Bale opener for opening a fibre bale arrangement placed in a longitudinal direction and method for operating a bale opener for opening a fibre bale arrangement placed upright in a longitudinal direction

Abstract

The invention relates to a bale opener for opening a fibre bale arrangement placed in a longitudinal direction (10), the bale opener comprising: a machine frame (11) which can be moved in parallel with the longitudinal direction (10); and a pick-up unit (12) for removing the fibre bale arrangement, which pick-up unit is height-adjustably arranged on the machine frame (11), wherein a detection arrangement is provided, which is coupled in terms of movement to the machine frame (11) and / or the pick-up unit (12) and is configured in such a way that data which describe at least part of the geometry of the fibre bale arrangement can be detected by means of the detection arrangement. The invention further relates to a method for operating a bale opener (1) for opening a fibre bale arrangement placed in a longitudinal direction (10), the method comprising the steps of: detecting data which describe at least part of the geometry of the fibre bale arrangement by means of a detection arrangement.

Description

[0001] Bale opener for opening a fiber bale arrangement arranged in a longitudinal direction and method for operating a bale opener for opening a fiber bale arrangement arranged in a longitudinal direction

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a bale opener for opening a fiber bale arrangement that is positioned longitudinally. A machine frame is provided that is movable parallel to the longitudinal direction, and a removal unit for unloading the fiber bale arrangement is arranged on the machine frame in a height-adjustable manner.

[0004] From EP 3 536 834 A1, a bale opener is known, comprising: a removal tower that is movable along fiber bales on rails. A removal arm is arranged on one side of the removal tower, cantilevering freely over the fiber bale.

[0005] From DE 10 2018 110 671 A1, a bale opener for opening pressed fiber bales positioned in a specific orientation is known, comprising a machine frame and a take-off unit. The take-off unit is arranged on the machine frame with adjustable height, and the machine frame is movable in the orientation so that the fiber bales can be driven over by the take-off unit and fiber material can be removed from the bales. The machine frame has a portal design with a first side panel and a second side panel connected to each other via a portal profile.

[0006] From DE 10 2019 115 616 A1 a bale opener for dissolving fiber material is known, with a sensor unit for spatially detecting a monitoring area in which dissolved fiber material can accumulate.

[0007] From DE 10 2018 110 697 A1, a portal bale opener is known which has a machine frame movable parallel to the longitudinal direction of the fiber bales and a height-adjustable removal unit for removing the fiber bale arrangement. The bale opener includes a group of sensor elements designed as light barriers and arranged on the removal unit. The light barriers can detect the presence of fiber bales or detect a relative movement of an object towards or away from the removal unit.

[0008] Starting from this, the object of the invention is to provide a bale opener for opening a fiber bale arrangement that is set up in a longitudinal direction, as well as a method for operating a bale opener for opening a fiber bale arrangement set up in a longitudinal direction, which enables increased productivity of the bale opener.

[0009] To solve the problem, a bale opener for opening a fiber bale arrangement arranged in a longitudinal direction is proposed, comprising: a machine frame that is movable in the longitudinal direction, and a take-off unit for removing the fiber bale arrangement, which is arranged on the machine frame in a height-adjustable manner, wherein a detection arrangement is provided that is motion-coupled with the machine frame and / or the take-off unit and is simultaneously designed in such a way that data can be detected by the detection arrangement that describe at least a part of the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement.

[0010] A fiber bale arrangement can comprise one or more bales of compressed fibers, such as natural fibers like cotton, synthetic fibers, or mineral fibers. The bales can be pressed into a cuboid shape to maximize space efficiency when arranged side by side. The longitudinal direction in which the fiber bales are arranged can also be referred to as the arrangement direction or the longitudinal direction of the bale opener. This longitudinal direction can be linear or have a non-linear extension.

[0011] During the removal of the fiber bale assembly, the take-off unit, for example by means of rotating take-off rollers, extracts a portion of the fibers from the bale in the form of fiber flakes, which are then fed to a further processing step in the spinning mill preparation. In this respect, the bale opener is a bale opener for spinning mill preparation. The original geometry of the fiber bales changes as fibers are removed. The detection system can therefore acquire data describing this change in the geometry of the fiber bale assembly, and the operating parameters of the bale opener can be adjusted depending on the change in the geometry of the fiber bale assembly.

