Bale Chute Actuator Locking Mechanism for Transport Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural balers face challenges in safely managing the bale chute during operation and transportation, risking damage to external objects or persons due to the bale chute's extended position, which is not effectively controlled by existing systems.
Innovation Solution
A baler system with a pivotably connected bale chute and an actuator that extends and retracts the chute, locked into position using a linkage assembly with biasing components, and a method to determine the bale chute's position and operational state to prevent retraction when a bale is protruding, ensuring safety by maintaining the chute in the extended position during transportation and retraction only when safe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bale chute is maintained in the extended position during transportation, then safety is improved by preventing damage to external objects or persons, but the device complexity increases due to the need for actuators and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically determines whether the baler is being transported or operating to produce bales using sensors and processors, then autonomously controls the bale chute position without requiring manual operator intervention. This self-service approach improves safety reliability while managing device complexity through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the bale chute position, bale protrusion status, and baler operational state, then feeds this information back to the control processor which adjusts the actuator commands accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the bale chute is maintained in the extended position during transportation while allowing retraction when safe, improving safety without excessive complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the bale chute is retracted when not producing bales, then the harmful factors are reduced by preventing damage to external objects, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to automated control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically monitors baler operational status and bale chute position, then autonomously commands the actuator to retract or extend the bale chute as needed. This eliminates the need for manual operator judgment and action, reducing harmful factors while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation of the bale chute with an automated control system using sensors, processors, and actuators. This substitution reduces harmful factors by ensuring proper bale chute positioning while maintaining ease of operation by eliminating manual intervention requirements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the actuator locks the bale chute into the retracted position, then the stability is improved by securing the chute position, but the ease of operation worsens due to the locking mechanism complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the bale chute position using sensors and provides feedback to the processor. When the bale chute reaches the retracted position, the feedback signal triggers the locking mechanism to secure it. This automated feedback-based locking improves stability while maintaining ease of operation by eliminating manual locking requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator system automatically locks the bale chute into the retracted position upon receiving the command signal, without requiring manual intervention. This self-service locking mechanism improves stability by securing the chute position while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
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 system enhances safety by preventing bale chute retraction when a bale is protruding and maintaining it in the extended position during transportation, reducing the risk of damage to external objects or persons, thereby improving operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
The first pin and the second pin are coupled to and biased away from each other by a biasing component such that movement of one of the first pin and the second pin towards the other of the first pin and the second pin increases a biasing force that operates to repel the first pin from the second pin.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling a configuration of a bale chute of a baler and, particularly, a square baler are disclosed. In some implementations, the baler includes a linkage and an actuator that is operable to move the bale chute between an extended position and a retracted position and to lock the bale chute in the retracted position. For example, the bale chute may be retracted into a retracted position when the baler is determined not to be producing bales, when a bale is not protruding from the baler, and when the baler is being transported.