SE502375C2 - Log dividing unit - comprises mobile chassis with table accommodating log and saw unit movable forwards and backwards in linear path along table - Google Patents

Abstract

In the area of the table opposite long side edges extend two guides (13, 13') which support a slide or carriage type unit (14) forming part of the saw unit and which incorporates two separate side pieces (16, 16') rigidly connected to an upper cross piece (17). This form a U-shaped yoke and a lower cross piece (18) which on its underside supports one or more horizontal saw blades (26, 26') parallel with the table plane. The saw blades are vertically movable and adjustable in differing height positions relatively to the side pieces.

Description

502 375 10 15 20 25 30 35 2 OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to eliminate the above-mentioned shortcomings of previously known log-sharing units and to create a mobile unit which is not only compact and easy to transport between different installation locations but also has high capacity and requires a minimum of manual operation. A basic object of the invention is thus to create a constructively simple log dividing assembly whose length is not significantly greater than the largest existing log length (in practice approx. 6 m). A simultaneous aim is to create a log splitting unit with large working capacity which is achieved by using a sawing device which has the ability to quickly saw through a log without the requirement for manual operation during the splitting process itself and which gives thin saw cuts and thus high yield without have more than a minimal power requirement.

Another object of the invention is to create an assembly in which the round log can in a simple way first be formed into a stem block with four flat sides and then divided into boards and / or planks all while the same can be firmly held in a given position in order to avoid the risk of tension and wedging effects during the splitting process. Another object of the invention is to provide a unit which is capable of dividing even distinctly conical logs in high yield.

According to the invention, at least the basic object is achieved by the features stated in the characterizing part of claim 1. Other claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Brief Description of the accompanying Drawings In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a partially cut, schematic plan view of the assembly according to the invention, Fig. 2 a correspondingly cut side view of the assembly, Fig. 10 15 20 25 30 35 "502 375 and FIGS. 4-7 cross-sections in different sections along the unit showing different devices included in the unit for holding and / or determining the position of a log.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention The main components of the unit shown in Figs. 1-3 consist of a mobile chassis 1 with a log receiving table generally designated 2 and a sawing device designated in its entirety by 3. The chassis 1 has the shape of a rectangular long narrow frame composed of two long side beams 4,4 'and a number of transverse beams of which a front is designated 5, a rear 6 and a number of intermediate cross beams are designated 7. With the front end of the chassis frame is connected to a drawbar B with means for connecting the unit to a suitable towing vehicle, eg a tractor, a car or the like. Connected to the chassis are at least two rubber wheels 9,9 ', and two pairs of support legs 10 which are advantageously height-adjustable and lockable in different height positions relative to the chassis in order to be able to take over the wheels 9,9' in connection with setting up the unit load-bearing function.

At their lower ends, the support legs 10 suitably have foot plates 11 with an enlarged surface. Although the support legs are submersible to a level below the lower periphery of the wheels, the support legs do not necessarily have to be lowered to this level when setting up the unit but can also be raised as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Instead of the embodiment shown with fixed wheels and movable support legs, it is also conceivable to make the unit with fixed support legs and movable wheels.

The table or table top designated in its entirety by 2 on which an individual log 12 can be received and kept laid is, as can be seen from the drawings, formed by the crossbeams 7. The mutual distance between these crossbeams 7 can in practice be within the area 0.7-1.3 m. When the unit is set up in its stationary state, the chassis should be 502 375 10 15 20 25 30 35 4 but adjusted so that the table surface 2 is approximately horizontally oriented. With reference to Fig. 1, it should also be pointed out that the actual support table 2 is axially delimited between on the one hand the front cross beam 5 and on the other hand a cross beam designated by 7 'which is located at a distance from the rear cross beam 6. The space between the cross beams 7' and 6 has the task of receiving the sawing device 3 in a starting position before and after a splitting operation, respectively.

