Forestry Feed Roller With Segmented Oblique Ribs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current feed rollers for forestry machines cause surface damage to tree stems, generate vibrations and noise, and are expensive to manufacture due to their complex structure and poor stem supporting capacity.

Innovation Solution

A feed roller with a round plate-type flange and radially oriented ribs at an oblique angle, featuring multiple gripping members with straight blade edges parallel to the axis, providing a firm and gentle grip, and manufactured as a single integral piece to reduce parts and welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If conventional ribbed feed rollers are used, then a firm grip of the stem is achieved, but the stem surface is damaged with deep handling marks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip forceVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ribs are segmented into multiple gripping members (3-10 per rib) spaced along the oblique edge. Each gripping member has a straight blade edge parallel to the axis, creating discrete contact points rather than continuous rib contact. This segmentation distributes the gripping force across multiple small contact areas, reducing surface damage while maintaining adequate grip force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping members are positioned at specific locations along the oblique rib edge, with blade edges oriented parallel to the axis. This creates localized high-grip zones at the blade edges while the spaces between gripping members allow the stem surface to rest, preventing continuous surface contact and damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If conventional steel ribbed rollers are used, then structural strength is achieved, but vibrations and noise are generated during fast processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller strengthVSAvoidvibration and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ribs are divided into multiple segmented gripping members rather than continuous structures. This segmentation disrupts the transmission path of vibrations and noise, reducing the angularity-induced vibrations and loud noise that occur with conventional continuous rib structures during fast-paced log processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate parts are used in the roller, then manufacturing flexibility is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to extensive welding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple gripping members that would traditionally be separate welded parts are merged into a single integral rib structure. The ribs with their gripping members are machined from a single one-piece steel plate, eliminating the need for extensive welding operations and reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If conventional ribbed rollers are used, then simple structure is maintained, but stem supporting capacity is poor for large stems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller structure simplicityVSAvoidstem support capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ribs are segmented into multiple gripping members spaced along the oblique edge, creating multiple contact points that can accommodate and support larger stem diameters. The spacing and arrangement of gripping members provide better distribution of support forces across the stem surface, improving support capacity for large stems without complicating the overall roller structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping members are arranged in a stepped circumferential pattern with oblique positioning, adding a dimensional aspect to the contact geometry. This oblique arrangement at approximately 25 degrees provides enhanced stem supporting capacity by creating a more distributed contact pattern that better accommodates varying stem sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3576912B1Feed roller

Publication Date: 2023.01.18 MENSE

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AI summary

The invention relates to a feed roller, comprising a round plate-type flange body (1), and radial ribs (2) fixed at an even spacing over its outer circumference with gripping members (3) for providing a firm grip of the surface of a tree stem being handled by the feed roller. According to the invention, the outer edge of the plate-type ribs (2) is disposed at an oblique angle (a) to the axis (4) of the feed roller, and the outer edge of each rib (2) comprises several gripping members having a straight blade edge (5), arranged such that the blade edges extend parallel to the axis (4) of the feed roller.