Agricultural Baler Sensor Control for Uniform Bale Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural balers face challenges in achieving uniform top fill during the bale formation process, leading to non-uniform bale density and increased wear on the baler mechanisms due to uneven force distribution.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of sensors in the baling chamber to measure slice height, introduction speed, and movable top wall position, with a signal processor adjusting baler operation parameters to optimize bale formation proactively, ensuring uniform slice distribution and density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If sensors and signal processor are added to control bale formation, then manufacturing precision and uniformity of bale density improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of bale densityVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by measuring slice parameters (height, speed, density) in the first segment of the baling chamber before the bale formation is complete. The signal processor uses these measurements to proactively adjust baler operation parameters, preventing density non-uniformity before it occurs rather than correcting it after formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements feedback control by continuously measuring slice characteristics with sensors and using the signal processor to adjust baler operation parameters based on these measurements. This closed-loop feedback system maintains uniform bale density by dynamically responding to actual material conditions during the baling process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If slice pushing mechanism operates with high force to ensure proper synchronization, then reliability of bale formation improves, but wear on baler components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of slice pushingVSAvoidwear on baler components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of slice parameters in the first segment before the slice is fully processed. By detecting slice height, speed, and density early in the process, the signal processor can adjust operation parameters to optimize the slice pushing force, ensuring reliable synchronization while minimizing excessive force that would cause wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes operational parameters dynamically based on measured slice characteristics. The signal processor adjusts parameters such as slice pushing speed, plunger timing, and compression force to match actual material conditions, maintaining reliable slice pushing while reducing unnecessary high forces that generate wear on baler components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3357327B1Bale shape and density improvement
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 CNH IND BELGIUM NV
  • EP3357327B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

An agricultural baler comprising a baling chamber (1) and a pre-compression chamber (2), wherein the pre-compression chamber is adapted to gather crop material and to periodically form a slice (3) of said crop material and introduce it in a first segment (4) of the baling chamber (1), the baling chamber comprising a plunger (5) and a movable top wall, wherein the first segment is provided with at least one sensor (8) for outputting a first signal (17) relating to a height of the slice in the first segment, a second signal (18) relating to a speed of introduction of the slice (3) in the first segment (4), and a third signal (19) relating to a position of the movable top wall, wherein the baler further comprises a processor (16) adapted to receive the signals and to adjust baler operation parameters (20) of the agricultural baler based on the received signals.