Bale Turning Apparatus for Parallel Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current baler technologies eject round bales with their cylindrical axis perpendicular to the direction of travel, leading to inefficient retrieval and potential damage in row crop fields, especially when bales are not aligned, causing equipment to weave and travel across uneven terrain, and posing safety risks on slopes.

Innovation Solution

A bale turning apparatus is attached to the baler, allowing bales to be turned 90 degrees upon ejection, aligning their cylindrical axis with the direction of travel, enabling efficient loading and reducing equipment repositioning by allowing bale loaders to travel parallel to the field rows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If bales are ejected with cylindrical axis perpendicular to direction of travel, then bale formation is simple, but retrieval efficiency deteriorates and equipment must travel across field rows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebale retrieval efficiencyVSAvoidequipment operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional bale ejection orientation by turning the bale 90 degrees so that the cylindrical axis is parallel to the direction of travel instead of perpendicular. This is achieved through a carriage frame that rotates the bale after ejection from the baler, allowing retrieval equipment to travel parallel to field rows rather than crossing them, thereby improving both retrieval efficiency and operational ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a dynamic bale orientation system where the carriage frame can rotate to adjust bale orientation. The system transitions from a fixed perpendicular orientation to a controllable orientation that can be adjusted to parallel alignment with the direction of travel, enabling adaptive bale placement for efficient retrieval operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If bales are ejected perpendicular to field rows, then bale formation is straightforward, but equipment travels across ridges causing bumps and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebale loading efficiencyVSAvoidequipment damage and operator discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional bale ejection orientation by turning the bale 90 degrees so that the cylindrical axis is parallel to the direction of travel instead of perpendicular. This allows retrieval equipment to travel parallel to field rows rather than crossing ridges, eliminating bumps and potential damage while improving loading efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If bales are ejected on slopes, then bale formation continues, but bales roll downhill causing damage or safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous bale formationVSAvoidbale stability and safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by orienting the bale parallel to the direction of travel before it is discharged from the baler. This pre-orientation ensures that even when bales are ejected on slopes, they roll in a controlled manner along their longitudinal axis rather than tumbling uncontrollably, maintaining stability and safety while allowing continuous formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of the ejected bale from perpendicular to parallel with the direction of travel. This parameter change fundamentally alters how bales behave on slopes, transforming unstable tumbling motion into stable rolling motion along the field rows, thereby improving reliability and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If bales are dropped immediately after formation, then continuous baling is maintained, but bales are not aligned requiring loading equipment to weave through the field

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous baling operationVSAvoidbale loading operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional random bale placement by implementing a systematic orientation where all bales are aligned parallel to the direction of travel. This allows loading equipment to follow a straight path parallel to field rows, eliminating the need to weave between misaligned bales while maintaining continuous baling operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of each bale from random or perpendicular to uniformly parallel with the direction of travel. This parameter standardization transforms the loading operation from a complex weaving pattern to a simple linear path, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining continuous baling productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2760273B8Baler attachment for optionally changing the orientation of bales being released from a baler

Publication Date: 2018.02.14 VERMEER MFG CO

AI summary

A bale turning apparatus for attachment to a baler to generally align the cylindrical of the bales in each row as the bales are released from the baler. Using the disclosed invention, the bales are essentially turned ninety degrees from the orientation of bales from the position that they are typically released from a round baler. By accomplishing this general alignment of the cylindrical axis of each bale in each row, when baling corn stover or other row crops, the bale loading operation can later be done more efficiently by driving down the rows in the same direction as the combine and baler have traveled.