Baling Press Rope Knotter with Straight Path Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Baling presses with pivoting curved supply arms require a large space for operation and make it difficult to access the knotter for inspection, maintenance, and troubleshooting when tying bales with rope material.

Innovation Solution

A baling press design where the loop supply member is suspended on the second side of the bale pressing channel, allowing for a straight path of movement between extended and retracted positions, reducing the occupied space and enabling easier access for knotting and maintenance by positioning the knotting components closer to the bale.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pivoting curved supply arm is used to guide rope material to the knotter, then the rope material can be supplied to the knotting area, but a large space is required for the movement of the supply arm

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverope material supplyVSAvoidspace occupied by supply arm
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of positioning the supply arm on the first side (knotter side) and swinging it across the channel, the supply arm is positioned on the second side and swings in the opposite direction. This inversion allows the supply arm to occupy less space while still delivering rope material to the knotting area effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The supply arm is designed with a curved shape that allows it to swing in an arc path. By utilizing the curved geometry and positioning it on the second side, the arm can deliver rope material to the knotting area while occupying less linear space along the pressing channel compared to a straight arm configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a pivoting curved supply arm is used to guide rope material to the knotter, then the rope material can be supplied to the knotting area, but access to the knotter for inspection, maintenance and troubleshooting is quite difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverope material supplyVSAvoidaccess to knotter
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the position of the supply arm to the second side instead of the first side, the knotter gains better accessibility from the first side. This spatial reconfiguration allows maintenance personnel to access the knotter more easily for inspection, maintenance, and troubleshooting while the supply arm continues to function effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the loop supply member is positioned on the first side of the pressing channel, then the rope material can be supplied to the knotter, but the path of movement occupies more space in the bale pressing channel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverope material supplyVSAvoidmovement path volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The loop supply member is inverted to the second side of the pressing channel, which reduces the volume of space required for its movement path. This repositioning allows the supply arm to swing in a more compact arc while still delivering rope material to the knotting area, thereby reducing the overall space occupation in the pressing channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3944752B1Baling press with rope knotter
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 BOLLEGRAAF BEHEER APPINGEDAM BV
  • EP3944752B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3944752B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3944752B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A baling press having a rope tying system with a loop supply member for forming a loop of the second rope material across the bale pressing channel to the first side of the bale pressing channel and a loop of the first rope material at the first side. The loop supply member is suspended on the second side of said bale pressing channel and movable along a straight path between an extended position projecting across the bale pressing channel and a retracted position. The loop supply member has a turn guide for forming and guiding the loops in the first and second rope materials and a spreader for, when the loop supply member is in the extended position, holding the rope materials guided so that portions in the knotting area are spaced from a free end portion of the loop supply member.