Helical Rotary Actuator Stump Grinder Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stump grinders face reliability issues due to misalignment of critical components caused by the welding process, leading to cylinder failures and stress on the machine frame, and the push-pull hydraulic cylinder design is prone to instability and corrosion, limiting the swing path and affecting weight distribution.
Innovation Solution
A stump grinder equipped with a helical rotary actuator that allows the cutting wheel to move along an arcuate path, providing a wider swing range and improved weight distribution, while reducing the number of critical tolerances and parts required, and protecting the actuator from debris and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If push-pull hydraulic actuators are used to move the boom from side to side, then the boom can be positioned, but the swing path is limited due to geometric constraints and the design is prone to misalignment and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the push-pull hydraulic actuator system with an electric motor and drive mechanism. This substitution eliminates the geometric constraints and misalignment issues inherent in hydraulic push-pull designs, providing more reliable and stable boom positioning while maintaining the required swing path capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the push-pull hydraulic actuators from the system entirely. By extracting this problematic component, the design eliminates the sources of misalignment, geometric constraints, and instability associated with hydraulic cylinder designs, while achieving boom positioning through alternative means.
2Area of stationary object
If the length of the boom is increased to achieve a larger cutting width, then the cutting width increases, but the weight distribution of the stump grinding machine is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mounting dimension of the actuator from a lateral push-pull configuration to a vertical mounting arrangement. This dimensional change allows the cutting wheel to achieve a larger horizontal swing path and cutting width without requiring an excessively long boom, thereby maintaining better weight distribution on the machine.
3Ease of operation
If conventional push-pull hydraulic cylinder design is used, then the boom can be moved from side to side, but the design exposes components to road debris, flying debris, and ground hazards while in tow and work transit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the exposed hydraulic push-pull cylinder system with an electric motor and drive mechanism mounted in a protected position. This substitution allows the drive components to be housed within the machine body or in a more protected location, shielding them from road debris, flying debris, and ground hazards while maintaining boom swing capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If the frame is welded to the vehicle, then the frame can be assembled, but the heating and cooling from the welding process contorts the frame and misaligns critical points such as boom and actuator pin locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welded frame-to-vehicle connection with a bolted or mechanically mounted actuator system. This substitution eliminates the welding process entirely, avoiding the thermal distortion and misalignment of critical points such as boom and actuator pin locations, while still achieving secure assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A stump grinder may include a machine body and a helical rotary actuator mounted to the machine body, wherein the helical rotary actuator includes a central axis. A support may be mounted to the helical rotary actuator, and an arm may be mounted to the support. A cutting wheel may be rotatably mounted to the arm, and a motor may be operable for driving the cutting wheel. The helical rotary actuator may be configured for moving the cutting wheel along an arcuate path about the central axis.