Continuous Sharp Chain Conveyor Workpiece Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sharp chain conveyor systems in sawmills face issues with maintaining the optimized position of workpieces during transport due to span distances between conveyors, which can cause displacement, and require extensive physical space and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A continuous sharp chain conveyor system with a single conveyor that includes vertically displable skids and rotatable positioning drive rolls to adjust and maintain the workpiece's position, eliminating the need for multiple conveyors and reducing system length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conveyors are used to transport the workpiece, then the workpiece position can be adjusted, but the physical space required increases and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple conveyor functions into a single continuous conveyor system. The single conveyor integrates the workpiece positioning, transport, and support functions that were previously distributed across multiple separate conveyors, thereby reducing physical space requirements while maintaining adaptability for workpiece position adjustment through integrated positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The single continuous conveyor is designed to perform multiple functions: transporting the workpiece, supporting it during positioning adjustments, and facilitating lateral displacement. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate conveyors for each function, reducing overall system footprint while preserving positioning capabilities.
2Reliability
If hold-down rolls are used to hold the workpiece in place, then the workpiece position is maintained, but the workpiece may be displaced when contacting protruding knots or irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The hold-down rolls are designed with pivotal coupling that allows them to dynamically adjust their position and orientation. This dynamic capability enables the rolls to conform to surface irregularities like protruding knots while maintaining contact pressure, thereby preventing workpiece displacement while adapting to varying workpiece surface conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotal coupling mechanism allows the hold-down rolls to change their operational parameters (angle, position, contact point) in response to workpiece surface variations. This parameter adjustment enables the system to maintain reliable position holding while accommodating harmful surface irregularities without causing workpiece displacement.
3Reliability
If vertical rolls are positioned between conveyors to prevent workpiece displacement, then the workpiece is held in position, but undesired movement is caused and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the workpiece support and positioning function from the conveyor span structure itself. By providing continuous support along the entire conveyor length, the system eliminates the need for separate vertical intervention rolls that would otherwise be required to bridge gaps between conveyor sections, thereby removing the source of undesired movement while maintaining position stability.
4Ease of operation
If manual rotation by operator is used to position the workpiece, then the workpiece can be positioned, but the process is slow and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual operator intervention with automated positioning mechanisms that self-adjust the workpiece position. The automated lateral displacement and rotation mechanisms automatically position the workpiece based on scanner and optimizer data, eliminating the time-consuming manual assessment and rotation process while maintaining precise positioning capability.
5Device complexity
If the workpiece is transported butt first between conveyors, then the transport path is simplified, but the flared butt end displaces vertically into unsupported space
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous conveyor provides uniform support along the entire workpiece length, creating an equipotential support condition that eliminates vertical displacement tendencies. By ensuring continuous support rather than discrete support points, the system prevents the flared butt end from dipping into unsupported space while maintaining the simplified butt-first transport configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous sharp chain conveyor system is disclosed wherein a workpiece may be elevated from the sharp chain conveyor while the workpiece is transported down the sharp chain conveyor such that the workpiece may be rotated to maintain the workpiece in an optimized position. The system includes a sharp chain which engages the workpiece, a first and a second skid positionable parallel alignment with the sharp chain to elevate and lower the workpiece relative to the sharp chain, and pairs of rotatable positioning drive rolls positionable along the sharp chain to rotate the workpiece when the workpiece is elevated. The system may also include a plurality of hold-down rolls to maintain the workpiece on the sharp chain by exerting downward pressure on the workpiece. The pairs of rotatable positioning drive rolls may cooperatively displace the workpiece laterally and/or independently angularly displace the workpiece relative to the longitudinal centreline of the sharp chain.