Split Wood Collecting Basket With S-Curved Rod Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chopping wood is cumbersome due to the need to bend down to collect split wood pieces, which often fall sideways or back into the work area, making the process tedious and difficult.

Innovation Solution

A flexible collecting basket device that clamps onto a chopping block, featuring S-curved rod elements forming a safety fence to prevent wood from falling, with cable-like connecting elements and a tensioning strap for easy attachment and detachment, allowing unhindered splitting while keeping wood contained.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a catcher is used to collect split wood, then the wood is prevented from falling to the ground, but the wood falls back into the work area requiring the user to bend down to remove it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewood falling to groundVSAvoidwood removal convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rod elements are configured with an S-curved shape that extends upward and outward from the chopping block surface, creating a three-dimensional containment structure. This vertical and lateral extension prevents wood from falling to the ground while directing it to rest on the connecting elements within easy reach of the user, eliminating the need to bend down.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a collecting device is used to prevent wood from falling, then wood collection is improved, but the device structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewood falling sidewaysVSAvoidcollecting device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collecting device is divided into multiple identical rod elements that are independently attached to the chopping block circumference. Each rod element consists of simple components (rod body, connecting elements, tensioning elements) that can be easily assembled and disassembled. This segmented approach creates an effective containment structure without requiring a complex integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting elements are designed as cable-like flexible components that connect the rod elements. These flexible cables allow the structure to adapt to the chopping block surface while maintaining the containment function, simplifying the overall structure compared to rigid framing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If rod elements are closely spaced to prevent wood from falling, then containment effectiveness is improved, but the work area becomes restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewood containment effectivenessVSAvoidwork area opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The rod elements are distributed around the circumference of the chopping block with appropriate spacing. The spacing is optimized so that rod elements are close enough to prevent wood from falling sideways while maintaining sufficient opening in the front direction for the user to place and split wood efficiently. Each location has the appropriate density of rod elements for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3600807B1Device for collecting split wood
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 SCHUETT ANDREAS
  • EP3600807B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3600807B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3600807B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (10) for collecting split wood, having a plurality of bar elements (12) each of which has a first (L1) and a second (L2) longitudinal section, wherein the second longitudinal section is curved and the first longitudinal section is straight, a plurality of connection elements (14), which moveably connect the bar elements (12) to each other, wherein the connection elements (14) interact with the second longitudinal sections (L2), and a clamping element (16), which interacts with the first longitudinal sections (L1) and is designed to firmly clamp the bar elements (12) to a chopping block with their first longitudinal section (L1).