Arranged on the upper side of the two longitudinal side beams 4,4 'of the chassis frame are two substantially parallel guide elements 13, 13' which jointly support a sled or carriage-like unit 14 included in the sawing device 3 which is movable along the guide elements. This carriage unit 14 comprises two bottom pieces 15,15 'which are rigidly connected to upright side pieces 16,16' which at the top are rigidly connected to a common upper crosspiece 17. The side pieces 16,16 'and the upper crosspiece 17 thus form a rigid yoke in the form of an upside-down U. In the preferred embodiment shown, the two side pieces 16,16 'consist of vertical pipes or posts which, in addition to carrying the crosspiece 17, also serve as guides for a lower crosspiece 18 which has sleeves 19,19 along opposite sides. 'which enclose the tubes 16, 16'. Of these sleeves, one, namely the sleeve 19, is considerably longer than the other, the longer sleeve 19 providing the actual vertical guide of the movable crosspiece 18 while the shorter sleeve 19 'basically only ensures that the crosspiece does not pivot in the horizontal plane around The tube 19 'Because the sleeve 19' is relatively short avoids the risk of wedging or drawer effects in connection with raising and lowering the crosspiece 18. In the preferred embodiment shown, the movements of the crosspiece 18 along the guide tubes 16,16 'are provided. by means of a piston-cylinder mechanism 20 whose cylinder 21 is fixedly mounted in a vertical position on top of the fixed, upper crosspiece 17 while the piston rod 22 is connected to the movable crosspiece 18 via a joint 10 15 20 25 30 35 502 375 23 to support arms 24.

In practice, the crosspiece 18 may be in the form of a relatively strong, square plate which on its underside supports two circular saw blades 26,26 'built into a housing 25. More specifically, the circular saw blades 26,26 'are supported by rotatable shafts 27,27' which in turn are drivable by means of motors, suitably electric motors 28,28 'arranged on the upper side of the plate 18. The two saw blades 26, 26 'are located in a common horizontal plane, one blade 26 being located with its shaft 27 located some distance in front of the shaft 27' to the blade 26 'viewed in the axial extent of the unit, as shown in Fig. 1. At the same time, the mutual distance between the axes of rotation of the blades, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axial extent of the unit, is slightly less than twice the radius of the blades. This means that the peripheral portions of the blades will slightly overlap each other, as shown in Fig. 1, whereby the blades together produce a single common dividing section when they together pass a log lying on the table. The two blades 26, 26 are advantageously driven in opposite directions of rotation, more specifically in such a way that the blade 26 according to Fig. 1 is caused to rotate counterclockwise and the blade 26 'clockwise, meaning that the sawing in the area of the blades facing peripheral portions takes place in direction forward along the log. By driving the blades in opposite directions of rotation, the risk of the blades throwing or tending to move the log laterally during sawing is avoided; something that can easily occur when sawing using a simple blade.

The housing 25 enclosing the two saw blades 26, 26 'is composed of four vertical walls which are delimited by a downwardly opening space. In the front and rear, transverse walls of this housing are recessed openings covered by rubber cloths 29, 29 'or the like. The width of these openings together with the associated rubber cloths can in practice be approximately equal to the lateral distance between the axes of rotation of the blades 502 10 15 20 25 30 35 375 6. By enclosing the blades in this way in a housing whose passage openings are covered by removable rubber cloths, it is ensured that in practice the large amounts of chips generated in connection with sawing will not be thrown out in an uncontrolled manner but instead controlled in a controlled manner substantially vertically. towards the underlying land. Another significant advantage of the blades being built into the housing 25 is that this protects the operator from inadvertently coming into contact with the blades, and the housing itself also protects the blades themselves from coming into contact with loose objects such as beakers and boards.

At the rear end of the chassis frame is mounted an electric motor 30 which drives a hydraulic pump 31 which is connected to a tank built into a housing 32. On a long side, in the vicinity of the rear end of the chassis frame, a control panel 33 is arranged with controls for regulating both the electrical and hydraulic functions of various components included in the unit. The pump 31 is further connected to a hydraulic motor 34 for driving a winch comprising a rotatable drum 35 at the rear end of the chassis frame and a break wheel 36 at the opposite, front end. An endless wire or equivalent member 37 extends between the drum 35 and the breaking wheel 36. This wire is connected to the carriage unit, more specifically its bottom piece 15. By rotating the winch drum 35 in one or the other direction of rotation by means of the motor 34, the carriage unit can thus moved either forward or backward along the table. By varying the rotational speed of the drum 35, of course, the feed speed of the carriage unit along the table can be increased or decreased as desired. For supplying the motors 28,28 'of the saw blades 28,28' and the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 20 with oil, the cables and hoses in question (collectively designated 38) are suspended in loops carried by a number of wheels 39 which can run along a wire 40 which is tensioned between the upper portions of two uprights 41,41 'at the front and rear ends of the chassis frame. The control equipment 10 15 20 25 30 35 "502 375 7 for the hydraulic cylinder 20 in particular can in practice be computerized and programmable so that the setting of the height position of the saw blades relative to the table can be preset in accordance with desired programs in order to provide boards with predetermined thicknesses. However, it is also possible to raise and lower the blades by manually actuating the flow valves.In both cases the crosspiece together with the blades is normally maintained in the set height position by means of only the hydraulic cylinder 20 itself. However, they can also be locked mechanically by other locks. average.

