Foldable Chain Conveyor for Mobile Sawmill Material Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile sawmills face inefficiencies in continuously operating sawing work due to the need to stop and manually remove cuttings, which is not economically or ecologically efficient.
Innovation Solution
A foldable clippings intake system with hydraulic folding arms and a chain conveyor, powered by the mobile sawmill's hydraulic motor, allows continuous sawing while removing cuttings, attached via quick-release fasteners for easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual removal of cut material is used, then the saw bed can be cleared, but sawing operations must be stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The chain conveyor is positioned and ready to receive cut material before the sawing operation completes. The folding arms are pre-configured to swing into position, so that as soon as the saw head returns to its starting position, the material is already in place for immediate conveyance, eliminating waiting time and enabling continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous sawing by implementing automated chain conveyor that operates simultaneously with sawing. The folding arms swing out to allow chain access, the chain continuously transports material during and between cuts, and the arms swing back to maintain compact configuration, ensuring the useful action of sawing never interrupts the useful action of material removal
2Productivity
If automated chain conveyor is added, then material removal efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folding arms serve multiple functions: they support the chain conveyor structure, provide the sweeping motion to present material to the chain, and can be folded compactly for transport. The chain conveyor simultaneously conveys material during sawing operations and between cuts. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The folding arms are designed to dynamically change position between a compact folded state for transport and a deployed state during operation. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt between transport mode and working mode, providing the necessary motion for material presentation without requiring permanent complex structural elements in both states
3Ease of operation
If folding arms are deployed horizontally, then material can be conveyed, but the structure occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The folding arms dynamically transition between a compact vertical folded position for transport and storage, and a horizontal deployed position during material conveyance operations. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to occupy minimal space when not in use while providing full conveyance capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The folding arms utilize vertical space when folded (stacking compactly in the vertical dimension) rather than occupying horizontal space. During operation, they swing into the horizontal plane to provide the necessary sweep for material presentation. This dimensional switching allows the same structure to serve different spatial requirements for different operational modes
Data Source
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AI summary
1. Device and method for the rapid removal of sawn material from a mobile sawmill. 2.1 Due to the sawn material removal from the saw bed necessary between individual cuts, a continuous and therefore significantly more efficient operation of the mobile sawmill could not be achieved. A device for removing the sawn material from the saw bed was to be created, the operation of which would enable the mobile sawmill to operate as continuously as possible at any location. 2.2 The sawn material intake was equipped with quick-release fasteners and couplings to allow the device to be connected to the mobile sawmill quickly and easily. It was designed to be foldable so that it could be unfolded onto the saw bed for transport by the mobile sawmill and thus be usable at any work location.A chain guide was integrated into the folding arms to quickly pull the cut material from the saw bed to the material intake after each cut. 2.3 The device and the method are used in mobile sawmills on both firm ground and rough terrain, such as forest floors, for forestry as well as for private sawing needs. 3.