Bale Collection Damper Assembly Energy Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bale storage systems face challenges in containing kinetic energy during the baling process, leading to impact forces and recoil oscillations that can cause damage to the storage devices and the bales themselves.

Innovation Solution

A damper assembly is integrated into the bale collection system, featuring a pivotably coupled arm and resistance members that dissipate the kinetic energy of rolling bales as they enter the storage trough, allowing for controlled and efficient loading without recoil oscillations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed fences and stops are used to contain the bale's kinetic energy, then the bale is contained within the storage device, but large impact forces are generated causing recoil oscillations and damage to the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage to storage deviceVSAvoidimpact force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning the damper assembly to contact the bale before it reaches the fixed fence or stop. The damper absorbs and dissipates the kinetic energy through controlled deformation, converting the harmful impact into gradual energy dissipation. This prevents the sudden large impact forces that would otherwise occur at the fixed fence, thereby protecting the storage device from damage while still containing the bale effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the bale's kinetic energy is contained using rigid structures, then the bale is secured in position, but large recoil oscillations occur causing bouncing and rocking motion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebale position stabilityVSAvoidrecoil oscillations
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful kinetic energy and recoil oscillations into beneficial controlled energy dissipation. The damper assembly is designed to absorb the bale's kinetic energy through controlled deformation, transforming the harmful bouncing and rocking motions into gradual energy absorption. This allows the bale to be secured stably while eliminating the harmful recoil oscillations that would occur with rigid containment structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If fast bale loading is implemented, then productivity increases, but the kinetic energy of the bale causes increased wear and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebale loading speedVSAvoidwear on storage device and bale
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damper assembly serves as an intermediary between the moving bale and the fixed storage device structure. It provides a controlled interaction zone where the bale's kinetic energy can be gradually dissipated through the damper's deformation, rather than creating direct high-impact contact with the storage device. This mediator approach enables fast loading while protecting both the storage device and bale from excessive wear and damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 damper assembly enables fast and efficient bale loading with minimal wear on the storage device and bale, reducing the risk of damage and maintaining system efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a damper assembly configured to dissipate the kinetic energy of the bale

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a damper assembly configured to dissipate the kinetic energy of the bale

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3228177B1Bale collection system
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 DEERE & CO
  • EP3228177B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3228177B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3228177B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bale collection system (22) for receiving and storing a bale introduced at a first location and in a first direction is disclosed. The bale collection system (22) comprising: a frame (78) defining at least one storage bay (102) sized to store a bale therein; an arm (134) movable between a first position and a second position different than the first position, the arm (134) having a bale contact surface (136) configured to contact a bale at least partially positioned within the storage bay (102); and a resistance member (138) in operable engagement with the arm (134) and configured to resist the motion of the arm (134) between the first and second positions.