Adjustable Round Baler Sledge for Gap-Free Bale Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional round balers have a fixed pivot point for the sledge, leading to an air gap or pocket where material accumulates and is not pressed into the bale, particularly for smaller diameter bales.
Innovation Solution
A sledge assembly with an arm and rollers that is pivotable and translatable relative to the frame, allowing the pivot axis to adjust based on bale diameter, ensuring the sledge rollers match the bale profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sledge pivot point is fixed, then the sledge structure is simple and stable, but an air gap forms between the sledge rollers and the bale perimeter, causing material accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the sledge pivot point adjustable rather than fixed. The pivot point can be repositioned along the arc path to match different bale diameters, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to varying conditions. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the sledge to maintain proper contact with the bale perimeter (improving reliability) while using a relatively simple adjustable mechanism (minimizing complexity increase).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the pivot point position parameter to be adjusted based on bale diameter. Instead of changing the entire sledge structure, only the pivot point location parameter is modified to match different bale sizes. This enables the sledge rollers to properly follow the bale contour and eliminate air gaps, improving bale formation quality without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sledge arc formation is fixed, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the sledge cannot accommodate varying bale sizes, particularly smaller diameter bales
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sledge arc formation dynamic by allowing the pivot point to be repositioned. This enables the same sledge structure to accommodate different bale diameters by adjusting where it pivots, rather than requiring multiple fixed-arc sledges for different bale sizes. The dynamic adjustment provides versatility while maintaining a single manufacturable design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by designing a single sledge structure that can perform multiple functions - accommodating different bale diameters through pivot point adjustment. Instead of manufacturing separate sledges for different bale sizes, one universal sledge design can be used across various bale diameters by simply repositioning the pivot point, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving adaptability.
3Productivity
If the pivot point is fixed, then the sledge positioning is straightforward, but material accumulates in the air gap without being pressed into the bale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves manufacturing precision by adjusting the pivot point position parameter to match different bale diameters. This ensures the sledge rollers are precisely aligned with the bale perimeter, eliminating air gaps where material would otherwise accumulate. The precise alignment maintains high baling efficiency by ensuring all material is properly compressed into the bale.
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotary baler includes a frame defining an expandable bale-forming chamber. A sledge assembly forms at least part of the expandable bale-forming chamber. The sledge assembly includes an arm and one or more rollers that are mounted to the arm. The one or more rollers are configured to assist in forming a bale within the chamber. The arm is pivotable relative to the frame about a pivot axis. The arm is also translatable in the fore to aft direction of the rotary baler relative to the frame, which changes a position of the pivot axis in the fore to aft direction.