Flexible Chipper Chute with Pivotable Deflector for Dual Trajectories

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chipping machines face challenges in adapting to different chip discharge trajectories, requiring costly and labor-intensive mechanical modifications, and existing chutes lack flexibility to handle varying trajectories and durability for withstanding impacts from large and heavy debris.

Innovation Solution

A flexible chip discharge chute with a main section and pivotable deflector section, allowing adjustment between horizontal and vertically downward trajectories, utilizing a combination of rigid and flexible components to facilitate quick changes in discharge path without the need for extensive modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a chipping machine is adapted to different chip discharge trajectories by replacing discharge chute sections, then the discharge trajectory can be changed, but the adaptation requires costly and time-consuming mechanical modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge trajectory adaptabilityVSAvoidadaptation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge chute is designed with a movable deflector section that can be rotated between horizontal and downward positions, allowing dynamic adjustment of chip discharge trajectory without mechanical modifications to the chipping machine

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge chute is divided into a main section and a separate deflector section, allowing the deflector to be independently positioned to change discharge trajectory while maintaining the integrity of the main chute structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a chipping machine is adapted to different chip discharge trajectories by replacing discharge chute sections, then the discharge trajectory can be changed, but the adaptation costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge trajectory adaptabilityVSAvoidadaptation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge chute uses a rotatable deflector section that can be positioned in different orientations, providing multiple discharge trajectories without requiring costly mechanical modifications or replacement of chute sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The deflector section serves multiple functions by being rotatable between horizontal and downward positions, allowing a single chute design to handle different discharge requirements without additional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If the discharge chute is made of significant size and weight to withstand impact, then durability is improved, but the time and cost to adapt the machine increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechute durabilityVSAvoidadaptation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge chute is segmented into a main section that remains fixed and provides structural strength, and a separate deflector section that is lighter and can be rotated, reducing the overall complexity of adaptation while maintaining durability where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deflector section is designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to be lighter in weight while still providing sufficient strength for its specific function of directing chips, thereby reducing adaptation complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8528845B2Flexible chipper chute having two chip discharge configurations

Publication Date: 2013.09.10 TEREX USA LLC

AI summary

A chip discharge chute having a flexible chute main section having an upstream end connectable from a chipping machine output, a main section elevation mechanism connected to the downstream end of the chute main section for controlling a height of the downstream end of the flexible main section with respect to a chip receiving area, and a chute deflector section pivotably connected to the downstream end of the flexible main section for receiving chips from the downstream end of the chute main section and a downstream end with a downwardly directed ejection opening for discharging chips into the chip receiving area. The chute deflector section is rotated out of alignment with the chute main section so that the chip discharge path includes only the chute main section when the chips are to be discharged along the horizontal trajectory and is rotated into alignment with the chute main section so that the chip discharge path includes both the chute main section and the chute deflector section when the chips are to be discharged along the generally vertically downward trajectory.