FI20195628A1 - Method for determination of volume of pulp wood or timber stack - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining the volume of a pulpwood or log stack (2). In the first step of the process, a bundle of pulpwood or logs (2) is conveyed to a measuring station (1), which comprises measuring tools. The method comprises the following steps, wherein: a) both ends of the pulpwood logs or logs (3) in the pulpwood or log stack (2) fed to the measuring station (1) are illuminated with a lighting device (4a, 5a), b) the pulpwood or log bundle ( 2) fixed volume is determined by a measuring module (4b, 4c; 5b, 5c) comprising measuring module, which comprises: imaging devices (4c; 5c) arranged in connection with both ends of the pulpwood or log stack (2) for determining the diameter of individual pulpwood logs or logs (3) each end (3a, 3b); and distance measuring devices (4b; 5b) arranged in connection with both ends of the pulpwood or log stack (2), by which the length of individual pulpwood or logs (3) in the pulpwood or log stack (2) and the proportion of voids (3c) between them is determined. Based on the information determined by the measuring devices (4b, 4c; 5b, 5c), the fixed volume of the pulpwood or log bundle (2) is calculated.

Description

The invention relates to a method for determining the volume of a pulpwood or log bundle, in the first step of the method the pulpwood or log bundle is taken to a measuring station comprising measuring means. Methods for determining the volume of individual logs are known which can be used in harvesters directly at the harvesting site. The measurements are based on information obtained from measuring instruments located in the harvester, which is obtained e.g.

- in the log pruning phase, when the tree trunk is moved by the pruning means of the harvester. In addition, methods for determining the volume of bundles of pulpwood or logs stacked at the felling site are known, which are based at least in part on an estimate and the results are evaluator-specific and therefore not accurate.

In addition, in factories, for example, where pulpwood or logs are needed, volumes are measured in connection with individual pulpwoods or logs by different imaging methods. In this case, it is often a matter of time-consuming sorting of the pulpwood or logs, and not of measuring the volume at the factory (or other similar plant).

Systems have also been developed to determine the volume of bundles of pulpwood or logs carried by a moving pulpwood or log truck. One solution has been implemented by Visisystems Oy under the brand name Taljari, where a truck with a pulpwood or log load passes a measuring frame equipped with laser scanners to scan the load from the surface, after which the volume of the timber load is calculated. However, this is o designed to determine the volume of dense loads such as wood chips> and is not suitable for directly and accurately measuring the solid volume of a pulpwood or log bundle.

N Such an arrangement is not suitable for measuring the volume = of a bundle of pulpwood or logs separate from the vehicle, because the measurement is completely dependent on the movement of the pulpwood or log bundle, i.e. the I 30 vehicle.

a S The method commonly used today for measuring the volume of bundles of pulpwood or logs, for example in a factory, is immersion measurement, in which Archimedes' law a is applied and is a method known per se to a person skilled in the art. Although this method is in itself relatively accurate, immersion measurement typically uses water in an outdoor immersion pool, making measurement difficult or impossible under winter conditions.

In addition, the immersion tank requires repeated maintenance due to contamination.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new method for determining the volume of a pulpwood or log bundle which is more accurate and reliable than previous methods and which can produce other measured pulpwood or log bundle information for a final production site, such as a factory, and even a single pulpwood log. information for further processing.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method for measuring volume which replaces immersion measurement and which operates reliably and accurately even in cold conditions. In order to achieve the object of the above-mentioned invention, the method : (a) - illuminate the ends of the pulpwood or logs taken to the measuring station by means of lighting devices; (b) determining the fixed volume of a pulpwood or log bundle with a measuring module comprising measuring means comprising: imaging devices arranged at both ends of the pulpwood or log bundle to determine the diameter of each end of the individual pulpwood or logs; , which determine the lengths of the individual pulpwoods or logs of a pulpwood or log bundle and the proportion of void space between them, and that, (c) calculate the solid volume of the pulpwood or log bundle from the data determined by the measuring instruments. - The present invention provides a simple and fast way to measure the fixed volume of a pulpwood or log bundle in a factory or similar production plant where the pulpwood or logs are used as a raw material.

The present invention does not limit the background to be performed in a vehicle, as many prior art solutions do.

The solution according to the invention enables the imaging of the pulpwood or log bundle to be determined by measuring means under optimal lighting conditions, so that the proportion of void space between the pulpwood or logs can be determined by measuring means, and no calculation assumptions according to the prior art are required.

The optimal lighting conditions 3 also make it possible to determine the other properties of a single pulpwood or log according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a measuring station applying a method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of a measuring station applying the method according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the pulpwood or log bundle is placed in the cradle, and Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of a measuring station applying the method according to another preferred embodiment of the invention. , wherein the measuring means are arranged on a movable platform.

Figures 1 and 2 thus show a preferred embodiment of a measuring station 1 applying the method according to the invention. The measuring station 1 here includes a space in which a bundle of pulpwood or logs marked with the reference number 2 can be placed. The placement can be carried out, for example, with the grapple 6 of the material machine shown in Figs. Both ends of the pulpwood or log bundle 2 and its end surfaces 3a and 3b of the individual pulpwood or logs 3 are illuminated by lighting devices 4a and 5a. For example, LED can be used for lighting. and / or the number of xenon lights required and / or the required lighting power-? to obtain.

