Foldable Protective Screen for Tree Felling Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual tree felling poses a high risk of accidents due to falling deadwood, which conventional protective measures like helmets are insufficient to prevent, as vibrations or wind can dislodge deadwood from trees, potentially causing serious injury or fatality.
Innovation Solution
A foldable protective screen device that encloses the tree trunk during felling, providing enhanced protection by creating a barrier against falling objects, which can be manually or mechanically deployed and includes features like gripping arms, support arms, and a protective screen cloth for stability and visibility, and can be integrated with a carrier vehicle for remote operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a helmet is worn by the worker, then some protection is provided, but it is not sufficient to protect against falling deadwood
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is divided into multiple components: the helmet protects the head, while the additional protective screen or cage structure protects the torso and upper body. This segmentation allows each component to address specific vulnerability areas, collectively providing comprehensive protection against falling deadwood that neither component could achieve alone.
2Reliability
If a catch net is used to intercept falling objects, then protection is provided, but the device requires transportable holding elements cast into concrete base
Solution Approach 1:
The protective screen is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a barrier against falling deadwood, provides structural support for the worker platform, and can be configured in different arrangements depending on the work environment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate anchoring structures like concrete bases, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining protection effectiveness.
3Reliability
If the protective screen completely encloses the trunk, then maximum protection is achieved, but the tree cannot fall through
Solution Approach 1:
The protective screen is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt during the felling process. The screen can be temporarily reconfigured or opened in the direction of intended tree fall, providing complete enclosure during the cutting phase and allowing controlled opening during the felling phase. This dynamic adaptability ensures both maximum protection during work and ease of operation during tree removal.
4Reliability
If the protective screen is made rigid for stability, then protection effectiveness is improved, but portability and ease of deployment are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protective screen is divided into multiple modular segments or panels that can be easily assembled and disassembled. Each segment maintains structural rigidity when connected to provide stable protection, but the segmented design allows the entire structure to be broken down into manageable pieces for transport and quick deployment. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between rigidity for stability and modularity for portability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device intended for use during work, and in particular during felling work, on a tree comprises a foldable protective screen (6) designed to at least partially surround a trunk (15) of the tree when unfolded. This protective screen (6) serves to effectively protect the worker standing underneath it during the work from falling objects, and in particular deadwood.