Disc Chipper Knife Adjustment via Wedge Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disc chippers face challenges in achieving uniform chip length and precision adjustment due to manufacturing inaccuracies, leading to variations in knife clearance and chip quality, with existing methods affecting the reach of subsequent knives and resulting in filamentous material formation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a wedge element in the disc chipper allows for precise adjustment of the wear plate's tilt angle, maintaining the reach of subsequent knives unchanged while aligning knife edges into the same plane perpendicular to the disc shaft, using a structure with adjustable or fixed wear plates and wedge elements to minimize manufacturing inaccuracies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the position of the knife edge is adjusted by rotating the wear plate around its hinge, then the knife edge alignment precision is improved, but the reach of the subsequent knife changes, affecting chip length uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into two independent functions: wear plate rotation for knife edge alignment and adjustment strip position shifting for reach compensation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and chip length uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment strip acts as an intermediary element between the wear plate and the knife. By shifting the adjustment strip in the wedge-shaped recess, the reach of the subsequent knife is compensated without affecting the knife edge alignment achieved through wear plate rotation
2Manufacturing precision
If manufacturing tolerances are reduced to improve knife position consistency, then the knife clearance uniformity is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static structure relying on manufacturing precision to a dynamic adjustment mechanism. The wear plate can rotate and the adjustment strip can shift, allowing the system to adapt to manufacturing variations and maintain consistent knife clearance without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the wear plate position and adjustment strip location to compensate for manufacturing inaccuracies. By allowing these parameters to be adjusted, the system can achieve consistent knife clearance and uniform chip length despite variations in manufacturing tolerances
3Ease of manufacture
If the knife clearance is increased to accommodate manufacturing variations, then the ease of assembly is improved, but filamentous material formation increases, reducing chip quality
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism enables the chipper to self-correct for manufacturing variations. By allowing operators to adjust the wear plate and adjustment strip, the system can maintain optimal knife clearance and prevent filamentous material formation without requiring extremely precise manufacturing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures consistent chip length and improved chip quality by maintaining the reach of subsequent knives unchanged, reducing the influence of manufacturing inaccuracies and enhancing the precision of knife edge alignment, resulting in better chip quality and processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the position of the knife is altered by means of at least one wedge element which is situated in a segment essentially at the end adjacent the preceding chip opening
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is directed to a disc chipper comprising a knife disc (1) having a plurality of segments, each segment being separated from an adjacent by a chip opening extending segment approximately in the radial direction of the knife disc between the inner and outer peripheries of the knife disc. The disc chipper further comprises at least one knife (11, 18) for each segment, said knife (11, 18) being located in the segment in the vicinity of the chip opening preceding it in the rotational direction and extending a distance axially from said knife disc (1) and being supported between two opposing surfaces. The disc chipper further comprises at least one wedge element (13, 22, 23) for each segment, the wedge element (13, 22, 23) being adapted to adjust the position of at least one of the said opposing surfaces relative to the knife disc (1), for setting the axial reach of said knife (11, 18) to a desired value. Characteristically, the wedge element (13, 22, 23) is situated in the segment essentially at the end adjacent to the preceding chip opening.