WO2001067844A1

WO2001067844A1 - Breaking machine

Info

Publication number: WO2001067844A1
Application number: PCT/IT2000/000281
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olindo Biasutti
Original assignee: Biasutti, Sandra; Biasutti, Franco
Priority date: 2000-03-15
Filing date: 2000-07-07
Publication date: 2001-09-20
Also published as: ITUD20000052A1; IT1315003B1; AU2000258469A1

Abstract

A rotating disk-type (3) breaking machine with cutting means (31) protruding from the work side of the disk (3) onto which the material to be broken up (R) is pressed, characterised by the fact that the aforementioned cutting means (31) are tooth-shaped and distributed in helicoidal rows for at least one complete turn.

Description

DESCRIPTION BREAKING MACHINE The object of this invention is a breaking machine. Technical Field The invention is applied preferably, but not necessarily exclusively, for branches and twigs, but it may obviously be used for similar purposes. Background Art Various types of breaking machines are currently used. The solution most frequently used in the application of this invention has a hopper into which the branches and twigs are loaded, after which they hit a rotating disk with protruding rows of cutting means positioned radially o r almost radially around it, which breaks-up the branches and twigs. Drawbacks of the current systems The aforementioned breaking machine has its major drawback when it has to process large branches or twigs, due to the impact force on the cutting means or cutters, which are positioned more or less radially, and require a considerably high driving torque, due to the very nature of their structure. Similarly, the stresses induced on the machine itself are very high, leading to unsteady operation and vibrations, risk of breakage and so forth. What is more, this type of solution requires a powerful motor which leads to high energy consumption. There is a constant risk of the disk stalling with the motor remaining energised, so it can be declared that this solution is certainly not acceptable. Solutions with bolted-on cutting means are dangerous due to the risk of the bolts working loose. Other solutions, with the cutting blades press-formed into the disk, are not particularly satisfactory, because they have a working life which is limited due to the mechanical properties of the material used which, for safety reasons, has to be hard-wearing but not too hard. The use of a number of cutting blades on a disk, therefore, leads to the aforementioned problems. The type with rows of cutters, whether in a straight line or on a curve, be it a spiral curve or a curve on an angle with respect to the radius of the disk, are extremely limited and generally cover no more than 90° of the disk, so even with a number of rows of cutters positioned on a spiral there is still a considerable impact caused by the contemporary breaking and cutting action of a number of cutters. The aim of the invention The aim of the invention herein described is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, while at the same time avoid clogging of the machine during its operation, leading to a more progressive use. Essence of the invention The aforementioned problems are resolved as claimed by means of a rotating disk-type breaking machine, with cutting means protruding on the work side of the rotating disk onto which the material to be broken-up is pressed, characterised by the fact that the said cutting means are tooth-shaped and distributed in helicoidal rows for at least two quadrants of the circular disk. Preferably, the helicoidal rows are distributed for one complete turn of the disk. Advantages of the invention The advantages obtained with this solution are that, because the row of teeth is strongly inclined (only slightly angled with respect to the right angle of the radius of the cutter which is doing the breaking), the material i s broken-up progressively by the following teeth, avoiding the high impact typical of longer cutting blades, or of those with a number of cutters o r cutting means positioned more or less along the radius. Ideally, the breaking teeth are embedded in corresponding through holes i n the disk and fixed in place by adhesive or by braze welding. The advantage of being embedded in the disk is fundamental for safety reasons, to avoid their detachment from the disk and allows harder metals, or even sintered material, to be used, thus leading to a longer working l ife of the disk. Description of a typical way of applying the system These and other advantages, with the aid of the included drawings, will be outlined in the following description of a typical use of the invention, the particulars of which are not to be considered exhaustive but merely a typical example. Figure 1 is a schematic side view and a partial axial section of the breaking area where the disk is located. Figure 2A is a plan view of the disk with the teeth lined up in a spiral pattern in the opposite direction of rotation. Figure 2B is a plan view of the disk with the teeth lined up in a spiral pattern in the same direction of rotation. Figures 3 and 4 are partial side views and plan views of a part of the disk where one of the tooth-shaped cutters is positioned. As shown in the aforementioned figures, the machine has a frame (1 ) with rear legs (11 ) and front legs (12) with wheels (121 ) on the front legs i n order to move the machine like a wheelbarrow, with a handle for holding and lifting (13) which can be taken out and used during operation (13') to ram the branches and twigs (R) in the funnel-shaped loading hopper ( 4 ) . The hopper (4), if necessary, can be rotated forward (4') for maintenance purposes or in case of the disk stalling, or blockage of the breaking zone inside the crank-case guard (14). The loading hopper (4) has a flexible protective shield (41) for safety purposes on the inside. Below the crank-case guard (14), between the support legs (1 1 , 1 2 ) , there is an electric motor (2) with respective controls (21). The shaft of the motor (2) passes through the crank-case guard (14) and is attached to the breaking disk (3). The crank-case guard has a number of radial strike-plates (141 , 142) to control the flow of the material to help with the breaking-up and cutting (in this case, they are fixed to the upper part of the guard, which