SE2350944A1

SE2350944A1 - Forest machine and joint of forest machine

Info

Publication number: SE2350944A1
Application number: SE2350944A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Jari Uusitalo; Jorma Hyvönen; Jukka Karppinen; Vesa Koirikivi
Original assignee: Ponsse Oyj
Priority date: 2022-08-16
Filing date: 2023-08-08
Publication date: 2024-02-17

Abstract

ABSTRACT A forest machine includes at least two frame parts (11). Be- tween the frame parts (11), there is a joint (18) which allows the rotation ofthe frame parts (11) in relation to each other. Thus, the joint (18) has a rotational point. Furthermore, the joint (18) has a rotational axis. The forest machine (1) may be a frame steered forest machine. Between the frame parts (11), there is a cable through hole (27) passing via the joint (18). The cable through hole (27) is formed such that, at the rotational point of the joint (18), the rotational axis of the joint (18) is located in the area of the cable through hole (2 7). (Figure 3).

Description

Background of the invention The invention relates to a forest machine and particularly to a joint of a forest machine.

Brief description of the invention The object ofthe invention is to develop a new type of a forest machine and a joint of a forest machine. The arrangement according to the invention is char- acterised by what is disclosed in the independent claims. Some embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. ln the presented arrangement, the forest machine includes at least two frame parts. Between the frame parts, there is a joint which allows the rotation of the frame parts in relation to each other. Thus, the joint has a rotational point. Fur- thermore, the joint has a rotational axis. The forest machine may be a frame steered forest machine. Between the frame parts, there is a cable through hole passing via the joint. The cable through hole is formed such that, at the rotational point ofthe joint, the rotational axis ofthe joint is located in the area of the cable through hole. Forest machines must often be used in uneven and/or rugged or otherwise difficult terrains. Then, it is preferred to provide the forest machine with a joint which al- lows the rotation of the frame parts in relation to each other. ln this case, cables between the frame parts have to encounter high stress caused by rotation and po- tentially bending. Furthermore, things outside the forest machine, such as branches, sticks and snags in the terrain, and weather conditions, such as accumu- lation ofice, and, on the other hand, structures inside the forest machine, such as the hoses of the forest machine, may cause damage to the cables. Forming the cable though hole at the point of the rotational axis of the joint provides that torsion in the cables caused by rotation may be decreased. All in all, the cables may be, in connection with the joint formed in this way, e.g. divided in compartments as their own block, whereby they are reasonably little exposed to stress as well as to things causing damage on both outside and inside the forest machine.

According to an embodiment, said joint allows the turning and rotation of the frame parts in relation to each other, whereby the joint includes a turning axis and a rotational axis, or the forest machine includes, in addition to the joint allowing the rotation of the frame parts, a joint which allows the turning and rota- tion of the frame parts in relation to each other. The joint allowing the turning and the rotation provides for an extremely versatile forest machine, and, the presented arrangement may minimize the risk of damage to the cables in connection with this joint.

According to an embodiment, there is a protective casing for the cables that allows turning and/ or rotation in connection with the cable through hole. Ac- cording to an embodiment, the protective casing is arranged at least at the point of the turning axis of the joint. According to a further embodiment, the protective cas- ing is a multi-axis cable carrier allowing turning and rotation. The protective casing helps to decrease the risk of damage to the cables. At least the protective casing at the point of the turning axis protects the cables especially in such situations where the frame parts turn in relation to each other. The multi-axis cable carrier allowing turning and rotation is durable in use, whereby it protects the cables effectively.

According to an embodiment, the protective casing includes an interme- diate part which divides the protective casing in at least two sections of its cross section. Hence, different cables may be arranged in the different sections of the protective casing, whereby the cables are kept separate from each other, which fur- ther decreases the risk of damage to them. ln one section ofthe protective casing, it is possible to arrange e.g. high voltage cables and, in another section, low voltage cables.

According to an embodiment, in connection with the joint, there is a hose though hole separate from the cable though hole. Then particularly, the cables may be easily arranged as their own block such that they are not vulnerable to e.g. the effect of inﬂexible hydraulic hoses, which hydraulic hoses could otherwise damage the cables when bending and twisting. ln this case, the hoses, such as hy- draulic hoses, may be held separate from the cables in the joint, whereby the risk of damage to both cables and hoses may be maintained low.

