Foldable Discharge Gate for Bale Ejection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bale forming and wrapping apparatuses require significant mechanical torque and power to move the discharge gate and wrapping material guiding device into the bale ejecting position, and the guiding device often obstructs the ejection of the bale, leading to inefficiencies and potential failures in guiding the wrapping material to the bale forming chamber, especially when the device is positioned far from the wrapping material reservoir.
Innovation Solution
A bale forming and wrapping apparatus with a foldable two-parted discharge gate and wrapping material guiding device, where the adjacent discharge gate part and wrapping material guiding member move along a longer trajectory, while the further discharge gate part and guiding member move along a shorter joint trajectory, reducing mechanical power and torque requirements and ensuring the guiding device does not obstruct bale ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the discharge gate and wrapping material guiding device are moved into the bale ejecting position, then the bale can be ejected, but significant mechanical torque and power are required
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge gate is divided into two separate parts: a first discharge gate part and a second discharge gate part. The first part moves along a longer trajectory to clear the ejection path, while the second part moves along a shorter trajectory. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complete bale ejection while reducing the total mechanical work required compared to moving a single solid gate structure entirely along the longer path.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapping material guiding device is made dynamically adjustable through a foldable mechanism. It can be positioned in different configurations: extended to guide wrapping material during bale formation, and folded back to clear the ejection path when needed. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same structure to serve multiple functions without requiring additional permanent space or excessive force.
2Reliability
If the wrapping material guiding device is positioned far from the reservoir to guide material to the bale forming chamber, then material guidance is improved, but the device obstructs bale ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapping material guiding device incorporates a foldable mechanism that allows it to change its position dynamically. During bale formation, the device extends to properly guide wrapping material from the reservoir to the bale forming chamber, ensuring reliable material delivery. When bale ejection is required, the device folds back along its trajectory, clearing the ejection path completely. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction by making the guiding structure temporarily present when needed and temporarily absent when obstructing.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable guiding device utilizes spatial transformation by folding along a trajectory rather than simply moving linearly. This dimensional change allows the guiding structure to retract into a compact configuration that clears the ejection path while maintaining its guiding function during bale formation, effectively resolving the spatial conflict between material guidance and bale ejection.
3Ease of operation
If the discharge gate is moved completely to clear the ejection path, then bale ejection is enabled, but more time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge gate is segmented into two parts that move independently along different trajectories. The first discharge gate part moves along a longer trajectory to clear the ejection path, while the second part moves along a shorter trajectory. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complete bale ejection while reducing the total mechanical work required compared to moving a single solid gate structure entirely along the longer path.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable wrapping material guiding device can be quickly reconfigured from its extended guiding position to its folded ejection-clearing position. This dynamic movement allows the device to transition between its two functional states rapidly, minimizing the time the discharge gate needs to remain in motion and thereby reducing the overall ejection cycle time.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A bale forming means forms a bale (B) in a bale forming chamber. A stationary casing part and a discharge gate being in a bale forming position together surround the bale forming chamber. A wrapping material guiding device(50.1, 0.2, 51) conveys a web (52) of wrapping material towards the bale forming chamber. The discharge gate is moved into a bale ejecting position. An adjacent discharge gate part is moved with respect to a further discharge gate part away from the stationary casing part. An adjacent wrapping material guiding member (50.1) is moved with respect to a further wrapping material guiding part (50.2) away from the stationary casing part.