EP3056326B1 - A firewood processor having means for cleaning split wood - Google Patents
A firewood processor having means for cleaning split wood Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3056326B1 EP3056326B1 EP15397504.0A EP15397504A EP3056326B1 EP 3056326 B1 EP3056326 B1 EP 3056326B1 EP 15397504 A EP15397504 A EP 15397504A EP 3056326 B1 EP3056326 B1 EP 3056326B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- firewood
- splitting
- log
- vibrator screen
- processor
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- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 title claims description 63
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims description 11
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 claims description 28
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 25
- 230000001012 protector Effects 0.000 description 22
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000007873 sieving Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003292 diminished effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002604 ultrasonography Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
- B27L—REMOVING BARK OR VESTIGES OF BRANCHES; SPLITTING WOOD; MANUFACTURE OF VENEER, WOODEN STICKS, WOOD SHAVINGS, WOOD FIBRES OR WOOD POWDER
- B27L7/00—Arrangements for splitting wood
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07B—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL
- B07B1/00—Sieving, screening, sifting, or sorting solid materials using networks, gratings, grids, or the like
- B07B1/12—Apparatus having only parallel elements
Definitions
- the invention relates to a firewood processor according to the preamble of claim 1.
- a firewood processor is disclosed by document US 4 936 362 A .
- Firewood is used in fire places for heating.
- Firewood can be made from wood, such as logs, e.g. by using firewood processors.
- Firewood processors both cut (i.e. saw) and split wood to obtain firewood.
- a firewood processor is known e.g. from US 4,173,237 .
- firewood has usually a length, L, from 15 cm to 100 cm, mainly depending on national tradition and/or the size of the fireplace. Specific examples include 400 mm and 500 mm for typical boilers, and 330 mm and 250 mm for typical fireplaces.
- the transversal maximum measure of the firewood herein called as the width of the firewood, should be reasonably small, depending on the class of the firewood. For example, for the classes "A1, D15", and “A2, D15" as defined in the standard EN 14961-5, the width of the firewood, D, should be at most 15 cm.
- a splitting wedge 120 can be arranged to split a log to four parts (See. Fig. 2b ), whereby somewhat thicker wood can be split to comply the width requirements for firewood. Theoretically, wood with a diameter of about 21 cm could be cut to sufficiently small firewood with such a splitting wedge.
- splitting wedge 120 can be arranged in a frame 122.
- the size of the frame 122 is selected large enough for the wood 100, so that so that split wood can move radially outwards in the open sections "O" of the splitting wedge, as depicted in Fig. 2b .
- any splitting wedge wherein the wedges extend only radially cannot be used for the purpose, since the width of the firewood would always be too large.
- a splitting wedge 130 that has also bridging parts 134, i.e. parts that extend in the tangential direction. An example of such a wedge is shown in Fig. 2c .
- splitting wedges 130 having also bridging parts 134 is that when such a wedge is used, the force required to split the log increases a lot. This is mainly because the central pieces of firewood must move through the central apertures "C" of the splitting wedge 130, and therein the movement of the split firewood is limited also from outwards. In contrast, when using e.g. a four-way wedge, as above, the pieces of firewood may move radially away from the center (see Fig. 2b ). It is also noted the radially outmost parts of the splitting wedge 130 of Fig. 2c are open, as denoted by the letter "O". This applies when a frame 122 that is larger than the log is used to support the blades of the splitting wedge, as depicted in Fig. 2b , because the log 100 is relatively thin compared to the frame 122.
- the processed firewood should be clean.
- a sieving drum For the purpose it is known to convey the firewood to a sieving drum before packing the firewood.
- sieving drums are reasonably long, in order to ensure sufficient amount of cleaning.
- a long sieving drum requires a reasonably amount a material, whereby its manufacturing cost may be reasonably high.
- the sieving drum should be installed in between such conveyor and the firewood processor, which makes the assembly of such a system more complex than a sieving means that is integrated directly to the firewood processor.
- the firewood processor comprises a vibrator screen arranged to screen debris, bark, sawdust, and/or other impurities from the firewood-ready pieces of wood.
- the firewood processor further comprises means for vibrating the vibrator screen.
- the vibrator screen is arranged to such a location that the vibrator screen is configured to receive pieces of the log from a splitting unit of the firewood processor.
- the firewood processor is disclosed in claim 1.
- wood 990 refers to a relatively long wooden object, such as a tree trunk 990, which is to be processed to firewood (i.e. firewood-ready pieces 920 or clean firewood 930).
- the length of the wood 990 may be e.g. at least 2.5 m.
- the term log 900 refers to a piece that is sawn (i.e. cut) from the wood 990.
- the length L (see Figs. 1a-1c ) of a log depends on the need, and the length of the log 900 determines the length of the firewood.
- the length L may be e.g. from 15 cm to 100 cm.
- the log 900 When the log 900 is split, at least two pieces 925 (or 910, 920) of log are formed. No special size requirements apply to these pieces 925.
- An embodiment of splitting is depicted in Figs 8c and 8d , wherein too large pieces 925 of wood are manually transferred back for re-splitting.
- the log is automatically split subsequently at least two times.
- the log 900 is split to at least one intermediate split log 910, and at least one firewood-ready piece 920.
- the intermediate split log 910 refers to a log 900 that has been split at least once, which intermediate split log 910 is automatically transferred for re-splitting, and may be split at least once again.
- the width D (see Figs. 1a-1c ) of the firewood-ready piece 920 is such that it needs not to be re-split to comply with the size requirements of firewood.
- the width D of the firewood-ready pieces 920 may be e.g. at most 15 cm.
- the intermediate split log 910 (or intermediate split logs) is/are returned for re-splitting, e.g. as shown in Figs. 4a-6c .
- the width of the intermediate split log 910 may be greater than the width of the firewood-ready piece 920.
- the size of the intermediate split log(s) 910 is so small that it will not be re-split. E.g. it may penetrate through an opening of a splitting wedge without being split (see Figs. 6c ).
- the firewood-ready pieces 920 and/or the pieces 925 of log can be cleaned. Provided that the size requirements are met, clean firewood 930 is thus produced. Provided that the size requirements are not met, in an embodiment too large pieces 925 of log can be e.g. manually sent for re-splitting (see Figs. 8c and 8d ). Naturally, such manual control is not needed, when the firewood processor 300 is arranged to automatically re-split all such pieces that are or may be too large (see Figs. 8a and 8b ).
- processed firewood will be used to refer to one of pieces 925 of log, firewood-ready pieces 920, and clean firewood 930, or a mixture thereof.
- a large piece 925 of log can be interpreted to mean an intermediate split log 910, as such a piece (925, 910) could also manually be transferred for re-splitting (see Figs. 8c and 8d ).
- Figures 3a , 3b, 3c , and 3d show a firewood processor 300 in a perspective view, top view, an end view, and a top view, respectively.
- the directions Sx, Sy, and Sz refer to three orthogonal directions. Sz may be parallel to the surface normal of the ground, on which the firewood processor stands.
- the firewood processor 300 comprises a frame supporting the parts of the firewood processor. The frame is configured to stand, e.g. on ground, while operating the firewood processor 300.
- the firewood processor 300 comprises a cutting unit 400 and a splitting unit 500.
- the cutting unit 400 comprises a saw 410 for cutting (i.e. sawing) wood 990 to logs 900, 900b, 900a (see Fig. 3d ).
- the cutting unit 400 is configured to cut the wood 990 to logs 900 having a desired length using the saw 410, as discussed above.
- the firewood processor 300 comprises means 330 for feeding wood 990 to the cutting unit 400.
- the means 330 may comprise at least one of a table, such as a roller table, and a conveyor, such as a belt conveyor.
- a separate (optionally additional) means 330 for feeding wood 990 can be used when arranged in connection with a firewood processor.
- the separate means 330 may comprise a wood conveyor.
- an arrangement comprises a firewood processor 300 and a wood conveyor 330 for conveying uncut wood 990 to the cutting unit 400.
- the firewood processor may comprise a controller 320, with which the operator can operate the conveyor 330 for moving wood 990 to the cutting unit 400.
- the conveyor 330 or the firewood processor 300 may comprise an opening or gate, through which the wood 990 is fed to the saw 410.
- the width of the opening or the gate is selected such that the opening or the gate is configured to pass only sufficiently thin wood 990 to the saw 410.
- a too thick log 900 might cause malfunction of the firewood processor 300.
- the width of the opening or gate may be e.g. from 370 mm to 900 mm, such as 380 mm, 410 mm, 440 mm, 470 mm, 500 mm, 530 mm, 560 mm, or 600 mm.
- the width of the opening or gate may be e.g.
- the width depends on the structure of the other components of the firewood processor 300, in combination determining the maximum thickness of the wood 990 the firewood processor 300 can process.
- the gate may be arranged at a location e.g. 50 cm - 100 cm before the saw 410, in the direction of the means 330 for feeding wood 990 to the saw 410 and away from the cutting unit 400.
- the saw 410 can be configured such that it can cut only sufficiently thin wood. Examples of limiting thicknesses are the same as for the opening of the gate. This can be done e.g. by preventing the saw 410 from rising higher than the limiting thickness, as measured from the top surface of the conveyor 330.
- the length of the saw 410 may be configured to be so short that it cannot fully cut too thick wood 990.
- the cutting unit 400 may comprise means for adjusting the position of the wood 990 in such a way that wood is cut to logs 900 having a desired length.
- the means may comprise a body 450 ( Fig. 3b ), to which an end of the wood 990 can be supported, whereby to position of the saw 410, with respect to this body 450, determines the length L of the cut log 900.
- the distance between the body 450 and the saw may be configured to be variable and temporarily fixable.
- the position of the body 450 with respect to a frame of the firewood processor 300 (and thus also with respect to ground) may be configured to be variable and temporarily fixable.
- the firewood processor 300 comprises a protector 420 arranged to protect the user from the saw 410.
- the splitting unit 500 comprises a splitting chute 510, a splitting wedge 600, a pressure plate 515 arranged to support and press the log 900 while splitting the log 900, and means for moving the pressure plate 515 and/or the splitting wedge 600 towards each other.
- the pressure plate 515 is arranged to support the log 900 in the direction of pressing, which normally is the longitudinal direction of the log 900.
- the splitting chute 510 opens to an opening direction.
- the splitting chute is 510 is configured to receive a log 900 at least from the opening direction. For example, in Figs. 6a to 6c , the splitting chute 510 opens upwards.
- the log 900 is moved from the cutting unit 400 to the splitting chute 510 such that at least part of the log 900 is arranged in the splitting chute, in between the splitting wedge 600 and the pressure plate 515.
- the log 900 may simply drop from the cutting unit 400 to the chute 510, or may move supported by a surface downwards and to the side.
- the log 900 is split into pieces (925, 920, 910).
- the pieces comprise an intermediate split log 910, which may be automatically re-split, and at least one firewood-ready piece 920 being sufficiently small for use as firewood.
- the pressure plate 515 is a moving pressure plate, and the position of the splitting wedge 600 is fixed relative to the frame of the firewood processor while splitting.
- the splitting wedge 600 may be a moving splitting wedge 600 and the position of the pressure plate 515 is fixed relative to the frame of the firewood processor while splitting.
- both the pressure plate and the splitting wedge 600 could be moving during splitting.
- the pressure plate 515 is a moving pressure plate.
- the position of the splitting wedge 600 is fixed relative to the frame of the firewood processor while splitting.
- the firewood processor 300 comprises a press 520, such as a hydraulic press or a hydraulic piston.
- the press 520 comprises the pressure plate 515 (such as that surface of the press 520 that faces log 900) and a means for moving the pressure plate 515 towards the splitting wedge 600.
- the position of the splitting wedge 600 relative to a frame of the firewood processor 300 (and thus to ground) is preferably fixed, at least temporarily during splitting.
- the press 520 is arranged to press the log 900 along the splitting chute 510 against the splitting wedge 600 to split the log 900.
- the splitting wedge 600 is configured to split the log 900 into an intermediate split log 910 and at least one firewood-ready piece 920.
- An embodiment of the firewood processor 300 comprises a returning element 530 that is configured to return the intermediate split log 910 (or intermediate split logs) back to the splitting chute 510 for further splitting.
- the returning element 530 may be integrated with the press 520.
- the press may be a hydraulic piston, which, when extending, is arranged to split the log 900 to at least the intermediate split log 910, and when retracting, is arranged to retract also the returning element 530 in such a way that the returning element 530 pulls the intermediate split log 910 back to the splitting chute 510. Thereafter, the intermediate split log 910 can be re-split into at least another firewood-ready piece 920 by using the press 520.
- the firewood processor 300 is configured to split the log 900 to only one intermediate split log 910 and at least two or three firewood-ready pieces 920, and the returning element 530 is configured to return said only one intermediate split log 910 at a time back to the splitting chute 510.
- the splitting wedge 600 is arranged to split the log 900 to at least four or at least five, such as six firewood-ready pieces 920.
- Figures 4a and 4b show, in a side view, splitting a log 900.
- Figs 5a and 5b show, in a perspective view, the splitting shown in Figs. 4a and 4b .
- Fig. 6a shows, in an end view, the splitting shown in Figs. 4a and 4b .
- a part of a log 900 is arranged in a splitting chute 510 of a firewood processor 300.
- the log 900 is arranged on the bottom of the splitting chute 510.
- the log 900 is left in between the splitting wedge 600 and a pressure plate 515 comprised by a hydraulic press 520.
- the relative placements of the log 900, the splitting chute 510 and the splitting wedge 600 are depicted in Figs 4a, 5a, and 6a .
- the moving pressure plate 515 presses the log 900 along the splitting chute 510 against the splitting wedge 600, thereby splitting the log 900 into the intermediate split log 910 and the firewood-ready pieces 920, as depicted in Figs. 4b and 5b .
- the corresponding pieces are shown also in Fig. 6a .
- the returning element 530 pulls the intermediate split log 910 back to the splitting chute 510.
- at least part of the intermediate split log 910 is arranged into the splitting chute 510 or the intermediate split log 910 is arranged on the bottom of the splitting chute 510, whereby the intermediate split log 910 can be re-split by re-engaging the press 520.
- Figure 6b illustrates how the intermediate split log 910 can be re-split in a similar manner to further firewood ready parts 920 and a further intermediate split log 910. Thereafter, the remaining intermediate split log 910, as depicted in Fig. 6c , is so small, that it can be split only to further firewood-ready pieces 920. In this way, the (thick) log 900 can be split to firewood ready pieces 920 with reasonably small forces. The force requirements are reduced in particular, when the splitting wedge 600 is free from the closed central parts "C" (see Fig. 2c ). Small forces are also obtainable faster than large forces, provided that the operative power of the firewood processor is not changed. In this way, firewood can also be made faster.
- the splitting wedge 600 preferably does not comprise closed areas in the aforementioned meaning.