With some of the crossbeams 7 of the chassis frame are connected devices for holding and / or determining the position of a log lying on the table.

Fig. 4 shows a device in the form of a fork 42 which can be raised and lowered and locked in different height positions relative to the plane of the table. Suitably this fork 42 is connected to the cross beam 7 'which is located at the rear end of the support table itself. The vertical shaft 42 'of the hook is inserted into a sleeve 43 and slidably movable relative thereto, whereby a pin 44 can provide locking of the hook at the desired height position. Lifting and lowering of the fork can in practice be taken care of by means of mechanical means of highly varied kinds. Fig. 4 shows as an example a lever 45, one end of which abuts the lower end of the shaft of the fork and the opposite end of which is manually operable in an area next to the chassis frame. This accessible end of the lever can also be lockable in the desired position, for example by means of a pin.

The task of the fork 42 is to receive the top end of the log, especially in cases where the log has a pronounced conical shape. In this context, it should also be pointed out that the fork can be lowered with the aid of a hydraulic cylinder instead of the lever shown.

Fig. 5 shows a second device which comprises two sleeves 46,46 'which are displaceable along an associated cross beam 7 "which in practice may have the shape of a tube located at a certain level below the table plane 2 formed by the 502 375 10 15 20 25 30 35 8 the upper portions of the other crossbeams 7. The sleeve 46 supports a support plate 47 whose plane is vertical and parallel to the axial extent of the table (it is also conceivable to cross the plate and design it with a vertical, supporting edge). the sleeve 46 'is connected to an arm 48 which at its free end carries a clamping screw 49 which extends across the axial extent of the table. Both sleeves 46,46' are rotatable about the tube 7 ". At least the sleeve 46 is lockable in the desired position along the tube 7 ", for example by means of a pin 50.

A third device, shown in Fig. 6, likewise comprises two sleeves 51,51 'slidably movable along an associated cross beam 7, one of which can (but need not) be lockable in the desired position along the cross beam. Each of the sleeves has a stop element 52,52 'which in practice can advantageously consist of small spike elements located at a low level above the upper side of the crossbeam 7. The sleeves 51,51 'are interconnected via a pivotable arm 53 with a number of spaced apart notches or recesses 54 which can be brought into engagement with a pin 55 on one sleeve. Connected to the pivot arm 53 is a clamping mechanism referred to in its entirety by 56, preferably in the form of an eccentric mechanism. With the aid of this clamping mechanism, a displacing movement between the arm and the sleeve can be achieved with great force between the arm and the associated sleeve 51. Depending on the actual width of a stem block lying on the table, the sleeves are adjusted with the stop element 52,52 'in the immediate vicinity of the two opposite long sides of the stem block and the pin 55 is brought into engagement with the nearest notch 54, the two sleeves 51 can , 51 'are approached by means of the eccentric mechanism 56 which presses the stop elements against the stem block with great force (in the case shown with spike elements, these are caused to penetrate a piece into the side surfaces of the stem block).

Devices of the type shown in Fig. 6 should in practice be associated with at least three crossbeams, namely a crossbeam approximately in the area of the center of the table, a crossbeam in the area of the rear end of the table and a crossbeam In the case of large demands for firm clamping of the stem block, devices of the type described in connection with Fig. 6 can be associated with every other cross beam in the chassis frame.

Fig. 7 finally shows a fourth device associated with a crossbeam 7 located in the area of the front end of the table. This device comprises two arms 57,57 'which are connected to the crossbeam via joints 58.58' and pivotable by means of were their hydraulic cylinders 59 and 59 'respectively. Each such arm is pivotable from an inactive position below the table plane to an active position projecting above the table plane, in which the arm can affect a log lying on the table, more precisely in such a way that the front end of the log can be pivoted towards the middle of the table. The movements of the operating arms 57.57 'can be regulated by means of control valves included in the operating console 33. This means that an operator standing at the operating console 33 can direct the log in a centered position on the table without having to move from the console; something that in practice is very time and labor saving.