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Ia A measuring station applying the method comprises a measuring module comprising imaging devices 4c and 5c arranged at both ends of the bundle or log bundle 2.

Of these, the first imaging device 4c is preferably arranged at a point in the above-mentioned space which is towards and away from the first end of the pulpwood or log bundle 2 (and the end surfaces 3a of its individual pulpwood or logs 3). Accordingly, the second imaging device 5c is preferably arranged at a point on the opposite side of the above-mentioned space to the pulpwood or log bundle 2, which is towards and away from the other end of the pulpwood or log bundle 2 (and the second end surfaces 3b of its individual pulpwood or logs 3). The purpose of these at least two imaging devices 4c and 5c is at least to determine the diameter of each end 3a and 3b of the individual fibrous trees or logs 3.

Imaging devices may include, but are not limited to, color line and / or color matrix cameras.

In addition, the measuring module comprises distance measuring devices 4b and 5b arranged at both ends of the pulpwood or log bundle 2.

Of these, the first distance measuring device 4b, like the first imaging device 4c, is preferably arranged at a point in the above-mentioned space towards and at a distance from the first end of the pulpwood or log bundle 2 (and the end surfaces 3a of its individual pulpwood or logs 3). Correspondingly, the second distance measuring device 5b is arranged, like the second imaging device 5c, preferably on the opposite side of the above-mentioned space to the pulpwood or log bundle 2 facing and at a distance from the other end of the pulpwood or log bundle 2 (and its individual pulpwood or logs 3). other end surfaces 3b). The purpose of these at least two distance measuring devices 4b and 5b is to determine the lengths of the individual pulpwoods or logs (3) of the pulpwood or log bundle (2).

In addition, the purpose of the distance measuring devices 4b and 5b is to determine the proportion of the empty space 3c between the individual fibrous trees or logs 3.

The distance measuring devices can be, for example, fan lasers, but are not limited to this option.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first imaging device 4c and the first distance measuring device 4b are arranged in connection with a first vertical post 4 arranged at the edge of the space.

Arrangements are arranged in the vertical post 4, in which the first imaging device 4c and the first distance measuring device 4b are arranged to move in the vertical direction.

Correspondingly, a second imaging device 5c and a second distance measuring device 5b are arranged on the opposite edge of the space on the other side of the pulpwood or log bundle 2 in connection with the guides 5 "of the second vertical post 5".

Together, these form the measurement module according to the invention.

In addition, the lighting devices 4a and 5a can be placed in connection with the vertical posts 4 and 5 as part of the measuring module.

The vertical posts 4 and 5 are thus erected on the ground or on the floor, NN thereby leaving the above-mentioned space in which the log bundle 2 can be placed.

Instead of vertical posts, other means can be used to move the measuring means 4b, 4c, 5b, 5c. In the case of Figures 1 and 2, the bundle 2 of pulpwood or log 5 placed in the measuring station 1 can be arranged to move the measuring means 4b, 4c; 5b, 5c. In this case, the bundle of fibrous wood or logs 2 is moved in the grapple of the material machine 6 either automatically or manually, for example by the user of the material machine, whereby the measuring means 4b, 4c; 5b, 5c can be held in place during the determination of the fixed volume.

Fig. 4 shows an arrangement similar to that of Figs. In this embodiment, the cradle 6 'can be lowered to the ground or floor between the vertical posts 4 and 5 during the determination.

Fig. 5 shows an arrangement similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2, but the measuring module and thus the measuring means are arranged on a movable base 7. The movable base 7 can be provided for movement, for example not shown here. Thus, the measuring station 1 consists of a measuring module arranged on a movable platform 7. One common feature of these above-mentioned embodiments is that the fibrous wood or log bundle 2 and the measuring means 4b, 4c; 5b, 5c move relative to each other - during the determination of the fixed volume of the pulpwood or log bundle 2. This feature makes it possible to accurately determine a fixed volume of a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the individual fiber trees or logs 3 N ends 3a of the pulpwood or log bundles 2; 3b is substantially perpendicular to the measuring means - 4b, 4c; 5b, 5c to the measuring plane M. In this way, when the measuring plane M is longitudinal or at least substantially longitudinal to the pulpwoods or logs 30, the distance measuring devices 4b and 5b are able to form a determination based on genuine observation. (in addition to their 3 lengths). This empty space 3c is shown by way of example in Fig. 3 showing the end of a pulpwood or log NN bundle 2.

In the figures, the plane M of the measuring beam is shown in a horizontal plane, but it can also be in another plane, for example in a vertical plane. In this case, the boom 4 and 5 must be provided with means (not shown) by which the measuring means or at least the distance measuring devices 4b and 5b can be moved in the vertical direction to pass the measuring beam plane M over the end surfaces 3a and 3b. Correspondingly, the corresponding arrangement can also be implemented for imaging devices (4c, 5c). The movements of the measuring means, as well as the movements of the grapple of the material machine 6, can be realized by electric, hydraulic and / or pneumatic means of movement.