- the wedge 600 is arranged to split the log 900 is such a way that none of the firewood-ready pieces 920 is left in between the center of another firewood-ready piece 920 produced by the same splitting and the center of the intermediate split log 910.
- each of the firewood-ready pieces 920 is arranged to neighbor an intermediate split log 910, provided that at least one intermediate split log 910 is produced (cf. Figs. 6a-6c ).
- the firewood wedge 600 comprises a main wedge 602 that is configured to split the intermediate split log 910 from the log 900.
- the main wedge 602 comprises a first side and a second side.
- the sides of the main wedge 602 are named such that the intermediate split log(s) 910 passes/pass the main wedge 602 on the first side of the main wedge 602.
- the splitting wedge 600 comprises a plate 610 having a concave upper side 615 and a convex lower side 617, whereby the concave side 615 forms a channel 620 for receiving the intermediate split log 910.
- the plate may extend from the main wedge 602.
- the splitting wedge 600 may be separate from the plate 610. In such a case the plate 610 extends on the other side of the splitting wedge 600 than the splitting chute 510.
- the plate 610 may extend from the splitting wedge 600 or the plate 610 may extend from a point being close to the splitting wedge, the point being less than 5 cm or less than 2 cm away from the splitting wedge 600.
- the shape of the plate 610 may be adapted to the shape of the main wedge 602.
- an end view of the main wedge 602, as seen from the longitudinal direction of the splitting chute 510, is substantially similar to the same end view of the plate 610.
- the splitting wedge 600 comprises at least one, preferably at least two, firewood wedges 605 protruding from the convex side 617 of the plate 610 (or the convex side of the main wedge 602) and arranged at an angle with respect to the tangent plane of the plate 610 or the main wedge 602.
- the tangent plane here refers to the tangent plane of the plate 610 or the main wedge 602 at the point from which the splitting wedge protrudes.
- the angle may be e.g. at least 60 degrees, such as at least 85 degrees.
- the intermediate split log 910 is arranged to be left on the concave side 615 of the plate 610.
- the firewood wedge or firewood wedges 605 are arranged to split the other part of the log 900 (i.e. the part that remains of the log 900 when the intermediate split log 910 is split away) into the firewood-ready pieces 920.
- the firewood-ready pieces 920 are arranged to be left on the convex side of the plate 610.
- the firewood-ready pieces 920 may be collected from the convex side of the plate 610.
- the firewood-ready pieces 920 can be left e.g. below the plate 610, as indicated in Figs. 4a-5b .
- a means for transferring the firewood-ready pieces 920 away from the splitting unit 500 may be arranged below the plate 610 and to receive said firewood-ready pieces 920.
- a vibrator screen 710 may be arranged below the plate 610 and to receive said firewood-ready pieces 920.
- the length Lp of the plate 610 (see Fig. 3d ) is selected to be sufficient for receiving the intermediate split log 910.
- the length Lp may be e.g. at least 35 cm, 50 cm, at least 75 cm or at least 100 cm.
- the width Wp of the splitting wedge 600 (see Fig. 6a ) can be selected to be sufficient in relation to the thickness of the wood 990.
- the width Wp of the splitting wedge 600 (see Fig. 6a ) can be selected to be at least the maximum thickness.
- the width Wp of the splitting wedge 600 may be e.g. from 400 mm to 900 mm, such as from 400 mm to 650 mm.
- a part of the upper surface (e.g. first side 615) of the plate 610 forms an angle ⁇ with another part of the upper surface (e.g. first side 615) plate 610, wherein the angle ⁇ is from 60 degrees to 180 degrees, as shown in Fig. 6c .
- the angle ⁇ is from 90 degrees to 160 degrees. This angle has been observed to provide a sufficiently steep channel 620 for receiving the intermediate split log to a well-controlled position and to provide sufficiently small firewood for typical thicknesses of a log 900.
- This angle may be substantially equal to an angle of the bottom of the splitting chute 510.
- a part of the main wedge 602 forms an angle ⁇ 2 with another part of the main wedge 602, wherein the angle ⁇ 2 is from 60 degrees to 180 degrees ( Fig. 6c ).
- the angle ⁇ 2 is from 90 degrees to 160 degrees. This angle has been observed to provide good splitting into at least one intermediate split log 910.
- the angle ⁇ 2 may be equal or substantially equal to the angle ⁇ ( Fig. 6c ).
- splitting wedge 600 forms closed parts (see reference “C" in Fig. 2b ) depends also on the mutual position of the splitting wedge 600 and the splitting chute 510. For example, if the wedge 600 of Figs. 6a-6c would be arranged somewhat higher, the wedge support 612 would close the openings of the splitting wedge 600. Moreover, if the splitting wedge 600 would be arranged in the splitting chute 510, i.e. in between the ends of the splitting chute, and the chute would not widen, the splitting chute 510 itself would prevent the firewood-ready pieces 920 from expanding or bending downwards. Either of these effects would increase the forces needed for splitting. Thus, preferably, the splitting wedge 600 is arranged close to an end of the splitting chute 510.
- a gap may remain in between an end of the splitting chute 510 and the splitting wedge 600 in the longitudinal direction of the splitting chute 510.
- the gap should be reasonable narrow in order to avoid a log from falling or turning in said gap. In such a case, the gap is preferably at most 5 cm wide or at most 2 cm wide.
- the gap may also be zero or essentially zero, whereby the splitting wedge 600 extends continuously from an end of the splitting chute 510 and away from the splitting chute 510. A small gap accumulates less bark and other debris than a larger gap.
- the distance from the splitting wedge 600 to the first end of the chute 510 is preferably small, such as at most 10 cm. This has the technical effect that the firewood-ready pieces 920 can turn during the splitting without the splitting chute being pressed against the pieces 920. Thus, smaller forces are needed for splitting.
- the splitting wedge 600 extends from an end of the splitting chute 510 and away from the splitting chute 510 (continuously or after a reasonable small gap as depicted in Figs 4a and 4b ) and at least some of the firewood wedges 605 are arranged to extend also below the bottom of the splitting chute 510 as depicted in Figs. 6a-6c .
- more preferably all the firewood wedges 605 are arranged extend also below the bottom of the splitting chute 510. This has the technical effect that the firewood-ready pieces 920 can expand or bend downwards after being split from the log 900. More precisely, referring to Fig.
- the splitting wedge comprises a wedge support 612 or not.
- the wedge support 612 can be used to support the firewood wedges 605 in such a way that the firewood wedges 605 are fixed from one end to the main wedge 602 or the plate 610, and from the other end to the wedge support 612.
- the wedge support 612 could be arranged at an angle in such a way that the openings of the splitting wedge 600 would widen in the direction to which the log is pressed while splitting.
- the firewood wedges 605 are not necessarily directly below the bottom of the splitting chute 510.
- the splitting chute 510 extends in a longitudinal direction.
- the plane of Fig. 6a is a plane having a surface normal parallel to the longitudinal direction of the splitting chute 510.
- Fig. 6a shows the normal projections of all the firewood wedges 605 of the splitting wedge 600, as well as the normal projection of the splitting chute 510.
- the normal projections are projected (i) onto the plane having a surface normal parallel to the longitudinal direction of the splitting chute 510 and (ii) in the longitudinal direction of the splitting chute 510. As depicted in the Fig.
- the vertical location of the splitting wedge 600 can be arranged fixed relative to the splitting chute 510 (notwithstanding detaching the splitting wedge for maintenance). In the alternative, the vertical location of the splitting wedge 600 can be arranged variable relative to the splitting chute 510. If the vertical location is variable, the user can lower the splitting wedge to produce smaller firewood, and raise it to produce larger firewood. Naturally, the location of the splitting wedge 600 can be temporarily fixed during splitting. However, if all the firewood wedges 605 can be raised above the bottom of the splitting chute 510, a log 900 may easily be jammed, as in that case, the firewood-ready pieces 920 cannot freely expand or bend as discussed above.
- the normal projection of at least one firewood wedge 605 of the splitting wedge 600 intersects the normal projection of the splitting chute 510.
- the normal projections are defined as above, and shown in Figs. 6a-6c .
- the normal projection of all the firewood wedges 605 of the splitting wedge 600 intersect the normal projection of the splitting chute 510.
- Figures 10a and 10b show the splitting wedge 600 arranged at two different vertical locations with respect to the splitting chute 510. Moreover, a profile of the splitting chute 510 having only partially concave form is shown therein. As depicted, the projection of at least one firewood wedge 605 intersects the projection of the splitting chute 510 in both the positions. Preferably, the projection(s) of at least one, preferably all, firewood wedges 605 extend(s) at least a distance d below the projection of the splitting chute 510 in the aforementioned plane (See Fig. 10b ). All the firewood wedges need not to extend the same distance.
- the term "below” is to be understood as a direction that forms an angle of more than 90 degrees relative to the direction to which the splitting chute 510 opens.
- the position of the splitting wedge is, or the splitting wedge can be moved, such that the distance d is 15 mm, 25 mm, or 30 mm.
- the distance can be measured along the firewood wedge 605, from the intersection of the projections of the firewood wedge 605 and the splitting chute 510, and in a direction that forms an angle of more than 90 degrees relative to the direction to which the splitting chute 510 opens.
- the projections of all the firewood wedges 605 extend below the projection of the splitting chute 510 in the aforementioned plane such that the firewood wedges 605 in the central part of the splitting wedge extend a shorter distance below the splitting wedge than the firewood wedges 605 in the boundary area the splitting wedge.
- the projection of a firewood wedge can extend from 30 mm to 190 mm from the intersection downwards (i.e. below the projection of the splitting chute).
- the projections of all firewood wedges 605 extend at a distance d below the projection of the splitting chute 510, wherein d is 30 mm (alternatively d could be 15mm or 25 mm).
- the firewood processor is arranged to check whether the splitting wedge 600 is arranged at a proper height with respect to the splitting chute in the aforementioned sense.
- the firewood processor 300 is arranged to split the log only when the splitting wedge 600 is at a proper height; or to engage the means for splitting the log only in a position where the splitting wedge not arranged to split a log, or completely detached from the firewood processor 300. This helps to prevent logs from being jammed in the splitting wedge 600.
- the splitting wedge 600 is fixable to only one such location in the firewood processor 300 where the splitting wedge 600 is configured to split a log 900.
- another wedge such as a spare wedge
- the one location is arranged at a proper height in the above sense.
- the firewood processor 300 is arranged to engage the means for moving the pressure plate 515 and/or the splitting wedge 600 towards each other only when the splitting wedge 600 is at a proper height or completely detached from the firewood processor 300.
- the splitting wedge 600 is detachable for maintenance purposes.
- the splitting wedge 600 is at least temporarily fixable to said location.
- the structure of the firewood processor 300 simplifies, when the wedge 600 is not arranged movable in the vertical direction, i.e. the wedge 600 is fixable only to one location in the firewood processor 300 in the aforementioned sense.
- different splitting wedges 600 can be configured to split a log 900 to firewood of different size.
- a first splitting wedge may be arranged to produce firewood having a maximum diameter of 15 cm.
- a second splitting wedge may be arranged to produce firewood having a maximum diameter of 20 cm.
- a third splitting wedge may be arranged to produce firewood having a maximum diameter of 25 cm.
- the shape of the cross section of the bottom of the channel 620 for receiving the intermediate split log 910 may be adapted to the shape of the cross section of the bottom of the splitting chute 510. This has the effect that the intermediate split log 910 fits to the shape of the splitting chute 510.
- the returning element 530 is configured to return, in addition to the intermediate split log 910, large impurities, such as bark, from the channel 620 for receiving the intermediate split log back to the splitting chute 510. Therefore, the shape the cross section of the returning element 530 is adapted to the shape of the cross section of the channel 620 for receiving the intermediate split log 910.
- the returning element 530 may comprise resilient material 532 arranged at least on the boundary of the returning element 530.
- the resilient material 532 may comprise e.g. plastic or rubber, or it may be a thin metal blade.
- the resilient material 532 may be arranged to be changeable.
- the resilient material may be attached to the returning element with openable locking means, such as a screw, a clip, or a shape-locking means. In this way, the returning element 530 is arranged to return also smaller objects.
- the resilient material may wear, it preferably is changeable.
- an embodiment of a firewood processor 300 comprises at least one a protector 310, 420 configured to be in an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the protector 310 is arranged to prevent the user of the firewood processor 300 from pushing his hands or other body parts into the interior of the splitting part 500 of the firewood processor 300. The interior is limited by the protector 310. To facilitate handling of the log 900 and/or the intermediate split log 910, in the open position, the protector 310 is arranged to allow the user of the firewood processor to handle the log 900 or the intermediate split log 910 arranged in the splitting unit 500.
- the protector 420 In the closed position, the protector 420 is arranged to prevent the user of the firewood processor 300 from pushing his hands or other body parts into the interior of the cutting part 400 of the firewood processor 300. The interior is limited by the protector 420. In the open position, the protector 420 is arranged to allow the user of the firewood processor to handle wood 990 or the log 900 arranged in the cutting unit 400.
- an embodiment comprises a protector position sensor 315 configured to detect the position of at least one of the protectors 310, 420.
- the firewood processor 300 is arranged to engage at least one such a tool of which operation is dangerous to a user only when at least one or two the protectors 310, 420 is in the closed position.
- Such tools may include at least one of (i) the means 520 for moving the pressure plate 515 and/or the splitting wedge 600 towards each other, (ii) the returning element 530 arranged to automatically return the intermediate split log 910 to the splitting chute 510, (iii) the saw 410, and (iv) the means 330 for feeding wood 990 for the saw 410.
- the firewood processor 300 is arranged to engage the press 520 and split the log 900 (or the intermediate split log 910) only when the protector 310 is in the closed position. In an embodiment, the firewood processor 300 is arranged to automatically return the intermediate split log 910 using the returning element 530 to the splitting chute 510 only when the protector 310 that protects the user from the returning element 530 is in the closed position. In an embodiment, the firewood processor 300 is arranged to engage the saw 410 only when the protector 420 is in the closed position.
- the firewood processor may comprise at least one controller 320.
- the operator may use the controller 320 to operate the firewood processor 300.
- the firewood processor 300 is configured, in response to a control signal from the controller 320, to engage the press 520 and split the log 900 or the intermediate split log 910.
- the controller 320 may be a joystick-type controller comprising various buttons, as depicted in Figs. 3a and 3e .
- the press 520 may be engaged by pressing the button 322.
- a control unit 350 may be arranged to receive a signal from the protector position sensor 315 and another signal from the controller 320, and configured to engage the press 520 in response to a signal from the controller only when the signal from the protector position sensor 315 indicates that the protector 310 is in the closed position.
- a control unit 350 may be arranged to receive a signal from another protector position sensor 415 and another signal from the controller 320, and configured to engage the saw 410 in response to a signal from the controller only when the signal from the other protector position sensor 415 indicates that the protector 420 is in the closed position.
