Twine breakage monitor on four twine binding apparatus for round baler

Abstract

An agricultural baler has a twine breakage monitor 602 is positioned between a binding material supply 120 and a binding apparatus 116 that monitors the tension of four strands 206a- d applied to the bale. The breakage monitor has a pivotable trip arm 608 that interacts with a sensor 604 and four pivot arms 618a-d that are movable between first and second conditions by properly tensioned strands. A controller 122 receives a signal from the sensor, wherein when all four strands are intact, the tension in the four strands cause the four pivot arms to move away from the trip arm against a biasing force. A broken strand no longer positions its pivot arm away from the strike plate causing that pivot arm to move the trip arm such that it trigger the sensor to indicate that at least one of four strands is broken.

Description

TWINE BREAKAGE MONITOR ON FOUR TWINE BINDING APPARATUS FOR ROUND BALERBACKGROUNDField

[0001] This disclosure relates to agricultural harvesting machines such as balers and, more specifically, the invention relates to a monitoring device that detects if the binding material used to bind the bales is properly tensioned.Description of Related Art

[0002] Agricultural round balers are well known in the art. Such agricultural balers pick up a harvested crop and feed the crop into a baling chamber where the crop is compressed into a cylindrical bale. Before ejecting the formed bale from the baler, it is necessary to wrap or bind the formed bale with a binding material for example a net binding or twine. It is known to have a twine binding apparatus on round balers that simultaneously wraps the bale with a number of twines at the same time. The twines are supplied to the bale chamber and are led with a suitable means across the bale so that a certain twine distribution pattern appears on the circumference of the bale. The twines are distributed across the bale as the bale keeps turning in the bale chamber and are cut after a certain twine distribution has been achieved.

[0003] While binding a bale with net binding is usually quicker, twine binding is still a demand for round balers despite the longer binding time. Twine bales are under certain conditions better in handling and twine can easier be disposed of than net. However, if one of the plurality of twines used to bind the bale breaks or is improperly tensioned, then the bale will not be bound correctly. It would be desirable to have an improved twine breakage monitor capable of determining if at least one of the twines used by the binding apparatus to bind the bale is in an improper condition.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect the invention is directed to an agricultural baler configured to move over a field and collect cut plant material and to compress, shape the collected plant material into a bale as the bale rotates about a bale rotation axis. The baler includes a chassis supporting a baling chamber in which the bale is formed, a binding apparatus having a twine feedingmechanism that simultaneously provides four strands of a binding material to the baling chamber, and a binding material supply from which the binding material is dispensed to the binding apparatus, the binding material supply including a plurality of spools of binding material. A twine breakage monitor is positioned between the binding material supply and the binding apparatus that monitors the tension of each of the four strands. The twine breakage monitor includes a frame mounted on the baler and a sensor. A trip arm having a strike plate and an indicator surface is pivotably mounted to the frame at a trip arm pivot such that the trip arm is pivotable between a first condition in which the indicator surface interacts with the sensor in a first manner and a second condition in which the trip arm is pivoted such that the indicator surface interacts with the sensor in a second manner. The twine breakage monitor has four pivot arms, the four pivot arms being a first pivot arm receiving a first strand of the four strands, a second pivot arm receiving a second strand of the four strands, a third pivot arm receiving a third strand of the four strands, and a fourth pivot arm receiving a fourth strand of the four strands. The twine breakage monitor includes four biasing devices, with one of said four biasing devices connected to a respective one of the four pivot arms, where each biasing device is connected between the frame and the respective pivot arm to position the pivot arm into a position such that the pivot arm would contact the strike plate and cause the trip arm to pivot into the second condition and cause the indicator surface to interact with the sensor in the second manner. The baler also includes a controller configured to receive a signal from the sensor, wherein when all four strands are intact, the tension in the four strands cause the four pivot arms to move away from the strike plate against the biasing force of the biasing devices such that when all of the four strands are correctly tensioned and intact, the trip arm is in the first condition and the sensor provides a signal that indicates that there is proper tension in each strand, and where when any one of the four strands are broken or improperly tensioned, then that broken strand would no longer position its pivot arm away from the strike plate and the biasing device attached to that pivot arm would cause that pivot arm to move the trip arm into the second condition and trigger the sensor to indicate that at least one of four strands is broken.