forms the lower part of the base of the loading hopper). There is a primary strike-plate (141 ) immediately below the zone where the branches and twigs are inserted (R), and a number of secondary strike- plates (142) angularly displaced with C-shaped edges. On the opposite side of the control panel (21 ), there is a slide for discharging the material (15). The teeth (31 ) are embedded in rectangular holes (30) which correspond to the shape of each tooth-shaped cutter (3) and cemented or brazed i n position (represented by the thick line, 30). Further details The material to be processed is pushed against the teeth (31 ) and held there, until it turns with the disk, by the first strike-plate (141 ) which has its surface perpendicular to the disk. The spiral of tooth-shaped cutters may be made up of one or more complete turns. Each tooth-shaped cutter removes the material that it finds on its trajectory. The tooth-shaped cutter following the preceding one removes material in an area adjacent to that already processed. The spiral may be designed so that the tooth-shaped cutters start their breaking action from the inside part of the disk, and in this case the tooth-shaped cutters that follow are positioned on a larger radius. The tooth-shaped cutters may also be set in such a way that they start cutting from the outside of the disk, and in this case the tooth-shaped cutters that follow are positioned towards the inside, that is, on a smaller radius (see fig. 2, A and B). The tooth-shaped cutters (31 ) are made from tempered steel, or from small, hard metal platelets. The shape of the teeth, and the way they are sharpened, is suitable for the breaking and discharging of the material. The tooth-shaped cutters (31 ) are, as described above, fixed to the disk, but the whole arrangement could be integrated and the tooth-shaped cutters could be welded directly to the disk without being embedded. The complete disk (3) with the tooth-shaped cutters (31 ) processes the material, therefore, with a gnawing or chewing action. The material to be broken-up (R) is held against the rotation of the disk by the main strike-plate (141 ), the surface of which is made out of a highly wear-resistant material. The main strike-plate is part of the channel where the material is loaded. Small pieces of material may escape the action of the tooth-shaped cutters (31 ) and pass directly under the main strike-plate (141 ). In order to capture these small pieces of wood or leaves that are missed the first time by the movement of the tooth-shaped cutters (31), other secondary stri ke- plates (142) hold these pieces so that the tooth-shaped cutters (31 ) may further work on the pieces before being discharged. To help discharge the material, an air current may be generated by a ventilator whose fins (32) are positioned and fixed on the lower part of the toothed disk (3). Dedicated openings (33) in the lower part of the toothed disk (3) and in the lower part of the machine help the air flow. The breaking system can be operated by rotating around a horizontal, vertical or inclined axis. The choice is made according to the type of motor used and by the general lay-out of the machine. The preferred solution is with two wheels (121 ), but a wheelbarrow-type of solution with only one wheel can also be used. The breaking disk or toothed disk is attached directly to the shaft of the motor by a hub and key, with a bolt at the end of the shaft. The motor (2) i s positioned horizontally by means of a flange. The material to be processed (R) is loaded into the hopper (4) and passes through a vertical channel (40) which guides the material to the disk. Once processed, the material is discharged along a channel which is tilted at 45° (1 5) . The loading channel (40) and discharge channel (15) are quite long to make it difficult for the machine operator to put his or her hands in dangerous points of the machine. There are three secondary strike-plates (142) to further break-up the material to make its discharge easier. The material used to make the secondary strike plates, as with the main strike-plate in the loading channel, is of a good quality, wear-resistant steel. The breaking disk (3) has, as previously stated, holes to let air pass through (33) and has the ventilator fins (32) on the lower part to increase the air flow and remove accumulated dust from the hopper. The upper part of the machine (hopper 4) is welded in one single piece and hinged with the lower part (crank-case guard 14) to make opening of the machine for cleaning or maintenance purposes easier. To open the machine, two wing-nuts have to be simply unscrewed. The upper part of the machine is also easy to dismount to reduce the packing volume. The machine is supplied with an electrical device that makes it impossible to open while the breaking disk is rotating. This device is made of an electric lock, similar to the type used for washing machines, connected i n such a way that the machine can not be opened if there is an electric current present in the machine. There is also a time-switch that allows the motor to stop rotating before being able to open the machine. The machine can not be started-up if it is open. To help the feeding of the material in the hopper, as previously stated, a dual-purpose bar, which can also be used for moving the machine, i s supplied. The machine does not tolerate stones or nails being fed into it, as they are notoriously dangerous. A typical functional motor for this type of machine is considered to have a power rating of 2.2 KW. The use of numerous small teeth placed in a spiral pattern means that they cut and break singly or in a limited number during the processing of the material, leading to bigger branches being able to be cut compared with conventional machines, and a good yield from the machine compared with one of the same power. By using this solution, the machine no longer breaks the branch with a single blow, but is rather chewed or gnawed away by a lot of small teeth. This system tends to wear down the wooden parts of the material into large- grain sawdust, ready for a quick transformation into humus. The operational particulars may, however, vary. Advantageously, as can be seen in fig.1 , discharge of the broken-up material is, basically, from above the disk (3), while the air is drawn into the machine from below.

