Wood Processing Machine with Parallel Crane Arms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machines for processing wooden components have a high axle spacing between electro-spindles, leading to reduced productivity and increased size due to the need for broad movements and extensive protection structures.

Innovation Solution

A machine with a U-shaped base and a travelling crane with parallel arms and crossbars, where electro-spindles are positioned closer together, reducing the distance between their axes and integrating flexible protection members directly into the crossbars to minimize size and enhance productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the two operating units are fitted on the opposite side faces of the crossbar of the travelling crane, then the machine structure is simplified, but the axle spacing between electro-spindles becomes large, reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine structureVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a lateral arrangement of operating units (along the first direction) to a vertical arrangement (along the second direction). The crossbar is configured with operating units on its upper and lower faces rather than opposite side faces, changing the spatial dimension of arrangement. This dimensional change reduces axle spacing while maintaining structural simplicity.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If flexible protection means are arranged around each operating unit to contain woodchips and trimmings, then safety is improved, but the machine size increases due to required support structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainment of woodchips and trimmingsVSAvoidmachine size
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the support structure for operating units with the structure for flexible protection means. The crossbar is designed to simultaneously support the operating units and carry the flexible protection means, eliminating separate support structures. This integration contains woodchips and trimmings while minimizing machine size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1815954B1A machine for processing wooden components or the like
Publication Date: 2008.09.10 BIESSE SPA
  • EP1815954B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1815954B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A machine for processing wooden components (2) is provided with a travelling crane (6), which is movable along a base (3) of the machine, and has two horizontal crossbars (10) substantially parallel to one another and extending above the base (3), which are movable by corresponding laws of motion identical to one another, and are each laterally limited by a corresponding face (12) opposed to the other crossbar (10) and adapted to support a corresponding operating unit (15) for processing the components (2).