Log Sorting Ejector Drive With Direct Torque Motor Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for sorting trunks (logs) suffer from inaccurate drops due to the inherent limitations of conventional rotary drives, leading to scattering and instability in the conveyor chain, which results in limited work speed and performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a torquer motor with a direct connection between the rotor and axis, eliminating play and ensuring torsional zero tolerance, combined with a tap bearing storage system, allows for precise control of the emissions and accurate trunk sorting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional rotary drive with motor, gearbox and clutch is used, then the ejectors can be driven to rotate, but play in the drive train causes inaccurate ejection timing and log discharge precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection timing precisionVSAvoiddrive train complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical drive train (motor, gearbox, clutch) with a direct-drive system where the motor shaft is directly coupled to the ejector mechanism. This eliminates intermediate transmission components that introduce play and timing errors, achieving precise ejection control through direct mechanical coupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the gearbox and clutch from the drive train, extracting only the essential motor-to-ejector connection. This simplification eliminates the sources of mechanical play while retaining the core functionality of driving the ejectors, thereby improving ejection precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional rotary drive with multiple components is used, then the ejectors can be actuated, but the interaction of components results in unavoidable play and inaccurate log discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelog discharge accuracyVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the multi-component mechanical transmission system with a direct-drive configuration, eliminating the cumulative effects of component interactions that generate play. This direct coupling ensures reliable and accurate log discharge by removing the instability introduced by multiple mechanical interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the conveyor chain runs laterally unstable, then logs can accidentally fall from the conveyor, but this limits working speed and performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking speedVSAvoidconveyor chain stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary stabilization measures by ensuring precise ejection timing and positioning before logs are discharged. This prevents lateral instability and accidental log drops during operation, allowing the conveyor to maintain higher speeds without compromising safety or stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution achieves significantly improved accuracy and higher sorting speeds, ensuring precise trunk placement in log magazines, which enhances system availability and simplifies subsequent handling processes.

Implementation Method 1

The rotary drive is a torque motor whose rotor is directly rigidly connected to the axle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the motor-side bearing of the rotor and thus of the axle is preferably carried out via a journal bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4103496B1Device for sorting trunks
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 HAUPL FRIEDRICH
  • EP4103496B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4103496B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4103496B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for sorting trunks (1), in particular logs, comprising a conveyor device (3), which has carriers (2), and ejectors (4), which are arranged along the conveyor device (3), for a controlled discharge from the conveyor device (3) into log magazines (5) according to signals from a superordinate controller (6), a common rotary drive (9) belonging to each set of at least two ejector pairs (8), which are drivingly connected together by means of an axle (7). The invention is characterized in that the rotary drive (9) is a torque motor, the rotor (10) of which is rigidly connected directly to the axle (7) and the stator (11) of which is rotationally fixed relative to the conveyor device (3).