Baler Stop Control Using Bale Size Feedback to Cut Wrapping Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing baler systems require manual intervention to stop and start the towing vehicle based on bale size, leading to long holding times and inefficiencies in the wrapping process, as the drive speed adjustment is linked to winding phases, resulting in time losses.
Innovation Solution
A combination of a towing vehicle and a baler with a connected control unit system that automatically adjusts the drive speed of the baler and stops the towing vehicle when a predetermined bale size is reached, allowing for simultaneous stopping and drive speed adjustment without operator intervention, enabling independent drive speed control during the holding phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drive speed of the baler is adjusted to the wrapping process, then the wrapping can be performed, but time loss occurs during the wrapping process
Solution Approach 1:
The baler control unit is configured to send a stop signal to the towing vehicle control unit before the wrapping phase begins, when the bale reaches a predetermined size. This allows the towing vehicle to stop in advance, and the drive shaft speed to be adjusted during the holding phase rather than during wrapping, eliminating time loss while ensuring proper wrapping conditions are met
2Ease of operation
If the tractor stops automatically when bale size is reached, then operator monitoring is reduced, but long holding time occurs as no crop can be baled during wrapping phases
Solution Approach 1:
The system sends a stop signal in advance when the bale reaches a predetermined size, allowing the towing vehicle to stop before the wrapping phase begins. The automatic control enables the towing vehicle to resume motion automatically after wrapping, reducing the need for continuous operator monitoring and minimizing total holding time
Solution Approach 2:
The baler control unit receives bale size information from the bale sensor and uses this feedback to automatically control the stopping and resuming of the towing vehicle. This closed-loop control optimizes the holding time by stopping only when necessary and resuming automatically when wrapping is complete
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a combination of a towing vehicle (10) and a baler (12). The towing vehicle (10) comprises a drive motor (36) which is connected to a drive shaft (56) of the baler (12). The combination also includes a towing vehicle control unit (60) and a baler control unit (110), wherein the drive speed of the towing vehicle (10) can be set and/or adjusted using the towing vehicle control unit (60). The baler (12) is connected to the towing vehicle (10). The baler (12) comprises a receiving unit (126) for receiving crop material, a baling chamber (112) for compressing the received crop material into a bale, and a bale sensor (144) for detecting the size of a bale in the baling chamber (112). The baler control unit (110) is connected to the bale sensor (144) and to the tractor control unit (60).The baler control unit (110) can be operated such that it sends a stop signal to the tractor control unit (60) when the bale signal from the bale sensor indicates that a bale has reached a size greater than or equal to a first predetermined size. The tractor control unit (60) can be operated to instruct the tractor (10) to initiate braking to stop the tractor (10) and to adjust the drive speed of the drive shaft (56) of the baler (12) when the tractor control unit (60) receives the stop signal from the baler control unit (110). The invention further relates to a method for operating the combination.