Round Bale Pickup Coupling for Pivoting Without Bale Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bale pickup devices have limited pivoting capabilities and a design that allows round bales to fall laterally during pickup due to a gaping intermediate space, leading to collisions and inefficient material intake.

Innovation Solution

A bale pickup device with a pivotably movable drawbar element and transfer element, configured to allow sufficient pivoting while preventing bale displacement, featuring a coupling device with offset coupling frame elements and a transfer element that spans the intermediate space to prevent bale fall, allowing for continuous and stable bale intake.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the coupling device and drawbar element are configured to allow limited pivoting, then the pivoting capability is improved, but collisions between the coupling device and bale pickup device occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivoting capabilityVSAvoidcollision avoidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device is divided into separate pivotable components (drawbar element with first pivot connection, transfer element with second pivot connection) that can independently articulate. This segmentation allows each component to pivot within its own range without causing collisions between the coupling device and bale pickup device, while maintaining overall adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device incorporates multiple pivot connections that enable dynamic adjustment of the drawbar element and transfer element positions. These dynamic pivot connections allow the system to adapt to varying operational conditions and terrain while preventing collisions through controlled articulation ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the coupling device and drawbar element are configured to allow slight pivoting, then the pivoting range is improved, but a gaping intermediate space is created where round bales may fall laterally

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivoting rangeVSAvoidbale lateral displacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer element serves as an intermediary component between the drawbar element and the bale pickup device. It features a bale support surface that actively prevents bales from falling into the intermediate space, while still allowing the necessary pivoting motion through its pivot connection to the drawbar element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer element extends in the pickup direction and is arranged to span the intermediate space laterally. By adding this lateral dimension of coverage, the system prevents bale displacement while maintaining the vertical pivoting capability needed for adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the drawbar element is configured to taper towards the vertical axis, then the pivoting capability is improved, but the intermediate space increases allowing bale fall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivoting capabilityVSAvoidintermediate space volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer element is specifically configured with a bale support surface at its free end that directly addresses the intermediate space problem. While the drawbar element tapers to enable pivoting, the transfer element's local structure (extending laterally with support surface) locally fills the intermediate space to prevent bale displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20230413707A1Bale pickup device for picking up of round bales of a round baler

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 MASCHINENFABRIK BERNARD KRONE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The present invention relates to a bale pick-up device for picking up of at least one round bale from a round baler, comprising a coupling device with at least one coupling frame element to be fixedly arranged on a machine frame of the round baler and at least one drawbar element extending in a pick-up direction at least partially between the coupling frame element and a machine frame of the bale pick-up device and mounted in such a way on the coupling device that it is pivotably movable relative to the coupling frame element at least about a vertical axis perpendicular to a contact surface of the bale pick-up device at least in a first position of the coupling device, wherein a guide element mounted on the coupling device and pivotably movable relative to the drawbar element at least about the vertical axis and extending in the pick-up direction in such a way that the drawbar element is arranged at least partially between the transfer element and the contact surface in a side view. The present invention moreover relates to a vehicle combination with a round baler and such a bale pick-up device.