Round Baler Duck Bill Clamping Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing round balers face issues with wrapping material creeping back into the supply roll due to factors like wind, vibration, and adhesive properties, leading to feed jams and difficulties in rethreading, especially when using plastics sheets with adhesive coating.

Innovation Solution

A clamping device is integrated with the duck bill assembly to apply additional force when the duck bill is in the retracted position, ensuring the wrapping material is securely gripped between bale wrapping cycles, and a common command operates the clamping mechanism and cutting device to enhance the gripping force during the severing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the duck bill assembly is used to feed wrapping material into the chamber, then the wrapping material is introduced between transverse rollers, but the wrapping material creeps back into the supply roll due to wind, vibration, and adhesive properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrapping material feedingVSAvoidmaterial position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device applies preliminary clamping force to the wrapping material before and during the feeding process, creating a counteracting force that prevents the material from creeping back into the supply roll due to wind, vibration, and adhesive properties. This preliminary anti-action ensures stable material positioning throughout the wrapping cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Productivity

If the duck bill assembly grips the wrapping material to feed it into the chamber, then material uptake is achieved, but feed jams occur when material creeps back

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrapping cycle efficiencyVSAvoidfeeding reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device performs preliminary action by securing the wrapping material in the correct position before the feeding process begins. This preliminary positioning and clamping prevents material creepback during the wrapping cycle, thereby preventing feed jams and ensuring reliable material uptake for continuous productive operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the duck bill assembly is retracted between wrapping cycles, then the chamber is prepared for the next bale, but wrapping material may slip or creep during retraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle transition capabilityVSAvoidmaterial control during retraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device operates periodically, applying clamping force during the retraction phase and releasing it during the feeding phase. This periodic clamping action ensures that the wrapping material remains controlled and prevents slipping or creeping during retraction, while still allowing smooth material uptake during the feeding cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

The clamping device effectively prevents wrapping material from creeping back, reducing feed jams and simplifying the rethreading process, ensuring consistent material uptake for subsequent bale wrapping cycles and maintaining operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a clamping device is provided to apply an additional force to the duck bill assembly while the duck bill is in the retracted position in order for the wrapping material to be gripped more firmly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP1882409B1Clamping device for a round baler
Publication Date: 2015.09.23 CNH IND BELGIUM NV
  • EP1882409B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1882409B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1882409B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A round baler is disclosed having a bale forming chamber. A duck bill assembly (28), which comprises a pair of elongate plates (22) that are biased towards one another to grip the wrapping material (30) between them, is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position to introduce the free end (31) of a wrapping material (30) drawn from a supply roll (16) into the bale forming chamber of the baler. A cutting device is located between the retracted position of the duck bill assembly (28) and the bale forming position for severing the length of wrapping material (30) wrapped around the bale (10,110) in the bale forming chamber at the end of a bale wrapping cycle from the supply roll (16). In the invention, a clamping device is provided to apply an additional force to the duck bill assembly (28) while the duck bill assembly (28) is in the retracted position in order for the wrapping material (30) to be gripped more firmly by the duck bill assembly (28) between bale wrapping cycles.