Adjustable Bale Pickup Chamber for Compact Biomass Transport

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently receiving and transporting bales of compressed plant material, particularly long-stemmed biomass, for utilization purposes, such as gasification, without compromising efficiency and structural simplicity.

Innovation Solution

A receiving device with variable spacing side parts and a clamping mechanism, allowing for easy filling and transport, and a system that includes a lifting and shifting mechanism for efficient bale handling and stacking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the receiving device uses fixed rigid side walls, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability to different bale sizes and loading configurations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidadaptability to different bale sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The side parts of the receiving device are designed to be movable relative to each other along the first spatial direction, transitioning between a transport state (spaced apart) and a filling state (brought together). This dynamic configuration allows the receiving device to adapt to different bale sizes and loading requirements while maintaining structural integrity when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the receiving device has fixed side parts, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ease of operation for loading and unloading deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidease of operation for loading and unloading
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The side parts are designed with movable connections that allow them to be positioned in different states (transport and filling) through relative movement along the first spatial direction. This provides operational flexibility for loading and unloading while maintaining a relatively simple structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the receiving device maintains expanded configuration during transport, then ease of operation for loading is improved, but volume efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operation for loadingVSAvoidvolume efficiency during transport
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving device transitions between an expanded configuration (side parts spaced apart for easy loading) and a compact configuration (side parts brought together for efficient transport). This dynamic transformation allows the device to optimize its volume during different operational phases, improving overall transport efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the receiving device uses movable side parts, then adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different configurationsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The side parts are designed with relatively simple movable connections that allow them to be positioned in different states through straightforward relative movement. This provides adaptability and operational flexibility while avoiding overly complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4106508B1Picking-up device for bales, and picking-up system comprising a picking-up device
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 DREHER INGO
  • EP4106508B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4106508B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4106508B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a picking-up device for bales (14) that are formed by compressing an in particular long-stemmed plant material, comprising a first side part (48), a second side part (50) which is spaced apart relative thereto in a first spatial direction (42), and connection units (66) for connecting the side parts (48, 50) in the first spatial direction (42), wherein the side parts (48, 50) are designed to occupy a transport state relative to one another in which a receiving chamber (40) is defined between the side parts (48, 50) and bales (14) are positioned in the receiving chamber (50) between the side parts (48, 50) for transportation, and to occupy a filling state, in which the side parts (48, 50) have a greater spacing relative to one another in the first spatial direction (42) than in the transport state and in which the bales (14) can be fed into the receiving chamber (40) in a second spatial direction (44) transverse to the first spatial direction via a feed opening (68) arranged between the side parts (48, 50). The invention further relates to a picking-up system comprising such a picking-up device.