According to an embodiment, at least two frame parts include power units. When the frame parts include power units, the number of cables passing be- tween the frame parts may be kept reasonably small. ln this way, the protection of the cables is quite easy to implement because e.g. the size ofthe through hole they require may be reasonably small. Furthermore, e.g. the possible protective casing may be reasonably small. Similarly, the protective casing may be, if desired, a quite small-sized cable carrier which may bend very well along with the movements of the joint. Then, the risk ofthe damage to the cables may also be maintained reason- ably low.

Brief description of the drawings The invention is now described in closer detail in connection with some embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a forest machine; Fig. 2 shows another forest machine; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a forest machine; Fig. 4 shows a diagonal top view of a part of a joint of a forest machine; Figure 5 shows a part of the joint of the forest machine of Figure 4 when viewed from the direction of a rotational axis; and Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the part of the joint of the forest machine of Figure 4 and in cross section along line A-A of Figure 5.

Detailed description of the invention Figures 1 and 2 show forest machines. A forest machine 1 may be, for example, a forest work unit, such as a forwarder, as in Figure 1, a harvester as in Figure 2, or some other forest machine, such as a drive machine of another type suitable for carrying a load, or a combination of a forwarder and a harvester.

The forest machine 1 may comprise two or more frame parts 11 and a boom 14 arranged to the at least one frame part. The forest machine may also com- prise a tool 16 arranged to e.g. the boom 14. The tool may comprise e.g. a hoisting member, such as a load bucket, and/or a wood handling tool, such as a harvester head.

Depending on the embodiment, the forest machine 1 may also comprise other structural elements. For example, the forest machine 1 may comprise a cabin 12 arranged to at least one frame part 11. The forest machine 1 further comprise a moving means 13, which moving means 13 may comprise at least one of the fol- lowing: wheels arranged on an axle, wheels arranged on a swinging axle, wheels arranged on a tandem axle, a track system or another means known as such to cause the forestry machine to move in relation to its work surface. The forest ma- chine 1 may be a frame steered forest machine. lt will be obvious for those skilled in the art that the forest machine 1 may also typically comprise numerous addi- tional structural and functional components and entities depending on the type of the forest machine, such as a load space 15, a power source 17 and so forth.

The forest machine 1 of Figure 1 includes two frame parts 11 and the frame parts 11 in question are connected by a joint which allows the turning and rotation of the frame parts 11 in relation to each other. The forest machine 1 of Figure 2 includes three frame parts 11. ln the embodiment in question, the rear and the middle frame parts 11 are connected by a joint which allows the turning and rotation of the frame parts 11 in relation to each other. The middle and the front frame parts 11 are connected by a joint which allows the rotation of the frame parts 11 in relation to each other but not their turning in relation to each other.

Figure 3 schematically shows a forest machine 1. ln the embodiment of Figure 3, the forest machine 1 includes two frame parts 11. The frame parts 11 are connected to each other by a joint 18 such that the forest machine 1 is a frame steered forest machine. The forest machine 1 being frame steered refers to the fact that, in connection with the joint 18, there are means for turning the frame parts 11 in relation to each other. Such means may comprise one or more actuators, by means of which, the frame parts 11 may be turned in relation to each other around the turning axis ofthe joint 18.

The joint 18 thus allows the turning ofthe frame parts 11 in relation to each other. ln the embodiment of Figure 3, the joint 18 further allows the rotation ofthe frame parts 11 in relation to each other. lfthe joint allow the rotation ofthe frame parts 11 in relation to each other, there may be, in connection with such a joint, one or more actuators, by means of which, the frame parts 11 may be rotated in relation to each other around the rotational axis of the joint 18. Said actuators may be e.g. hydraulic cylinders or electrical linear actuators. Furthermore, in con- nection with the joint, there may be locking means, by means ofwhich, the frame parts 11 may be locked stationary, such as non-turnable and/or non-rotatable in relation to each other, at the point ofthe joint 18. There may further be also other means in connection with the joint. For the sake of clarity, said actuators, locking means and other means are not shown in the figure, because their operations and structures are known to those skilled in the art.

