Winch and Brush Chipper Interlock Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Brush chippers face issues with winch lines getting snagged by branches, leading to potential damage to the winch line and machine, and safety hazards, due to the lack of coordinated control between the winch and feed mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A system with interlock control that automatically moves to a feed roller disabled position when the winch is set to freewheel, ensuring the winch line is properly positioned before use, and a winch control that selects between freewheel and drive conditions, preventing simultaneous operation with the feed rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the winch and feed mechanism operate independently without coordination, then each mechanism can function with full operational freedom, but the winch line may get snagged by branches and cause damage to the winch line or machine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the winch control and feed mechanism control into a single coordinated control system. The interlock control integrates both functions, ensuring that when the feed mechanism is activated, the winch automatically disengages, and vice versa. This merging of control functions eliminates the risk of simultaneous operation causing winch line snagging while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlock control serves as an intermediary mechanism between the winch control and feed mechanism control. It mediates their operations by automatically switching between winch mode and feed mode, preventing both from operating simultaneously. This intermediary control ensures safe coordination without requiring complex operator intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the winch line is allowed to move freely without positioning guidance, then the winch can be operated quickly, but the operator may not know how to properly position the winch line to engage the interlock control
Solution Approach 1:
The winch line is designed to self-position onto the interlock control through the winch's retraction motion. When the winch operates, the line automatically feeds onto the interlock control mechanism, eliminating the need for manual positioning by the operator. This self-service feature simplifies operation while maintaining efficiency.
3Productivity
If the feed mechanism operates at high speed to increase productivity, then more brush can be processed, but the winch line is more likely to get snagged if the winch and feed mechanism are not properly coordinated
Solution Approach 1:
The interlock control implements preliminary anti-action by automatically preventing the winch from operating when the feed mechanism is active. Before the winch line can potentially get snagged during high-speed feed operation, the system proactively disengages the winch. This preventive measure allows high-speed processing while eliminating the snagging hazard.
Data Source
AI summary
A brush chipper with feed rollers and a winch has an interlock control with feed roller disabled position and a feed roller enabled position, spring loaded to the feed roller disabled position to encourage or require the use of the winch line to move it into a feed roller enable position. A winch control is provided that selects between a winch freewheel condition and winch drive condition. A connection is provided between the interlock control and winch control such that the interlock control automatically moves to the feed roller disabled position whenever the winch control is moved to the freewheel position.