Bale Wrapping Table Height Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crop bale wrapping devices fail to precisely position the bale at the center of the wrapping material dispenser, leading to uneven tension and tightness around the bale's circumference due to height adjustments causing horizontal movement.

Innovation Solution

The device adjusts the distance between support rollers and allows for height-adjustable idlers connected via pivotable arms that rotate in opposite directions, ensuring the bale's center remains aligned with the wrapping material dispenser, using a control unit to determine bale size and adjust positioning and wrapping material usage accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the winding table is height-adjustable to accommodate varying bale sizes, then the adaptability to different bale dimensions is improved, but the horizontal positioning accuracy of the bale relative to the wrapping material dispenser deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying bale sizesVSAvoidpositioning accuracy of bale center
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The height adjustment mechanism is segmented into two independent components: a primary actuator that moves the control plate vertically, and a secondary actuator that independently adjusts the winding table height. This segmentation allows each actuator to perform a specific function without interfering with the other, enabling height adjustment while maintaining horizontal positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control plate serves as an intermediary element between the frame and the winding table. It is connected to the frame via the primary actuator and to the winding table via a pivotable connection. This intermediary structure allows the winding table to be height-adjusted through the secondary actuator without causing horizontal displacement of the bale, as the control plate absorbs and isolates the vertical movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a second actuator is added to prevent the changing table from tipping during height adjustment, then the stability of the wrapping process is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of winding table positioningVSAvoidnumber of actuators and control mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the control plate and the winding table is made pivotable rather than rigid. This dynamic connection allows the winding table to adjust its angle slightly during height adjustment, accommodating the movement without requiring complex rigid constraint mechanisms. The pivotable connection provides the necessary degrees of freedom to maintain stability while simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the arms are made equal in length and inclined at specific angles to achieve compact design, then the manufacturing precision and compactness are improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of roller height adjustmentVSAvoidease of assembling support arms
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support arms are designed with specific geometric parameters: equal lengths and predetermined inclination angles that cause them to pivot in opposite directions when the winding table height is adjusted. These parameter changes ensure that the rollers move vertically without causing horizontal displacement of the bale. While the manufacturing and assembly become more precise, the symmetrical design and standardized parameters actually facilitate mass production and reduce variability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3081072B1Device for wrapping bales of harvested agricultural produce
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 USINES CLAAS FRANCE SAS
  • EP3081072B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3081072B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3081072B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A device (4) for wrapping bales of harvested crops (43, 43') comprises a wrapping table (11) and at least one wrapping material dispenser (18) which is guided on a track around the bale of harvested crops (43, 43') supported by the wrapping table (11). The bale of harvested crops (43, 43') can be supported on the wrapping table (11) in various positions, in particular purely vertically spaced positions.