[0012] The bale opener according to the invention has the advantage that the operating state of the bale opener can be controlled depending on the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement. For example, the vertical feed of the pickup unit and / or the longitudinal travel speed can be adjusted depending on the geometry of the

[0013] Fiber bale arrangement in the area to be processed of the fiber bale arrangement, so that the volume or mass of the fiber bale is removed by the receiving unit from the

[0014] The fiber bale arrangement can be controlled based on the fibers removed. Since the geometry of the fiber bales is recorded, it also allows for early forward planning for the operation of the processing stages following the bale opener. A further advantage is that opening the fiber bale arrangement and measuring its geometry can be done simultaneously. This eliminates downtime for the bale opener during measurement. Furthermore, the operating parameters can be adjusted to accommodate subsequent changes in the fiber bale geometry caused by fiber removal.

[0015] By capturing the geometry of the fiber bales with a capturing arrangement that is motion-coupled with the machine frame or the take-up unit, the susceptibility to interference of the geometry capture is advantageously reduced, since the probability of interfering influences (interfering objects) between the capturing arrangement and the fiber bales is reduced.

[0016] In one possible embodiment, the data can describe at least one of the following parameters: height of the fiber bale arrangement, profile of the fiber bale arrangement in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, width of the fiber bale arrangement, or length of the fiber bale arrangement. Alternatively or in combination, the data can describe a topography of the fiber bale arrangement.

[0017] In another possible embodiment, the detection arrangement can comprise a first detection sensor, a second detection sensor, a third detection sensor, and / or a fourth detection sensor. The detection arrangement can thus have one or more detection sensors. Each of these detection sensors can be configured such that the coordinates of points on at least a portion of the surface of the fiber bale arrangement can be detected by the respective sensor. In other words, each detection sensor can detect a set of points and associated coordinates that describe at least a portion of the surface of the fiber bale arrangement. Each detection sensor can transmit a signal corresponding to the detected points or coordinates to a signal processing device described below.The detection sensors can transmit a signal corresponding to the points or their associated coordinates to a signal processing unit. The detection sensors can, in particular, be designed as lidar sensors. Lidar sensors, as is well known, emit laser beams and detect the laser beams reflected from surfaces. A lidar sensor is thus a special type of laser scanner. It is also conceivable that the detection sensors could be designed as laser scanners, radar sensors, or camera-based sensors.

[0018] In another possible embodiment, the detection sensors can be motion-coupled with the machine frame and / or the pickup unit. In other words, the detection sensors can be connected to the machine frame and / or the pickup unit.

[0019] The detection sensors can each detect the fiber bale arrangement in a single measurement plane. The measurement plane and the longitudinal direction of the bale opener can be arranged orthogonally to each other. Alternatively, the measurement plane can be arranged at an angle other than 90 degrees to the longitudinal direction of the bale opener. In particular, it is also conceivable that the measurement plane is parallel to a transverse direction of the bale opener and at an angle other than 90 degrees to the longitudinal direction of the bale opener. The first and second detection sensors can detect the fiber bale arrangement in a common measurement plane. Alternatively, or in combination, the third and fourth detection sensors can detect the fiber bale arrangement in another common measurement plane. The detection of the fiber bale arrangement by the sensors can also be described as scanning.

[0020] At least one of the detection sensors can be arranged on the machine frame. Alternatively, or in combination, at least one of the detection sensors can be arranged on the pickup unit. The machine frame and the pickup unit can form a traversing arrangement. The first detection sensor can be arranged on a first side of the traversing arrangement with respect to the longitudinal direction, and the third detection sensor can be arranged on a second side of the traversing arrangement with respect to the longitudinal direction, the first and second sides facing away from each other. The first detection sensor can thus detect at least part of the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement in a first direction of movement of the traversing arrangement, and the third

[0021] The detection sensor can thus detect at least part of the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement in a second direction of movement of the transport arrangement, whereby the first

[0022] The first and second directions of movement are opposite.

[0023] The second detection sensor can be located on the first side of the traversing arrangement with respect to the longitudinal direction, and the fourth detection sensor can be located on the second side of the traversing arrangement. The second detection sensor can thus detect at least part of the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement in the first direction of movement of the traversing arrangement, and the fourth detection sensor can thus detect at least part of the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement in the second direction of movement of the traversing arrangement.