[0005] This summary is provided to introduce concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosed or claimed subject matter and is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosed or claimed subjectmatter. Specifically, features disclosed herein with respect to one embodiment may be equally applicable to another. Further, this summary is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many other novel advantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as this description proceeds. The figures and the description that follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiment.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a cylindrical baling press in a side view including a binding device according to the principles of the present invention; and

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the binding device of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates an overhead plan view of the binding device in a first condition;

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an overhead plan view of the binding device in a second condition;

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom-up view of the binding device;

[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a twine breakage monitor for use with the baler of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the twine breakage monitor of FIG. 6 in a second condition;

[0014] FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of the twine breakage monitor of FIG. 6 in the first condition; and

[0015] FIG. 8B illustrates a side view of the twine breakage monitor of FIG. 7 in the second condition.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The invention will now be described in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein preferred embodiments are described in detail to enable practice of the invention. Although the invention is described with reference to these specific preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments. But to the contrary, the invention includes numerous alternatives, modificationsand equivalents as will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description. Many of the fastening, connection, processes and other means and components utilized in this invention are widely known and used in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art, and they will not therefore be discussed in significant detail. Also, any reference herein to the terms "left" or "right" are used as a matter of mere convenience and are determined by standing at the rear of the machine facing in its normal direction of travel. Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this invention can be varied or altered as anticipated by this invention and the practice of a specific application of any element may already by widely known or used in the art by persons skilled in the art and each will likewise not therefore be discussed in significant detail.

[0017] As used herein, the singular forms following “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term “may” with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method act indicates that such is contemplated for use in implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, and such term is used in preference to the more restrictive term “is” so as to avoid any implication that other compatible materials, structures, features, and methods usable in combination therewith should or must be excluded. As used herein, the term “configured” refers to a size, shape, material composition, and arrangement of one or more of at least one structure and at least one apparatus facilitating operation of one or more of the structure and the apparatus in a predetermined way.

[0018] As used herein, any relational term, such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “beneath,” “side,” etc., is used for clarity and convenience in understanding the disclosure and accompanying drawings, and does not connote or depend on any specific preference or order, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0019] As used herein, the term “about” used in reference to a given parameter is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the given parameter, as well as variations resulting from manufacturing tolerances, etc.). As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one skilled in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a small degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. By way of example, dependingon the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0% met, at least 95.0% met, at least 99.0% met, or even at least 99.9% met.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, an example round baler 102 is shown into which embodiments of the present invention may be incorporated. Broadly, the baler 102 may be configured to move over a field and collect previously cut plant material and to compress, shape, and secure the collected plant material into a bale. The baler 102 has a chassis 104 supporting a crop material feed assembly 106 for feeding crop material into a baling chamber 108. The chassis 104 is a conventional configuration supporting an axle with wheels 110, side walls 112, and a tongue 114. The tongue 114 extends from the front end of the chassis 104 to a towing vehicle (not shown). The feed assembly 106 disposed below the tongue 114 can be any device whereby materials to be pressed are delivered to the baling chamber 108. The baling chamber 108 extends between the side walls 112 and is surrounded by a plurality of rollers (not shown) arrayed in a circle and belts (not shown) to form the growing bale as it rotates within the baling chamber 108. Formation of a bale within a baling chamber 108 of a round baler 102 is known in the art and need not be discussed further herein.

[0021] Once the bale reaches a determined size, a binding apparatus 116 wraps the bale with a binding material 118. The binding apparatus 116 introduces the binding material 118, in the form of twine, nylon filaments, string, or the like, into the baling chamber 108 where the binding material 118 is wound around the pressed crop material as the bale continues to rotate in the baling chamber 108 about its bale rotational axis. The binding apparatus 116 is desirably positioned at a suitable point on the baler 102 such that the binding material 118 is delivered into the baling chamber 108 while enabling easy access by operating personnel. In the embodiment illustrated, the binding apparatus 116 is located in the forward top region of the chassis 104, above the tongue 114. The binding apparatus 116 also includes a suitable cutting device (not shown) for cutting the binding material 118 after a sufficient amount of binding material has been applied, as would be understood by one skilled in the art. The binding material 118 is dispensed from a binding material supply 120, sometimes referred to as a twine box, comprising a plurality of reels, spools, or rolls of binding material 118.

