Curved Catch Element for Bale Wrapping Foil Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wrapping devices for bales of crop material are complex, requiring multiple movements, rotations, and translations, and necessitate at least three hydraulic cylinders, leading to a long and inefficient clamping and cutting process.
Innovation Solution
A compact clamping and cutting device with an elongate, curved catch element that translates between a catch position and a clamp position, allowing for different orientations and eliminating the need for rotation, utilizing a hydraulic cylinder positioned at the concave side of the catch element and a separate movable clamp element for efficient foil clamping and cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a catch element is rotated between horizontal rest position and vertical catch position to catch and clamp the foil, then the foil can be caught and clamped, but the construction becomes complex requiring multiple movements, rotations, and translations with at least three hydraulic cylinders
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the catch element between horizontal and vertical positions as in prior art, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the catch element fixed in orientation and rotating the entire clamping and cutting device assembly. This eliminates the need for complex rotational movements of the catch element itself while maintaining the ability to catch and clamp the foil effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the catching, clamping, and cutting functions into a single integrated device assembly that rotates as one unit. This consolidation reduces the number of independent hydraulic cylinders from three to two, as the rotation mechanism for the entire assembly replaces the need for separate rotational actuators for the catch element.
2Ease of operation
If multiple hydraulic cylinders are used to perform catching, clamping, and cutting actions, then the foil can be processed, but the time required for the process becomes relatively long
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the catching, clamping, and cutting operations into a single rotating assembly driven by fewer hydraulic cylinders, the invention reduces the sequence of operations and minimizes the time required to complete the foil processing cycle compared to systems requiring three separate hydraulic cylinders for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The catch element is pre-positioned in a fixed orientation that is optimized for catching the foil, eliminating the need for preliminary rotational movements to achieve the correct catching position. This preliminary positioning reduces the overall process time.
3Ease of operation
If the clamping and cutting device is placed at the end of the wrapping process in the trajectory to catch the foil, then the foil can be clamped, but the device requires more space and cannot be placed closer to the foil rolls
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the device at the end of the trajectory and having the catch element rotate into position, the invention inverts the spatial arrangement by positioning the entire clamping and cutting device closer to the foil rolls at the beginning of the trajectory. The fixed orientation of the catch element allows this compact positioning without interfering with the wrapping process.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a wrapping device to wrap an object, such as a bale, in foil material, including at least one clamping and cutting device to clamp the foil material after wrapping of the object, and to cut the clamped foil material, wherein the clamping and cutting device includes a catch element having a curved guiding element which is guided in a bearing, wherein the catch element is translatable between a catch position to catch the foil material and a clamp position in which the foil material can be clamped in order to facilitate cutting of the foil material.