- the firewood processor 300 may be automated in such a way that the firewood processor 300 is, after splitting the log 900 and without user-given control signals from the controller 320 or another controller (or in the case the press has been engaged with a controller, without further user-given control signals from the controller 320 or another controller), configured to automatically return the intermediate split log 910, using the returning element 530, to the splitting chute 510 for further splitting.
- the user-given control signal refers to signal made by the user.
- the firewood processor 300 may be configured the detect the instance when the log has been split, e.g. when the press 520 has extended all its working length, and automatically return the returning element 530 thereafter. Thereafter, the press 520 may be re-engaged automatically or using the controller 320.
- This may also be conditional such that the means for moving the pressure plate 515 and/or the splitting wedge 600 towards each other is arranged to move only when the protector 310 (and optionally also the protector 420) is in the closed position.
- the controller 320 is arranged to be used by an operator of the firewood processor 300 with only one hand.
- the firewood processor 300 is configured, in response to a control signal only from the controller 320, to engage the means for moving the pressure plate and/or the splitting wedge towards each other (e.g. the press 520).
- the other hand of the user can be set free during operation.
- the one-hand operation can be achieved e.g. by the controller 320 shown in Figs. 3a and 3e .
- the firewood processor 300 may be arranged to automatically split the log 900 and the intermediate split log 910 as many times as needed without further control signals from the user.
- a firewood processor 300 comprises a control unit 350 configured to control at least the means for moving the pressure plate 515 and/or the splitting wedge 600 towards each other (e.g. the press 520).
- the firewood processor 300 comprises a sensor 340 for detecting the presence of the intermediate split log 910 in the splitting unit 500, such as on the plate 610 (see Figs. 6a-6c ).
- the sensor 340 is configured to provide the control unit 350 with a signal indicative of the presence of the intermediate split log 910 in the splitting unit 500.
- the sensor may be configured to send a signal indicative of the presence of the intermediate split log 910 in the splitting unit 500 to the control unit 350.
- the control unit 350 is arranged to receive the signal, determine the presence of the intermediate split log 910 in the splitting unit 500, and automatically re-engage the press 520. In this way, the firewood processor 300 is configured to automatically further split the intermediate split log 910.
- An ultrasound sensor 340 has been found to work well for the purpose. However, in addition or alternatively, another sensor 340 or other sensors 340, such as an optical sensor, a weight sensor, or a pressure sensor, can be used.
- the automatic function may be turned on e.g. using a switch 324 (see Fig. 3e ).
- the switch 324 may be e.g. a button, by which the automatic splitting may be turned on, and the automatic splitting is automatically turned off after the log 900 has been completely split.
- the switch 324 may be e.g. a button, by which the automatic splitting may be toggled on and off.
- the switch 324 may be e.g. a rocker switch, by which the automatic splitting may be set on or off.
- the firewood processor 300 may be configured accordingly.
- the controller 320 may comprise a button 328 for engaging the saw 410.
- the controller 320 may comprise a button 326 for engaging a means 445 for moving a log from the cutting unit 400 to the splitting unit 500.
- turning the stick 320 to left may e.g. feed wood to the saw 410.
- turning the stick 320 to towards the user may e.g. lower the saw 410, whereby wood 990 may be cut.
- the firewood processor 300 may be fully automated.
- the firewood processor may be arranged to detect its state, and automatically perform the actions required in that state. For example, if the splitting chute 510 is empty, and the press 520 has been returned to its initial position, a log 900b may be fed to the splitting chute 510; naturally the log 900b needs to have been cut from wood 990. When the log has been moved, it can be automatically split and re-split as many times as needed. Moreover, when the log has been moved to the splitting chute, wood 990 may be fed to the saw 410 and a next log can be cut from the wood 990.
- the firewood processor 300 comprises a support 430, e.g. in the cutting unit 400, for supporting the cut log 900b.
- a support 430 e.g. in the cutting unit 400, for supporting the cut log 900b.
- This has the effect that the lob 900b does not tear off from the wood, and the sawn surface of the log 900b remains straight. This ensures high quality of the firewood, as the end surface of the firewood is a factor affecting quality.
- the firewood processor 300 may comprise means 440 for preventing the movement of the cut log 900b into the splitting chute 510 at a first time (see Figs.
- the firewood processor comprises means 445 for transferring the subsequent cut log 900b to the splitting chute 510 or means 445 for allowing the cut log to move to the splitting chute 510 at a second time, wherein the second time is different from the first time.
- the protrusion 440 can be retracted into the support 430.
- the log 900b When retracted, the log 900b can move over the retracted protrusion 445 to the splitting chute.
- an actuator 445 such as a pusher 445, is used for transferring the cut log into the splitting chute.
- the support 430 can be arranged at a higher position than the bottom of the splitting chute 510, whereby gravity can be utilized for transferring the log 900b.
- the cutting unit 400 and the splitting unit 500 are separated by a dotted line.
- the log 900b is arranged to move or be moved from the support 430 to the splitting chute 510 in at least a direction that forms an angle of at most 60 degrees with a horizontal direction.
- this angle is at most 45 degree or at most 30 degrees. Such a small angle even further decreases the risk a falling.
- At least part of the support 430 is substantially horizontal (e.g. forms an angle of at most 10 degrees with the horizontal plane), and the firewood processor comprises an actuator 445 configured to move a log 900b along the support 430 towards the splitting chute 510.
- the support 430 can be configured to support the part of the wood 990 that form the log 900b after cutting at the same location wherein the cut log 900b remains after cutting. This helps to prevent the tearing of the log 900b while cutting.
- these pieces 925 of the log 900 are normally intermixed with impurities, such as bark, debris, and/or sawdust.
- impurities such as bark, debris, and/or sawdust.
- high quality firewood should be free from such impurities or at least substantially free from such impurities. It has been observed that impurities can be effectively removed using a vibrator screen 710.
- a vibrator screen 710 can be integrated with any firewood processor 300, for example with an embodiment described above or with a conventional firewood processor.
- Such a firewood processor 300 comprises a cutting unit 400 as described above, a splitting unit 500 (a traditional splitting unit arranged to split the log in only one go or a splitting unit as discussed above), and means for moving a log 900 from the cutting unit 400 to the splitting chute 510.
- the means for moving the log 900 from the cutting unit 400 to the splitting chute 510 may be e.g. a tilted plane, along which the log may slide. Alternatively, the log may simply drop to the splitting chute after having been cut. Referring to Figs.
- the firewood processor further comprises a vibrator screen 710 configured to separate impurities, such as bark, sawdust, and/or debris, from the pieces 925 of a log 900 to obtain clean firewood 930 and means 705 for vibrating the vibrator screen 710.
- the vibrator screen 710 is arranged to such a location that the vibrator screen 710 is configured to receive the pieces 925 of log (e.g. firewood-ready pieces 920) from the splitting unit 500.
- An example of such an arrangement is shown in Figs. 3a , 3b , and 4a-5b .
- the vibrator screen 710 is arranged to such a location that the pieces 925 of log are arranged to move from the splitting unit 500 to the vibrator screen 710 by at least the movement of the log 900 during the splitting.
- the vibrator screen 710 is arranged to a lower position (i.e. closer to ground level) than the splitting chute 510.
- piece 925 of log 900 refers only to a part of a log resulting from splitting.
- the firewood-ready pieces 920 are examples of pieces 925 of log.
- the vibrator screen 710 is arranged to such a location that the vibrator screen 710 is configured to receive only firewood-ready pieces 920.
- the vibrator screen 710 is configured to receive only firewood-ready pieces 920 from the splitting unit 500.
- the vibrator screen 710 is configured to receive only firewood-ready pieces 920 that are arranged to move from the splitting unit 500 to the vibrator screen 710 by at least the movement of the log 900 during the splitting.
- the firewood processor 300 comprises walls 715 (see Fig. 3a and 3d ), in between which the vibrator screen 710 is arranged.
- the walls 715 and the vibrator screen 710 in combination, form a chute wherein the processed firewood (920, 925, 930) is arranged to move.
- the bottom of the chute may comprise the vibrator screen, or the walls may define a narrower chute, whereby bottom of the chute may comprise a part of the screening part of the vibrator screen.
- This helps the collection of clean firewood 930 only from an end of the vibrator screen.
- the wall 715 limits the movement of process firewood (920, 925, 930) in such a way that the processed firewood does not fall off the vibrator screen 710 in the transversal direction.
- the collection of firewood 930 is easy also when the vibrator screen is replaced with any means for transferring firewood, in such a way that the walls 715 and the means for transferring firewood form the aforementioned chute. Examples of such means include a plate, a roll conveyor, and the vibrator screen 710.
- the movement of firewood on such means can be facilitated by the movement of subsequent pieces of firewood coming from the splitting unit 500.
- the length Lv of the vibrator screen 710 in the direction wherein the processed wood is arranged to move (see Fig. 9a ), is at least 300 mm or at least 500 mm. These lower limits have been found to be sufficient for producing sufficiently clean firewood 930. In addition or alternatively, the length Lv of the vibrator screen 710 may be at most 2 m or at most 1.5 m. The upper limit helps integrating the vibrator screen 710 with a firewood processor 300.
- FIGs. 8a-8d Various splitting processes are described in Figs. 8a-8d . Cutting wood 990 to a log 900 is depicted in Fig. 8a only; however it is understood that a firewood processor 300 is arranged also to cut wood 990.
- Figure 8a shows an embodiment, wherein a log 900 is automatically split three times, as in Figs. 6a-6c .
- the firewood-ready pieces 920 are not cleaned.
- these firewood-ready pieces 920 are cleaned using a vibrator screen 710 to produce clean firewood 930.
- Figures 8c and 8d illustrate the possibility of using a vibrator screen 710 for cleaning pieces 925 of log even in a case, where an operator manually checks whether the pieces 925 comply with size requirements. Too large pieces are manually transferred for re-splitting.
- the size of the pieces 925 can be checked after cleaning ( Fig. 8c ), before cleaning ( Fig. 8d ), or during cleaning (not shown), e.g. by visual observation.
- FIG. 8b An embodiment of Fig. 8b , wherein such a splitting wedge 600 is used that during splitting none of the firewood-ready pieces 920 is left in between the center of another firewood-ready piece 920 produced by the same splitting and the center of the intermediate split log 910 (see e.g. Fig. 5b ), has been found particularly effective.
- the splitting wedge 600 is configured to produce, in addition to the intermediate split log 910, only one layer of firewood-ready pieces 920. All of these firewood-ready pieces 920 may neighbor the intermediate split log 910, provided that the intermediate split log 910 is large enough (see Figs. 6a and 6b ).
- the vibrator screen 710 cleans firewood-ready pieces 920 effectively, when the firewood-ready pieces 920 are arranged substantially in only one layer on the vibrator screen 710. Conversely, when pieces 925 of the log, such as firewood-ready pieces 920, are arranged on top of each other, cleaning is less effective. This could happen e.g. when a splitting wedge of Fig. 2b of 2c would be used, and all the resulting pieces 925 would be conveyed onto a vibrator screen 710. Evidently, the wedges of Fig. 2b and 2c produce at least two layers of firewood or firewood-ready pieces, at least if reasonably thick wood is split.
- the firewood processor is arranged to produce only one layer of non-overlapping pieces of log (920, 925) and the vibrator screen 710 is arranged to receive these pieces of log (920, 925) such that the pieces (920, 925) are arranged in only one layer also on the vibrator screen 710.
- the firewood can be easily transferred in a channel limited by the walls 715.
- Figures 9a-9c show a vibrator screen 710 in a perspective view, side view, and top view, respectively.
- the vibrator screen 710 limits openings 720, through which the impurities are arranged to run, the openings 720 having a length Lo and a width Do, wherein the length Lo is greater than or equal to the width Do.
- some impurities, such as sawdust is relatively small, whereby narrow openings allow for some impurities to be removed.
- the width Do of at least one opening is greater than 1 mm.
- the width Do of at least one opening is greater than 1 cm, such as greater than 2 cm.
- the splitting wedge 600 is arranged to split a log 900 into at least one firewood-ready piece 920 having a width D (see Fig. 1 ) of at most a maximum width and the width Do of at least one opening of the vibrator screen 710 is less than 70 % of the maximum width.
- the splitting wedge 600 is arranged to split a log 900 into at least one firewood-ready piece 920 having a width D (see Fig. 1 ) of at most a maximum width and the width Do of each of the openings of the vibrator screen 710 is less than 70 % of the maximum width.
- the width Do of each opening 720 of the vibrator screen 710 is less than 10 cm.
- the splitting wedge 600 has such a shape that the maximum width of the firewood-ready pieces 920 is 15 cm, the vibrator screen 710 is arranged to receive only the firewood ready pieces 920, and the width Do of each opening 720 of the vibrator screen 710 is less than 10 cm.
- the splitting wedge 600 is arranged to split a log into at least two pieces 925 of log and the width of each opening of the vibrator screen 710 is less than 10 cm. This may be irrespective of whether the width of the pieces 925 is less than 15 cm or not.
- an embodiment of the vibrator screen 710 comprises longitudinal elements 730, such as rods or bars.
- the longitudinal elements are preferably substantially parallel.
- the angle between any two neighboring longitudinal elements 730 may be small, e.g. at most 5 degrees.
- Two neighboring longitudinal elements 730 are arranged a distance away from each other, whereby an opening 720 is left in between the two elements. This has the technical effect, that pieces 925 of log can move easily on the vibrator screen in the direction of the rods.
- the distance between two neighboring longitudinal elements may be selected to be within the limits discussed for the width of the openings.
- the longitudinal elements are parallel, the distance between two neighboring elements is constant, and it may be e.g. from 1 mm to 10 cm; such as from 1 cm to 10 cm.
- the longitudinal elements are not parallel, the distance between the two neighboring longitudinal elements can be measured in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of one of the two neighboring longitudinal elements.
- the longitudinal elements 730 may be connected to each other with transversal elements 740.
- transversal elements 740 preferably, at least such transversal elements 740, over which processed wood (920, 925, 930) is arranged to run, are arranged below the longitudinal elements 730.
- the processed wood (920, 925, 930) can move along the top surfaces of the longitudinal elements 730 without being arrested by the transversal elements.
- transversal supports may be arranged to any height to such locations where processed wood is not arranged to run, e.g. near an end of the vibrator screen 710, if processed wood is received in between the ends of the vibrator screen 710.
- the top surface of a transversal element 740 connecting two longitudinal elements 730 is arranged below the top surfaces of both the two longitudinal elements 730.
- the top surface of a transversal element 740 connecting two longitudinal elements 730 is arranged at least 1 cm below at least one of the top surfaces of the two longitudinal elements 730.
- the top surface of all such transversal elements 740 connecting two longitudinal elements 730, over which processed wood is arranged to run, are arranged below the top surfaces of both the two longitudinal elements 730. They may be arranged e.g. at least 1 cm below, as discussed above.