[0022] As will be further described below, the binding apparatus 116 simultaneously supplies four strands of binding material 118 to the baling chamber 108. The strands of binding material 118 are led with a suitable means across the rotating bale so that a certain twine distributionpattern appears on the circumference of the bale. Desirably, the binding apparatus 116 supplies four stands at the same time so that the time for binding a bale is reduced to around 55 to 60% of the time needed for a typical two-stand binding apparatus. The strands are supplied to the baling chamber 108 using a conventional rubber / steel-roller pair and are distributed across the bale as the bale keeps turning in the baling chamber 108 and is cut after a certain twine distribution has been achieved. A controller 122 on the baler 102 or on the towing vehicle coordinates functions of the baler 102. The baler 102 may be any type employed in agriculture or industry used to form crop material into cylindrical bales that are secured with a binding material 118 using the binding apparatus 116.

[0023] Turning now to FIG. 2, the binding apparatus 116 includes a twine feeding mechanism 202 having a frame 204 that extends laterally across the baler 102 between the side walls 112. The twine feeding mechanism 202 includes a distribution unit 206 that interfaces with the binding material supply 120 to simultaneously take four strands 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d of binding material 118 from the binding material supply 120. The twine distribution unit 206 interfaces with a twine placement mechanism 208 that distributes the four strands 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d across the face of the bale using a pair of twine placement sliders 210a, 210b. Twine placement slider 210a receives strand 206a through twine guide 212b and strand 206b through twine guide 212a. Slider 210b receives strand 206c through twine guide 212c and strand 206d through twine guide 212d. The lateral spacing between the twine guides 212b and 212a on slider 210a is fixed, thus the distance between the pair of strands 206a and 206b dispensed by slider 210a to the bale is constant. Likewise, the lateral spacing between the twine guides 212c and 212d is fixed, thus the distance between the pair of strands 206c and 206d dispensed by slider 210b on the bale is constant. In one embodiment, the placement of twine guides 212b, 212a and 212c, 212d on sliders 210a and 210b can be adjusted to select the fixed lateral spacing between the twine guides 212b, 212a and 212c, 212d in order to select a desired distance between strand pairs on the bale.

[0024] Turning also now to FIG. 3, a drive system 302 is configured to move the twine placement sliders 210a, 210b in side-to-side directions parallel to the bale rotational axis. In one embodiment, the drive system 302 includes a drive chain 304 looped around sprockets 306 and 308. As viewed in FIG. 3, the first slider 210a is connected to an upper chain run 310 of the drive chain 304 at a first connection point 312 and the second slider 210a is connected to a lower chain run 314 of the drive chain 304 at second connection point 316. Thus, as the drivechain 304 is moved in back-and-forth directions, the sliders 210a, 210b move symmetrically between outer positions as shown in FIG. 3 in which the strands 206a and strand 206d are wrapping binding material 118 near the outer edge of the bale to perform edge wraps and inner positions as shown in FIG. 4 in which the strands 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d are wrapping binding material 118 in a middle portion of the bale to perform middle wraps.

[0025] The drive system 302 is powered by an actuator, such as electric motor 502 as seen in the bottom view of FIG. 5. Suitable gearing 504 connected to the output of the motor 502 interacts with the drive system 302 to move the drive chain 304 back and forth to enable the sliders 210a, 210b to dispense the strands 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d across the face of the bale as the bale rotates in the baling chamber 108. As perhaps best seen in FIG. 3, slider 210b is connected to the drive chain 304 with bracket mount 318 and extending arm 320 that spaces the slider 210b a distance away from the frame 204 of the twine feeding mechanism 202 so as to form pocket 322. Conversely, slider 210a is connected to the drive chain 304 with bracket mount 324 that positions slider 210a substantially adjacent the frame 204. Thus, when the sliders slider 210a and 210b are in their inner positions, slider 210a nests within the pocket 322 formed by slider 210b such that twine guide 212b crosses twine guide 212c causing the strands 206b and 206c to overlap and twine guide 212a crosses twine guide 212d causing the strands 206a and 206d to overlap. Thus, during operation, each twine is overlapped by at least one other twine before the twine is cut.