[0024] In one possible embodiment, the machine frame can have a first side panel and a second side panel, each movable in the longitudinal direction and connected to each other via a portal profile. A longitudinal axis of the portal profile can extend transversely, in particular orthogonally, to the longitudinal direction. In other words, the longitudinal axis of the portal profile can extend transversely to the bale opener. The first detection sensor and / or the third detection sensor can be arranged on the first side panel. The second detection sensor and / or the fourth detection sensor can be arranged on the second side panel. In other words, the first detection sensor, as well as the second detection sensor and / or the third detection sensor and the fourth detection sensor, can be spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction.Alternatively or in combination, it is conceivable that at least one of the detection sensors is arranged on the portal profile.

[0025] In one possible embodiment, the first and / or third detection sensor can detect a detection area in the transverse direction of the bale opener that overlaps the first side wall in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction. It is particularly conceivable that the detection area extends transversely from the second side wall and beyond the first side wall. In other words, the first and / or third detection sensor can detect a detection area that extends laterally from the machine frame in sections. Alternatively or in combination, it is conceivable that the second and / or fourth detection sensor detects a detection area in the transverse direction of the bale opener that overlaps the second side wall in the longitudinal direction.It is particularly conceivable that this detection area extends laterally from the first side panel and beyond the second side panel. In other words, the second and / or fourth detection sensor can detect an area that extends laterally from the machine frame in sections.

[0026] The detection arrangement can include a signal processing unit that converts a signal emitted by the detection sensors into data describing at least part of the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement. The signal processing unit can be connected to the detection sensors via cables or wirelessly / radio-frequency. It is understood that the signal processing unit can be stationary. In this case, the detection sensors form the part of the detection arrangement that is motion-coupled to the machine frame and / or the pickup unit. The signal processing unit can be part of a central control unit for the bale opener, through which the bale opener can be controlled. It is also conceivable that the signal processing unit is designed as a separate unit connected to the central control unit via cables or wirelessly / radio-frequency.The signal processing unit can be motion-coupled with the machine frame or the pickup unit.

[0027] To solve the problem, a method for operating a bale opener for opening a fiber bale arrangement arranged longitudinally is further proposed, comprising the steps of: acquiring data by a acquiring arrangement that describes at least part of the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement. The method can be configured, in particular, for operating a bale opener in a previously described embodiment.

[0028] In one possible embodiment of the method, the data can describe at least one of the following parameters: height of the fiber bale arrangement, profile of the fiber bale arrangement in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the fiber bale arrangement, width of the fiber bale arrangement, or length of the fiber bale arrangement. These parameters can be acquired in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction of the bale opener. The data can describe at least a portion of the topography of the fiber bale arrangement, for example, the surface of the fiber bale arrangement oriented towards the receiving unit or its side faces.

[0029] In another possible embodiment of the method, before the fiber bale assembly is set up on a surface over which the machine frame with the pickup unit can move, the detection arrangement can determine the topography of the surface. The data describing the geometry of the fiber bale assembly can then be acquired based on the surface topography.

[0030] In another possible embodiment of the method, the operating state of the bale opener can be controlled depending on the determined data. The operating state of the bale opener can be described, in particular, by one or more of the following parameters: direction of movement of the machine frame, speed of the machine frame, height position of the pickup unit, feed speed of the pickup unit in the vertical direction, rotational speed of the pickup rollers, or parameters relating to the extraction of the fibers.

[0031] In another possible embodiment of the method, defects in the fiber bale arrangement can be detected. Defects can be, for example, areas of the fiber bale arrangement where the height of the fiber bale arrangement deviates significantly from an average value. In particular, gaps or distances between individual fiber bales can be considered defects.

[0032] The following describes, with reference to the figure drawings, a bale opener and a method according to the invention. This shows:

[0033] Figure 1 shows a first perspective view of a bale opener according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a second perspective view of the bale opener from Figure 1;

[0034] Figure 3 shows a third perspective view of the ball opener from Figure 1 with an open second side cheek;

[0035] Figure 4 shows a fourth perspective view of the ball opener from Figure 1 with one side cheek open;

[0036] Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the bale opener from Figure 1, where the

[0037] Detection sensors have a measuring plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction;

[0038] Figure 6 shows a schematic view of the bale opener from Figure 1 in the direction of the

[0039] Longitudinal direction of the bale opener with the detection sensors on the first and second side cheeks;

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the bale opener from Figure 1 with detection sensors in a measuring plane at an angle to the longitudinal direction;

[0041] Figure 8 shows a schematic view in the longitudinal direction of an alternative bale opener according to the invention with the detection sensors on the portal profile; and

[0042] Figure 9 shows a method according to the invention for operating a bale opener for opening a fiber bale arrangement arranged in a longitudinal direction in a flowchart.

