Baler PTO Decoupling Control for Automatic Plug Clearing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural implements such as balers can become plugged due to sudden increases in crop volume or foreign objects, leading to incorrect operation and potential damage to subsystems, with operators facing challenges in detecting and removing plugs.

Innovation Solution

A controller system with plug sensors and actuators automatically decouples the power take-off from the power source, stops the implement, and resumes operation when the plug is cleared, guided by display alerts for operator assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operator manually detects and removes plugs, then the implement can be controlled, but the response time is delayed and the complexity of operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplug detection reliabilityVSAvoidoperator burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically detecting plug conditions through sensors that monitor crop material flow at the pickup and feeder, eliminating the need for operator intervention in detection and enabling automatic response initiation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control system continuously receives feedback from plug detection sensors and automatically adjusts PTO clutch engagement and implement speed based on detected plug conditions, creating a closed-loop control system that responds dynamically to operational conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the PTO clutch is manually re-engaged after plug removal, then power is restored, but the time to resume operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational continuityVSAvoiddowntime

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system prepares for rapid resumption by keeping the PTO clutch in a pre-positioned state and automatically re-engaging power transmission immediately upon detecting plug clearance, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing downtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically monitors plug clearance conditions and self-initiates the power restoration sequence by re-engaging the PTO clutch without operator input, enabling continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the implement continues operating with a plug, then productivity is maintained, but damage to subsystems occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidsubsystem damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system takes preliminary protective action by automatically disengaging the PTO clutch upon detecting a plug condition, preventing harmful forces from damaging the pickup, feeder, and other subsystems before damage can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses real-time feedback from plug detection sensors to continuously monitor crop material flow conditions and automatically adjusts power transmission engagement to prevent subsystem damage while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of time

If automatic plug detection and response systems are implemented, then response time is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system integrates multiple functions including plug detection, PTO clutch control, and implement speed regulation into a single unified controller that manages all operations through one integrated system, reducing overall complexity despite increased functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the plug detection sensors, control logic, and actuator control into an integrated automated response system that operates as a unified mechanism, simplifying the interface while achieving rapid automated response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4108070B1Agricultural implement system with a controller that controls travel and power take off coupling in response to plug conditions

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 CNH IND BELGIUM NV

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AI summary

An agricultural implement (120) includes: a chassis (121); a power take-off (124) carried by the chassis (121); a feeder (125) configured to feed crop material; and a pickup (126) configured to convey crop material to the feeder (125). At least one plug sensor (141, 142) is associated with the feeder (125) and/or the pickup (126) and configured to detect a plug is present and output a plug signal and a controller (116, 151) is operably coupled to the at least one plug sensor (141, 142). The controller (116, 151) is configured to: receive the plug signal to determine a plug condition exists; output a PTO decouple signal so the power take-off (124) is decoupled from a power source when the plug condition exists; output a stop signal so movement of the agricultural implement (120) stops when the plug condition exists; determine the plug condition no longer exists; and output at least one plug clear signal so the power take-off (124) is recoupled to the power source and the agricultural implement (120) resumes moving when the plug condition no longer exists.