[0026] The sliders 210a and 210b are desirably configurable such that twine spacing and twine edge distance can be configured as desired by the operator. A sensor 326 determines the position of the drive chain 304. Signals from the sensor 326 are used by the controller 122 to operate the motor 502 to coordinate operation such that the desirable number of middle wraps and edge wraps are achieved and if the twine distribution moves from the supply point first to the middle portion or first to the outer portion of the bale. Desirably, the operator can adjust all the settings for the binding apparatus 116 from inside the cab of the towing vehicle such that getting out the towing vehicle is not necessary.

[0027] Turning also now to FIG. 6, the tension of each strand 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d is monitored with a twine breakage monitor 602. The twine breakage monitor 602 is mounted on a suitable location of the baler 102 between the binding material supply 120 and the binding apparatus 116. The controller 122 receives signals from the twine breakage monitor 602 to determine if one of the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d utilized by the binding apparatus 116is broken such that the broken strand would not be able to be wrapped around the bale to bind the bale as intended. If one or more of the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d are determined to be broken, the controller 122 causes the binding apparatus 116 to alter the number of rotations of binding material 118 the bale is wrapped with to accommodate the broken strand(s) and ensure the bale is tied properly, even with three or only two functioning strands.

[0028] The twine breakage monitor 602 includes a sensor 604 that connects with the controller 122 with sensor cable 606. A trip arm 608 having a strike plate 610 and an indicator surface 612 is pivotably mounted to the frame 614 at trip arm pivot 616. The trip arm is pivotable between a first condition, as shown in FIG. 6 in which the indicator surface 612 does not interact with the sensor 326 and a second condition, as shown in FIG. 7, in which the trip arm 608 is pivoted such that the indicator surface 612 triggers the sensor 326.

[0029] The twine breakage monitor 602 has a plurality of pivot arms 618a, 618b, 618c and 618d, one for each strand 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d. Each pivot arm 618a, 618b, 618c and 618d is biased with a biasing device 620 connected between a back 622 of the frame 614 and the pivot arm into a position such that the pivot arm would contact the strike plate 610 and cause the trip arm 608 to pivot into the second condition and cause the indicator surface 612 to trigger the sensor 326.

[0030] The twine breakage monitor 602 includes a frame 614 that provides a plurality of guides to guide the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d through the twine breakage monitor 602 such that they interact with the pivot arms 618a, 618b, 618c and 618d. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame guide 624a, 624b, 624c, and 624d that receive the respective strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d from the binding material supply 120 and back guides 626a, 626b, 626c and 626d that guide the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d toward the distribution unit 214. In between, the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d interact with arm guides 628a, 628b, 628c and 628d on the respective pivot arms 618a, 618b, 618c and 618d.

[0031] As perhaps best seen in the end views of the twine breakage monitor 602 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d are intact, the tension in the strands cause the pivot arms 618a, 618b, 618c and 618d to move away from the strike plate 610 against the biasing force of the biasing devices 620. Thus, when all the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d are correctly tensioned and intact, the trip arm 608 is in the first condition as shown in FIG. 8A and the sensor 604 indicates that there is proper tension in each strand. If any one of the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d were to break or be improperly tensioned, such asstrand 206d as shown in FIG. 8B, then that strand 206d would no longer position its pivot arm 618d away from the strike plate 610 and the biasing devices 620 would cause that pivot arm 618d to move the trip arm 608 into the second condition. Thus, breakage of any one of the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d would be detected by the sensor 604, and a suitable signal would be relayed to the controller 122 so that proper action could be taken in response to the broken strand condition.