As can be seen from Fig. 3, one guide element 13 'consists of a strip or rail with a triangular cross-sectional shape, while the other guide element 13 consists of a simple rail with a square cross-sectional shape. Separated along the bottom piece 15 'are arranged two sets of angled wheels 60,60' which abut against the upper sides of the triangular strip and provide control of the carriage unit along a linear path of movement. This control takes place not only in the horizontal but also in the vertical direction. The opposite bottom piece 15 has only a pair of simple wheels 61 which run towards the top of the rail 13 without being guided laterally by the rail.

On the other hand, the rail 13 guides the carriage unit in the vertical direction, more precisely so that the rail 13 together with the rail 13 'ensures that the carriage unit always moves in a horizontal plane (provided that the table is adjusted in the horizontal plane). This arrangement eliminates any 502 375 10 15 20 25 30 35 10 requirements for fitting accuracy between the carriage control means.

Function and advantages of the dividing unit according to the invention When a round log is to be divided into boards and / or planks, the same is laid on the table 2 in a state when the sawing device 3 is returned to its initial position 1 in the vicinity of the rear end. Preferably, the log is placed with its top end facing the sawing device. To the extent that the log has a distinctly conical shape, the top end 1 is applied to the fork 42, which is lifted up and locked in a position 1 in which a generator along the upper side of the log shell surface is oriented approximately horizontally. Furthermore, the root end of the log is centered by means of at least one of the operating arms 57,57 'so that the log 1 as a whole is oriented parallel to the longitudinal extent of the table approximately in the middle between the two opposite long sides of the chassis. By means of the hydraulic cylinder 20, the saw blades 26,26 'are adjusted to the desired level over the table 2. In a first dividing operation, an upper rear 62 (see Fig. 4) is then sawn off by moving the saw unit's slide unit from the rear end of the table towards the front at the same time. which the saw blades 26,26 'are caused to rotate. This transfer operation can be arranged automatically without the involvement of the operator. When the saw device reaches its front end position, it can, for example by means of limit switch (not shown), be caused to automatically turn and return to its initial position (possibly while simultaneously lifting the saw blades slightly above the saw cut made). Prior to this return movement, the obtained buttocks can advantageously be removed from the top of the log.

In the next step, the log is turned 180 ”so that the resulting flat side is facing down towards the table. Then the described sawing operation is repeated, which results in the log obtaining two flat, parallel side surfaces.

In a third step, illustrated in Fig. 5, the log is placed on a vertical edge, ie with its planar sides vertically oriented, and clamped in this position by means of the clamping device 47-48. 10 15 20 25 30 35 502 375 ll At the same time, the top end of the log is held supported at a suitable level by the fork 42. Thereafter, the described sawing operation is repeated again, during which the log is given a third flat surface on its upper side.

Finally, the log is turned 180 ° again and subjected to a fourth sawing operation, during which a stem block is formed with four flat surfaces extending at 90 ° to each other.

When the stem block thus obtained is to be divided into a number of boards, the same is clamped by means of the clamping device or devices included in the unit as shown in Fig. 6. Preferably, the stem block is held clamped by means of three such clamps. This clamping ensures that the stem block during the individual sawing operations does not, through inherent bending tendencies, impose adverse forces on the saw blades which can lead to the blades being wedged in the pitch section or tend to make this uneven. Once the stem block has been clamped in an unshakable, centered position on the table, the previously described sawing operation is repeated the required number of times to divide the block into a given number of boards or planks of the desired thickness.

This thickness is determined by stepwise lowering of the saw blades between each reciprocating longitudinal movement step, the different setting levels of the blades determining the board thickness. In this context, it should be pointed out that the final piece of wood in the trunk block can advantageously consist of a plank with a thickness of at least 2 ". In this way it is ensured that the blades do not risk coming into contact with the per se low-lying retaining elements 52,52. 'which are included in the various clamps.

The advantages of the invention are obvious. By using horizontal saw blades, the unit obtains large capacity not only due to the fact that electric motor-driven saw blades can operate at high speeds and provide high precision, but also due to the saw device being able to perform each individual splitting operation without continuous monitoring by the operator. During the time (10-30 sec) that the sawing device moves back and forth along the table, the operator can thus use the time to stack already sawn pieces of wood, whether they consist of bakers or boards. Furthermore, the alignment of the individual log on the table is facilitated by the presence of the swing arms remote from the control console, and clamping of both the log with the aid of the clamps 47-48 and the stem block with the aid of the clamps 51-51 'can be carried out quickly, easily and reliably. By moving the sawing device along the log (instead of moving the log relative to the sawing device), it is also gained that the table designed as a trailer chassis can be given a minimum length, slightly exceeding the maximum log length.

