Adjustable Drawbar Angle for Baler Bale Direction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing baler systems struggle with efficiently unloading bales in a specified direction and position, often requiring laborious maneuvering and cannot unload bales at an angle relative to the swath without stopping, leading to potential bale roll-away issues.

Innovation Solution

A combination of a towing vehicle and a baler equipped with a control unit and actuator that adjusts the angle between the drawbar and the baler, allowing for lateral steering and precise unloading of bales in a specified direction, using sensors and GPS for accurate positioning and angle determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the baler unloads bales along the longitudinal central axis only, then the structure remains simple, but the operator cannot unload bales in the desired direction without stopping and maneuvering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunloading direction flexibilityVSAvoidbaler structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The baler employs a dynamically adjustable drawbar angle mechanism that allows the drawbar to be rotated relative to the baler body. This dynamic adjustment enables the baler to change its unloading direction without stopping, resolving the contradiction between directional flexibility and structural simplicity by introducing controlled mobility where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a rotational degree of freedom in the drawbar connection, transitioning from a fixed one-dimensional alignment to a multi-dimensional adjustment capability. This allows the baler to unload in various directions (longitudinal, lateral, and at angles) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of a straightforward rotational mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the operator steers and drives the combination to the desired position and aligns the baler manually, then the bale can be unloaded in the desired direction, but the process becomes laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunloading operation easeVSAvoidalignment and positioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary alignment of the drawbar at the desired angle before the unloading operation begins. The drawbar can be pre-positioned using the rotation mechanism, and the control unit can automatically initiate the unloading sequence once the correct angle is achieved, eliminating the need for manual steering and alignment during the unloading process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit monitors the drawbar angle and provides feedback to the operator or automatically triggers unloading when the desired angle is reached. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for continuous manual adjustment and alignment, significantly reducing the time and effort required for positioning and alignment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the baler is aligned manually before ejection, then the bale can be unloaded at the desired angle, but the alignment process is laborious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunloading angle precisionVSAvoidalignment operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces manual mechanical alignment with an automated angular adjustment system. The drawbar rotation mechanism, controlled by the control unit, automatically positions the baler at the desired angle without requiring manual steering or alignment operations. This substitution maintains precise angle control while significantly improving operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If the bale is ejected without angle adjustment, then the structure remains simple, but the bale may roll away after ejection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebale position stabilityVSAvoiddrawbar adjustment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the angular parameter of the drawbar to optimize bale ejection trajectories. By adjusting the drawbar angle, the system can control the direction and trajectory of bale ejection to prevent roll-away, while maintaining a relatively simple mechanism through the use of a single rotational degree of freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240334881A1Combination, method for operating a combination, and baler

Publication Date: 2024.10.10 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A combination of a towing vehicle and a baler includes a control unit which is connected to an actuator. The actuator is specified to adjust and/or set an angle between a drawbar and the baler. The control unit, as a function of an unloading signal, is able to be operated so as to actuate the actuator in such a manner that, for unloading a fully formed or fully wrapped bale from the baler in a specified direction, an unloading angle between the drawbar and the baler is able to be set in such a way that the bale is able to be ejected from the baler in the specified direction.