[0032] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the more pertinent aspects and features of the present invention. These should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by modifying the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A baler 102 configured to move over a field and collect cut plant material and to compress, shape the collected plant material into a bale as the bale rotates about a bale rotation axis, the baler comprising: a chassis 104 supporting a baling chamber 108 in which the bale is formed; a binding apparatus 116 having a twine feeding mechanism 202 that simultaneously provides four strands 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d of a binding material to the baling chamber; a binding material supply 120 from which the binding material is dispensed to the binding apparatus, the binding material supply comprising a plurality of spools of binding material, and a twine breakage monitor 602 positioned between the binding material supply and the binding apparatus that monitors the tension of each of the four strands, the twine breakage monitor comprising; a frame 614 mounted on the baler; a sensor 604; a trip arm 608 having a strike plate 610 and an indicator surface 612 pivotably mounted to the frame at a trip arm pivot 616 such that the trip arm is pivotable between a first condition in which the indicator surface interacts with the sensor in a first manner and a second condition in which the trip arm is pivoted such that the indicator surface interacts with the sensor in a second manner; four pivot arms 618a, 618b, 618c and 618d, the four pivot arms being a first pivot arm receiving a first strand of the four strands, a second pivot arm receiving a second strand of the four strands, a third pivot arm receiving a third strand of the four strands, and a fourth pivot arm receiving a fourth strand of the four strands; four biasing devices, with one of said four biasing devices connected to a respective one of the four pivot arms, wherein each biasing device is connected between the frame and the respective pivot arm to position the pivot arm into a position such that the pivot arm would contact the strike plate and cause the trip arm to pivot into thesecond condition and cause the indicator surface to interact with the sensor in the second manner; and a controller 122 configured to receive a signal from the sensor, wherein when all four strands are intact, the tension in the four strands cause the four pivot arms to move away from the strike plate against the biasing force of the biasing devices such that when all of the four strands are correctly tensioned, the trip arm is in the first condition and the sensor provides a signal that indicates that there is proper tension in each strand, and wherein when any one of the four strands is improperly tensioned, then that improperly tensioned strand no longer positions its pivot arm away from the strike plate and the biasing device attached to that pivot arm causes that pivot arm to move the trip arm into the second condition and trigger the sensor thereby indicating that at least one of four strands is improperly tensioned.

2. The baler of claim 1 wherein if one or more of the four strands are determined to be improperly tensioned, the controller causes the binding apparatus to alter the number of rotations of binding material the bale is wrapped with to accommodate the improperly tensioned strand with the remaining strands.

3. The baler of claim 1 or 2 wherein the frame provides a plurality of guides to guide the four strands through the twine breakage monitor such that each of the four strands interacts with the respective pivot arms.

4. The baler of claim 3 the frame comprises four frame guides 624a, 624b, 624c, 624d, each frame guide receiving its respective strand of the four strands from the binding material supply, the frame further comprising four back guides 626a, 626b, 626c, 626d, each back guide receiving its respective strand of the four strands to guide the strand toward the binding device.

5. The baler of claim 3 wherein each of the four pivot arms has an arm guide configured to receive its respective strand of the four strands.

6. The baler of claim 1 wherein the binding apparatus 116 is configured to simultaneously supply the four strands of binding material 118 across the rotating bale so that a certain twine distribution pattern appears on a face of the bale, the binding apparatus comprising:a twine placement mechanism 208 comprising first and second twine placement sliders 210a, 210b that distributes the four strands across the face of the bale, wherein the first twine placement slider 210a receives first and second strands and the second twine placement slider 210b receives third and fourth strands; a drive system 302 is configured to simultaneously move the first and second twine placement sliders in side-to-side directions parallel to the bale rotational axis, wherein the second twine placement slider is connected to the drive chain a distance away from the frame of the twine feeding mechanism so as to form a pocket 322, and the first twine placement slider is connected to the drive chain substantially adjacent the frame such that when the first and second twine placement sliders move from outer positions to inner positions, the first twine placement slider nests within the pocket formed by the second twine placement slider such that the second and third strands overlap and the first and fourth strands overlap; and an actuator configured to power the drive system; wherein the controller controls the binding apparatus to provide more wraps of binding material if an improper tension condition is detected for one of the strands.

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