Double Knotter System for Agricultural Baler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agricultural balers produce twine tails during the knotting process, leading to waste, knotter problems, and environmental pollution, and existing collection systems are inefficient or require additional complex devices.
Innovation Solution
A double knotter system that forms two successive knots in a single operating cycle without producing twine tails, using a mechanism with a needle and holder to manage twine strands, ensuring no waste and preventing pollution by integrating a loop-knot formation that pulls strands back into the holder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional double knoter system is used to form two knots on every loop, then the binding effectiveness is improved, but twine tails are generated causing waste and environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful twine tails from the system by introducing a collection mechanism that captures the tails at the source (knotter area) and directs them to a collection container, preventing them from being wasted or polluting the environment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers the twine tails that would otherwise be wasted by collecting them in a container positioned to receive the tails from the knotter, allowing for potential reuse or proper disposal, thereby converting waste into a recoverable resource
2Loss of substance
If a suction fan system is used to collect twine tails, then twine tail collection is improved, but the device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a gravity-based collection system where the container is positioned to receive twine tails naturally falling from the knotter area, eliminating the need for active suction mechanisms and reducing both device complexity and power requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a collection container as an intermediary element between the knotter and the waste disposal system, providing a simple passive collection mechanism that avoids the need for complex active suction systems
3Device complexity
If a single knotter system is used to close the loop with one knot, then the device complexity is reduced, but higher forces are applied to the twine increasing the danger of twine failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the knotting process into two distinct knots formed by the same double knoter mechanism, distributing the mechanical stress across two separate knot formations rather than concentrating it in a single complex operation, thereby reducing the risk of twine failure
Data Source
AI summary
A double knotting method and apparatus capable of producing two successive knots in a pair of strands during one full operating cycle of a tying mechanism. The tying mechanism is comprised of a twine holder for maintaining a pair of strands in a suitable position, a cutter that co-operates with the twine holder for severing the strands during formation of successive knots, and a release mechanism for releasing the pair of strands from the twine holder before frill successive knot completion. The method and apparatus avoid twine tail formation.