Rotating Multifunction Unit for Wood Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multifunctional units for processing wood and wood-based materials require a large number of vertical drilling spindles, leading to high design effort, weight, and power consumption, while also limiting flexibility due to the need for a complete second row of spindles for 360° rotation.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional unit is designed with a bearing device allowing rotation about at least one vertical axis, reducing the need for a second row of vertical drilling spindles, incorporating a shared drive with drilling spindles, and featuring an interface for attaching additional processing units, enabling flexible configuration and tool changes without increasing weight or complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complete second row of vertical drilling spindles is added to enable vertical drilling in several directions, then the flexibility and machining capability of the unit is improved, but the design effort, weight, and power requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoiddesign effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple vertical drilling spindles into a single rotating unit that can be positioned in different orientations. Instead of having two complete rows of vertical spindles, one rotating unit with horizontal spindles performs the function of multiple vertical spindles through rotation, reducing design complexity while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating unit with horizontal drilling spindles serves multiple functions: it can drill vertically in different directions, perform horizontal drilling, and be repositioned to access various workpiece surfaces. This multi-functional design replaces the need for dedicated vertical spindles in every direction, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the function of multiple heavy vertical spindles into a single rotating assembly. Instead of supporting the weight of two complete rows of vertical spindles, the unit supports one rotating unit with horizontal spindles that can be positioned to perform vertical drilling operations in multiple directions, significantly reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a complete second row of vertical drilling spindles is added to enable vertical drilling in several directions, then the flexibility and machining capability of the unit is improved, but the power requirements and drive capacity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidpower requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the drive functions into a single rotating unit with horizontal spindles. Instead of requiring separate powerful drives for multiple vertical spindles, one drive system rotates the unit and positions the horizontal spindles to perform vertical drilling operations, reducing power requirements while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If the unit is designed with a single row of vertical drilling spindles and rotation capability, then the construction is simplified and weight is reduced, but the ability to perform vertical drilling in several directions simultaneously is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidmachining capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic rotation capability to a unit with horizontal spindles, allowing it to change orientation and position during operation. This dynamic positioning enables the spindles to access different workpiece areas and perform vertical drilling in multiple directions sequentially, maintaining productivity while simplifying construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds the dimension of rotation to the drilling unit, transforming it from a fixed-axis system to a multi-oriented system. By rotating the unit with horizontal spindles, the system gains the ability to perform vertical drilling in several directions without adding multiple vertical spindle rows, maintaining machining capability while simplifying construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP1889700B1Multifunction unit

Publication Date: 2009.02.18 HOMAG HOLZBEARBEITUNGSSYST

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AI summary

The invention relates to a multifunctional unit (1) for processing workpieces, which preferably consist at least partially of wood, wood-based materials, plastics, or the like, comprising a plurality of vertical drill spindles (2), a plurality of horizontal drill spindles (4), and at least one fixedly arranged saw (6) which has at least one saw blade (8) with a horizontal axis of rotation. The multifunctional unit according to the invention is characterized in that it is mounted and driven via a bearing device (10) such that it can be rotated about at least one vertical axis of rotation (12).