Internal Baler Scale with Segmented Floor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial balers for recycling materials are inefficient due to inconveniently located and inaccurate scales for measuring the weight of recyclable materials, posing safety concerns and hindering quick and efficient recycling processes in retail and similar businesses.
Innovation Solution
A baler system with an internal chamber and a modular baler scale featuring load cells positioned beneath a base that sits atop individual raised sections of the floor, allowing for accurate weight measurement of recyclable materials and easy installation, with the load cells connected to a control panel for data communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If externally-located scales are used to measure the weight of bales, then the weighing function is provided, but the scales are inconveniently located and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The scale is merged with the baler by integrating the load cells directly into the baler floor structure. The load cells are positioned beneath the floor panels within the baler chamber, combining the weighing function with the compression chamber into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate external scales.
Solution Approach 2:
Load cells serve as intermediary sensing elements embedded in the floor structure. These load cells indirectly measure the weight of recyclable materials by detecting the force applied to the floor panels, providing accurate weight measurement without requiring direct contact with the materials or external weighing equipment.
2Strength
If the floor is made solid for structural strength, then structural integrity is improved, but the baling wire cannot pass through easily
Solution Approach 1:
The floor is segmented into multiple individual raised panels or sections rather than a solid continuous surface. These discrete panels are spaced apart to create gaps that allow baling wire to pass through, while each panel maintains sufficient structural strength to support the compression load and enable weight measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor structure has different local properties: the raised panels provide structural strength and weight bearing capability, while the gaps between panels provide wire passage capability. This local differentiation of structure and function resolves the contradiction between strength and wire insertion ease.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides an accurate, efficient, and safe method for weighing recyclable materials within the baler, reducing user safety risks and facilitating convenient operation by integrating the scale directly into the baler, enhancing the recycling process's efficiency and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
one or more load cells are disposed beneath the base and the individual raised sections, and wherein the one or more load cells are configured to measure a weight of the recyclable materials when the recyclable materials rest atop the base
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for weighing of recyclable materials inside an industrial baler is provided. The baler can have an internal baler scale for weighing of recyclable materials. The baler can include an internal chamber enclosed by a safety gate at its upper portion and a door at its lower portion. Recyclable material can be loaded into the internal chamber and compressed by the action of a piston and associated piston face. The lower portion of the interior chamber can have a floor comprising a plurality of individual raised sections. The baler scale can sit atop the individual raised sections. The baler scale can include one or more load cells positioned under a base and in the gap space between the baler scale and the individual raised sections of the floor.