In this way, the unit can be transported between different parking spaces in a simple and flexible way.

Possible modifications of the invention It is a given that the invention is not limited only to the embodiment described and shown in the drawings.

When the invention has been described above in connection with the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, the terms front and rear, respectively, have been related to the drawbar 8. In practice, however, the drawbar can be arranged at the opposite end of the chassis.

For this reason, the following claims also use the terms "first" and "second" ends in connection with the position orientation of the various components. Although it is preferred to equip the described sawing device with two circular saw blades (which are relatively small and inexpensive and therefore can be easily replaced, for example in connection with nail damage), it is per se possible to use only a single circular saw blade with a large radius in the sawing device. In the described embodiment, the two guide tubes or posts 16,16 'are used along which the saw-bearing crosspiece is movable at the same time as side pieces in the U-shaped frame construction. It is of course also possible to arrange separate side pieces (for example with a larger width) outside the guide tubes.

Claims (8)

10 15 20 25 30 35 502 375 13 PATENT REQUIREMENTS A log dividing unit comprising a mobile chassis (1) with a table (2) for receiving and laying a log, a log or other timber part (12) and a sawing device (3) which is reciprocable in a linear path along the table (2) to make longitudinal, substantially horizontal cuts in a log lying on the table, wherein in the area of opposite longitudinal side edges of the table (2) two guide elements (13, 13 ') extend which jointly support one in the movable sawing device ( 3) Inlet, slide or carriage-like unit (14) which includes two separate side pieces (16, 16 ') which are rigidly joined to an upper crosspiece (17) to form a U-shaped yoke and a lower crosspiece (18) which carries on its underside at least one horizontal and with the plane of the table substantially parallel saw blade (26, 26 ') and is vertically movable and adjustable in different height positions relative to the side pieces (16, 16'), characterized in that the table (2) consists of a frame that has a first electricity front end (5) and a second or rear end (6) at which the sawing device (3) assumes a starting position before and after making a saw cut in the log, and which in addition to two separate, substantially parallel long side beams (4, 4 ') comprises a plurality of crossbeams (7) which are jointly able to support the log (12) and of which at least some are connected to means intended for holding and / or determining the position of the log, a first of which consists of one with a in the vicinity of the other end (6) of the table a cross beam (7 ') connected to a fork (42) which can be raised and lowered and locked in different height positions relative to the table to keep the top end of a log with pronounced conicity raised from the table plane. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that a second device is associated with a tube (7 ") forming a cross-beam and comprises two sleeves (46, 46 ') enclosing the tube which are partly displaceable along the tube, 502 375 Rotatable about this, one sleeve (46) being connected to a support (47) having a straight vertical edge or surface and the other (46 ') being connected to an arm (48) carrying an axially extending transverse clamping screw (49). Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a third device comprises two sleeves (51, 51 ') which are displaceable along an associated cross beam (7) and have retaining elements (52, 52'). , e.g. spikes, for application to opposite long sides of a stem block lying on the table, and that the sleeves (51, 51 ') are connectable to each other via a pivotable arm (53) by means of which the distance between the holding elements can be adjusted slightly greater than that of the stem block. width, wherein the clamping mechanism (56) is associated with the arm, for example an eccentric mechanism, by means of which the sleeves can be forcibly approached via the arm via the arm while pressing the retaining elements (52, 52 ') against the opposite sides of the stem block. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fourth device on a cross beam in the area of the first or front end of the table comprises two arms (57, 57 ') which are pivotable between a lower the plane's existing position to a position projecting above this plane by means of hydraulic cylinders (59, 59 ') which can be actuated by means of control means located in the vicinity of the opposite end of the table. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side pieces (16, 16 ') of the U-shaped yoke serve as vertical guides for the lower, movable crosspiece (18) which carries the saw blades (26, 26 '). Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the two longitudinal guide elements (13, 13 ') has the shape of a cross-sectional triangular profile with two inclined surfaces against which inclined wheels abut. or pulleys (60, 60 ') mounted in a base (15') to the carriage unit. 10 15 20 25 30 35 502 375 15 Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower crosspiece (18) carrying the saw blades (26, 26 ') can be raised and lowered by means of one on the fixed, upper crosspiece (17). mounted piston-cylinder mechanism (20). Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable piece (18) carries two saw blades (26, 26 ') lying in a common horizontal plane which are spaced apart in the axial direction and positioned so that the peripheral of the blades lower transverse portions slightly overlap.