Round Baler Bale Transfer and Braking on Sloped Ground

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing round balers face issues with reliably transferring pressed round bales from the baling chamber to the wrapping unit, particularly on slopes, where bales can get stuck or accelerate beyond the wrapping unit, requiring manual intervention.

Innovation Solution

The method involves positioning the wrapping table in a bale braking position, opening the compression chamber to discharge the bale onto the transfer device, and using a transfer drive element to guide the bale to the wrapping table, optimizing the transfer path and using sensors and control devices for automatic operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the transfer track is used to move pressed round bales from the baling chamber to the wrapping unit, then the bales can be transferred automatically, but on slopes the bales either get stuck traveling downhill or accelerate too much traveling uphill

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic transfer capabilityVSAvoidreliable transfer on slopes
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wrapping table is positioned in advance at a bale braking position before the bale arrives, ready to receive and brake the bale. The flap element is opened in advance to discharge the bale, and the wrapping table is pre-positioned to intercept the bale at the optimal location for braking and wrapping operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The brake roller element acts as an intermediary between the transfer track and the wrapping table. It provides a controlled braking surface that allows the bale to be slowed down progressively as it transitions from the high-speed transfer track to the wrapping table, preventing both stalling and excessive acceleration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the wrapping table is moved to receive the bale quickly, then transfer speed is improved, but the bale may accelerate too much and be carried beyond the wrapping unit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer speedVSAvoidbale acceleration
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The brake roller element is positioned to engage the bale before it reaches the wrapping table, applying a counteracting braking force that prevents excessive acceleration. This preliminary anti-action counterbalances the gravitational force acting on the bale during downhill transfer or the momentum buildup during uphill transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If manual intervention is used to move stuck bales, then the bales can be relocated, but operation must be interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebale relocation capabilityVSAvoidoperational continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to handle all bale transfer and braking operations automatically without requiring manual intervention. The controlled braking system, wrapping table positioning, and transfer track configuration work together to ensure bales are always properly positioned for wrapping, eliminating the need for operators to manually relocate stuck bales and maintain continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Ensures reliable transfer of bales without acceleration or sticking, even on slopes, with minimal design modifications and reduced manual intervention, enhancing operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The transfer device (10) is set up to form a transfer track (12) over which the compressed round bale (6) can be transferred under its own weight from the compression chamber (4) to the wrapping device (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a brake roller element (58), which, in the wrapping position, is arranged between the wrapping trough (52) and the transfer device (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4466977B1Baler for agricultural crop
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 MASCHINENFABRIK BERNARD KRONE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4466977B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4466977B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4466977B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a round baler for agricultural crops, comprising a pressing chamber for pressing a round bale, a wrapping device for wrapping the pressed round bale with a wrapping material, and a transfer device configured to form a transfer section over which the pressed round bale can be transferred from the pressing chamber to the wrapping device, and comprising at least one transfer section device which, at least in a first position, forms at least a predominant first part of the transfer section, wherein the transfer device comprises a transfer drive element which, for driving the pressed round bale to the wrapping device, is movably mounted at least partially in the transfer direction in at least one drive position relative to the transfer section device.in which the transfer track device is arranged at least partially between the transfer drive element and a support level of the round baler. The present invention further relates to a method for operating a round baler.