- the term "below” requires that the vibrator screen in not vertical.
- the vibrator screen 710 is not vertical if it forms an angle of at most 45 degrees with a horizontal plane or is exactly parallel to a horizontal plane.
- the vibrator screen 710 may be substantially horizontal, or it may be arranged at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane. Arranging the screen at an angle may help to move the pieces (920, 925) on the vibrator screen 710 to a defined direction. However, the angle should be reasonably small, e.g. at most 15 degrees, in order to keep the processed firewood on the vibrator screen sufficiently long. Moreover, positioning the screen horizontally diminishes the height requirements and may improve the stability of the firewood processor.
- the vibrator screen 710 is configured to separate impurities from the pieces 925 of the log (or logs) to obtain clean firewood in such a way that during cleaning the impurities are configured to drop through at least an opening 720 of the vibrator screen 710 downwards and clean firewood 930 is arranged to stay on the vibrator screen 710.
- the vibrator screen 710 is arranged to such a position that the processed firewood (920, 925, 930) on the vibrator screen 710 is arranged to be moved by the movement of the log 900 during the splitting.
- the log 900 or pieces 925 thereof is/are arranged to push the material on the vibrator screen 710 during splitting.
- gravity may be used to move the processed firewood (920, 925, 930).
- the direction Sx2 wherein the longitudinal elements 730 of the vibrator screen extend the most is preferably parallel to a direction Sx1, in which direction Sx1 the splitting chute 510 extends in its longitudinal direction.
- the direction Sx1 is also the direction, wherein the log 900a is arranged to be moved during splitting.
- the movement of the processed firewood (920, 925, 930) on the vibrator screen 710 is effectively facilitated with the movement of the log 900a during splitting.
- At least one of the vibrator screen 710 and the splitting chute 510 may be arranged at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane.
- the projection of the first longitudinal direction Sx1 on a horizontal plane runs in a first horizontal direction
- the projection of the second longitudinal direction Sx2 on a horizontal plane runs in a second horizontal direction.
- the first horizontal direction is parallel to the second horizontal direction or
- the angle between the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction is at most 30 degrees, such as at most 15 degrees.
- the vibrator screen 710 (or a corresponding means for transferring firewood, as discussed above) can operate even without a mechanized conveyor. This helps to keep the costs of the firewood processor 300 low.
- the processed firewood (920, 925, 930) on the vibrator screen 710 is arranged to be moved by at least the movement of the log 900 during the splitting. Thus, no other means is needed for moving the processed wood (920, 925, 930).
- a conveyor 750 can be used to convey at least some of the separated impurities away from the firewood processor 300.
- the impurities may be conveyed to a container 760 for impurities.
- the conveyor 750 may be comprised by the firewood processor 300, or an arrangement can be formed of the firewood processor 300 and a separate conveyor 750.
- at least part of the conveyor 750 is arranged below the vibrator screen 710.
- the impurities fall through the openings 720 of the vibrator screen 710 onto the conveyor 750.
- to conveyor 750 conveys the impurities away and ensures sufficient free space below the vibrator screen 710 also in long term use of the firewood processor 300.
- the vibrator screen 710 may be arranged to facilitate the movement of the processed wood (920, 925, 930) on the vibrator screen 710.
- the vibrator screen in an embodiment is arranged to vibrate in at least a somewhat vertical direction.
- the processed wood (920, 925, 930) is arranged to move along the vibrator screen 710 in a longitudinal direction Sx2 (see Fig. 3d ).
- the direction Sx2 may be substantially horizontal or it may form an angle of at most 45 degrees (or at most 15 degrees) with a horizontal plane.
- the direction Sx2 may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal elements 730.
- the vibrator screen 710 is preferably configured to vibrate in a direction that is (i) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Sx2 and (ii,a) vertical or (ii,b) forms an angle of a most 45 degrees with a vertical direction. This direction is later referred to as "somewhat vertical direction".
- the vibrator screen does not vibrate in the longitudinal direction Sx2.
- the vibrator screen 710 is configured to vibrate only in the aforementioned somewhat vertical direction.
- the vibrator screen 710 is configured to vibrate also in the longitudinal direction Sx2.
- the vibrator screen 710 is configured to vibrate also in the aforementioned somewhat vertical direction.
- the vibrator screen may be arranged to vibrate in such a way that only one end of the vibrator screen vibrates, while the other end is pivotally connected to a frame of the firewood processor.
- the vibration may have a maximum vibration amplitude at a location.
- the means 705 for vibrating the vibrator screen is configured to vibrate the vibration screen 710 in such a way that the maximum vibration amplitude in the aforementioned direction (the somewhat vertical direction) is at least 1 mm; optionally at most 100 mm.
- the maximum amplitude in this direction may be between 3 mm and 50 mm.
- the means 705 for vibrating the vibrator screen may be configured to vibrate the vibration screen 710 in such a way that the vibration frequency in the aforementioned direction (the somewhat vertical direction) is from 2 Hz to 50 Hz.
- the vibration amplitude and the vibration frequency in the somewhat vertical direction i.e. the direction that is (i) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Sx2 and (ii,a) vertical or (ii,b) forms an angle of a most 45 degrees with a vertical direction, are within the aforementioned ranges.
- the firewood processor 300 comprises a firewood conveyor 360 configured to convey firewood-ready pieces 920 from the splitting part 500 to a storage.
- the firewood processor 300 comprises the vibrator screen 710
- the firewood processor 300 comprises a firewood conveyor 360 configured to convey clean firewood 930 from the vibrator screen 710 to a storage.
- the firewood conveyor 360 can be integrated with the firewood processor 300, or a separate conveyor 360 can be used for the purpose.
- an arrangement comprises the firewood processor 300 and the separate firewood conveyor 360.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Forests & Forestry (AREA)
- Debarking, Splitting, And Disintegration Of Timber (AREA)
Description
- The invention relates to a firewood processor according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a firewood processor is disclosed by document
US 4 936 362 A . - Firewood is used in fire places for heating. Firewood can be made from wood, such as logs, e.g. by using firewood processors. Firewood processors both cut (i.e. saw) and split wood to obtain firewood. A firewood processor is known e.g. from
US 4,173,237 . - The quality of firewood depends e.g. on its size and the amount of impurities, such as debris, bark, and/or sawdust, intermixed with the firewood. Referring to
Figs. 1a-1c , firewood has usually a length, L, from 15 cm to 100 cm, mainly depending on national tradition and/or the size of the fireplace. Specific examples include 400 mm and 500 mm for typical boilers, and 330 mm and 250 mm for typical fireplaces. In addition, the transversal maximum measure of the firewood, herein called as the width of the firewood, should be reasonably small, depending on the class of the firewood. For example, for the classes "A1, D15", and "A2, D15" as defined in the standard EN 14961-5, the width of the firewood, D, should be at most 15 cm. - When the diameter of the un-split wood 100 (see
Figs. 2a-2c ) is more than 15 cm, a one-way splitting wedge 110, as described inUS 4,173,237 andFig. 2a , cannot be used to produce firewood having small width in one go. A splittingwedge 120 can be arranged to split a log to four parts (See.Fig. 2b ), whereby somewhat thicker wood can be split to comply the width requirements for firewood. Theoretically, wood with a diameter of about 21 cm could be cut to sufficiently small firewood with such a splitting wedge. - Moreover, theoretically, wood with a diameter of 30 cm could be cut to sufficiently small firewood with e.g. a splitting wedge arranged to split the wood to at least six pieces, the splitting wedge having only radial splitting parts, as the wedge of
Fig. 2b . In practice, however, it is hard to align the center of the splitting wedge with the center of the log to be split. Moreover, the grains of a log are not precisely parallel to the length, whereby the log will not split ideally along its central axis. The splittingwedge 120 can be arranged in aframe 122. The size of theframe 122 is selected large enough for thewood 100, so that so that split wood can move radially outwards in the open sections "O" of the splitting wedge, as depicted inFig. 2b . - When the diameter of the
un-split wood 100 is even larger, such as about 30 cm or more, such a splitting wedge is not able to split the wood to sufficiently small firewood in one go. Naturally, it is possible to manually detect and pick too large pieces of wood, and re-split them with the same wedge. This, however, considerably slows down the process. Furthermore, moving large pieces of wood manually may be problematic from a point of view of safety or ergonomics. Moreover, any splitting wedge, wherein the wedges extend only radially cannot be used for the purpose, since the width of the firewood would always be too large. However, it is known in the art to use a splittingwedge 130 that has also bridgingparts 134, i.e. parts that extend in the tangential direction. An example of such a wedge is shown inFig. 2c . - The problem with splitting
wedges 130 having also bridgingparts 134 is that when such a wedge is used, the force required to split the log increases a lot. This is mainly because the central pieces of firewood must move through the central apertures "C" of the splittingwedge 130, and therein the movement of the split firewood is limited also from outwards. In contrast, when using e.g. a four-way wedge, as above, the pieces of firewood may move radially away from the center (seeFig. 2b ). It is also noted the radially outmost parts of the splittingwedge 130 ofFig. 2c are open, as denoted by the letter "O". This applies when aframe 122 that is larger than the log is used to support the blades of the splitting wedge, as depicted inFig. 2b , because thelog 100 is relatively thin compared to theframe 122. - The need for large splitting forces impose other problems: the piston for moving the log towards the splitting wedge must be capable of producing the force, and the frame of the firewood processor must be so sturdy that it withstands the forces. In practice this means larger machine parts and a larger firewood processor, which considerably increases the manufacturing and transportation costs for the firewood processor. Moreover, the operation of the firewood processor may slow down, if the size hydraulic pumps are not increased correspondingly. In addition, larger pumps need more energy.
- In addition, the processed firewood should be clean. For the purpose it is known to convey the firewood to a sieving drum before packing the firewood. However, sieving drums are reasonably long, in order to ensure sufficient amount of cleaning. A long sieving drum requires a reasonably amount a material, whereby its manufacturing cost may be reasonably high. Moreover, provided that a conveyor for firewood is needed, the sieving drum should be installed in between such conveyor and the firewood processor, which makes the assembly of such a system more complex than a sieving means that is integrated directly to the firewood processor.
- It is the aim of the present invention to present a firewood processor, by which the aforementioned problems are diminished.
- As for the second problem, according to the invention, the firewood processor comprises a vibrator screen arranged to screen debris, bark, sawdust, and/or other impurities from the firewood-ready pieces of wood. The firewood processor further comprises means for vibrating the vibrator screen. Moreover the vibrator screen is arranged to such a location that the vibrator screen is configured to receive pieces of the log from a splitting unit of the firewood processor. The firewood processor is disclosed in claim 1.
