Knotter Hook Clamping Wing Segmentation for Baler Knot Stripping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing twine knotters struggle to reliably strip loop knots from the knotting hook, especially when the ends of the binding strands are not completely pulled through the binding loop.

Innovation Solution

A knotting hook design featuring at least one fixed clamping wing and a pivotably mounted clamping wing, with a gap between the fixed clamping wings allowing the pivotable clamping wing to extend and facilitate the stripping of the loop knot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the knotting hook uses a traditional single clamping wing design, then the structure is simple, but the loop knot cannot be reliably stripped from the hook

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveknot stripping reliabilityVSAvoidclamping wing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single clamping wing is segmented into two separate clamping wings (first and second clamping wings) that can move independently. This segmentation allows each wing to perform specific functions: one wing holds the loop knot while the other facilitates its removal from the hook, thereby improving knot stripping reliability without requiring a completely new complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping wings are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their positions during the knotting and stripping process. The wings can move between clamped and released states, enabling reliable knot formation and subsequent stripping by coordinating their movements with the hook's rotation and the baling mechanism's operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the binding strands are not completely pulled through the binding loop, then the knotting process is faster, but the loop knot cannot be safely stripped off the hook

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveknotting speedVSAvoidknot stripping safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation of the clamping wing into two independent movable wings allows one wing to maintain clamping on the binding strands while the other wing is released. This enables the loop knot to be formed with binding strands that are not completely pulled through, and then the released wing facilitates safe stripping of the completed knot from the hook.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable clamping wings are designed to be temporarily released (discarded function) after the knot is formed, allowing the loop knot to be stripped from the hook. After stripping, the wings return to their clamping position (recovered function) to prepare for the next knotting cycle, enabling continuous high-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Manufacturing precision

If the knotting hook is rotated fully to form the knot, then the knot formation is complete, but the loop knot remains stuck on the hook

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveknot formation completenessVSAvoidknot removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable clamping wings dynamically change their clamping state during and after the hook's full rotation. After the knot is fully formed through complete rotation, the wings are released to allow the loop knot to be easily stripped from the hook without requiring additional rotation or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The separation of clamping functions between two independent movable wings allows one wing to maintain position for complete knot formation while the other wing is released to facilitate knot removal, solving the contradiction between complete knot formation and easy knot removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3949720B1Knotter hook for a yarn knotter of a baler
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 MASCHINENFABRIK BERNARD KRONE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3949720B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3949720B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3949720B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

Knotter hook for a yarn knotter for making a loop knot, with at least one fixed clamping wing and one pivotably mounted clamping wing, which have an extension component in the same first spatial direction, wherein the pivotably mounted clamping wing has a raised projection in the direction of the fixed clamping wing, and is reversibly pivotable from an unopened to an open state, so that a free end of the pivotably mounted clamping wing is further away from the fixed clamping wing in the open state than in the unopened state, wherein the pivotably mounted clamping wing is laterally offset from the fixed clamping wing at least in some areas, so that it is arranged next to the fixed clamping wing, and a free space is formed below the pivotably mounted clamping wing which extends beyond the projection in the unopened state against the first spatial direction.The present invention further relates to a knotter hook with two fixed clamping wings, a yarn knotter with such a knotter hook and a baler with the yarn knotter.