[0043] Figures 1 to 7, which are described together below, show a bale opener 1 according to the invention. The bale opener 1 serves to mill the top surface of a fiber bale arrangement with fiber bales 100. The fiber bales 100 are arranged in several rows side by side in a longitudinal direction 10 of the bale opener on a base 16 in a setup area 28. The longitudinal direction 10 can also be referred to as the setup direction of the fiber bales 100. A take-off unit 12, which is height-adjustable on a machine frame 11, serves to mill the top surface of the fiber bales 100. In other words, the distance between the base 16 and the take-off unit 12 can be adjusted. The machine frame 11 has a first side panel 13 and a second side panel 14. Two spaced-apart portal profiles 17 extend between the two side panels 13 and 14.

[0044] The two side panels 13, 14 each have guide rollers 22 and 23. A guide rail 15 serves to guide the machine frame 11 in the longitudinal direction 10; for example, the guide rollers 22 on the first side panel 13 are guided on this rail. The guide rollers 23, located on the underside of the second side panel 14, run along the base 16, on which the fiber bales 100 are placed and on which the guide rail 15 is preferably also mounted. The machine frame 11 and the receiving unit 12 are thus part of a traversing arrangement. The traversing arrangement can be moved longitudinally beyond the installation area 28 on both sides. This ensures that the traversing arrangement can completely pass over the fiber bale arrangement.

[0045] The take-up unit 12 has, for example, two take-up rollers 31 and three support rollers 32 on one underside. The take-up rollers 31 are located between the support rollers 32. The axes of rotation of all rollers 31, 32 run parallel to each other in the transverse direction 18 of the bale opener 1. The transverse direction 18 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 10. Grating plates 33 are located in front of the take-up rollers 31. When the rollers 31, 32 are set into rotation, the take-up rollers 31 pick up flake-like components from the pressed fiber bales 100, and the fiber flakes are extracted via the suction device 26 and fed to their further use.

[0046] The extraction device 26 comprises a suction hood 34, which is located on the top of the pickup unit 12 and to which a vertically upward-leading spiral hose 35 is connected. When the pickup unit 12 is moved vertically, the length of the spiral hose 35 can change. The spiral hose 35 is connected at its top to a suction air duct 36, which introduces the suction air into the top of the first side wall 13. The suction air duct 36 is thus self-supporting and attached to the top of the first side wall 13, and the spiral hose 35 hangs from the end of the suction air duct 36. The suction air passes through the first side wall 13 and, together with the fiber flakes, reaches a further processing station via a channel 27.

[0047] The bale opener 1 is manually controlled via a control panel 37, which, for example, is positioned at one end of the channel 27. The control panel 37 is connected to a central control unit 21, through which the bale opener 1 can be controlled. The bale opener 1 is electrically powered via a junction box 38, which is located at the same end of the channel 27. A power and signal connection 29, comprising a cable chain unit 30, provides both power and signal to the movable machine frame 11. The power and signal connection 29 is located laterally on the channel 27. A drive element 39 forms the movable connection of the channel chain unit 30 and is connected to a belt lifting unit 40, which is connected to the first side wall 13 and consequently moves with the longitudinal movement 10 of the machine frame 11.The belt lifting unit 40 serves to lift a cover belt 45 that covers the channel 27 from above. In Figure 3, the second side panel 14 is shown open. The side panels 13 and 14 each have a receiving space in which means for operating the bale opener 1 are housed. Advantageously, the electrical control unit 21 of the bale opener 1 is integrated into the second side panel 14, with the electrical control unit 21 monitoring and controlling the essential movement functions as well as the sensors and the associated actuators of the bale opener 1. Thus, the machine frame 11 is designed to house the essential functional devices for operating the bale opener 1, with the electrical control unit 21 advantageously arranged on the free, second side panel 14. The receiving space can be made accessible by doors (not shown), with accessibility being optimally provided, in particular, by the freestanding second side panel 14.An operator can thus access the electrical control unit 21, whereby, in a manner not shown, an input-output interface may also be arranged on the second side panel 14, which may be redundant in its function, additionally designed and / or supplementary to the control panel 37.

