Bale Press Tying Mechanism With Automatic Lace Replacement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for pressing and tracting recyclable bales face issues with lace strand tears due to contaminants and high pressures, leading to incomplete wrapping of bales and requiring manual replacement, which is cumbersome and risky.

Innovation Solution

A device with swivel arms and a gripping mechanism that automatically detects torn lace strands, replaces them with new ones, and continues operation without interrupting the production process, thereby minimizing downtime and manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual replacement of torn tying material is implemented, then the tying process can be completed, but production downtime increases and operator safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetying process completionVSAvoidproduction downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically detects torn tying material through sensors and triggers the replacement process without human intervention. The tying machine serves itself by automatically feeding new tying material and resetting the system, eliminating the need for operators to manually replace torn material and thereby reducing production downtime while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors continuously monitor the tying material for tears and provide feedback to the control system. When a tear is detected, the system automatically initiates the replacement sequence, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains continuous operation and minimizes downtime by responding immediately to tying material failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual replacement of torn tying material is implemented, then the tying process can be completed, but operator safety risks increase due to exposure to moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetying process completionVSAvoidoperator injury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic replacement system eliminates the need for operators to reach into dangerous areas of the tying machine to replace torn material. The machine performs the replacement task itself through automated feeding mechanisms and sensor-triggered reset sequences, completely removing operators from harm's way while ensuring the tying process continues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors and automated feeding mechanisms act as intermediaries between the tying process and the operator. These intermediaries detect and respond to tying material tears without requiring direct operator intervention in the dangerous zone, thereby maintaining process completion while protecting operator safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automatic detection and replacement system is implemented, then production continuity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction continuityVSAvoiddetection and replacement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to detect tying material tears and automatically triggers the replacement sequence through the control system. This feedback mechanism enables continuous production by immediately responding to failures, while the automated nature of the response minimizes the complexity that would otherwise require manual intervention systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The tying machine automatically detects and replaces torn material through integrated sensors and feeding mechanisms, maintaining production continuity without requiring complex external replacement systems. The self-service capability keeps the added complexity minimal while ensuring uninterrupted operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4541722A1Device for pressing and strapping bales of recyclable material and method for strapping bales of recyclable material with such a device
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 AVERMANN MASCHFAB GMBH & CO
  • EP4541722A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4541722A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4541722A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device (1) for pressing and tying bales of recyclable material (2) with tying means (3) is presented, comprising a pressing channel (4) and a pressing piston (5) mounted translationally in the pressing channel (4) for pressing the recyclable material bales, which for tying the pressed recyclable material bales (2) has on its bale-side end face for guiding each vertically movable tying tool (6) transporting each tying means (3), wherein each tying means (3) is guided below the pressing channel (4) around at least one deflecting means (7) and over the guide contour (8) of each guide element (9).The solution according to the invention consists in the device (1) having at least one pivot arm (11) rotatably mounted along a linear guide or about a rotational axis (10), which, in normal operation of the device (1), is in a guide position in which the lacing elements (3), each supplied through a tube (12) or a slot, are guided sliding along the at least one deflecting element (7) associated with the guide contour (8) of the guide element (9) and over the guide contour (8) of the guide element (9), wherein each pivot arm (11) has a gripping device (13) on the lacing element side for the automated fixing of a free end of a torn lacing element (3). Furthermore, a method for lacing bales of recyclable material (2) with such a device is described.