Adjustable Switching Arm for Bale Wrapping Emergency Stop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bale wrapping devices lack an effective emergency stop mechanism that can adapt to varying speeds and operational conditions, potentially leading to inadequate protection against obstacles and increased risk of damage during high-speed wrapping processes.

Innovation Solution

A bale wrapping device with a variably adjustable switching arm that can activate or deactivate the wrapping arm's drive upon contact with an obstacle, allowing for position adjustment based on movement or rotational speed, and can be manually or automatically controlled to optimize its position relative to the wrapping arm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the switching arm is positioned to stop the wrapping arm at high speeds, then safety is improved, but the wrapping process is impeded and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidwrapping process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching arm is made adjustable in its positioning relative to the wrapping arm, allowing the operator to dynamically change the activation point based on operational requirements. This enables the system to adapt between safety-oriented positioning and productivity-oriented positioning depending on wrapping speed and conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position of the switching arm is changed as a parameter that can be varied to optimize performance. By adjusting the distance and angular position of the switching arm, the system can modify when the emergency stop is triggered, balancing safety requirements with productivity needs at different wrapping speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the switching arm is positioned early to ensure timely stoppage, then safety is improved, but the wrapping material cannot be separated and the bale cannot be ejected, requiring device reset

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimely stoppageVSAvoiddevice reset time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable positioning of the switching arm allows optimization of the stoppage point to occur after the wrapping cycle is complete but before the bale ejection phase. This dynamic adjustment prevents interruption of the ejection process while maintaining timely stoppage capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The switching arm position can be pre-adjusted based on known operational parameters such as wrapping speed and bale size, allowing the system to be prepared in advance for optimal stoppage timing that doesn't interfere with subsequent ejection operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the switching arm is fixed in position, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot adapt to varying speeds and conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching arm configurationVSAvoidspeed adaptation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The switching arm incorporates adjustability mechanisms that allow repositioning without adding significant complexity to the overall device. The adjustment capability enables adaptation to different wrapping speeds and operational conditions while maintaining a relatively simple device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The switching arm is designed to serve multiple functions through its adjustable positioning - it can be configured for different wrapping speeds, different bale sizes, and different safety requirements, making a single device suitable for diverse operating conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3228179B1Bale wrapping device with emergency stop device
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 DEERE & CO
  • EP3228179B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3228179B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3228179B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An emergency stop device (40) for a bale wrapping device (12) is proposed, comprising at least one switching arm (42) which is provided to be pre-assigned to at least one wrapping arm (36) of the bale wrapping device (12) and which, upon contact with an obstacle, can activate and/or deactivate at least one function of the bale wrapping device (12), in particular a drive of the wrapping arm (58), wherein the position of the switching arms (42) relative to the wrapping arm (36) is variably designed. Furthermore, a bale wrapping device (12) for wrapping a preferably round cylindrical bale (34) with a wrapping material (38), comprising a frame (14) and at least one wrapping arm (36) pivotably mounted on the frame (14) such that it can preferably wrap around a bale (34) to be wrapped, and a harvesting device (10) are proposed.