-
- Figs. 1a-1c
- show examples of firewood and measures thereof,
- Figs. 2a-2c
- show known splitting wedges,
- Figs. 3a-3d
- show a
firewood processor 300 in various views, - Fig. 3e
- shows a controller of a firewood processor, as seen from top,
- Figs. 4a-4b
- show, in a side view, some parts of a
splitting unit 500 of afirewood processor 300, and the process of splitting, - Figs. 5a-5b
- show, in a perspective view, some parts of a
splitting unit 500 of afirewood processor 300, and the process of splitting, - Figs. 6a-6c
- show, in an end view, three subsequent splittings, whereby a reasonably
large log 900 is split eventually to only firewood-ready pieces 920, - Figs. 7a-7b
- show, in an end view, examples of a mutual positions of a
cutting unit 400 and asplitting unit 500, - Figs. 8a-8d
- show some embodiments of a splitting process,
- Figs. 9a-9c
- show, in a perspective view, a side view, and a top view, respectively, a
vibrator screen 710 for cleaning firewood; and - Figs. 10a-10b
- show, in an end view, some mutual vertical orientations of the splitting
chute 510 and the splittingwedge 600. - Embodiments of processes for producing firewood are shown in
Figs. 8a-8d . As for the terms used in this description, theterm wood 990 refers to a relatively long wooden object, such as atree trunk 990, which is to be processed to firewood (i.e. firewood-ready pieces 920 or clean firewood 930). The length of thewood 990 may be e.g. at least 2.5 m. - The
term log 900 refers to a piece that is sawn (i.e. cut) from thewood 990. The length L (seeFigs. 1a-1c ) of a log depends on the need, and the length of thelog 900 determines the length of the firewood. The length L may be e.g. from 15 cm to 100 cm. The aforementioned examples of background art apply. - When the
log 900 is split, at least two pieces 925 (or 910, 920) of log are formed. No special size requirements apply to thesepieces 925. An embodiment of splitting is depicted inFigs 8c and 8d , wherein toolarge pieces 925 of wood are manually transferred back for re-splitting. As depicted inFigs. 8a and 8b , in an embodiment, the log is automatically split subsequently at least two times. In this embodiment, thelog 900 is split to at least one intermediate split log 910, and at least one firewood-ready piece 920. The intermediate split log 910 refers to alog 900 that has been split at least once, which intermediate split log 910 is automatically transferred for re-splitting, and may be split at least once again. The width D (seeFigs. 1a-1c ) of the firewood-ready piece 920 is such that it needs not to be re-split to comply with the size requirements of firewood. For example, the width D of the firewood-ready pieces 920 may be e.g. at most 15 cm. - In contrast to firewood-
ready pieces 920, the intermediate split log 910 (or intermediate split logs) is/are returned for re-splitting, e.g. as shown inFigs. 4a-6c . Thus, the width of the intermediate split log 910 may be greater than the width of the firewood-ready piece 920. However, it is possible that the size of the intermediate split log(s) 910 is so small that it will not be re-split. E.g. it may penetrate through an opening of a splitting wedge without being split (seeFigs. 6c ). - The firewood-
ready pieces 920 and/or thepieces 925 of log can be cleaned. Provided that the size requirements are met,clean firewood 930 is thus produced. Provided that the size requirements are not met, in an embodiment toolarge pieces 925 of log can be e.g. manually sent for re-splitting (seeFigs. 8c and 8d ). Naturally, such manual control is not needed, when thefirewood processor 300 is arranged to automatically re-split all such pieces that are or may be too large (seeFigs. 8a and 8b ). - The term "processed firewood" will be used to refer to one of
pieces 925 of log, firewood-ready pieces 920, andclean firewood 930, or a mixture thereof. In addition, alarge piece 925 of log can be interpreted to mean an intermediate split log 910, as such a piece (925, 910) could also manually be transferred for re-splitting (seeFigs. 8c and 8d ). -
Figures 3a ,3b, 3c , and3d show afirewood processor 300 in a perspective view, top view, an end view, and a top view, respectively. The directions Sx, Sy, and Sz refer to three orthogonal directions. Sz may be parallel to the surface normal of the ground, on which the firewood processor stands. Thefirewood processor 300 comprises a frame supporting the parts of the firewood processor. The frame is configured to stand, e.g. on ground, while operating thefirewood processor 300. - The
firewood processor 300 comprises acutting unit 400 and asplitting unit 500. Thecutting unit 400 comprises asaw 410 for cutting (i.e. sawing)wood 990 tologs Fig. 3d ). Thecutting unit 400 is configured to cut thewood 990 tologs 900 having a desired length using thesaw 410, as discussed above. Thefirewood processor 300 comprisesmeans 330 for feedingwood 990 to thecutting unit 400. The means 330 may comprise at least one of a table, such as a roller table, and a conveyor, such as a belt conveyor. In addition or alternatively, a separate (optionally additional) means 330 for feedingwood 990 can be used when arranged in connection with a firewood processor. Also theseparate means 330 may comprise a wood conveyor. Thus, an arrangement comprises afirewood processor 300 and awood conveyor 330 for conveyinguncut wood 990 to thecutting unit 400. The firewood processor may comprise acontroller 320, with which the operator can operate theconveyor 330 for movingwood 990 to thecutting unit 400. - The
conveyor 330 or thefirewood processor 300 may comprise an opening or gate, through which thewood 990 is fed to thesaw 410. In an embodiment, the width of the opening or the gate is selected such that the opening or the gate is configured to pass only sufficientlythin wood 990 to thesaw 410. A toothick log 900 might cause malfunction of thefirewood processor 300. The width of the opening or gate may be e.g. from 370 mm to 900 mm, such as 380 mm, 410 mm, 440 mm, 470 mm, 500 mm, 530 mm, 560 mm, or 600 mm. The width of the opening or gate may be e.g. from 370 mm to any one of 440 mm, 470 mm, 500 mm, 530 mm, 560 mm, 600 mm, 700 mm, or 800 mm. The width depends on the structure of the other components of thefirewood processor 300, in combination determining the maximum thickness of thewood 990 thefirewood processor 300 can process. The gate may be arranged at a location e.g. 50 cm - 100 cm before thesaw 410, in the direction of themeans 330 for feedingwood 990 to thesaw 410 and away from thecutting unit 400. In addition or alternatively, thesaw 410 can be configured such that it can cut only sufficiently thin wood. Examples of limiting thicknesses are the same as for the opening of the gate. This can be done e.g. by preventing thesaw 410 from rising higher than the limiting thickness, as measured from the top surface of theconveyor 330. In addition or alternatively, the length of thesaw 410 may be configured to be so short that it cannot fully cut toothick wood 990. - The
cutting unit 400 may comprise means for adjusting the position of thewood 990 in such a way that wood is cut tologs 900 having a desired length. The means may comprise a body 450 (Fig. 3b ), to which an end of thewood 990 can be supported, whereby to position of thesaw 410, with respect to thisbody 450, determines the length L of thecut log 900. The distance between thebody 450 and the saw may be configured to be variable and temporarily fixable. In particular, the position of thebody 450 with respect to a frame of the firewood processor 300 (and thus also with respect to ground) may be configured to be variable and temporarily fixable. Thefirewood processor 300 comprises aprotector 420 arranged to protect the user from thesaw 410. - Referring to
Figs. 3b and 3c , and also toFigs. 4a-6c , thesplitting unit 500 comprises a splittingchute 510, a splittingwedge 600, apressure plate 515 arranged to support and press thelog 900 while splitting thelog 900, and means for moving thepressure plate 515 and/or the splittingwedge 600 towards each other. Thepressure plate 515 is arranged to support thelog 900 in the direction of pressing, which normally is the longitudinal direction of thelog 900. The splittingchute 510 opens to an opening direction. The splitting chute is 510 is configured to receive alog 900 at least from the opening direction. For example, inFigs. 6a to 6c , the splittingchute 510 opens upwards. Thelog 900 is moved from thecutting unit 400 to the splittingchute 510 such that at least part of thelog 900 is arranged in the splitting chute, in between the splittingwedge 600 and thepressure plate 515. For example, thelog 900 may simply drop from thecutting unit 400 to thechute 510, or may move supported by a surface downwards and to the side. Thus, when alog 900 that is arranged on the bottom of the splittingchute 510 in between thepressure plate 515 and the splittingwedge 600, and the splittingwedge 600 and/or thepressure plate 515 is/are moved towards the other (or each other), at some point of time thelog 900 is split by the splittingwedge 600. As detailed above, thelog 900 is split into pieces (925, 920, 910). In an embodiment, the pieces comprise an intermediate split log 910, which may be automatically re-split, and at least one firewood-ready piece 920 being sufficiently small for use as firewood. - In an embodiment, the
pressure plate 515 is a moving pressure plate, and the position of the splittingwedge 600 is fixed relative to the frame of the firewood processor while splitting. Alternatively, the splittingwedge 600 may be a movingsplitting wedge 600 and the position of thepressure plate 515 is fixed relative to the frame of the firewood processor while splitting. Also both the pressure plate and the splittingwedge 600 could be moving during splitting. Preferably thepressure plate 515 is a moving pressure plate. Preferably the position of the splittingwedge 600 is fixed relative to the frame of the firewood processor while splitting. - Preferably, the
firewood processor 300 comprises apress 520, such as a hydraulic press or a hydraulic piston. Thepress 520 comprises the pressure plate 515 (such as that surface of thepress 520 that faces log 900) and a means for moving thepressure plate 515 towards the splittingwedge 600. In this embodiment, the position of the splittingwedge 600 relative to a frame of the firewood processor 300 (and thus to ground) is preferably fixed, at least temporarily during splitting. Thepress 520 is arranged to press thelog 900 along the splittingchute 510 against the splittingwedge 600 to split thelog 900. In an embodiment, the splittingwedge 600 is configured to split thelog 900 into an intermediate split log 910 and at least one firewood-ready piece 920. - An embodiment of the
firewood processor 300 comprises a returningelement 530 that is configured to return the intermediate split log 910 (or intermediate split logs) back to the splittingchute 510 for further splitting. The returningelement 530 may be integrated with thepress 520. For example, the press may be a hydraulic piston, which, when extending, is arranged to split thelog 900 to at least the intermediate split log 910, and when retracting, is arranged to retract also the returningelement 530 in such a way that the returningelement 530 pulls the intermediate split log 910 back to the splittingchute 510. Thereafter, the intermediate split log 910 can be re-split into at least another firewood-ready piece 920 by using thepress 520. - Preferably, the
firewood processor 300 is configured to split thelog 900 to only one intermediate split log 910 and at least two or three firewood-ready pieces 920, and the returningelement 530 is configured to return said only one intermediate split log 910 at a time back to the splittingchute 510. This has two effects. Handling only one intermediate split log 910 is easier than to handle multiplesuch logs 910. Moreover, size requirements are more easily met, when sufficiently many firewood-ready pieces 920 are produced in one go, in particular, when the thickness of thewood 990 increases. Referring toFigs. 6a-6c , in an embodiment, the splittingwedge 600 is arranged to split thelog 900 to at least four or at least five, such as six firewood-ready pieces 920. -
Figures 4a and 4b show, in a side view, splitting alog 900.Figs 5a and 5b show, in a perspective view, the splitting shown inFigs. 4a and 4b . Moreover,Fig. 6a shows, in an end view, the splitting shown inFigs. 4a and 4b . InFig. 4a , a part of alog 900 is arranged in asplitting chute 510 of afirewood processor 300. Thelog 900 is arranged on the bottom of the splittingchute 510. Thelog 900 is left in between the splittingwedge 600 and apressure plate 515 comprised by ahydraulic press 520. The relative placements of thelog 900, the splittingchute 510 and the splittingwedge 600 are depicted inFigs 4a, 5a, and 6a . - When splitting, the moving
pressure plate 515 presses thelog 900 along the splittingchute 510 against the splittingwedge 600, thereby splitting thelog 900 into the intermediate split log 910 and the firewood-ready pieces 920, as depicted inFigs. 4b and 5b . The corresponding pieces are shown also inFig. 6a . As thepress 520 is retracted, the returningelement 530 pulls the intermediate split log 910 back to the splittingchute 510. Thus, after returning, at least part of the intermediate split log 910 is arranged into the splittingchute 510 or the intermediate split log 910 is arranged on the bottom of the splittingchute 510, whereby the intermediate split log 910 can be re-split by re-engaging thepress 520. -
Figure 6b illustrates how the intermediate split log 910 can be re-split in a similar manner to further firewoodready parts 920 and a furtherintermediate split log 910. Thereafter, the remaining intermediate split log 910, as depicted inFig. 6c , is so small, that it can be split only to further firewood-ready pieces 920. In this way, the (thick) log 900 can be split to firewoodready pieces 920 with reasonably small forces. The force requirements are reduced in particular, when the splittingwedge 600 is free from the closed central parts "C" (seeFig. 2c ). Small forces are also obtainable faster than large forces, provided that the operative power of the firewood processor is not changed. In this way, firewood can also be made faster. - In order to keep the forces required for splitting reasonable small, the splitting
wedge 600 preferably does not comprise closed areas in the aforementioned meaning. Thus, in an embodiment, thewedge 600 is arranged to split thelog 900 is such a way that none of the firewood-ready pieces 920 is left in between the center of another firewood-ready piece 920 produced by the same splitting and the center of theintermediate split log 910. In other words, during splitting, each of the firewood-ready pieces 920 is arranged to neighbor an intermediate split log 910, provided that at least one intermediate split log 910 is produced (cf.Figs. 6a-6c ). - Referring to
Figs. 6a-6c , thefirewood wedge 600 comprises amain wedge 602 that is configured to split the intermediate split log 910 from thelog 900. Thus, themain wedge 602 comprises a first side and a second side. The sides of themain wedge 602 are named such that the intermediate split log(s) 910 passes/pass themain wedge 602 on the first side of themain wedge 602. - Referring to
Figs. 4a-6c , in an embodiment, the splittingwedge 600 comprises aplate 610 having a concaveupper side 615 and a convexlower side 617, whereby theconcave side 615 forms achannel 620 for receiving theintermediate split log 910. The plate may extend from themain wedge 602. In the alternative, the splittingwedge 600 may be separate from theplate 610. In such a case theplate 610 extends on the other side of the splittingwedge 600 than the splittingchute 510. Theplate 610 may extend from the splittingwedge 600 or theplate 610 may extend from a point being close to the splitting wedge, the point being less than 5 cm or less than 2 cm away from the splittingwedge 600. Thesesides plate 610 could alternatively be a planarupper side 615 and a planarlower side 617. Thischannel 620 opens upwards. The shape of theplate 610 may be adapted to the shape of themain wedge 602. In an embodiment, an end view of themain wedge 602, as seen from the longitudinal direction of the splittingchute 510, is substantially similar to the same end view of theplate 610. - The splitting
wedge 600 comprises at least one, preferably at least two,firewood wedges 605 protruding from theconvex side 617 of the plate 610 (or the convex side of the main wedge 602) and arranged at an angle with respect to the tangent plane of theplate 610 or themain wedge 602. The tangent plane here refers to the tangent plane of theplate 610 or themain wedge 602 at the point from which the splitting wedge protrudes. The angle may be e.g. at least 60 degrees, such as at least 85 degrees. As depicted inFig. 6a , during splitting thelog 900, the intermediate split log 910 is arranged to be left on theconcave side 615 of theplate 610. Moreover, on theconvex side 617 of theplate 610, the firewood wedge orfirewood wedges 605 are arranged to split the other part of the log 900 (i.e. the part that remains of thelog 900 when the intermediate split log 910 is split away) into the firewood-ready pieces 920. Thus, the firewood-ready pieces 920 are arranged to be left on the convex side of theplate 610. Thus, the firewood-ready pieces 920 may be collected from the convex side of theplate 610. The firewood-ready pieces 920 can be left e.g. below theplate 610, as indicated inFigs. 4a-5b . A means for transferring the firewood-ready pieces 920 away from thesplitting unit 500 may be arranged below theplate 610 and to receive said firewood-ready pieces 920. As an example, and as shown in the figures, avibrator screen 710 may be arranged below theplate 610 and to receive said firewood-ready pieces 920. - The length Lp of the plate 610 (see
