Orienting Disk Tabs Prevent Strand Jamming in Wood Particle Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Longer and wider strands in engineered wood product formation often get caught between disks, causing 'strand jams' that are difficult and costly to remove, leading to production stoppages and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The use of tabs extending from orienting disks and collars to guide and move strands past disks, preventing accumulation and ensuring proper alignment, with tabs positioned non-parallel to the disk surfaces to facilitate smooth passage onto a screen or conveyor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If closer disk spacing is used to improve strand alignment, then alignment quality improves, but strand accumulation between disks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the disk structure into segments by adding tabs that create gaps or openings in the disks. These segmented areas allow strands to pass through rather than accumulate between disks, resolving the harmful effect while maintaining close disk spacing for alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs act as intermediary elements between the disk surfaces. They provide controlled pathways for strands to navigate the space between disks, preventing random accumulation while maintaining the close spacing necessary for alignment precision.
2Strength
If longer and wider strands are used to improve product quality, then wood product properties improve, but strand jams between disks increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the disk structure with tabs, longer and wider strands can pass through the created openings rather than becoming trapped between solid disk surfaces. This allows use of higher quality strands without the harmful jamming effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs add a third dimensional element (protruding from disk surfaces) to the otherwise two-dimensional disk structure. This creates vertical pathways that allow strands to navigate the disk gap space, preventing jams while maintaining alignment.
3Device complexity
If traditional disk orienting systems are used without tabs, then system simplicity is maintained, but labor intensity for removing strand plugs increases
Solution Approach 1:
Adding tabs to existing disks creates a segmented structure that prevents strand accumulation. This modification maintains overall system simplicity while dramatically reducing labor intensity by eliminating the need to manually remove plugs and jams.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs provide self-service functionality by automatically guiding strands through the disk gap during normal operation. This prevents accumulation before it becomes a problem, eliminating the need for manual intervention to remove jams.
4Ease of repair
If production is stopped to remove strand plugs, then strand removal can be performed, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tab structure provides continuous self-service by preventing strand accumulation during operation. This eliminates the need to stop production for strand removal, maintaining both the ability to handle strand issues and continuous productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs perform preliminary action by guiding strands through the disk gap before accumulation can occur. This preventive measure eliminates the need for corrective action (stopping production to remove plugs), maintaining productivity while ensuring proper strand handling.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for orienting strands and/or other types of particles are provided. The systems may have tabs which extend from orienting disks and/or collars and/or spacers which may be disposed on shafts. The tabs may prevent accumulation of strands between disks utilized within an orienting system. For example, the tabs may contact strands and/or other particles and guide or force the particles to be moved past the disks toward successive disks, or onto a screen or conveyor line.