[0048] The pickup unit 12 is mounted on bridge elements 19 of the machine frame 11 by means of tension members 25. The bridge elements 19 are arranged on the parallel portal profiles 17. The tension members 25 form tension bands with integrated steel tension members, and the tension members 25 are looped around deflection pulleys 42 mounted on the bridge elements 19.

[0049] Figure 4 shows another perspective view of the bale opener 1, with the first side panel 13 shown open. The main components housed in the first side panel 13 include the drive unit 20 for driving the rollers 22, which are driven by the drive unit 20 via a belt 41. The illustration shows the pulleys, which are mounted on the front of the rollers 22 and thus obscure them.

[0050] Furthermore, part of the extraction device 26 is incorporated in the first side wall 13, and the suction air shaft 36 passes through an upper roof area of ​​the first side wall 13 and continues with a removable shaft segment 43 in the first side wall 13, in order to finally reach the belt lifting unit not shown.

[0051] As can be seen in particular from the combination of Figures 5 and 6, the bale opener 1 comprises a detection arrangement which is designed or configured in such a way that data can be detected by the detection arrangement which describes at least part of the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement.

[0052] The detection arrangement comprises a first detection sensor 46, which is arranged on the first side panel 13, and a second detection sensor 48, which is arranged on the second side panel 14. The first detection sensor 46 and the second detection sensor 48 are both arranged with respect to the longitudinal direction 10 on a first side of the machine frame 11 or the traversing arrangement, respectively. The detection arrangement further comprises a third detection sensor 46', which is arranged on the first side panel 13, and a fourth detection sensor 48', which is arranged on the second side panel 14. The third detection sensor 46' and the fourth detection sensor 48' are both arranged with respect to the longitudinal direction 10 on a second side of the machine frame 11 or the traversing arrangement, respectively, which faces away from the first side.

[0053] The detection sensors 46, 48, 46', 48' are each designed and configured such that the coordinates of points on at least part of a surface 101 of the fiber bale arrangement or of the individual fiber bales 100 can be detected by the respective detection sensor. In this case, the detection sensors 46, 48, 46', 48' are laser scanners in the form of lidar sensors, although other types of sensors for spatial detection of the fiber bale arrangement are also conceivable.

[0054] The detection sensors 46, 48, 46', 48' each have a measurement plane E46, E48, E46', E48' which is arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal direction 10. The measurement planes E46, E48 of the first detection sensor 46 and the second detection sensor 48 lie in a common plane. The measurement planes E46', E48' of the third detection sensor 46' and the fourth detection sensor 48' also lie in a common plane.

[0055] The first detection sensor 46 detects a detection area 47, which is bounded vertically by the ground 16 or the installation area 28. The detection area 47 is shown in Figure 6 as a dashed-dotted V-shaped line. In this case, the left boundary of the detection area 47 runs transversely to the extent of the first side panel 13. The first detection sensor 46 is positioned approximately centrally on the first side panel 13 with respect to the transverse direction 18. The detection area 47 extends section by section from the second side panel 14 in the transverse direction 18 beyond the first side panel 14. The detection area 47 thus also detects an area to the side of the first side panel 13. The right boundary of the detection area 47 extends from the first detection sensor 46 to beyond the end of the second side panel 14 that faces the ground 16.The detection area 47 thus also detects an area to the side of the second side cheek 14.

[0056] The second detection sensor 48 detects a detection area 49, which is bounded vertically by the ground 16 or the installation area 28. The detection area 49 is shown in Figure 6 as a double-dotted V-shaped line. In this case, the right boundary of the detection area 49 runs transversely to the extension of the second side panel 14, with the second detection sensor 48 being positioned approximately midway along the transverse direction 18 of the second side panel 14. The detection area 49 extends section by section from the first side panel 14 in the transverse direction 18 beyond the second side panel 14. The detection area 49 thus also detects an area to the side of the second side panel 14. The left boundary of the detection area 49 extends from the second detection sensor 48 to beyond the end of the first side panel 13 that faces the ground 16.The detection area 49 thus also detects an area to the side of the second side cheek 14.

