Baler Hydraulic Manifold Switching for Limited Tractor Remotes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern agricultural balers require manual switching of hydraulic lines due to the mismatch between the number of hydraulic ports in tractors and the number of hydraulic lines in balers, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational time.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic manifold system connected to an electrical processing circuit that allows for the automatic switching of hydraulic subsystem lines, enabling the operation of multiple baler functions with only two hydraulic remotes, thus reducing the number of fluid lines and manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each hydraulically operated function of the baler has its own independent hydraulic line, then each function can be controlled independently, but the number of hydraulic lines increases and manual switching is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent hydraulic lines into a single hydraulic line that carries multiple hydraulic signals. The baler controller selectively activates specific hydraulic signals within this single line to control different functions (pickup unit, knife trays, drop floor, tail gate), eliminating the need for multiple separate hydraulic lines and manual switching while maintaining independent control of each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual switching of hydraulic lines is implemented, then the desired set of baler functions can be achieved, but operational time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic switching of hydraulic functions through the baler controller, which selectively activates appropriate hydraulic signals based on operational requirements. This eliminates the need for operator intervention to switch hydraulic lines, reducing operational time and increasing efficiency while maintaining the ability to achieve desired baler functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If five hydraulic lines are used for five different functions, then all functions can operate simultaneously, but most modern tractors with only four hydraulic ports cannot support all functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single hydraulic line universal by incorporating multiple hydraulic signals within it. This single line can selectively control any combination of the five hydraulic functions (pickup unit, knife trays, drop floor, tail gate, and bale ejection), allowing the baler to adapt to tractors with limited hydraulic ports while maintaining full functional versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural baler towable by a vehicle that includes a frame and a baler hydraulic system. The baler hydraulic system includes a plurality of hydraulically operated subsystems, a plurality of hydraulic subsystem lines being fluidly connected to the plurality of hydraulically operated subsystems, and a hydraulic manifold fluidly connected to the plurality of hydraulic subsystem lines and configured for connecting to the vehicle hydraulic system. The agricultural baler also includes an electrical processing circuit operably connected to the hydraulic manifold and configured for switching the hydraulic manifold for connecting at least one hydraulic subsystem line of the plurality of hydraulic subsystem lines to the vehicle hydraulic system.