Baler Synchronization via Slice Detection Sensor

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural balers face challenges in achieving uniform top fill, leading to unstable bales with uneven density, which results in irregular shapes and excessive wear on the baler mechanisms, due to variations in baling speed and crop material types.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a slice-presence-detecting sensor in the baling chamber, connected to a controller, allows for precise synchronization adjustments between the plunger movement and the slice pushing mechanism in the pre-compression chamber, optimizing the timing of slice arrival in the baling chamber to ensure uniform top fill.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical linkage is used to synchronize plunger and slice pushing mechanisms, then synchronization reliability is improved, but adaptability to different baling speeds and crop materials deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different baling speeds and crop materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A sensor detects the presence of a slice in the baling chamber and provides feedback to a controller, which adjusts the timing of the slice pushing mechanism to maintain optimal synchronization under varying operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization system transitions from a fixed mechanical linkage to a dynamic, sensor-based control system that can adapt timing parameters in real-time based on detected slice presence and varying operational conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If fixed synchronization timing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of bale density distribution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization control complexityVSAvoiduniformity of top fill

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A sensor detects the presence of a slice in the baling chamber and provides feedback to a controller, which adjusts the timing of the slice pushing mechanism to maintain optimal synchronization under varying operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the timing parameter of the slice pushing mechanism based on sensor feedback, optimizing the synchronization between plunger movement and slice arrival timing to achieve uniform top fill

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If slice arrival timing is not optimized, then device complexity is reduced, but bale quality and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization control complexityVSAvoidbale stability and uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A sensor detects the presence of a slice in the baling chamber and provides feedback to a controller, which adjusts the timing of the slice pushing mechanism to maintain optimal synchronization under varying operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensor detection to determine the optimal moment for slice pushing, ensuring that slices arrive at the baling chamber at the precise timing needed for uniform compression and stable bale formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3078259B1Synchronization mechanism

Publication Date: 2018.03.07 CNH IND BELGIUM NV

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Figure 3~4
Figure 5

AI summary

An agricultural baler having a pre-compression chamber (2) to gather crop material, form a slice (3) thereof and push the slice towards a baling chamber (1) into a first segment (4) thereof is disclosed. The baling chamber comprising a plunger (5) for compressing slices of crop material into a bale, wherein a slice-presence-detecting sensor (7) is provided in said first segment, an output of the sensor being operationally connected to a controller (9) which is adapted to adjust a synchronization between the periodically forming and pushing of the slice in the pre-compression chamber and the reciprocal movement of the plunger.