[0057] However, it is also conceivable that the left and / or right boundary of the detection areas within the two side walls intersects with the floor.

[0058] The detection area 47 and the detection area 49 are arranged in an overlapping direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 10, as can be seen particularly in Figure 6. The side walls 12, 13, the pickup unit 12, and the base 16 define a working area that can be positioned along the longitudinal direction. The working area can be positioned over the fiber bales 100 to be processed. Within the working area, there is a high risk of accidents for the operator of the bale opener 1. In the areas in front of the side walls 13, 14 with respect to the longitudinal axis 10, there is also a risk of collision for the operator. Due to the overlap of the detection areas 47, 49 in the longitudinal direction 10, an unintentional entry into the working area and / or the area in front of the side walls 12, 13 can be detected in order to trigger an emergency stop to protect the operator of the bale opener 1.

[0059] What was said previously in the context of the detection sensors 46 and 48 applies analogously to the detection sensors 46' and 48' on the opposite side of the traversing arrangement.

[0060] As can be seen in Figure 5, the measuring planes E46, E48 are arranged at a distance from the first side wall 13 and the second side wall 14. The measuring planes E46', E48' are also arranged at a distance from the first side wall 13 and the second side wall 14. The distance can be chosen to be so small that an operator cannot pass through the space defined between the side wall and the measuring plane. The distance can be, for example, between 1 cm and 50 cm, and in particular less than or equal to 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, or 50 cm. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the measuring planes E46, E48 and / or the measuring planes E46', E48' are arranged in axial overlap with one or both of the side walls 13, 14 with respect to the longitudinal direction 10. The detection sensors can thus not only detect the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement, but also form a protective barrier for personnel safety.

[0061] As shown in Figure 7, it is also possible, in principle, for the detection sensors 46, 48, 46', 48' to have a measuring plane E46, E48, E46', E48' which is arranged parallel to a transverse direction of the bale opener 1 and at an angle α to the longitudinal direction 10 of the bale opener 1 that deviates from 90 degrees. It is particularly conceivable that the angle α is adjustable.

[0062] Figure 8 shows an alternative bale opener 1 according to the invention. This differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7 only in that, instead of the detection sensors 46, 48, 46', 48', a detection sensor 50 is arranged centrally on a portal profile 17. It is understood that on the opposite side of the traversing arrangement, another detection sensor is arranged centrally on a portal profile 17, which is hidden in Figure 8. Regarding the similarities between the two embodiments, reference is made to the preceding description, whereby identical or similar features are marked with the same reference numerals in the respective figures. The detection sensor 50 detects a detection area 51, which is shown in Figure 8 as a dashed-dotted V-shaped line.In the present case, the left boundary of the detection area 51 extends beyond the end of the first side panel 13, which faces the base 16, and the right boundary of the detection area 51 extends beyond the end of the second side panel 14, which faces the base 16. It is understood that the boundaries of the detection areas of the sensors shown in Figures 1 to 8 can, in principle, also end before the respective spaced-away side panel.

[0063] Figure 9 illustrates a method for operating a bale opener for opening a fiber bale arrangement arranged longitudinally, using a flowchart. In the present case, the method is suitable for operating a bale opener according to Figures 1 to 8, but is not limited to this. The bale opener 1 according to the invention, as shown in Figures 1 to 8, is thus also designed and configured to carry out the following process steps.

[0064] In a first process step V10, a detection arrangement determines the topography of the ground 16 of the installation area 28 for the fiber bale arrangement. The topography of the ground 16 can also be referred to as the reference topography. The detection arrangement used for this purpose can be the detection arrangement of the bale opener 1 itself, or a separate detection arrangement.

[0065] In a subsequent process step V20, the fiber bale arrangement is set up on the floor 16 of the setup area 28 along the longitudinal direction 10 and the fiber bale arrangement is opened with the bale opener 1 in a process step V30.

[0066] In process step V40, data describing at least part of the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement are acquired by the bale opener 1's acquisition arrangement. The data can describe at least one of the following parameters: height of the fiber bale arrangement, profile of the fiber bale arrangement in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 10 of the fiber bale arrangement, width of the fiber bale arrangement, or length of the fiber bale arrangement. Alternatively or in combination, the data can describe a topography of the fiber bale arrangement.

