relatively stationary while the auxiliary beam handles the loading operations, reducing fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary beam grapple performs the loading operation independently without requiring the boom assembly to move back and forth. The auxiliary beam system serves itself by having its own actuation system for opening and closing the grapple, eliminating the need for coordinated boom movements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support leg is used to receive the weight of the boom assembly during ground contact, then stability is improved, but the support leg cannot be used for material handling
Solution Approach 1:
The support leg is segmented into two functional parts: the fixed portion that provides structural support and weight reception, and the movable jaw portion that enables material handling. This segmentation allows the support leg to perform both stabilization and grappling functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The support leg is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the boom assembly, enables the excavator to cross ditches and difficult terrain, and simultaneously functions as a fixed jaw for material handling with the movable jaw. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate support and grappling systems.
4Productivity
If the auxiliary beam is equipped with a grapple for material handling, then loading efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary beam is designed as a multi-functional device that combines extension beam functionality, support leg functionality, and grapple functionality. By integrating these functions into a single structure, the overall system complexity is reduced compared to having separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary beam merges the support leg and grapple into a single integrated structure. The support leg becomes the fixed jaw of the grapple, and the moving jaw is pivotally arranged in the auxiliary beam. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system while maintaining all required functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an auxiliary beam (10) for an energy wood grapple (200). The auxiliary beam includes an elongated frame (11) equipped with a first fastening arrangement (12) for arranging the auxiliary beam at the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of an excavator (100), the position of which can be changed with an arm assembly (103) fitted at the end of the boom assembly. A second fastening arrangement (13) is fitted to the frame of the auxiliary beam, at one of its ends (11.1), for arranging an energy wood grapple in the auxiliary beam. A support leg (34) is fitted to the auxiliary beam frame, in connection with the one of its ends (11.2), arranged to receive the weight of the boom assembly and the excavator during the ground contact of the auxiliary beam. The support leg is arranged on the opposite side of the frame relative to the first fastening arrangement. The auxiliary beam has a first jaw (14) that is functionally pivoted in connection with the said support leg and rotatably movable with an actuator (17) arranged in the auxiliary beam. Together with the support leg, it is arranged to form, in the transverse direction relative to the elongated frame of the auxiliary beam, an openably closable grapple (16) for material handling to be performed with the auxiliary beam for handling elongated energy wood (300) with the grapple parallel to the frame. The invention also relates to a method and system for harvesting energy wood.