Agricultural Baler Hitch Torque Reduction via Counterweight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crop accumulators can impart torque on balers due to uneven load distribution, causing instability and potential damage to the baler's hitch during the baling process.
Innovation Solution
The agricultural baler and crop accumulator system features a structural member with pivotally and rotationally coupled ground engaging supports, a baler mechanism, and a bale carriage, where the baler connection is strategically located between pivotal and rotational axes to distribute weight and minimize torque on the hitch, ensuring stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If crop accumulators collect and transport multiple bales sequentially, then productivity is improved, but torque is imparted on the baler hitch causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a counterweight mechanism that offsets the torque generated by accumulated bales in the crop accumulator. The counterweight is positioned and sized to balance the moment created by the bale weight at a distance from the hitch, thereby eliminating the net torque that would otherwise cause hitch instability while allowing the accumulator to hold multiple bales for improved productivity
2Productivity
If bales are accumulated in sequential positions on the accumulator, then productivity is improved, but uneven load distribution generates harmful torque on the baler
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight mechanism specifically addresses the harmful torque generated by sequentially accumulated bales. By positioning the counterweight to create an opposing moment, it neutralizes the uneven load distribution effects while maintaining the ability to transport grouped bales efficiently
3Stability of the object's composition
If the baler connection is positioned to minimize torque, then hitch stability is improved, but structural complexity increases due to pivotal and rotational coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic coupling mechanisms where the first ground engaging support is pivotally coupled and the second is rotationally coupled to the structural member. These dynamic connections allow the system to adapt to varying load conditions and maintain stability throughout the baling process, with the baler connection positioned between the pivotal and rotational axes to optimize torque distribution
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural baler comprising a baler mechanism. The agricultural baler comprises at least one structural member and a first ground engaging support is pivotally coupled to the structural member about a pivotal axis. A second ground engaging support is rotationally coupled to the structural member about an aft rotational axis. The baler mechanism is pivotally connected to the structural member at a baler connection. The baler connection is located at least one of between the aft rotational axis and the pivotal axis and at the pivotal axis. A bale carriage is coupled to the structural member.