Fig. 3d ) is selected to be sufficient for receiving theintermediate split log 910. The length Lp may be e.g. at least 35 cm, 50 cm, at least 75 cm or at least 100 cm. The width Wp of the splitting wedge 600 (seeFig. 6a ) can be selected to be sufficient in relation to the thickness of thewood 990. When thesaw 410 is configured to sawonly wood 990 having thickness less than a maximum thickness and/or a gate or an opening is configured to passonly wood 990 having thickness less than a maximum thickness to thesaw 410, as discussed above, the width Wp of the splitting wedge 600 (seeFig. 6a ) can be selected to be at least the maximum thickness. In addition or alternatively, the width Wp of the splittingwedge 600 may be e.g. from 400 mm to 900 mm, such as from 400 mm to 650 mm. In an embodiment, a part of the upper surface (e.g. first side 615) of theplate 610 forms an angle α with another part of the upper surface (e.g. first side 615)plate 610, wherein the angle α is from 60 degrees to 180 degrees, as shown inFig. 6c . Preferably the angle α is from 90 degrees to 160 degrees. This angle has been observed to provide a sufficientlysteep channel 620 for receiving the intermediate split log to a well-controlled position and to provide sufficiently small firewood for typical thicknesses of alog 900. This angle may be substantially equal to an angle of the bottom of the splittingchute 510. In an embodiment, a part of themain wedge 602 forms an angle α2 with another part of themain wedge 602, wherein the angle α2 is from 60 degrees to 180 degrees (Fig. 6c ). Preferably the angle α2 is from 90 degrees to 160 degrees. This angle has been observed to provide good splitting into at least oneintermediate split log 910. The angle α2 may be equal or substantially equal to the angle α (Fig. 6c ). - Whether the splitting
wedge 600 forms closed parts (see reference "C" inFig. 2b ) depends also on the mutual position of the splittingwedge 600 and the splittingchute 510. For example, if thewedge 600 ofFigs. 6a-6c would be arranged somewhat higher, thewedge support 612 would close the openings of the splittingwedge 600. Moreover, if the splittingwedge 600 would be arranged in the splittingchute 510, i.e. in between the ends of the splitting chute, and the chute would not widen, the splittingchute 510 itself would prevent the firewood-ready pieces 920 from expanding or bending downwards. Either of these effects would increase the forces needed for splitting. Thus, preferably, the splittingwedge 600 is arranged close to an end of the splittingchute 510. - If not even a part of the splitting
wedge 600 is arranged in between the two ends of the splittingchute 510, a gap may remain in between an end of the splittingchute 510 and the splittingwedge 600 in the longitudinal direction of the splittingchute 510. The gap should be reasonable narrow in order to avoid a log from falling or turning in said gap. In such a case, the gap is preferably at most 5 cm wide or at most 2 cm wide. The gap may also be zero or essentially zero, whereby the splittingwedge 600 extends continuously from an end of the splittingchute 510 and away from the splittingchute 510. A small gap accumulates less bark and other debris than a larger gap. - If a part of the splitting wedge is arranged in between the two ends (i.e. a first end and a second end) of the splitting
chute 510, and the splitting chute does not widen towards the first end, the distance from the splittingwedge 600 to the first end of thechute 510 is preferably small, such as at most 10 cm. This has the technical effect that the firewood-ready pieces 920 can turn during the splitting without the splitting chute being pressed against thepieces 920. Thus, smaller forces are needed for splitting. - Referring to
Fig. 6a , preferably the splittingwedge 600 extends from an end of the splittingchute 510 and away from the splitting chute 510 (continuously or after a reasonable small gap as depicted inFigs 4a and 4b ) and at least some of thefirewood wedges 605 are arranged to extend also below the bottom of the splittingchute 510 as depicted inFigs. 6a-6c . Referring toFig. 6a , more preferably all thefirewood wedges 605 are arranged extend also below the bottom of the splittingchute 510. This has the technical effect that the firewood-ready pieces 920 can expand or bend downwards after being split from thelog 900. More precisely, referring toFig. 6b , this has the effect that when splitting an intermediate split log 910, the firewood-ready pieces 920 can expand or bend downwards. This happens even if the shape bottom side of the intermediate split log 910 is fitted the shape of the splittingchute 510. This can happen irrespective of whether the splitting wedge comprises awedge support 612 or not. Thewedge support 612 can be used to support thefirewood wedges 605 in such a way that thefirewood wedges 605 are fixed from one end to themain wedge 602 or theplate 610, and from the other end to thewedge support 612. Alternatively, thewedge support 612 could be arranged at an angle in such a way that the openings of the splittingwedge 600 would widen in the direction to which the log is pressed while splitting. - As implicit from the figures, the
firewood wedges 605 are not necessarily directly below the bottom of the splittingchute 510. By the meaning of the term chute, the splittingchute 510 extends in a longitudinal direction. The plane ofFig. 6a is a plane having a surface normal parallel to the longitudinal direction of the splittingchute 510. Moreover,Fig. 6a shows the normal projections of all thefirewood wedges 605 of the splittingwedge 600, as well as the normal projection of the splittingchute 510. The normal projections are projected (i) onto the plane having a surface normal parallel to the longitudinal direction of the splittingchute 510 and (ii) in the longitudinal direction of the splittingchute 510. As depicted in theFig. 6a , the normal projections of all thefirewood wedges 605 of the splittingwedge 600 intersect the normal projection of the splittingchute 510. This has the effect that thewedge support 612 is left below the bottom of the splittingchute 510, whereby the split firewood-ready pieces 920 can expand downwards. This happens at least, when not even a part of the splitting wedge is arranged in between the ends of the splittingchute 510. - The vertical location of the splitting
wedge 600 can be arranged fixed relative to the splitting chute 510 (notwithstanding detaching the splitting wedge for maintenance). In the alternative, the vertical location of the splittingwedge 600 can be arranged variable relative to the splittingchute 510. If the vertical location is variable, the user can lower the splitting wedge to produce smaller firewood, and raise it to produce larger firewood. Naturally, the location of the splittingwedge 600 can be temporarily fixed during splitting. However, if all thefirewood wedges 605 can be raised above the bottom of the splittingchute 510, alog 900 may easily be jammed, as in that case, the firewood-ready pieces 920 cannot freely expand or bend as discussed above. Thus, in the fixed position or in all the positions to which the splitting wedge can be moved and temporarily fixed, the normal projection of at least onefirewood wedge 605 of the splittingwedge 600 intersects the normal projection of the splittingchute 510. Herein the normal projections are defined as above, and shown inFigs. 6a-6c . Preferably, in the fixed position or in all the positions to which the splitting wedge can be moved and temporarily fixed, the normal projection of all thefirewood wedges 605 of the splittingwedge 600 intersect the normal projection of the splittingchute 510. -
Figures 10a and 10b show the splittingwedge 600 arranged at two different vertical locations with respect to the splittingchute 510. Moreover, a profile of the splittingchute 510 having only partially concave form is shown therein. As depicted, the projection of at least onefirewood wedge 605 intersects the projection of the splittingchute 510 in both the positions. Preferably, the projection(s) of at least one, preferably all,firewood wedges 605 extend(s) at least a distance d below the projection of the splittingchute 510 in the aforementioned plane (SeeFig. 10b ). All the firewood wedges need not to extend the same distance. Herein the term "below" is to be understood as a direction that forms an angle of more than 90 degrees relative to the direction to which thesplitting chute 510 opens. Preferably the position of the splitting wedge is, or the splitting wedge can be moved, such that the distance d is 15 mm, 25 mm, or 30 mm. The distance can be measured along thefirewood wedge 605, from the intersection of the projections of thefirewood wedge 605 and the splittingchute 510, and in a direction that forms an angle of more than 90 degrees relative to the direction to which thesplitting chute 510 opens. In an embodiment, the projections of all thefirewood wedges 605 extend below the projection of the splittingchute 510 in the aforementioned plane such that thefirewood wedges 605 in the central part of the splitting wedge extend a shorter distance below the splitting wedge than thefirewood wedges 605 in the boundary area the splitting wedge. Depending on the location, the projection of a firewood wedge can extend from 30 mm to 190 mm from the intersection downwards (i.e. below the projection of the splitting chute). In this embodiment, the projections of allfirewood wedges 605 extend at a distance d below the projection of the splittingchute 510, wherein d is 30 mm (alternatively d could be 15mm or 25 mm). - In addition, in an embodiment, wherein the position of the splitting wedge is movable, the firewood processor is arranged to check whether the splitting
wedge 600 is arranged at a proper height with respect to the splitting chute in the aforementioned sense. Thefirewood processor 300 is arranged to split the log only when the splittingwedge 600 is at a proper height; or to engage the means for splitting the log only in a position where the splitting wedge not arranged to split a log, or completely detached from thefirewood processor 300. This helps to prevent logs from being jammed in the splittingwedge 600. - In a preferred embodiment, the splitting
wedge 600 is fixable to only one such location in thefirewood processor 300 where the splittingwedge 600 is configured to split alog 900. Naturally another wedge, such as a spare wedge, can be temporarily fixed to a second location, in which the spare wedge is not arranged to split a log. Moreover, the one location is arranged at a proper height in the above sense. Also in this way, thefirewood processor 300 is arranged to engage the means for moving thepressure plate 515 and/or the splittingwedge 600 towards each other only when the splittingwedge 600 is at a proper height or completely detached from thefirewood processor 300. Naturally, the splittingwedge 600 is detachable for maintenance purposes. Thus, the splittingwedge 600 is at least temporarily fixable to said location. The structure of thefirewood processor 300 simplifies, when thewedge 600 is not arranged movable in the vertical direction, i.e. thewedge 600 is fixable only to one location in thefirewood processor 300 in the aforementioned sense. Moreover, different splittingwedges 600 can be configured to split alog 900 to firewood of different size. - For example, a first splitting wedge may be arranged to produce firewood having a maximum diameter of 15 cm. For example, a second splitting wedge may be arranged to produce firewood having a maximum diameter of 20 cm. For example, a third splitting wedge may be arranged to produce firewood having a maximum diameter of 25 cm. In practice, it is an easier and cheaper solution to have separate
changeable splitting wedges 600 for different purposes than to use the same verticallymovable splitting wedge 600 to produce firewood of different size. - As indicated in
Figs. 6a-6c , in an embodiment, the shape of the cross section of the bottom of thechannel 620 for receiving the intermediate split log 910 may be adapted to the shape of the cross section of the bottom of the splittingchute 510. This has the effect that the intermediate split log 910 fits to the shape of the splittingchute 510. - In an embodiment, the returning
element 530 is configured to return, in addition to the intermediate split log 910, large impurities, such as bark, from thechannel 620 for receiving the intermediate split log back to the splittingchute 510. Therefore, the shape the cross section of the returningelement 530 is adapted to the shape of the cross section of thechannel 620 for receiving theintermediate split log 910. - Moreover, to further help removing impurities from the
channel 620, the returningelement 530 may compriseresilient material 532 arranged at least on the boundary of the returningelement 530. Theresilient material 532 may comprise e.g. plastic or rubber, or it may be a thin metal blade. Theresilient material 532 may be arranged to be changeable. E.g. the resilient material may be attached to the returning element with openable locking means, such as a screw, a clip, or a shape-locking means. In this way, the returningelement 530 is arranged to return also smaller objects. Moreover, as the resilient material may wear, it preferably is changeable. - For safety reasons, an unprotected firewood processor cannot be used or can be automated to only some degree. Therefore, an embodiment of a
firewood processor 300 comprises at least one aprotector protector 310 is arranged to prevent the user of thefirewood processor 300 from pushing his hands or other body parts into the interior of thesplitting part 500 of thefirewood processor 300. The interior is limited by theprotector 310. To facilitate handling of thelog 900 and/or the intermediate split log 910, in the open position, theprotector 310 is arranged to allow the user of the firewood processor to handle thelog 900 or the intermediate split log 910 arranged in thesplitting unit 500. In the closed position, theprotector 420 is arranged to prevent the user of thefirewood processor 300 from pushing his hands or other body parts into the interior of the cuttingpart 400 of thefirewood processor 300. The interior is limited by theprotector 420. In the open position, theprotector 420 is arranged to allow the user of the firewood processor to handlewood 990 or thelog 900 arranged in thecutting unit 400. - For safety reasons, an embodiment comprises a
protector position sensor 315 configured to detect the position of at least one of theprotectors firewood processor 300 is arranged to engage at least one such a tool of which operation is dangerous to a user only when at least one or two theprotectors means 520 for moving thepressure plate 515 and/or the splittingwedge 600 towards each other, (ii) the returningelement 530 arranged to automatically return the intermediate split log 910 to the splittingchute 510, (iii) thesaw 410, and (iv) themeans 330 for feedingwood 990 for thesaw 410. However, some of these tools may also be configured in such a way that their operation is not a safety risk for the user. In an embodiment, thefirewood processor 300 is arranged to engage thepress 520 and split the log 900 (or the intermediate split log 910) only when theprotector 310 is in the closed position. In an embodiment, thefirewood processor 300 is arranged to automatically return the intermediate split log 910 using the returningelement 530 to the splittingchute 510 only when theprotector 310 that protects the user from the returningelement 530 is in the closed position. In an embodiment, thefirewood processor 300 is arranged to engage thesaw 410 only when theprotector 420 is in the closed position. - Still further, the firewood processor may comprise at least one
controller 320. The operator may use thecontroller 320 to operate thefirewood processor 300. In an embodiment, thefirewood processor 300 is configured, in response to a control signal from thecontroller 320, to engage thepress 520 and split thelog 900 or theintermediate split log 910. For example, thecontroller 320 may be a joystick-type controller comprising various buttons, as depicted inFigs. 3a and3e . For example, thepress 520 may be engaged by pressing thebutton 322. Acontrol unit 350 may be arranged to receive a signal from theprotector position sensor 315 and another signal from thecontroller 320, and configured to engage thepress 520 in response to a signal from the controller only when the signal from theprotector position sensor 315 indicates that theprotector 310 is in the closed position. Acontrol unit 350 may be arranged to receive a signal from anotherprotector position sensor 415 and another signal from thecontroller 320, and configured to engage thesaw 410 in response to a signal from the controller only when the signal from the otherprotector position sensor 415 indicates that theprotector 420 is in the closed position. - Moreover, the
firewood processor 300 may be automated in such a way that thefirewood processor 300 is, after splitting thelog 900 and without user-given control signals from thecontroller 320 or another controller (or in the case the press has been engaged with a controller, without further user-given control signals from thecontroller 320 or another controller), configured to automatically return the intermediate split log 910, using the returningelement 530, to the splittingchute 510 for further splitting. The user-given control signal refers to signal made by the user. Thefirewood processor 300 may be configured the detect the instance when the log has been split, e.g. when thepress 520 has extended all its working length, and automatically return the returningelement 530 thereafter. Thereafter, thepress 520 may be re-engaged automatically or using thecontroller 320. This improves to comfort of use, as the user needs not to indicate to thefirewood processor 300 that thepress 520 must be returned. This may also be conditional such that the means for moving thepressure plate 515 and/or the splittingwedge 600 towards each other is arranged to move only when the protector 310 (and optionally also the protector 420) is in the closed position. - To further increase the comfort of use, in an embodiment, the
controller 320 is arranged to be used by an operator of thefirewood processor 300 with only one hand. Thus, in addition, thefirewood processor 300 is configured, in response to a control signal only from thecontroller 320, to engage the means for moving the pressure plate and/or the splitting wedge towards each other (e.g. the press 520). Thus, the other hand of the user can be set free during operation. The one-hand operation can be achieved e.g. by thecontroller 320 shown inFigs. 3a and3e . - To further increase the comfort of use, the
