Log Stacking System with Vibrating Chutes and Alignment Vanes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions fail to enable direct, automatic stacking of logs onto pallets, particularly from sources like rotary dryer drums, cutting and splitting machines, and conveyor belts, due to difficulties in axial alignment and efficient log takeover.
Innovation Solution
The device employs vibrating chutes with centrifugal forces, acceleration rollers, and a separation belt with alignment vanes and brushes to align and transport logs, followed by a positioning conveyor belt and stacking table for precise placement onto a pallet, which is then compressed and secured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual stacking of logs is used, then flexibility in handling different log sources is maintained, but productivity and time consumption are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the log handling process into distinct functional zones: a receiving area with vibrators for different log sources, a guiding chute system for alignment, and a stacking area. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific task while working together in an automated sequence, resolving the contradiction between productivity and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding chute acts as an intermediary element between the log source and the stacking area. It receives logs from various sources (rotary dryer, buffer, cutting machine, conveyor belt) and automatically aligns them axially before delivery, enabling automated handling of diverse log types without requiring complex source-specific mechanisms.
2Productivity
If direct automatic takeover of logs is implemented, then productivity is improved, but alignment precision and takeover reliability become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
Vibrators are installed in the receiving area to agitate logs and feed them into the guiding chute. The vibration mechanism helps logs self-align and move smoothly through the system, ensuring consistent axial alignment during automatic takeover from various sources without requiring precise mechanical positioning of each log.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding chute serves as a mediating structure that automatically aligns logs axially as they move from the receiving area to the stacking area. This intermediary component handles the alignment function centrally, allowing the system to maintain high precision without complex alignment mechanisms at each log source.
3Adaptability or versatility
If logs are handled from multiple sources (rotary dryer, buffer, cutting machine, conveyor belt), then versatility is improved, but the complexity of the takeover system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs universal components that can handle logs from multiple sources. The vibrators in the receiving area and the guiding chute system are designed to work with logs regardless of their source (rotary dryer drum, buffer with transport bottom, cutting and splitting machine, or conveyor belt), eliminating the need for source-specific handling mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
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 allows for efficient, automatic, and precise stacking of logs onto pallets, addressing the challenge of direct log takeover and enabling on-site processing and packing, significantly improving the efficiency over existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
vibrating chutes with centrifugal forces
Implementation Method 2
vibrating chutes
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mobile machine for log stacking into a pallet with sides, installed in the container frame, which is installed on the trailer vehicle and comprises the first field (A) or the reception and guiding part, the second field (B) with a pallet, the device for transversal transfer of logs (22) and the stacking table (24), and the third field (C) with the automatic device 30 for pallet packaging, whereby in the first field (A) logs are oriented and transported with the separation belt (5) towards the field (B), where unaligned and/or surplus logs fall back onto the return plate (8), which has integrated rollers (10), guides (11), which regulate the speed of returned logs and align them for reentering to the separation belt (5)