Baler Plunger Guide System External Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Adjusting the position of a plunger in a baler to ensure proper alignment is time-consuming and reduces efficiency, as it typically requires disassembling parts of the baler to access the baling chamber.

Innovation Solution

A plunger guide system with external guide rails and bearings that constrain the movement of the plunger within the baling chamber, allowing for lateral and vertical adjustments without disassembling the baler, using a pair of guide rails and bearings coupled to the plunger via shafts, with a disk overhanging the first guide rail to constrain lateral movement and a body cooperating with the second guide rail to constrain vertical movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the operator adjusts the plunger position by disassembling parts of the baler to access the baling chamber, then the plunger alignment can be ensured, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplunger alignmentVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the guide rails from an internal configuration (inside the baling chamber) to an external configuration (outside the baling chamber). This dimensional repositioning allows operators to access and adjust the plunger alignment from the exterior of the baler, eliminating the need to disassemble parts to reach the baling chamber while maintaining precise alignment control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The external guide rails act as intermediary elements that mediate between the operator and the plunger alignment. By providing an external guiding mechanism, the system allows adjustment without direct access to the internal baling chamber, thus avoiding disassembly while ensuring proper plunger positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the plunger guide system uses external guide rails and bearings, then the operator can adjust the plunger position without disassembling the baler, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidguide system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide system incorporates adjustable components including the external guide rails and bearings that can be positioned and secured at different locations. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not require complete disassembly for alignment adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3473080B1Baler plunger guide system
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 DEERE & CO
  • EP3473080B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3473080B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3473080B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A baler (10) is provided that includes a housing (22) that defines a baling chamber (24) and a plunger (46) movable along an axis (A) within the baling chamber (24) to compress the crop material. The baler includes a first guide rail (110) coupled to an exterior surface (27.1, 29.1) of the baling chamber (24) and a second guide rail (112) coupled to the exterior surface (27.1, 29.1) of the baling chamber (24). The baler includes at least one bearing (114) coupled to the plunger (46) to guide a movement of the plunger (46) within the baling chamber (24). The bearing (114) has a first bearing surface, a second bearing surface (S2) and a third bearing surface (S3). The first bearing surface engages the first guide rail (110), the second bearing surface (S2) engages the first guide rail (110) and the third bearing surface (S3) engages the second guide rail (112) to constrain a vertical movement and a lateral movement of the plunger (46) relative to the baling chamber (24).