Hydraulic Rod Puller with Curved Jaws for Timber Mat Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Removing metal rods from assembled timber mats is difficult, especially after repeated compressive loading, as each plank must be individually slid along and removed from the rod, and the rods become embedded in the wood, requiring significant manual effort and tools.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical rod puller apparatus with a hydraulic system, levers, and curved jaws that can transition between open and closed positions, allowing for automated extraction of metal rods from multiple planks with minimal manual force, using a support table for three degrees of freedom movement and a jaw ring mechanism to embed and retract the jaws into the wood.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual removal methods are used to extract metal rods from timber mats, then the process requires significant physical effort and time, but the equipment complexity remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic cylinder to generate the force necessary for extracting metal rods from compressed timber mats. The hydraulic system provides sufficient extracting force to overcome the friction and compression forces that embed the rods in the wood, enabling automated rod removal without requiring excessive manual physical effort
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus utilizes a movable jaw assembly that can dynamically adjust its position and gripping force during the extraction process. The jaws are mounted on a movable assembly that allows them to engage the rod and apply extracting force, then retract to release the rod after extraction, providing adaptive motion throughout the operation cycle
2Strength
If repeated compressive loading is applied to timber mats, then the mats become more supportive and secure, but the metal rods become embedded and difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cylinder generates sufficient force to overcome the embedding effect caused by repeated compressive loading. The hydraulic system can apply extracting force that exceeds the friction and compression forces that bind the rods to the compressed wood, enabling rod removal even after the mats have been heavily loaded and the rods have become firmly embedded
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus changes the extraction parameters by applying sufficient hydraulic force to overcome the increased friction and compression forces. The hydraulic system adjusts the extracting force magnitude to match the increased resistance from compressed wood, allowing rod removal despite the mats having undergone repeated compressive loading
3Loss of time
If traditional manual rod removal methods are used, then the equipment complexity remains low, but the time required for rod extraction increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cylinder provides rapid and powerful rod extraction, significantly reducing the time required compared to manual methods. The hydraulic system can quickly generate the necessary extracting force and maintain it throughout the extraction process, enabling fast rod removal even from heavily compressed mats
Solution Approach 2:
The movable jaw assembly provides dynamic motion that accelerates the extraction process. The jaws can rapidly engage the rod, apply extracting force through the hydraulic system, and quickly retract to release the extracted rod, creating an efficient cyclic operation that minimizes total extraction time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick, automated, and efficient extraction of metal rods from timber mats with reduced physical effort, allowing for repeatable use and easy repositioning for multiple rod removals, improving the process over traditional manual methods.
Implementation Method 1
a spring is within the machine body, the spring configured to be compressed by the rod
Implementation Method 2
an attachment at the rear end of the machine body configured to attach a hydraulic cylinder to the machine body
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system and method are described for removing rods from wood mats, the apparatus configured to assume an open position and a closed position. The apparatus has machine body, an attachment at the rear end of the machine body configured to attach a hydraulic cylinder, a rod that is slidably positioned within the machine body a spring within the machine body, the spring compressable by the rod, levers rotatably attached to the body, each lever having an extension arranged to penetrate a hole on the machine body and to fit within a rod depression on the rod therethrough, jaws protruding from the machine body, each jaw having a curved shape and a pointed end, each jaw rotatably movable; and a jaw ring positioned within the machine body contacts the jaws, wherein the apparatus assumes the closed position to bring the pointed ends of the jaws together radially.