Log Sorting Ejector Drive Using Torque Motors for Precise Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for sorting trunks, such as logs, suffer from inaccurate discharge due to play in the drive train of conventional rotary drives, leading to scattered and unordered deposition in log magazines, which limits operating speed and performance.
Innovation Solution
The use of a torque motor as the rotary drive, where the rotor is directly connected to the axle and the stator is fixed relative to the conveyor device, eliminates torsional play and allows for precise control of the ejectors, ensuring accurate and repeatable discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional rotary drive with motor, gearbox and coupling is used, then the system is mechanically simple and easy to manufacture, but play in the drive train causes inaccurate discharge of trunks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical drive system (motor, gearbox, coupling) with a torque motor that directly drives the ejector shaft. This substitution eliminates the mechanical play inherent in multi-component drive trains, achieving precise control of ejector timing and position without the complexity of traditional mechanical transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the intermediate components (gearbox, coupling) from the drive train, extracting only the essential function of rotating the ejector shaft. This simplification eliminates the play caused by multiple mechanical interfaces while maintaining the core rotational function needed for ejector operation.
2Productivity
If conventional rotary drive with play is used, then the device structure is simpler, but the discharge timing is scattered and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The torque motor provides direct electromagnetic coupling to the ejector shaft, eliminating mechanical play that causes timing scatter. This enables precise control of discharge timing at high speeds, allowing the system to increase productivity without sacrificing discharge precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If motor gearbox and coupling are used, then the system is easier to manufacture, but torsional play causes unordered deposition in log magazines
Solution Approach 1:
The torque motor eliminates torsional play by providing direct drive, ensuring accurate deposition of trunks in log magazines. While torque motors may be more specialized components, the elimination of multiple mechanical assemblies (gearbox, coupling, shafts) simplifies the overall system architecture and reduces cumulative manufacturing tolerances.
4Speed
If conventional drive train is used, then the system is more adaptable to standard components, but operating speed is limited due to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The direct-drive torque motor system eliminates the unstable chain run associated with conventional drive trains. By removing the gearbox and coupling, the system achieves greater reliability and stability, enabling higher operating speeds without the risk of unintentional trunk falling from the conveyor.
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 significantly improves discharge accuracy and plant availability, enabling higher sorting speeds and facilitating trouble-free operation of floor conveyors by ensuring precise and error-free deposition of trunks in log magazines.
Implementation Method 1
a torque motor, the rotor of which is directly rigidly connected to the axle and the stator of which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner
Data Source
AI summary
A device for sorting trunks, in particular logs, comprises a conveyor device, which has carriers, and ejectors, which are arranged along the conveyor device, for a controlled discharge from the conveyor device into log magazines according to signals from a superordinate controller. A common rotary drive is connected with each set of at least two ejector pairs, which are drivingly connected together by means of an axle. The rotary drive is a torque motor, the rotor of which is rigidly connected directly to the axle and the stator of which is rotationally fixed relative to the conveyor device.