The rotational axis ofthe joint 18 is substantially parallel with the lon- gitudinal direction of the frame parts 11 of the forest machine 1 when the frame parts 11 are substantially parallel, and substantially parallel with the longitudinal direction of at least one frame part 11 when the frame parts are turned in relation to each other. The turning axis ofthe joint 18 is substantially perpendicular in re- lation to the rotational axis. The turning axis may be substantially perpendicular in relation to the ground. When the forest machine 1 is on an even surface horizon- tally, the turning axis may be substantially vertical. ln connection with both of the frame parts 11, there is a motor 19. The motor 19 may be e.g. an electric motor or a hydraulic motor or any other motor suitable for the purpose. The motor 19 may be connected to the moving means 13 by a gearbox 20. The gearbox is not necessary, but the motor 19 may also be con- nected to the moving means 13 without the gearbox. ln connection with both ofthe frame parts 11, there is a power unit 21. The power unit 21 may supply high voltage devices being in the same frame part 11 with it. Such high voltage devices may be e.g. an inverter 22, a battery 23, a charger 24 and/ or a converter 25. Furthermore, the high voltage device may be e.g. a compressor or a blower or some other device.

The cables between the frame parts 11 are illustrated by designation 26. The cables 26 may be high voltage cables and/or low voltage cables. ln connec- tion with the forest machine 1, the magnitude of high voltage may be e.g. 120 volts or more. ln connection with the forest machine 1, the magnitude of low voltage may be e.g. 60 volts or less. ln connection with the joint 18, Figure 3 schematically shows a cable through hole which is illustrated by designation 27. The cable through hole 27 is formed such that the rotational axis ofthe joint 18 is located in the area ofthe cable through hole 27. The cables 26 pass between the frame parts 11 via the joint 18 through the cable through hole 27 in question.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show a part of the joint 18. Figures 4, 5 and 6 show e.g. a first body section 28 ofthe joint 18 but, for clarity, the figures in question do not show e.g. a second body section of the joint 18 which is configured to turn in relation to the first body section 28 nor link pins being at the point ofthe pivoting axis ofthe body sections of the joint.

A turning axis of the joint 18 is illustrated in Figure 4 and designated by T. The turning of the body sections ofthe joint 18 around the turning axis T is illus- trated by two-pointed curved arrow U.

A rotational axis of the joint 18, around which the frame parts 11 rotate at the point ofthe joint 18, is also illustrated in Figure 4 and designated by R. The rotation of the frame parts 11 around the rotational axle R is illustrated by two- pointed curved arrow S.

Like shown in Figures 5 and 6, the centre of the cable though hole 27 may be in a different point than the rotational axis R. Also in this example, the ro- tational axis R of the joint 18 is still located in the area ofthe cable through hole 27. ln connection with the cable through hole 27, there is a protective cas- ing 29 for cables 26. The protective casing 29 extends in the joint 18 at least to the point of the turning axis T of the joint 18. This is true at least in the point, where the cahles 26 encounter hending when turning the frame parts 11 in relation to each other, there is the protective casing 29 protecting the cahles 26.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a rotational point of the joint 18 hy designa- tion 30. ln the rotational point 30, the joint 18 includes a hearing which enahles the rotation of the frame parts 11 in relation to each other in the joint 18. Hence, the rotational point 30 of the joint does not need to he at the point of the turning axis T of the joint. ln the emhodiment of Figure 4, the protective casing 29 does not extend through the rotational point 30. Then, when the frame parts 11 rotate in relation to each other, the first end of the protective casing 29 does not rotate in relation to the second end. ln this case, there is no need for the protective casing 29 to rotate, wherehy it is enough that the protective casing 29 is ﬂexihle hut it does not need to he rotating. Even then preferahly, the protective casing is ﬂexihle and rotating, i.e., allows hending and rotation, wherehy it sustains stresses extremely well.

The protective casing 29 may also he arranged through the rotational point 30, wherehy it also rotates when the frame parts 11 rotate in relation to each other. Then, the protective casing 29 is thus preferahly ﬂexihle and rotating, i.e., allows hending and rotation. Preferahly, the protective casing 29 is a multi-axis ca- hle carrier allowing turning and rotation.

The protective casing 29 may include an intermediate part 31 which di- vides the protective casing 29 in at least two sections ofits cross section. ln a first section 32 of the protective casing 29, it is possihle to arrange e.g. high voltage ca- hles. ln a second section 33 of the protective casing 29, it is possihle to arrange e.g. low voltage cahles. The low voltage cahles may he e.g. control cahles, signal cahles and/ or data transfer cahles.

