Forming Machine Discharge Control via Prohibited Position Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grass management systems lack the ability to control the discharge of formed materials based on prohibited positions, leading to potential issues during grass collection and formation processes in farm fields.

Innovation Solution

A grass management system that includes a prohibition setting module to set prohibited discharge positions, a prohibited position acquisition module to identify these areas, and a control module to manage the discharge operation based on the relationship between the discharge position and prohibited positions, ensuring that grass is not discharged into restricted areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the round baler discharges formed material continuously without prohibition control, then the productivity is improved, but the formed material may be discharged into prohibited areas causing harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge efficiencyVSAvoiddischarge into prohibited areas
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a prohibition position acquisition module to continuously monitor the current position of the round baler and compares it with pre-set prohibited discharge areas. This feedback mechanism enables the control module to automatically prohibit discharge when the baler enters prohibited zones, resolving the contradiction between continuous discharge efficiency and avoidance of prohibited areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control module acts as an intermediary between the discharge unit and the position monitoring system. It receives position information, determines whether the current location is within prohibited areas, and accordingly permits or prohibits discharge operations, thereby preventing harmful discharge while maintaining overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the discharge position is not controlled based on prohibited positions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of discharge operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge operation simplicityVSAvoiddischarge operation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors the round baler's position and controls discharge operations without requiring manual intervention from the operator. The prohibition position acquisition module and control module work together to autonomously determine whether discharge is permitted, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving reliability by preventing discharge into prohibited areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the system adds prohibition position acquisition and control modules, then the reliability of discharge operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge control accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control module serves multiple functions: it acquires position information, compares current position with prohibited areas, determines discharge permission status, and controls the discharge unit accordingly. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control module, the system improves reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3417697B1Forming machine, grass management system, and method for operating
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP3417697B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3417697B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3417697B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The present disclosure refers to a forming machine based on prohibited positions of discharge of a formed material formed by the forming machine. A forming machine includes: a gathering unit configured to gather in grass of a farm field; a forming unit configured to form the grass gathered by the gathering unit; a discharge unit configured to discharge the grass formed by the forming unit into the farm field; a prohibited position acquisition module configured to acquire a prohibited position at which discharge of a formed material is prohibited; and a control module configured to perform control based on a relationship between a discharge position at which the formed material is discharged from the discharge unit and the prohibited position. Further a grass management system and a method for operating a forming machine are provided.