Conveyor Speed Control for Bale Gathering Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparatus for gathering and transporting round bales in the field are inefficient, requiring high operator demands and inadequate for quickly and reliably positioning bales for storage, especially with increased bale density and reduced labor availability.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a loading assembly featuring two conveyor belts, where the speed of the belts is adjusted to match the ground speed, allowing for efficient lifting and conveying of bales, and a bed that tilts for loading, transportation, and unloading, with hydraulic or manual control, ensuring consistent positioning of bales.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conveyor belt speed is increased to match ground speed for efficient bale gathering, then productivity is improved, but bale damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebale gathering speedVSAvoidbale damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor belt system employs variable speed control where the belt speed dynamically adjusts to match the ground speed of the apparatus. This dynamic adjustment allows the conveyor to operate at optimal speeds for different operating conditions, maintaining high productivity when needed while reducing speed to prevent bale damage during delicate operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the conveyor belt by adjusting its speed based on operational requirements. The controller modifies the conveyor speed parameter to match ground speed, enabling the system to optimize between productivity and bale integrity by varying this key parameter rather than operating at a fixed speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conveyor belt speed is increased to quickly convey bales, then productivity is improved, but reliability of consistent positioning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebale conveying speedVSAvoidbale positioning consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback control where the conveyor belt speed is continuously adjusted based on the relative position between the apparatus and the bale. This feedback mechanism ensures that bales are consistently positioned in the same location on the apparatus regardless of variations in ground speed or operational conditions, maintaining reliability while enabling high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If apparatus speed is increased to reduce harvesting time, then productivity is improved, but operator control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting speedVSAvoidoperator control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor system operates autonomously by automatically adjusting its speed to match the ground speed of the apparatus. This self-adjusting capability eliminates the need for constant manual intervention and fine-tuning by the operator, allowing the system to maintain optimal performance at high speeds without increasing operator control difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2866549B1Control of conveyor speed in a bale gathering apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.03.28 VERMEER MFG CO

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AI summary

Apparatus for gathering bales that substantially match conveyor speed to ground speed. Methods for gathering bales that use such apparatus are also provided.