The intermediate part 31 may he e.g. a partition wall or a connecting piece. The intermediate part 31 may he uniform for the whole length of the protec- tive casing 29 or uniform for a part of the length of the protective casing 29. Fur- thermore, the intermediate part 31 may he formed of separate parts which do not touch each other. Additionally, the intermediate part 31 may he formed of separate parts which touch each other. Then, the separate parts are preferahly ahle to move in relation to each other, wherehy they do not at least too much prevent the pro- tective casing from hending and/or rotating. The intermediate part 31 or its parts may he fastened to the external wall ofthe protective casing or they may he sepa- rate from the external wall of the protective casing 29. ln connection with the joint 18, there may be a hose though hole 34 separate from the cable though hole 27. The hose through hole 34 may be arranged to e.g. several successive plate structures in the joint 18. Through the hose through hole 34, it is possible to convey via the joint 18 e.g. hydraulic hoses from one frame part 11 to another.

Those skilled in the art will find it obvious that, as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

The presented forest machine 1 may be e.g. electrically driven or hybrid driven. Transmission between the frame parts 11 may be implemented e.g. electri- cally or hydraulically. Transmission between the frame parts 11 may be imple- mented without a mechanical transmission, whereby there is no need for e.g. a car- dan shaft between the frame parts 11.

The forest machine 1 may include two or three frame parts 11 or even more frame parts 11. Between the successive frame parts 11, there may be a joint allowing turning and/ or rotation.

Claims

1. A forest machine, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the forest machine in- cludes at least two frame parts, that between said at least two frame parts there is a joint, which allows the rotation of the frame parts in relation to each other, whereby the joint includes a rotational point and a rotational axis, and that between said at least two frame parts, there is a cable through hole passing via the joint, which is formed such that, at the rotational point ofthe joint, the rotational axis ofthe joint is located in the area of the cable through hole.

2. A forest machine according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that between the at least two frame parts there is a joint which allows the frame parts to turn and rotate in relation to each other, whereby the joint includes a turning axis and a rotational axis.

3. A forest machine according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that there is a protective casing for cables that allows turning and/or rotation in connection with the cable through hole.

4. A forest machine according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the joint includes a turning axis, and the protective casing is arranged at least at the point ofthe turning axis ofthe joint.

5. A forest machine according to claim 3 or 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the protective casing is a multi-axis cable carrier that allows turning and rota- tion.

6. A forest machine according to any one of claims 3-5, c h a r a c t e r - i z e d in that the protective casing includes an intermediate part which divides the protective casing in at least two sections of its cross section.

7. A forest machine according to any one of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, in connection with the joint, there is a hose though hole separate from the cable though hole.

8. A forest machine according to any one of the previous claims, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that said at least two frame parts include power units.

9. A forest machine according to any one of the previous claims, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that the forest machine is electrically driven or hybrid driven.

10. Ajoint ofa forest machine, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the joint is configured to connect two parts of the forest machine, that the joint is configured to allow the rotation of the frame parts in relation to each other, whereby the joint includes a rotational point and a rotational axis, and that the joint includes a cable through hole for cables passing via the joint, whereby the joint is formed such that, at the rotational point ofthe joint, the rotational axis of the joint is located in the area of the cable through hole.

11. A joint of a forest machine according to claim 10, c h a r a c t e r - i z e d in that the joint is configured to allow the frame parts to turn and rotate in relation to each other, whereby the joint includes a turning axis and a rotational axis.

12. A joint of a forest machine according to claim 10 or 11, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that there is a protective casing for the cables that allows turning and/ or rotation in connection with the cable through hole.

13. A joint of a forest machine according to claim 12, c h a r a c t e r - iz e d in that the joint includes a .turning axis, and the protective casing is ar- ranged at least at the point ofthe turning axis ofthe joint.

14. A joint of a forest machine according to claim 12 or 13, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that the protective casing is a multi-axis cable carrier that allows turning and rotation.

15. A joint of a forest machine according to any one of claims 12-14, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the protective casing includes an intermediate part which divides the protective casing in at least two sections of its cross section.

16. A joint of a forest machine according to any one of claims 10-15, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that joint includes a hose though hole separate from the cable though hole.