Arch-Like Pipe Profile Binding Needle for Bale Press

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing binding needles for bale presses are complex to produce and prone to thermal deformations due to welding, requiring stabilization against high acceleration forces and bending moments while maintaining low mass and narrow dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A binding needle with a metal needle body formed by a pipe profile that extends in an arch-like manner, providing stability and minimizing mass, manufactured through cold forming processes without welding, and optionally reinforced with internal elements for additional stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If binding needles are formed from multiple sheet metal parts joined by welding, then the needle body can achieve sufficient stability and rigidity, but the production becomes complex and thermal deformations occur requiring subsequent straightening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability and rigidity of binding needleVSAvoidproduction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sheet metal parts into a single U-shaped profile element that forms the entire needle body. This single piece is bent to create the arch-like shape with mounting element, guide element, and needle body integrated, eliminating the need for welding multiple separate components together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

While using a single piece, the U-shaped profile is strategically bent to create functional segments (mounting element, guide element, needle body) that are spatially separated but structurally integrated, providing the benefits of segmentation without the complexity of joining separate parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If binding needles are formed by welding multiple parts, then structural stability can be achieved, but thermal deformations occur that must be straightened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidthermal deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal welding process with a mechanical bending process. The U-shaped profile element is cold-formed into the arch-like shape, avoiding thermal effects entirely while achieving the necessary structural stability through controlled plastic deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the U-shaped profile through cold forming, transforming it from a straight or mildly curved state to an arch-like shape with specific geometric parameters that provide the required stability without thermal intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If binding needles are made with sufficient mass to withstand acceleration forces, then stability is improved, but the inertia of the needle yoke increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to acceleration forcesVSAvoidinertia of needle yoke

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The arch-like shape concentrates material where it is most needed for structural integrity (in the curved regions that resist bending moments) while minimizing material in less critical areas, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio for withstanding acceleration forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The arch-like curved shape of the needle body provides inherent structural strength to resist bending moments and acceleration forces, achieving the required mechanical performance with less material mass compared to straight or angular designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Length of moving object

If the needle body is made narrow to fit installation space, then space utilization is improved, but the available cross-sectional area for withstanding bending moments is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidth of binding needleVSAvoidresistance to bending moments

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution simplifies production, reduces thermal deformations, and enhances stability and rigidity, enabling efficient dynamic movement of the needle yoke while maintaining low inertia and preventing collisions during bale formation.

Implementation Method 1

manufactured through cold forming processes without welding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCold forming: Cold-forming

Data Source

PatentUS20250089623A1Binding needle for a needle yoke of a bale press

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 MASCHINENFABRIK BERNARD KRONE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A binding needle for a needle yoke of a bale press. The binding needle includes a mounting element which mounts to a rocker support of the needle yoke, a guide element which at least indirectly guides a strand-shaped binder, and a needle body which is made of a metal. The needle body is at least partially formed by a pipe profile which defines a profile interior. The needle body is arranged to extend from the mounting element to the guide element and to run at least in sections in a manner of an arc along a plane of curvature so as to define an inside of the arc and an outside of the arc.