[0067] For this purpose, coordinates of points on a surface 101 of the fiber bale arrangement, or of the individual fiber bales 100, are first acquired by detection sensors 46, 48, 46', 48'. The detection sensors 46, 48, 46', 48' are designed as lidar sensors. The coordinates or points can be acquired, in particular, for individual sub-areas of the fiber bale arrangement, for example, for the areas of the surface 102 facing the recipient unit 12 or the side surfaces 103.

[0068] The coordinates, or points, are repeatedly recorded for the area immediately in front of the machine frame 11 in the direction of movement, and thus the area that will be processed next. For this purpose, sensors are used that are located on the side of the traversing assembly facing in the direction of movement. The area immediately behind the machine frame 11 in the direction of movement, and thus the area processed during the last pass, can also be recorded. For this, sensors are used that are located on the side of the traversing assembly facing opposite to the direction of movement. By comparing the coordinates before and after the pass, the material removed during the pass can be determined.

[0069] The detection sensors 46, 48, 46', 48 transmit a signal corresponding to the measured coordinates to a signal processing unit of the detection arrangement, which may be part of the electrical control unit 21.

[0070] The signal processing unit processes the signal into data that describe at least part of the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement. For data relating to the height of the fiber bale arrangement, this is done based on the reference topography of the ground 16 determined in process step V10. To this end, the values ​​initially determined by the detection system can first be assigned to the points of the reference topography in a known manner, and then the relevant data can be determined by calculating the difference between the two values. It is also conceivable that defects in the fiber bale arrangement can be detected.

[0071] In a further process step V50, the operating state of the bale opener 1 is controlled based on the data determined in process step V40, which describe at least part of the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement. For example, the traverse speed of the machine frame 11 in the longitudinal direction 10, the working height of the pickup unit 12 from the floor 16, the approach speed of the pickup unit 12 away from or towards the floor 16, or the rotational speed of the pickup rollers 31 can be controlled based on this data. It is understood that the previously determined data corresponding to the current position of the machine frame 1 in the longitudinal direction 11 are used for this purpose. The machine control takes into account, for example, the distance between the measuring planes and the axes of rotation of the pickup rollers 31.

[0072] Process steps V30 to V50 are carried out until the fiber bale arrangement is completely removed (see decision P1 in the flowchart). Subsequently, in process step V60, it is conceivable to optimize the next placement of fiber bales according to process step V20, depending on the data, operating parameters and / or removal values ​​determined in the previous process steps V30 to V50.

[0073] Reference sign

[0074] 1 bale opener

[0075] 10 Longitudinal direction

[0076] 11 machine frame

[0077] 12 customer units

[0078] 13 first side cheek

[0079] 14 second side cheek

[0080] 15 Running rail

[0081] 16 Floor

[0082] 17 Portal profile

[0083] 18 Transverse direction

[0084] 19 bridge elements

[0085] 20 drive unit

[0086] 21 electrical control unit

[0087] 22 Roller

[0088] 23 Roller

[0089] 25 traction elements

[0090] 26 Extraction system

[0091] Channel 27

[0092] 28 Installation area

[0093] 29 Power and signal connection

[0094] 30 cable chain unit

[0095] 31 Take-off roller

[0096] 32 Support roller

[0097] 33 Grating

[0098] 34 Suction hood

[0099] 35 spiral hose

[0100] 36 Suction air duct

[0101] 37 Control panel

[0102] 38 Junction boxes

[0103] 39 drivers

[0104] 40 belt lifting unit

[0105] 41 belts

[0106] 42 Deflection pulley 43 Shaft segment

[0107] 45 masking tape

[0108] 46 Detection sensor 47 Detection range

[0109] 48 Detection sensor

[0110] 49 Detection area

[0111] 50 detection sensors

[0112] 51 Recording area

[0113] 100 fiber bales

[0114] 101 Surface area of ​​the fiber bales

[0115] 102 area

[0116] 103 side surface

[0117] E plane a angle

Claims

Patent claims 1. Bale opener for opening a fiber bale arrangement arranged in a longitudinal direction (10), comprising: a machine frame (11) which is movable parallel to the longitudinal direction (10), and a take-off unit (12) for removing the fiber bale arrangement which is arranged on the machine frame (11) in a height-adjustable manner, characterized in that a detection arrangement is provided which is coupled to the machine frame (11) and / or the take-off unit (12) in terms of movement and is designed in such a way that data can be detected by the detection arrangement which describes at least a part of the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement.

