Log Feeding Device Link Damping for Shock Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Feeding devices in barking machines experience high dynamical loads and vibrations when logs enter and leave, causing strain on shock absorbers and support structures due to inadequate damping, leading to wear and fatigue.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a separate movement damping element within the link system of the feeding device, operatively connected between the carrier and links, which brakes the return movement of the supporting arms, reducing the transfer of shocks and vibrations to the support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the feed cylinders are pressed strongly against the logs to prevent slipping, then the feeding reliability is improved, but the dynamical loads and shocks on the support structure increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeding reliabilityVSAvoidsupport structure strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The damping function is segmented from the support structure and integrated into the link system. The movement damping element is operatively connected between the carrier and links, creating a separate damping subsystem that isolates the support from shocks while maintaining feed cylinder pressure on the log.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movement damping element acts as an intermediary between the link system and the support structure. It absorbs and dampens shocks and vibrations generated during feeding operations, preventing these forces from being transferred to the support structure while allowing the feed cylinders to maintain strong contact with the logs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the feed cylinders are made to follow irregularities in log surface, then the adaptability is improved, but the control precision over feed cylinder movement decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to log surface irregularitiesVSAvoidfeed cylinder position control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The link system is designed to be dynamically responsive, allowing the supporting arms and feed cylinders to pivot and adjust their positions in real-time as logs enter and leave the feeding device. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt to varying log dimensions and surface irregularities while maintaining controlled movement through the damping element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the shock absorber holders are made more robust to handle high dynamical loads, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock absorber reliabilityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping function is extracted from the support structure and relocated to the link system. By integrating the movement damping element between the carrier and links, the support structure is relieved of shock absorption duties, allowing for simpler, less robust support holders while maintaining reliable shock damping through the link-integrated element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The solution effectively reduces wear and fatigue by damping the return movement of the feed cylinders, ensuring a secure and stable contact with the log while minimizing the impact of shocks and vibrations on the support structure.

Implementation Method 1

a movement damping element, that is separate from the support, is integrated in the link system and independently from the support configured to brake the return movement of the supporting arms from a pivoted position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2960026B1Feeding device for axial feed of log
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 USNR AB
  • EP2960026B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2960026B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A feeding device comprising a support (8) having feed cylinders (2,3,4) arranged in a free end of a respective supporting arm (5,6,7) and driven in rotation, wherein the supporting arms in a supported end are journalled in the support on shafts (9,10,11) extending in parallel with each other and pivotable about the shafts between a home position and a pivoted work position, and wherein the supporting arms are mutually connected to each other via a system of articulated links (13,16,19) and by means of the links forced to pivot jointly about their respective shafts, and a movement damping element (20,20',200), which is separate from the support, is integrated in the system of links and independently from the support configured to brake the return movement of the supporting arms from the pivoted position.