Bale Wrapping Belt Compaction for Higher Bale Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing baling implements face limitations in achieving adequate pressure during and after bale formation, leading to reduced density of agricultural products in the bales.

Innovation Solution

A bale wrapping system that includes a bale chamber, a bale wrap, and a belt to compact agricultural products within the wrap, secured by a locking mechanism, and a controller to manage the operation of various components for efficient bale formation and wrapping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a belt is used to drive agricultural product to rotate within a bale chamber, then the agricultural product can be continuously fed and formed into bales, but the density of the agricultural product within the bale is limited due to lack of pressure during and after bale formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous bale formationVSAvoidbale density
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The bale wrap is applied to the agricultural product before the baling process is complete, and the belt is then used to compact the product against the wrap. This preliminary wrapping provides a constraint that enables subsequent compression to achieve higher density than would be possible with belt-driven rotation alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The bale wrap acts as an intermediary between the belt and the agricultural product. The wrap receives the compaction force from the belt and transmits it to the agricultural product, enabling more effective compression and higher bale density while maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If pressure is applied to increase agricultural product density within the bale, then bale integrity and shape are improved, but the complexity of the baling system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebale shape maintenanceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The belt serves multiple functions: it drives the agricultural product to rotate for continuous feeding into the bale chamber, and it applies compaction force against the bale wrap to compress the product. This multi-functionality achieves better bale density and shape maintenance without adding separate compression mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bale wrap is a flexible covering that conforms to the shape of the agricultural product and provides a constraint surface. This flexible shell enables the belt to apply distributed pressure across the bale surface, improving shape maintenance and density without requiring rigid compression chambers or complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 effectively secures and maintains the shape of bales by applying pressure through the belt and wrap, enhancing the density and integrity of the formed bales.

Implementation Method 1

a belt configured to be disposed between the bale wrap and the interior surface of the bale chamber and to compact the agricultural product within the bale wrap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical pressure: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3998847B1Bale wrapping system
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 CNH IND BELGIUM NV
  • EP3998847B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3998847B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3998847B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bale wrapping system includes a bale chamber configured to receive agricultural product and a belt configured to be disposed within the bale chamber. The belt is configured to be positioned between a bale wrap and an interior surface of the bale chamber while the belt is disposed within the bale chamber. Additionally, the belt is configured to support the bale wrap and to move into the bale chamber due to a weight of the agricultural product on the bale wrap. Further, the belt is configured to compact the agricultural product within the bale wrap, such that a bale of the agricultural product at least partially surrounded by the bale wrap is formed within the bale chamber.