Telescopic Guard Mechanism for Low-Profile Wood Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting and splitting machines with vertically movable rectangular frames face challenges in maintaining a low height, low centre of gravity, and low operating position while preventing chopped wood from blocking the movement of the splitting knives, which often requires increased machine height or complex guidance systems.
Innovation Solution
A cutting and splitting machine design featuring a vertically movable rectangular frame with splitting knives, equipped with a fixed guard and a telescopically movable guard to prevent chopped wood from entering the discharge area, allowing for a lower machine configuration and reduced space requirements, utilizing hydraulic cylinders for frame movement and a deflector for efficient wood discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed guard is mounted on the rectangular frame to prevent chopped wood blocking, then reliability is improved, but machine height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guard is designed as a movable component that can change its position dynamically. During operation, the guard moves to a retracted position that allows the rectangular frame to be in its lower position, maintaining low machine height. When blocking needs to be prevented, the guard extends to the protective position. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between reliability and machine height.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable guard is arranged to be received within the fixed guard structure, creating a nested configuration. When the movable guard is retracted, it nests inside the fixed guard, minimizing the overall height requirement. This nesting arrangement allows the guard system to provide protection when needed while maintaining a compact profile during operation, thus resolving the height-reliability contradiction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rectangular frame is moved vertically to adapt to different sawlog thicknesses, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to dual-directional movement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The guard structure is segmented into a fixed guard and a movable guard component. The fixed guard provides the structural framework and mounting points, while the movable guard handles the dynamic protection function. This segmentation allows the guidance system to focus solely on vertical movement without needing to accommodate horizontal positioning of the guard, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables a compact, low-height cutting and splitting machine with a low centre of gravity and operating position, ensuring smooth operation and efficient wood processing by preventing blockages and optimizing machine dimensions for both stationary and mobile applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one hydraulic cylinder (8) to move the rectangular frame (6) with the splitting knives in the guides (5)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cutting and splitting machine for cutting sawlog and splitting them to chopped wood, comprising a housing (2), a cutting section (3) further comprising a circular saw for cutting sawlog, a splitting section (4) further comprising a pair of vertical guides (5), a vertically movable rectangular frame (6) with splitting knives (7) arranged in guides, at least one hydraulic cylinder (8) for moving the rectangular frame (6), a fixed guard (9) mounted under the rectangular frame, the splitting section further comprising a movable guard (10) telescopically movably connected to the fixed guard (9). When the rectangular frame is in its lower position during the operation of the machine, the fixed guard is retracted into the movable guard, when it is in its upper position during the operation of the cutting and splitting machine, the fixed guard is extracted out of the movable guard, thus the effective height of the guard prevents chopped wood from entering the area between the rectangular frame with the splitting knives and the chopped wood discharge conveyor. The movable guard reduces the need for space under the rectangular frame with the splitting knives when it is in its lower position. As a consequence, a lower cutting and splitting machine can be configured, i.e. having a lower centre of gravity, a lower operating point and a lower sawlog infeed.