Rotative Lumber Charger With In-Transfer Angular Orientation Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lumber transfer systems lack the ability to control the angular orientation of lumber pieces during transfer, leading to inefficiencies and decreased productivity due to the need for extensive conveyor lengths and high vertical positioning of transitional carriers to prevent orientation changes during rotation.

Innovation Solution

A rotative lumber piece charger system with a driving shaft, transfer wheels, and an angular orientation control system that allows for the selective rotation of lumber pieces about a lumber rotation axis, enabling precise angular orientation control during transfer between carrier assemblies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If lumber pieces are transferred using conventional conveyor systems, then the lumber pieces can be moved between carrier assemblies, but the system requires substantial length along the conveying axis and cannot control angular orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular orientation controlVSAvoidconveyor length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the transfer function and angular orientation control function into a single integrated rotative charger system. The transfer wheels both convey the lumber pieces between carrier assemblies and simultaneously rotate them to achieve desired angular orientations, eliminating the need for separate conveyor sections for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic rotational capability to the transfer mechanism. The transfer wheels are designed to rotate about a vertical axis in addition to their primary rotation for conveying, allowing the angular orientation of lumber pieces to be dynamically adjusted during the transfer process rather than being fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the second carrier assembly is positioned at high vertical position to prevent orientation change, then lumber piece orientation is maintained, but productivity decreases and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelumber piece orientation stabilityVSAvoidproduction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a fixed high vertical position to maintain orientation, the invention uses dynamic rotational control during transfer. The transfer wheels can actively rotate the lumber pieces to maintain or change orientation as needed, allowing the second carrier assembly to be positioned at optimal productivity heights rather than constrained by orientation maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter from static vertical positioning to dynamic rotational angle control. By controlling the rotation angle of the transfer wheels, the system can maintain lumber piece orientation stability while allowing the carrier assemblies to be positioned at heights that optimize production speed and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional transfer systems are used without angular orientation control, then the system structure is simple, but selective turning of lumber pieces cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective turning capabilityVSAvoidcharger system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transfer function and selective turning function into a single rotative charger system. The transfer wheels both convey lumber pieces between carrier assemblies and simultaneously provide selective turning capability through their ability to rotate about a vertical axis, eliminating the need for separate turning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer wheels are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as conveying elements and as orientation control elements. This universal design allows the same component to perform multiple functions (transfer and selective turning) that would traditionally require separate dedicated components, thereby increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11492208B2Rotative lumber piece charger for transferring and angularly orienting lumber pieces and method for performing same

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 GRAVEL CLAUDE

AI summary

A rotative lumber piece charger for transferring lumber pieces. The rotative lumber piece charger comprises: a driving shaft rotating about a longitudinal axis and a transfer wheel comprising a main body mounted to the driving shaft and rotating therewith. The rotative lumber piece charger also comprises a lumber piece grasping assembly rotatably connected to the main body and rotatable with respect to the main body about a lumber rotation axis. The lumber piece grasping assembly is operative to grasp a section of a corresponding one of the lumber pieces, temporarily retain the section of the lumber piece and release the lumber piece. The rotative lumber piece charger further comprises an angular orientation control system connected to the lumber piece grasping assembly. The angular orientation control system rotates the lumber piece grasping assembly about the lumber rotation axis.