Claims

1. A rotating disk-type (3) breaking machine with cutting means ( 3 1 ) protruding from the work side of the disk (3) onto which the material to be broken up (R) is pressed, characterised by the fact that the aforementioned cutters (31 ) are tooth-shaped and distributed in helicoidal rows for at least one complete turn.

2. A rotating disk-type breaking machine according to the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the large number of of said tooth-shaped cutters (31 ) are lined up in a helicoidal pattern for at least one complete turn .

3. A rotating disk-type breaking machine according to claims 1 and/or 2 , characterised by the fact that the said tooth-shaped cutters (31 ) are embedded in corresponding holes (30) in the disk (3).

4. A rotating disk-type breaking machine according to claim 3 , characterised by the fact that said tooth-shaped cutters (31 ) are fixed into place in the holes with adhesive.

5. A rotating disk-type breaking machine according to claim ^" 3 , characterised by the fact that said tooth-shaped cutters (31 ) are fixed into place in the holes by brazing.

6. A rotating disk-type breaking machine according to claim 3 , characterised by the fact that the holes for embedding said tooth-shaped cutters and the tooth-shaped cutters themselves are of a rectangular section ( 30) .

7. A rotating disk-type breaking machine according to claims 1 and/or 2 , characterised by the fact that said tooth-shaped cutters (31 ) are welded to the surface of said disk (3).

8. A rotating disk-type breaking machine according to any of the previous claims, characterised by the fact that ventilation fins are provided on the 1 opposite side of said disk (32).

2 9. A rotating disk-type breaking machine according to any of the previous

3 claims, characterised by the fact that, close to the point where the material

4 to be processed is loaded (R), a primary strike-plate is provided ( 1 41 ) ,

5 basically to reduce the size of the wood chips.

6 10. A rotating disk-type breaking machine according to the previous claim,

7 characterised by the fact that behind the primary strike-plate (141 ) a

8 number of secondary strike-plates (142) are provided.

9 1 1 . A rotating disk-type breaking machine according to the previous claim,

10 characterised by the fact that there are three secondary strike-plates

1 1 ( 1 42 ) .

12 12. A rotating disk-type breaking machine according to the previous claim,

13 characterised by the fact that the secondary strike-plates (142) have

14 lateral C-shaped lips.

15 13. A rotating disk-type breaking machine according to any of the previous

16 claims, characterised by the fact that the material that has been processed

17 is discharged above the said disk (3), while the air is drawn in from below

18 said disk.