Segmented Stump Cutting Wheel with Modular Tool Holders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stump cutting apparatuses face issues with short service life of wear parts, severe abrasion, and frequent jamming and clogging due to wood chip accumulations, especially during aggressive plunge cuts.

Innovation Solution

A stump cutting wheel design featuring a hub with outwardly extending tool support segments, where each segment includes a support surface with a cavity and apertures for securing tool holders, and cutting tools positioned radially and above the wheel, with a unique fastening system using a holder block to reduce wear and facilitate maintenance, and arm members with gaps to minimize chip accumulation and clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If traditional stump cutting wheels are used with conventional fastening systems, then cutting operations can be performed, but wear parts have short service life due to severe abrasion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice life of wear partsVSAvoidsevere abrasion

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel is divided into multiple tool support segments that can be independently replaced. Each segment contains tool holders and cutting tools that can be serviced separately from the main wheel structure, allowing wear parts to be replaced without replacing the entire wheel assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tool holders and cutting tools are extracted as separate removable components from the wheel structure. The fastening system uses removable fasteners that allow tool holders to be taken out for replacement or repair without damaging the wheel or tool holder bodies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If traditional stump cutting wheels are used, then cutting operations can be performed, but servicing wear parts is difficult due to severe abrasion and design constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservicing wear partsVSAvoidfastening system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is segmented into modular components including tool holders, fasteners, and tool support segments. This segmentation allows each component to be serviced independently using simple tools, reducing the complexity of maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design enables operators to service wear parts themselves without requiring specialized equipment or extensive disassembly. The tool holders can be quickly removed and replaced using the fastening system, allowing routine maintenance to be performed on-site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If aggressive plunge cuts are made with conventional stump cutting wheels, then cutting speed increases, but jamming and clogging of cutting teeth occurs due to wood chip accumulations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting speedVSAvoidwood chip accumulations causing jamming

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Wood chips and debris are extracted from the cutting area by the gaps between tool support segments and the chip ejection channels in the wheel structure. This prevents accumulation and jamming of cutting teeth during aggressive plunge cuts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The design converts the potentially harmful wood chip accumulations into beneficial chip ejection pathways. The gaps and channels guide chips away from the cutting teeth, transforming the clogging problem into an efficient chip removal system that maintains cutting performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cutting tools are positioned on the wheel periphery, then cutting capability increases, but tool holder wear and fastening point stress increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting capabilityVSAvoidtool holder durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel structure is segmented into multiple tool support segments distributed around the periphery. Each segment independently supports cutting tools, distributing the mechanical stress and wear across multiple locations rather than concentrating it at single fastening points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each tool support segment is designed with local structural features optimized for its specific loading conditions. The fastening system uses localized fasteners and mounting surfaces that are positioned to handle the specific forces generated at each cutting tool location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10219451B2Rotary stump cutting wheel

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 GREEN MANUFACTURING INC

AI summary

A cutting wheel for use with a stump cutting apparatus. A plurality of tool holders are secured to the cutting wheel, and there are a plurality of apertures in each tool holder. Each aperture has a cutting tool or tooth mounted therein so that each tool holder supports more than one cutting tool or tooth. In some embodiments, the cutting wheel includes first and second sections. The first and second sections including a support member, with a tool holder attached to the support member. Each of the first and second sections having a notch therein, the respective notches cooperating to form a joint between the first and second sections.