- When the information required for calculating the fixed volume of the pulpwood or log bundle 2 has been determined, the measuring means 4b, 4c; 5b, 5c with the above-mentioned means applying the method, calculated by the measuring means 4b, 4c; 5b, 5c, the fixed volume of the pulpwood or log bundle 2. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this calculation can be performed by a data processing unit 8, which is, for example, a computer or other intelligent device. The data processing unit 8 is in turn provided with receiving means, by means of which measuring means 4b, 4c obtained from the measuring means 4b, 4c, 5b, 5c along the electronic data transmission means S1, S2, S1 'S2'; The data determined 5b, 5c can be transmitted electronically to the data processing unit 8. In addition, the data processing unit 8 is provided with - a program or other similar application with which the fixed volume of the pulpwood or log bundle 2 is calculated and reported. It is also advantageous to provide the data processing unit, or alternatively to arrange in connection therewith, a display from which the results of the calculation can be read and / or seen in order to indicate the result of the calculation.

o Naturally calculated and reported solid volume data can be used as part of> other pulpwood or log bundle 2 data. For example, when the weight of the fiber N wood or log bundle 2 is known, the density corresponding to the solid volume of the fiber wood or log bundle 2 can be calculated.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the purpose of the two imaging devices 4c and 5c N is to define the ends 3a of individual pulpwoods or logs 3; 3b, in addition to the diameter 3, other properties of the pulpwood or log, such as the type and / or quality of the wood of the individual fiber or log 3. This can be accomplished, for example, by determining the color analysis of the RGB signals of the color line camera or by means of a neural network or some other system based on artificial intelligence. In this case, in addition to measuring the distance, the correct type of lighting provided by the lighting devices 4a and 5a is an important feature for carrying out the method according to the invention and obtaining the correct results from the measuring means.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but can be applied in many ways within the scope of the claims. o

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Claims (12)

Claims A method for determining the volume of a pulpwood or log bundle (2), wherein in a first step of the method the pulpwood or log bundle (2) is introduced into a measuring station (1) comprising measuring means, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: a ) illuminating both ends of the pulpwood or logs (2) of the pulpwood or log bundle (2) taken to the measuring station (1) by lighting devices (4a, 5a), b) determining the fixed volume measuring means (4b, 4c; 5b) 5c) a measuring module comprising: - imaging devices (4c; 5c) arranged in connection with both ends of a pulpwood or log bundle (2) for determining the diameter of each end (3a, 3b) of individual pulpwood or logs (3), and - a pulpwood or log bundle (2); 2) distance measuring devices (4b; 5b) arranged in connection with both ends, which determine the lengths of the individual pulpwoods or logs (3) of the pulpwood or log bundle (2) and the proportion of the empty space (3c) between them , and that, c) is calculated by the measuring means (4b, 4c; 5b, 5c) the fixed volume of the pulpwood or log bundle (2). Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the imaging devices (4c; 5c) are color line and / or color matrix cameras. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the distance N measuring devices (4b; 5b) are fan lasers. = 30 - 4. Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ends (3a; 3b) of the individual pulpwoods or logs N (3) of the pulpwood or log bundles (2) are illuminated with LED and / or xenon. lights, and that the lights are arranged in 3 measurement modules. O OF Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that imaging devices (4c; 5c) can be used to determine, in addition to the diameter of the ends (3a; 3b) of the individual fibrous trees or logs (3), other properties of the log, such as the species and quality of the wood of the individual pulpwood or log (3). Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the measuring means (4b, 4c; 5b, 5c) are arranged to move relative to the bundle of pulpwood or logs (3) arranged in the measuring station (1). Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the bundle of fibrous wood or logs (2) arranged in the measuring station (1) is arranged to move relative to the measuring means (4b, 4c; 5b, 5c). Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the pulpwood or log bundle (2) and the measuring means (4b, 4c; 5b, 5c) move relative to one another in such a way that the pulpwood or log bundles (2) 2) the plane passing through the ends (3a; 3b) of the individual fibrous trees or logs (3) is substantially perpendicular to the measuring plane (M) of the measuring means (4b, 4c; 5b, 5c). Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bundle of pulpwood or logs (2) is arranged in the measuring station when in the grapple, telescopic grapple or cradle (6 ") of the material machine (6). Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the measuring means (4b, 4c; 5b, 5 ¢) are arranged on a movable platform (7). & N Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the information obtained from the measuring means (4b, 4c; 5b, 5c) is transferred to a data processing unit (10) in which a bundle of fibrous wood or logs ( 2) the solid volume is calculated on the basis of the above information and reported. O Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that the data processing unit (10) is provided with a program or other similar application which - on the basis of the information received from the measuring means (4b, 4c; 5b, 5c) or other properties of the log bundle (2) and / or one or more pulpwood or logs (3) in the pulpwood or log bundle (2). o O OF K <Q I Jami o 00 OF O LO o O OF