firewood processor 300 may be arranged to automatically split thelog 900 and the intermediate split log 910 as many times as needed without further control signals from the user. For this purpose, an embodiment of afirewood processor 300 comprises acontrol unit 350 configured to control at least the means for moving thepressure plate 515 and/or the splittingwedge 600 towards each other (e.g. the press 520). In a corresponding embodiment, thefirewood processor 300 comprises asensor 340 for detecting the presence of the intermediate split log 910 in thesplitting unit 500, such as on the plate 610 (seeFigs. 6a-6c ). Thesensor 340 is configured to provide thecontrol unit 350 with a signal indicative of the presence of the intermediate split log 910 in thesplitting unit 500. The sensor may be configured to send a signal indicative of the presence of the intermediate split log 910 in thesplitting unit 500 to thecontrol unit 350. Thecontrol unit 350 is arranged to receive the signal, determine the presence of the intermediate split log 910 in thesplitting unit 500, and automatically re-engage thepress 520. In this way, thefirewood processor 300 is configured to automatically further split theintermediate split log 910. - An
ultrasound sensor 340 has been found to work well for the purpose. However, in addition or alternatively, anothersensor 340 orother sensors 340, such as an optical sensor, a weight sensor, or a pressure sensor, can be used. - The automatic function may be turned on e.g. using a switch 324 (see
Fig. 3e ). Theswitch 324 may be e.g. a button, by which the automatic splitting may be turned on, and the automatic splitting is automatically turned off after thelog 900 has been completely split. Alternatively, theswitch 324 may be e.g. a button, by which the automatic splitting may be toggled on and off. - Alternatively, the
switch 324 may be e.g. a rocker switch, by which the automatic splitting may be set on or off. Thefirewood processor 300 may be configured accordingly. - The
controller 320 may comprise abutton 328 for engaging thesaw 410. Thecontroller 320 may comprise abutton 326 for engaging ameans 445 for moving a log from thecutting unit 400 to thesplitting unit 500. Moreover, turning thestick 320 to left may e.g. feed wood to thesaw 410. Moreover, turning thestick 320 to towards the user may e.g. lower thesaw 410, wherebywood 990 may be cut. - As an alternative to the semi-automated use, the
firewood processor 300 may be fully automated. The firewood processor may be arranged to detect its state, and automatically perform the actions required in that state. For example, if the splittingchute 510 is empty, and thepress 520 has been returned to its initial position, alog 900b may be fed to the splittingchute 510; naturally thelog 900b needs to have been cut fromwood 990. When the log has been moved, it can be automatically split and re-split as many times as needed. Moreover, when the log has been moved to the splitting chute,wood 990 may be fed to thesaw 410 and a next log can be cut from thewood 990. - Referring to
Figs. 7a and 7b , in a preferred embodiment, thefirewood processor 300 comprises asupport 430, e.g. in thecutting unit 400, for supporting thecut log 900b. This has the effect that thelob 900b does not tear off from the wood, and the sawn surface of thelog 900b remains straight. This ensures high quality of the firewood, as the end surface of the firewood is a factor affecting quality. Moreover, to enable simultaneous splitting of afirst log 900a (or a corresponding intermediate split log), and cutting of asecond log 900b, thefirewood processor 300 may comprise means 440 for preventing the movement of thecut log 900b into the splittingchute 510 at a first time (seeFigs. 7a and 7b ). This can be achieved by shaping thesupport 430 in a corresponding manner, as inFig. 7b , or e.g. a protrusion 440 (Fig. 7a ) can be used for the purpose. Still further, when aprevious log 900a has been fully split, thesubsequent log 900b should be moved to the splittingchute 510. Thus, the firewood processor comprises means 445 for transferring thesubsequent cut log 900b to the splittingchute 510 or means 445 for allowing the cut log to move to the splittingchute 510 at a second time, wherein the second time is different from the first time. For example, inFig. 7a , theprotrusion 440 can be retracted into thesupport 430. When retracted, thelog 900b can move over the retractedprotrusion 445 to the splitting chute. InFig. 7b , anactuator 445, such as apusher 445, is used for transferring the cut log into the splitting chute. In addition, thesupport 430 can be arranged at a higher position than the bottom of the splittingchute 510, whereby gravity can be utilized for transferring thelog 900b. InFigs. 7a and 7b , thecutting unit 400 and thesplitting unit 500 are separated by a dotted line. - Preferably, the
log 900b is arranged to move or be moved from thesupport 430 to the splittingchute 510 in at least a direction that forms an angle of at most 60 degrees with a horizontal direction. This reduces the height of the firewood processor, and therefore also improves the stability. In this way, the risk of the whole firewood processor being fallen is reduced. Preferably, this angle is at most 45 degree or at most 30 degrees. Such a small angle even further decreases the risk a falling. - Preferably, at least part of the
support 430 is substantially horizontal (e.g. forms an angle of at most 10 degrees with the horizontal plane), and the firewood processor comprises anactuator 445 configured to move alog 900b along thesupport 430 towards the splittingchute 510. In this way, thesupport 430 can be configured to support the part of thewood 990 that form thelog 900b after cutting at the same location wherein thecut log 900b remains after cutting. This helps to prevent the tearing of thelog 900b while cutting. - Irrespective of how the log is split into
pieces 925, thesepieces 925 of thelog 900 are normally intermixed with impurities, such as bark, debris, and/or sawdust. According to the aforementioned firewood quality standard, high quality firewood should be free from such impurities or at least substantially free from such impurities. It has been observed that impurities can be effectively removed using avibrator screen 710. Moreover, such avibrator screen 710 can be integrated with anyfirewood processor 300, for example with an embodiment described above or with a conventional firewood processor. - Such a
firewood processor 300 comprises acutting unit 400 as described above, a splitting unit 500 (a traditional splitting unit arranged to split the log in only one go or a splitting unit as discussed above), and means for moving alog 900 from thecutting unit 400 to the splittingchute 510. The means for moving thelog 900 from thecutting unit 400 to the splittingchute 510 may be e.g. a tilted plane, along which the log may slide. Alternatively, the log may simply drop to the splitting chute after having been cut. Referring toFigs. 3a-3b and9a-9c , the firewood processor further comprises avibrator screen 710 configured to separate impurities, such as bark, sawdust, and/or debris, from thepieces 925 of alog 900 to obtainclean firewood 930 and means 705 for vibrating thevibrator screen 710. According to the invention thevibrator screen 710 is arranged to such a location that thevibrator screen 710 is configured to receive thepieces 925 of log (e.g. firewood-ready pieces 920) from thesplitting unit 500. An example of such an arrangement is shown inFigs. 3a ,3b , and4a-5b . According to the invention thevibrator screen 710 is arranged to such a location that thepieces 925 of log are arranged to move from thesplitting unit 500 to thevibrator screen 710 by at least the movement of thelog 900 during the splitting. Preferably, thevibrator screen 710 is arranged to a lower position (i.e. closer to ground level) than the splittingchute 510. - Herein the
term piece 925 oflog 900 refers only to a part of a log resulting from splitting. Thus, the firewood-ready pieces 920, as discussed above, are examples ofpieces 925 of log. However, it is also possible to traditionally split a log into at least two pieces, which are conveyed to thevibrator screen 710. At some point, toolarge pieces 925 of log can be manually detected and moved back for re-splitting, as indicated inFigs. 8c and 8d . Eventually, only firewood-ready pieces 920 will be produced, which have also been cleaned by thevibrator screen 710. According to the invention thevibrator screen 710 is arranged to such a location that thevibrator screen 710 is configured to receive only firewood-ready pieces 920. Thevibrator screen 710 is configured to receive only firewood-ready pieces 920 from thesplitting unit 500. Thevibrator screen 710 is configured to receive only firewood-ready pieces 920 that are arranged to move from thesplitting unit 500 to thevibrator screen 710 by at least the movement of thelog 900 during the splitting. Preferably, thefirewood processor 300 comprises walls 715 (seeFig. 3a and3d ), in between which thevibrator screen 710 is arranged. Thus, thewalls 715 and thevibrator screen 710, in combination, form a chute wherein the processed firewood (920, 925, 930) is arranged to move. The bottom of the chute may comprise the vibrator screen, or the walls may define a narrower chute, whereby bottom of the chute may comprise a part of the screening part of the vibrator screen. This helps the collection ofclean firewood 930 only from an end of the vibrator screen. Thewall 715, in turn, limits the movement of process firewood (920, 925, 930) in such a way that the processed firewood does not fall off thevibrator screen 710 in the transversal direction. Naturally, the collection offirewood 930 is easy also when the vibrator screen is replaced with any means for transferring firewood, in such a way that thewalls 715 and the means for transferring firewood form the aforementioned chute. Examples of such means include a plate, a roll conveyor, and thevibrator screen 710. As will become evident, the movement of firewood on such means can be facilitated by the movement of subsequent pieces of firewood coming from thesplitting unit 500. - Preferably, the length Lv of the
vibrator screen 710, in the direction wherein the processed wood is arranged to move (seeFig. 9a ), is at least 300 mm or at least 500 mm. These lower limits have been found to be sufficient for producing sufficientlyclean firewood 930. In addition or alternatively, the length Lv of thevibrator screen 710 may be at most 2 m or at most 1.5 m. The upper limit helps integrating thevibrator screen 710 with afirewood processor 300. - Various splitting processes are described in
Figs. 8a-8d . Cuttingwood 990 to alog 900 is depicted inFig. 8a only; however it is understood that afirewood processor 300 is arranged also to cutwood 990. -
Figure 8a shows an embodiment, wherein alog 900 is automatically split three times, as inFigs. 6a-6c . InFig. 8a , the firewood-ready pieces 920 are not cleaned. InFig. 8b , these firewood-ready pieces 920 are cleaned using avibrator screen 710 to produceclean firewood 930.Figures 8c and 8d illustrate the possibility of using avibrator screen 710 for cleaningpieces 925 of log even in a case, where an operator manually checks whether thepieces 925 comply with size requirements. Too large pieces are manually transferred for re-splitting. The size of thepieces 925 can be checked after cleaning (Fig. 8c ), before cleaning (Fig. 8d ), or during cleaning (not shown), e.g. by visual observation. - An embodiment of
Fig. 8b , wherein such asplitting wedge 600 is used that during splitting none of the firewood-ready pieces 920 is left in between the center of another firewood-ready piece 920 produced by the same splitting and the center of the intermediate split log 910 (see e.g.Fig. 5b ), has been found particularly effective. In this case, the splittingwedge 600 is configured to produce, in addition to the intermediate split log 910, only one layer of firewood-ready pieces 920. All of these firewood-ready pieces 920 may neighbor the intermediate split log 910, provided that the intermediate split log 910 is large enough (seeFigs. 6a and 6b ). It has been observed that thevibrator screen 710 cleans firewood-ready pieces 920 effectively, when the firewood-ready pieces 920 are arranged substantially in only one layer on thevibrator screen 710. Conversely, whenpieces 925 of the log, such as firewood-ready pieces 920, are arranged on top of each other, cleaning is less effective. This could happen e.g. when a splitting wedge ofFig. 2b of 2c would be used, and all the resultingpieces 925 would be conveyed onto avibrator screen 710. Evidently, the wedges ofFig. 2b and 2c produce at least two layers of firewood or firewood-ready pieces, at least if reasonably thick wood is split. In an embodiment, the firewood processor is arranged to produce only one layer of non-overlapping pieces of log (920, 925) and thevibrator screen 710 is arranged to receive these pieces of log (920, 925) such that the pieces (920, 925) are arranged in only one layer also on thevibrator screen 710. Moreover, in such an embodiment, the firewood can be easily transferred in a channel limited by thewalls 715. -
Figures 9a-9c show avibrator screen 710 in a perspective view, side view, and top view, respectively. Referring toFig. 9c in particular, thevibrator screen 710limits openings 720, through which the impurities are arranged to run, theopenings 720 having a length Lo and a width Do, wherein the length Lo is greater than or equal to the width Do. In this application some impurities, such as sawdust is relatively small, whereby narrow openings allow for some impurities to be removed. In an embodiment, the width Do of at least one opening is greater than 1 mm. - In this application some impurities, such as bark is relatively large, whereby sufficiently wide openings are beneficial. In an embodiment, the width Do of at least one opening is greater than 1 cm, such as greater than 2 cm.
- Moreover, as the
vibrator screen 710 is used to separate firewood from impurities, and a splittingwedge 600 is used toseparate pieces 925 from a log, sufficientlynarrow openings 720 are beneficial. In an embodiment the splittingwedge 600 is arranged to split alog 900 into at least one firewood-ready piece 920 having a width D (seeFig. 1 ) of at most a maximum width and the width Do of at least one opening of thevibrator screen 710 is less than 70 % of the maximum width. In an embodiment the splittingwedge 600 is arranged to split alog 900 into at least one firewood-ready piece 920 having a width D (seeFig. 1 ) of at most a maximum width and the width Do of each of the openings of thevibrator screen 710 is less than 70 % of the maximum width. In an embodiment, the width Do of each opening 720 of thevibrator screen 710 is less than 10 cm. - In an embodiment, the splitting
wedge 600 has such a shape that the maximum width of the firewood-ready pieces 920 is 15 cm, thevibrator screen 710 is arranged to receive only the firewoodready pieces 920, and the width Do of each opening 720 of thevibrator screen 710 is less than 10 cm. - In an embodiment, the splitting
wedge 600 is arranged to split a log into at least twopieces 925 of log and the width of each opening of thevibrator screen 710 is less than 10 cm. This may be irrespective of whether the width of thepieces 925 is less than 15 cm or not. - Referring to
Figs. 9a and 9c , an embodiment of thevibrator screen 710 compriseslongitudinal elements 730, such as rods or bars. The longitudinal elements are preferably substantially parallel. The angle between any two neighboringlongitudinal elements 730 may be small, e.g. at most 5 degrees. Two neighboringlongitudinal elements 730 are arranged a distance away from each other, whereby anopening 720 is left in between the two elements. This has the technical effect, thatpieces 925 of log can move easily on the vibrator screen in the direction of the rods. The distance between two neighboring longitudinal elements may be selected to be within the limits discussed for the width of the openings. Provided that the longitudinal elements are parallel, the distance between two neighboring elements is constant, and it may be e.g. from 1 mm to 10 cm; such as from 1 cm to 10 cm. Provided that the longitudinal elements are not parallel, the distance between the two neighboring longitudinal elements can be measured in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of one of the two neighboring longitudinal elements. - Moreover, the
longitudinal elements 730 may be connected to each other withtransversal elements 740. Referring toFigs. 9a and 9b , preferably, at least suchtransversal elements 740, over which processed wood (920, 925, 930) is arranged to run, are arranged below thelongitudinal elements 730. In this way, the processed wood (920, 925, 930) can move along the top surfaces of thelongitudinal elements 730 without being arrested by the transversal elements. Naturally, transversal supports may be arranged to any height to such locations where processed wood is not arranged to run, e.g. near an end of thevibrator screen 710, if processed wood is received in between the ends of thevibrator screen 710. In an embodiment, the top surface of atransversal element 740 connecting twolongitudinal elements 730 is arranged below the top surfaces of both the twolongitudinal elements 730. Preferably, the top surface of atransversal element 740 connecting twolongitudinal elements 730 is arranged at least 1 cm below at least one of the top surfaces of the twolongitudinal elements 730. In an embodiment, the top surface of all suchtransversal elements 740 connecting twolongitudinal elements 730, over which processed wood is arranged to run, are arranged below the top surfaces of both the twolongitudinal elements 730. They may be arranged e.g. at least 1 cm below, as discussed above. The term "below" requires that the vibrator screen in not vertical. Herein it is understood that thevibrator screen 710 is not vertical if it forms an angle of at most 45 degrees with a horizontal plane or is exactly parallel to a horizontal plane. - The
