Multiple Supply Rolls Bale Wrapping Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bale wrapping systems for large round balers use heavy, long rolls of wrapping material that are difficult to handle and result in fewer bales being produced than desired, due to the weight and size of the rolls.

Innovation Solution

A method using multiple wrapping material supply rolls in end-to-end relationship, with a spreader arrangement to ensure overlapping material coverage, allowing for simultaneous application of wrapping material from multiple shorter rolls, reducing weight and increasing the number of bales that can be produced.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a single long roll of wrapping material equal to the width of the baling chamber is used, then the wrapping material covers the entire bale length, but the roll becomes heavy and difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelength of wrapping materialVSAvoidweight of supply roll
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The single long supply roll is divided into multiple shorter supply rolls (first, second, and optionally third rolls) arranged in end-to-end relationship. Each roll has a length substantially less than the baling chamber width, making them lighter and easier to handle while collectively providing sufficient wrapping material length through coordinated operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a single long roll of wrapping material is used, then continuous coverage is achieved, but the number of bales that can be produced from each roll is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous wrapping coverageVSAvoidnumber of bales per roll
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the wrapping material into multiple shorter rolls used simultaneously in sequence, each roll can be optimized for a specific number of bales. The end-to-end arrangement ensures continuous coverage as the bale passes through, while the modular structure allows each roll to be independently sized for optimal productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple supply rolls are combined in an end-to-end configuration where the output of one roll connects to the input of the next. This merging of multiple shorter rolls creates a continuous wrapping system that maintains reliable coverage while increasing the total number of bales that can be produced from the combined rolls

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Weight of moving object

If multiple supply rolls are used in end-to-end relationship, then weight and handling difficulty are reduced, but the complexity of the dispensing mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of each supply rollVSAvoidcomplexity of wrapping mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wrapping mechanism is segmented into multiple independent supply roll stations arranged in sequence. Each station handles a single roll, simplifying the design and operation of individual components while the overall system achieves the desired functionality through the coordinated arrangement of these simpler units

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2468087B1Method of wrapping a bale and combination of a round baler and a respective wrapping material dispensing mechanism
Publication Date: 2015.02.18 DEERE & CO
  • EP2468087B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2468087B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2468087B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of wrapping a circumference of a cylindrical bale in web of surface wrapping material is disclosed. In order to eliminate the drawbacks of rolls being heavy and difficult to handle, and/or sized such that the number of bales that can be made from such rolls is less than that desired by customers it is proposed that the method comprises providing a plurality of wrapping material supply rolls (100,102,104,106) each comprising a web of bale surface wrapping material (112,118,124,130) said plurality of rolls having a combined length approximately equal to a length of a cylindrical bale to be wrapped; and simultaneously advancing wrapping material from said plurality of wrapping material supply rolls and simultaneously applying wrapping material, respectively from said plurality of supply rolls to a circumference of said cylindrical bale so as to cover at least a substantial portion of the length of the circumference of said bale with wrapping material from said plurality of supply rolls. Further it is proposed to provide a combination of a round baler and a respective wrapping material dispensing mechanism (23).