2. Bale opener according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection arrangement comprises a first detection sensor (46), a second detection sensor (48), a third detection sensor (46') and / or a fourth detection sensor (48'), each of which is configured such that coordinates of points of at least a part of a surface (101) of the fiber bale arrangement can be detected by the respective detection sensor (46, 48; 46', 48').

3. Bale opener according to claim 2, characterized in that the detection sensors (46, 48; 46', 48') are designed as laser scanners, for example as lidar sensors.

4. Bale opener according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the detection sensors (46, 48; 46', 48') detect the fiber bale arrangement in a measuring plane (E46, E48; E46', E48'), wherein the measuring plane (E46, E48; E46', E48') and the longitudinal direction (10) of the bale opener (1) are arranged orthogonally to each other or wherein the measuring plane (E46, E48; E46', E48') is arranged parallel to a transverse direction (18) of the bale opener (1) and at an angle (a) to the longitudinal direction (10) of the bale opener (1) that is not 90 degrees.

5. Bale opener according to claim 4, characterized in that the first detection sensor (46) and the second detection sensor (48) detect the fiber bale arrangement in a common measuring plane and / or that the third detection sensor (46') and the fourth detection sensor (48') detect the fiber bale arrangement in a further common measuring plane.

6. Bale opener according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the detection sensors (46, 48; 46', 48') is arranged on the machine frame (11) and / or that at least one of the detection sensors (46, 48; 46', 48') is arranged on the pickup unit (12).

7. Bale opener according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the machine frame (11) and the pickup unit (12) form a traversing arrangement, and that the first detection sensor (46) is arranged with respect to the longitudinal direction (10) on a first side of the traversing arrangement and that the third detection sensor (46') is arranged with respect to the longitudinal direction (10) on a second side of the traversing arrangement, wherein the first side and the second side are facing away from each other.

8. Bale opener according to claim 7, characterized in that the second detection sensor (48) is arranged on the first side of the traversing arrangement with respect to the longitudinal direction (10) and that the fourth detection sensor (48') is arranged on the second side of the traversing arrangement.

9. Bale opener according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the machine frame (11) has a first side wall (13) and a second side wall (14), each of which is movable in the longitudinal direction (10) and is connected to each other via a portal profile (17), wherein a longitudinal axis of the portal profile (17) extends transversely, in particular orthogonally, to the longitudinal direction (10), and that the first detection sensor (46) and / or the third detection sensor (46') is arranged on the first side wall (13), and that the second detection sensor (48) and / or the fourth detection sensor (48') is arranged on the second side wall, and / or that one of the detection sensors (50) is arranged on the portal profile (17).

10. Bale opener according to claim 9, characterized in that the first detection sensor (46) and / or the third detection sensor (46') detects a detection area (47) in the transverse direction (18) of the bale opener (1) which is in longitudinal direction (10) in overlap with the first side cheek (13), and / or that the second detection sensor (48) and / or the fourth detection sensor (48') detects a detection area (49) in the transverse direction (18) of the bale opener (1) which is in longitudinal direction (10) in overlap with the second side cheek (14).

11. Bale opener according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the data describe at least one of the parameters height of the fiber bale arrangement, width of the fiber bale arrangement, length of the fiber bale arrangement, profile of the fiber bale arrangement in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (10), and / or that the data describe a topography of the fiber bale arrangement.

12. Method for operating a bale opener (1) for opening a fiber bale arrangement arranged in a longitudinal direction (10), in particular for operating a bale opener (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps: Acquisition of data describing at least part of the geometry of the fiber bale arrangement by a acquisition arrangement that is motion-coupled with at least part of the bale opener.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the data describe at least one of the parameters height of the fiber bale arrangement, profile of the fiber bale arrangement in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (10) of the fiber bale arrangement, width of the fiber bale arrangement, length of the fiber bale arrangement, and / or that the data describe a topography of the fiber bale arrangement.

14. Method according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that, prior to setting up the fiber bale arrangement on a floor (16), the detection arrangement determines the topography of the floor (16) and the data is acquired depending on the topography of the floor (16).

5. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the operating state of the bale opener (1) is controlled depending on the determined data.

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