Baler Tailgate Speed Calibration for Ejection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing baler technologies lack effective control over the speed of the tailgate during bale ejection, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns in the bale handling process.

Innovation Solution

A calibration process is implemented using controllers to set and store the open and closed times of the tailgate, based on hydraulic flow rates and speeds, ensuring controlled and synchronized bale ejection by adjusting the tailgate's movement between closed and open positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the tailgate is opened quickly to enable faster bale ejection, then productivity is improved, but the mechanical stress on the baler components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebale ejection speedVSAvoidmechanical stress on components
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The tailgate actuator speed is made dynamically adjustable through calibration, allowing the system to optimize between speed and stress based on operational requirements. The calibration process establishes tailored speed profiles that adapt to specific baler configurations and bale characteristics, enabling fast ejection when conditions permit while reducing speed to protect components when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the tailgate actuator by calibrating specific speed values and movement characteristics. Through the calibration process, operators can input desired performance parameters, and the system adjusts the actuator's flow rates and speeds to achieve the optimal balance between rapid bale ejection and mechanical stress reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the tailgate speed is increased for faster bale ejection, then productivity is improved, but safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebale ejection speedVSAvoidsafety of bale ejection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration process enables dynamic speed control of the tailgate actuator, allowing the system to operate at higher speeds for productivity while incorporating controlled deceleration phases that ensure safe bale release. The calibrated parameters allow operators to set maximum speeds that maintain safety margins while achieving faster overall ejection cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stress or pressure

If precise control of tailgate speed is implemented, then mechanical stress is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stress on componentsVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration process incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system monitors tailgate actuator performance and adjusts control parameters based on actual operation. Through calibration, the system learns and adapts to the specific mechanical characteristics of the baler, enabling precise speed control that reduces mechanical stress while avoiding the need for complex real-time sensing and control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If calibration data is stored for future operations, then productivity is improved through optimized ejection, but loss of time during calibration occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebale ejection efficiencyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration process is performed as a preliminary action during initial setup or maintenance periods, allowing the system to store optimized speed parameters that will benefit all subsequent operations. By investing time upfront in calibration, the system achieves consistently optimized bale ejection performance without requiring continuous calibration, thereby improving long-term productivity while accepting periodic calibration time investment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution enables faster and safer bale ejections by precisely controlling the tailgate's speed, improving the dynamics of bale handling and reducing mechanical stress on the baler components.

Implementation Method 1

a tailgate actuator, positioned at the rear end of the baler chamber, for moving the tailgate between the closed position and the open position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2783564B1Calibration of baler tailgate cycle speed
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 CNH IND BELGIUM NV
  • EP2783564B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2783564B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2783564B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

System information and parameters relating to a baler (10) and equipment connected thereto are used to calibrate the speed of a tailgate (21) of the baler. Calibration involves setting the time it takes to raise and lower the tailgate. The calibration timing is used to control the speed of the tailgate for faster and safer bale ejections to ensure the ejection configuration values are tuned to the dynamics of the baler tailgate and hydraulic power of the tractor (100).