Bale Wrap Storage Carriage for Protected Harvester Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural harvesters face inefficiencies in managing and utilizing bale wrap assemblies, leading to increased exposure to environmental elements and reduced operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A bale wrap assembly management system with a storage compartment and feeding assembly that allows for multiple bale wrap assemblies to be stored and utilized in order, reducing environmental exposure and optimizing access for quick utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If bale wrap assemblies are stored in a traditional open configuration, then accessibility is easy, but environmental exposure increases and operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental exposureVSAvoidstorage system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bale wrap assemblies are nested within a protective storage compartment that is integrated into the harvester body. The carriage mechanism allows the assemblies to be stored compactly within the compartment and deployed outward when needed, reducing environmental exposure while maintaining accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A carriage mechanism serves as an intermediary between the storage compartment and the bale wrap feeding assembly. This intermediary allows for the transfer of bale wrap assemblies between storage and active use positions, enabling protected storage while maintaining easy accessibility through automated transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If multiple bale wrap assemblies are stored in a compact configuration, then the harvester size is reduced, but access to individual assemblies becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvester sizeVSAvoidaccess to bale wrap assemblies

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system employs dynamic positioning through the carriage mechanism that can move between retracted (compact) and extended (access) positions. When the carriage is retracted, the harvester maintains a compact size. When extension is needed, the carriage moves to provide easy access to individual bale wrap assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The storage compartment is divided into multiple positions along the carriage track, allowing individual bale wrap assemblies to be accessed independently. This segmentation enables selective access to specific assemblies without moving the entire storage system, maintaining compact configuration while improving operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If bale wrap assemblies are kept readily accessible, then operational efficiency is improved, but exposure to environmental elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Bale wrap assemblies are pre-positioned on the carriage within the protected storage compartment, ready for immediate deployment. This preliminary positioning allows the system to maintain operational efficiency by having assemblies readily accessible while keeping them protected from environmental elements until the moment of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The carriage mechanism enables continuous availability of bale wrap assemblies by allowing rapid transfer from stored to active position without interruption. This continuity ensures that the harvester can maintain high operational efficiency while the assemblies remain protected during storage and transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20250331466A1BALE wrap assembly management system for an agricultural harvester

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC

AI summary

A bale wrap assembly management system for an agricultural harvester includes a bale wrap assembly storage compartment having a storage compartment frame and a carriage movably coupled to the storage compartment frame. The carriage is configured to store multiple bale wrap assemblies, and the carriage is configured to move with respect to a vertical axis of the agricultural harvester between a storage position and a delivery position. The bale wrap assembly management system also includes a bale wrap feeding assembly having a feeding assembly frame configured to move with respect to a lateral axis of the agricultural harvester from a feeding position to a loading position. The bale wrap feeding assembly also includes a bale wrap assembly support coupled to the feeding assembly frame and configured to support an active bale wrap assembly of the plurality of bale wrap assemblies.