Delimb Arm Cam Stop for Variable Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional timber-working heads with coordinated delimb arms struggle to accommodate trees with sweep or other contour irregularities, as they are designed for axially linear trees, leading to inefficiencies in delimbing and processing.
Innovation Solution
The timber-working head features independently pivotable delimb arms with cam stops that allow for variable closure points, preventing the delimb arms from hitting a length-measurement wheel and enabling them to accommodate irregular tree contours by allowing independent movement and adjusting their closure extent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a timing link interconnects the delimb arms to ensure coordinated movement, then the delimb arms open and close together facilitating log pickup, but the delimb arms cannot move independently to accommodate trees with sweep or contour irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The delimb arms are segmented into independent units that can pivot independently relative to each other. Each delimb arm is connected to the frame but not rigidly interconnected, allowing each arm to adapt to the tree contour independently while still functioning as part of the overall delimbing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The delimb arm system transitions from a static coordinated mechanism to a dynamic independent system. The arms can now adjust their relative positions dynamically based on the tree's contour, enabling adaptation to sweep and irregularities while maintaining the ability to close together when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the delimb arms are allowed to move independently to accommodate contour irregularities, then adaptability to ill-formed trees improves, but the risk of delimb arms hitting the length-measurement wheel increases
Solution Approach 1:
Cam stops are positioned to preemptively prevent the delimb arms from pivoting too far and hitting the length-measurement wheel. The cam stops create a mechanical constraint that stops the arm's movement before contact with the wheel can occur, eliminating the harmful effect before it can manifest.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam stop acts as an intermediary element between the delimb arm and the length-measurement wheel. Instead of allowing direct contact that would cause damage, the cam stop mediates the interaction by providing a controlled stopping point that protects the wheel while still permitting the arm's independent movement for adaptability.
3Reliability
If cam stops are used to prevent delimb arms from hitting the length-measurement wheel, then protection of the wheel is achieved, but the closure extent of the delimb arms must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The cam stop mechanism is designed to self-regulate the delimb arm closure. As the arm pivots, the cam stop naturally engages at the appropriate point to prevent over-closure, eliminating the need for complex external control systems. The geometry of the cam stop itself provides the precision positioning through its mechanical interaction with the arm.
Data Source
AI summary
A timber-working head comprises a frame, first and second delimb arms pivotally coupled to the frame, and a single delimb cylinder operatively coupled to both the first delimb arm and the second delimb arm to pivot the first and second delimb arms relative to the frame to open and close them. The first and second delimb arms are otherwise operatively unconnected from one another allowing pivotal movement of each of the first and second delimb arms without corresponding pivotal movement of the other of the first and second delimb arms. The second delimb arm comprises a cam stop defining a variable closure point for the first delimb arm, and the first delimb arm is configured to pivot into closed engagement with the cam stop.