Winch Docking Safety System for Waste Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waste processing machines, such as wood chippers, pose safety risks due to the potential for winch lines to become entangled with rotating components, leading to rapid retraction and potential injury or damage.
Innovation Solution
A winch docking safety system that includes a keeper and a docking subassembly, allowing the winch line to be secured and tensioned, with a control unit that limits the operation of the feed system when the subassembly is in an undocked position, preventing accidental entanglement and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the winch line is used to drag heavy bulk materials towards the infeed system, then the productivity is improved, but the safety is worsened due to potential entanglement with rotating components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a winch line guide as an intermediary component that directs the winch line away from rotating components. The guide includes a guide body with a guide channel that constrains the winch line path, preventing contact with feed wheels and cutting assembly while still allowing the winch to effectively drag materials into the infeed system.
Solution Approach 2:
The winch line path is segmented into distinct zones: a first portion that extends from the winch toward the infeed system, and a second portion that is directed away from rotating components through the guide channel. This segmentation isolates the hazardous portion of the winch line from areas where entanglement could occur.
2Ease of operation
If the winch line is allowed to move freely during operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability is worsened due to uncontrolled movement and potential entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The winch line guide is pre-positioned and configured before operation begins, establishing a predetermined safe path for the winch line. The guide channel is structurally configured to automatically direct the winch line away from rotating components without requiring active control or adjustment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide body acts as a passive intermediary that mechanically constrains the winch line to a safe trajectory, providing reliable protection without interfering with the operator's ability to freely control the winch for loading materials.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If safety features are added to prevent winch line entanglement, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than implementing complex safety systems throughout the entire machine, the patent applies a localized guide structure only in the specific area where the winch line passes near rotating components. The guide body is a simple structural element that provides protection precisely where needed without adding complexity elsewhere in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide body is designed as a simple, inexpensive structural component that can be easily manufactured and installed. It consists of basic mechanical elements (guide channel, support structure) rather than complex active safety systems, providing effective protection at minimal cost and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A waste processing machine for reducing material and having a docking safety system. A cutting assembly on a frame reduces material. A feed system on the frame directs material toward the cutting assembly. A winch assembly includes a line with a line end for securing material, and a driver on the frame to urge the line end toward the driver. A keeper fixed to the frame secures the line end to the frame. A docking subassembly, spaced from the keeper, is movable between: a docked position with the line tensioned against the subassembly between the driver and the line end secured to the keeper; and an undocked position with the line loosened against the subassembly. A control unit allows operation of the feed system when the subassembly is in the docked position, and at least partially limits operation of the feed system when the subassembly is in the undocked position.