vibrator screen 710 may be substantially horizontal, or it may be arranged at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane. Arranging the screen at an angle may help to move the pieces (920, 925) on thevibrator screen 710 to a defined direction. However, the angle should be reasonably small, e.g. at most 15 degrees, in order to keep the processed firewood on the vibrator screen sufficiently long. Moreover, positioning the screen horizontally diminishes the height requirements and may improve the stability of the firewood processor. Typically, thevibrator screen 710 is configured to separate impurities from thepieces 925 of the log (or logs) to obtain clean firewood in such a way that during cleaning the impurities are configured to drop through at least anopening 720 of thevibrator screen 710 downwards andclean firewood 930 is arranged to stay on thevibrator screen 710. According to the invention thevibrator screen 710 is arranged to such a position that the processed firewood (920, 925, 930) on thevibrator screen 710 is arranged to be moved by the movement of thelog 900 during the splitting. Thus, thelog 900 orpieces 925 thereof is/are arranged to push the material on thevibrator screen 710 during splitting. In addition, gravity may be used to move the processed firewood (920, 925, 930). - Referring to
Fig. 3d , provided that both the splittingchute 510 and thevibrator screen 710 are horizontal, the direction Sx2, wherein thelongitudinal elements 730 of the vibrator screen extend the most is preferably parallel to a direction Sx1, in which direction Sx1 the splittingchute 510 extends in its longitudinal direction. As evident, the direction Sx1 is also the direction, wherein thelog 900a is arranged to be moved during splitting. In this embodiment, the movement of the processed firewood (920, 925, 930) on thevibrator screen 710 is effectively facilitated with the movement of thelog 900a during splitting. - However, at least one of the
vibrator screen 710 and the splittingchute 510 may be arranged at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane. In such a case, and also in the case, wherein at least one of thevibrator screen 710 and the splittingchute 510 are horizontal, the projection of the first longitudinal direction Sx1 on a horizontal plane runs in a first horizontal direction and the projection of the second longitudinal direction Sx2 on a horizontal plane runs in a second horizontal direction. For the aforementioned easy movements, (i) the first horizontal direction is parallel to the second horizontal direction or (ii) the angle between the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction is at most 30 degrees, such as at most 15 degrees. - Because of such an arrangement, the vibrator screen 710 (or a corresponding means for transferring firewood, as discussed above) can operate even without a mechanized conveyor. This helps to keep the costs of the
firewood processor 300 low. According to the invention the processed firewood (920, 925, 930) on thevibrator screen 710, is arranged to be moved by at least the movement of thelog 900 during the splitting. Thus, no other means is needed for moving the processed wood (920, 925, 930). - Referring still to
Fig. 3d , to ensure the long term operation of thevibrator screen 710, aconveyor 750 can be used to convey at least some of the separated impurities away from thefirewood processor 300. The impurities may be conveyed to acontainer 760 for impurities. Theconveyor 750 may be comprised by thefirewood processor 300, or an arrangement can be formed of thefirewood processor 300 and aseparate conveyor 750. Preferably, at least part of theconveyor 750 is arranged below thevibrator screen 710. Thus, the impurities fall through theopenings 720 of thevibrator screen 710 onto theconveyor 750. When operating, toconveyor 750 conveys the impurities away and ensures sufficient free space below thevibrator screen 710 also in long term use of thefirewood processor 300. - In addition to aforementioned cleaning, the
vibrator screen 710 may be arranged to facilitate the movement of the processed wood (920, 925, 930) on thevibrator screen 710. To facilitate the movement, the vibrator screen in an embodiment is arranged to vibrate in at least a somewhat vertical direction. - More specifically, in an embodiment the processed wood (920, 925, 930) is arranged to move along the
vibrator screen 710 in a longitudinal direction Sx2 (seeFig. 3d ). The direction Sx2 may be substantially horizontal or it may form an angle of at most 45 degrees (or at most 15 degrees) with a horizontal plane. The direction Sx2 may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of thelongitudinal elements 730. Furthermore, thevibrator screen 710 is preferably configured to vibrate in a direction that is (i) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Sx2 and (ii,a) vertical or (ii,b) forms an angle of a most 45 degrees with a vertical direction. This direction is later referred to as "somewhat vertical direction". - In an embodiment, the vibrator screen does not vibrate in the longitudinal direction Sx2. Thus, in that embodiment, the
vibrator screen 710 is configured to vibrate only in the aforementioned somewhat vertical direction. - However, in another embodiment, the
vibrator screen 710 is configured to vibrate also in the longitudinal direction Sx2. Therein, thevibrator screen 710 is configured to vibrate also in the aforementioned somewhat vertical direction. However, for facilitating the movement of the processed firewood, it may be beneficial that the amplitude of the vibration in the longitudinal direction Sx2 is less than the amplitude of the vibration in the somewhat vertical direction. - The vibrator screen may be arranged to vibrate in such a way that only one end of the vibrator screen vibrates, while the other end is pivotally connected to a frame of the firewood processor. Thus, the vibration may have a maximum vibration amplitude at a location. Preferably, the
means 705 for vibrating the vibrator screen is configured to vibrate thevibration screen 710 in such a way that the maximum vibration amplitude in the aforementioned direction (the somewhat vertical direction) is at least 1 mm; optionally at most 100 mm. The maximum amplitude in this direction may be between 3 mm and 50 mm. - In addition or alternatively, the
means 705 for vibrating the vibrator screen may be configured to vibrate thevibration screen 710 in such a way that the vibration frequency in the aforementioned direction (the somewhat vertical direction) is from 2 Hz to 50 Hz. Preferably both the vibration amplitude and the vibration frequency in the somewhat vertical direction, i.e. the direction that is (i) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Sx2 and (ii,a) vertical or (ii,b) forms an angle of a most 45 degrees with a vertical direction, are within the aforementioned ranges. - In case the
firewood processor 300 does not comprise thevibrator screen 710, preferably, thefirewood processor 300 comprises afirewood conveyor 360 configured to convey firewood-ready pieces 920 from the splittingpart 500 to a storage. In case thefirewood processor 300 comprises thevibrator screen 710, preferably, thefirewood processor 300 comprises afirewood conveyor 360 configured to conveyclean firewood 930 from thevibrator screen 710 to a storage. As above, thefirewood conveyor 360 can be integrated with thefirewood processor 300, or aseparate conveyor 360 can be used for the purpose. Thus, alternatively, an arrangement comprises thefirewood processor 300 and theseparate firewood conveyor 360. - The following examples summarize some embodiments.
Claims (13)
- A firewood processor (300), comprising- a saw (410), arranged to cut and separate a log (900, 900b, 900a) from wood (990),- means (330) for feeding wood to the saw (410),- a splitting chute (510), arranged to receive at least a part of the log (900, 900a),- a splitting wedge (600) arranged to split the log (900, 900a), of which at least part is arranged in the splitting chute (510), into pieces (920, 925),- a pressure plate (515) arranged to support the log (900, 900a) while splitting the log (900, 900a),- means (520) for moving the pressure plate (515) and/or the splitting wedge (600) towards each other in such a way that the log (900, 900a) or another log arranged in between the pressure plate (515) and the splitting wedge (600) is configured to be split by said movement, and- a vibrator screen (710) configured to separate impurities, such as bark, sawdust, and/or debris, from the pieces of the log (920, 925) to obtain clean firewood (930), wherein- the vibrator screen (710) is arranged to such a location that the vibrator screen (710) is configured to receive the pieces of the log (920, 925), and- the firewood processor (300) is configured to move the log (900, 900a) during splittingcharacterized by- means (705) for vibrating the vibrator screen (710) and in that- the firewood processor (300) is arranged to produce only one layer of pieces of log (920, 925) and the vibrator screen (710) is arranged to receive these pieces of log (920, 925) arranged in only one layer and- the vibrator screen (710) is arranged to such a position that the processed firewood (920, 925, 930) on the vibrator screen (710) is arranged to be moved by the movement of the log (900) during the splitting, whereby- the processed firewood (920, 925, 930) on the vibrator screen (710) is arranged to be moved at least by the movement of the log (900, 900a) during the splitting.
- The firewood processor (300) of the claim 1, wherein- the vibrator screen (710) comprises at least two longitudinal elements (730), such as rods or bars, each longitudinal element (730) extending most in its longitudinal direction,- an angle between the longitudinal directions of any two of the longitudinal elements (730) is at most 10 degrees, whereby the longitudinal elements (730) are substantially parallel, and- two neighboring longitudinal elements are arranged a distance (Do) away from each other, whereby an opening (720) is left in between the two neighboring longitudinal elements (730).
- The firewood processor (300) of the claim 2, wherein- a distance (Do) between the two neighboring longitudinal elements, as measured in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of one of the two neighboring longitudinal elements (730), is from 1 mm to 100 mm.
- The firewood processor (300) of the claim 2 or 3, wherein- the longitudinal elements (730) are horizontal or their longitudinal direction forms an angle of at most 45 degrees with a horizontal plane, the vibrator screen (710) further comprising- a transversal element (740) connecting two or more of the longitudinal elements (730) in such a way that- the top surface of the transversal element (740) is arranged below the top surfaces of at least two longitudinal elements (730) it connects.
- The firewood processor (300) of the claim 4, wherein- the top surface of the transversal element (740) is arranged at least 5 mm below the top surfaces of at least two longitudinal elements (730) it connects.
- The firewood processor (300) of any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein- the vibrator screen (710) is configured to separate impurities from the pieces of the log (920, 925) to obtain clean firewood (930) in such a way that during cleaning the impurities are configured to drop through at least an opening (720) of the vibrator screen (710) downwards and clean firewood (930) is arranged to stay on the vibrator screen (710).
- The firewood processor (300) of any of the claims 1 to 6, comprising- two walls (715), wherein the vibrator screen (710) is arranged in between the walls (715) in such a way that the walls (715) and the vibrator screen (710) in combination form a chute suitable for moving processed firewood (920, 925, 930), wherein- the walls (715) are arranged to limit the movement of processed firewood (920, 925, 930), and- the bottom of the chute suitable for moving processed firewood (920, 925, 930) comprises at least part of the vibrator screen (710).
- The firewood processor (300) of any of the claims 1 to 7, wherein- the splitting chute (510) extends in a first longitudinal direction (Sx1), whereby, during said splitting, the firewood processor (300) is configured to move the log (900, 900a) in the first longitudinal direction (Sx1), and- the vibrator screen (710) comprises at least two longitudinal elements (730), such as rods or bars, each longitudinal element (730) extending in its longitudinal direction, wherein- an angle between any two longitudinal elements (730) is at most 10 degrees, whereby the longitudinal elements (730) are substantially parallel,- each two neighboring longitudinal elements (730) are arranged a distance (Do) away from each other, whereby an opening (720) or one of the openings (720) is left in between each two neighboring longitudinal elements (730), the opening (720) or openings (720) extending in the average in a second longitudinal direction (Sx2), wherein- the projection of the first longitudinal direction (Sx1) on a horizontal plane runs in a first horizontal direction,- the projection of the second longitudinal direction (Sx2) on a horizontal plane runs in a second horizontal direction, and- (i) the first horizontal direction is parallel to the second horizontal direction or (ii) the angle between the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction is at most 30 degrees;- preferably, a distance between the two neighboring longitudinal elements (730), as measured in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction (730) of one of the two neighboring longitudinal elements (730), is from 1 mm to 100 mm.
- The firewood processor (300) of any of the claims 1 to 8, wherein- the processed firewood (920, 925, 930) on the vibrator screen (710) is arranged to be moved only by at least one of∘ the movement of the log (900, 900a) during the splitting,∘ gravity, and∘ vibration of the vibration screen (710).
- The firewood processor (300) of any of the claims 1 to 9, wherein- processed firewood (920, 925, 930) is arranged to move on the vibrator screen (710) in a longitudinal direction (Sx2), wherein the longitudinal direction is substantially horizontal or forms an angle of at most 45 degrees with a horizontal plane, and- the means (705) for vibrating the vibrator screen (710) is configured to vibrate the vibrator screen (710) with a vibration amplitude and a vibration frequency in a direction that is (i) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Sx2) and (ii,a) vertical or (ii,b) forms an angle of a most 45 degrees with a vertical direction (Sz).
- The firewood processor (300) of the claim 10, wherein- the means (705) for vibrating the vibrator screen (710) is configured to vibrate the vibration screen (710) in such a way that the maximum vibration amplitude of the vibrator screen (710) in the direction is at least 1 mm, optionally at most 100 mm.
- The firewood processor (300) of the claim 10 or 11, wherein- the means (705) for vibrating the vibrator screen (710) is configured to vibrate the vibration screen (710) in such a way that the vibration frequency of the vibrator screen (710) in the direction is from 2 Hz to 50 Hz.
- The firewood processor (300) of any of the claims 1 to 12, or an arrangement comprising the firewood processor (300) of any of the claims 1 to 12, the firewood processor (300) or the arrangement further comprising- a conveyor (750) for impurities, of which at least part is arranged below the vibrator screen (710), wherein- the conveyor (750) for impurities is arranged to convey at least some of the separated impurities away from the firewood processor (300), e.g. to a container (360) for impurities.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP15397504.0A EP3056326B1 (en) | 2015-02-10 | 2015-02-10 | A firewood processor having means for cleaning split wood |
CA2920213A CA2920213C (en) | 2015-02-10 | 2016-02-08 | Firewood processors |
US15/019,486 US10391668B2 (en) | 2015-02-10 | 2016-02-09 | Firewood processors |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP15397504.0A EP3056326B1 (en) | 2015-02-10 | 2015-02-10 | A firewood processor having means for cleaning split wood |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3056326A1 EP3056326A1 (en) | 2016-08-17 |
EP3056326B1 true EP3056326B1 (en) | 2018-03-14 |
Family
ID=52589325
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP15397504.0A Active EP3056326B1 (en) | 2015-02-10 | 2015-02-10 | A firewood processor having means for cleaning split wood |
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EP (1) | EP3056326B1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3928940A1 (en) | 2020-06-22 | 2021-12-29 | Pisek - Vitli Krpan, d.o.o. | A splitting system for a log splitter for stepwise splitting of logs and a log splitter with the said system |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN108656257A (en) * | 2018-07-19 | 2018-10-16 | 安徽云帆科技咨询有限公司 | A kind of timber cutting sawdust collection device |
AT526500B1 (en) * | 2023-04-19 | 2024-04-15 | Posch Gmbh | Device for sawing and splitting wood |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US4173237A (en) | 1977-08-04 | 1979-11-06 | Lafont Corporation | Firewood systems |
US4936362A (en) * | 1989-08-02 | 1990-06-26 | Multitek, Inc. | Firewood clean out apparatus |
US5305891A (en) * | 1990-12-19 | 1994-04-26 | Beloit Technologies, Inc. | Wood chip bar screen deck arrangement |
NZ240941A (en) * | 1990-12-19 | 1994-06-27 | Beloit Corp | Wood chip screening; two intermeshing horizontal grids oscillate material and allow accepts to pass therethrough |
US5284251A (en) * | 1992-07-21 | 1994-02-08 | Weyerhaeuser Co. | Tension bar screen |
FR2956342B1 (en) * | 2010-02-12 | 2012-03-02 | Asi Ingenierie | AUTOMATED MACHINE FOR CUTTING WOOD HEATING WOOD QUARTERS |
FI122721B (en) * | 2010-07-13 | 2012-06-15 | Maaselaen Kone Oy | Wood splitter and conveyor |
-
2015
- 2015-02-10 EP EP15397504.0A patent/EP3056326B1/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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None * |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3928940A1 (en) | 2020-06-22 | 2021-12-29 | Pisek - Vitli Krpan, d.o.o. | A splitting system for a log splitter for stepwise splitting of logs and a log splitter with the said system |
Also Published As
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EP3056326A1 (en) | 2016-08-17 |
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