Movable Guide Means for Baler Wrapping Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional guide devices in bale presses are often fixed and cannot effectively prevent material accumulation between the wrapping device and the guide device, leading to blockages and damage, especially in challenging harvesting conditions.

Innovation Solution

A movable guide means that can bridge or release the area between the wrapping device and the guide device, allowing for translational or pivoting movement to prevent material accumulation and facilitate smooth wrapping material conveyance, interact with a separating device to manage material flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed guide means is used to guide wrapping material from the wrapping device to the guide device, then the structure is simple and stable, but material accumulation occurs in the area between the wrapping device and guide device leading to blockages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of material accumulation and blockagesVSAvoidmovability of guide means
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means is made movable instead of fixed, allowing it to change position dynamically. Specifically, the guide means can be pivoted from a first position where it bridges the area between the wrapping device and guide device to a second position where it exposes this area, preventing material accumulation while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the guide means bridges the area between wrapping device and guide device, then wrapping material is guided effectively, but material accumulation and adhesions occur leading to obstructions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidance of wrapping materialVSAvoidmaterial accumulation and blockages
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means operates periodically by alternating between two positions: a first position where it bridges the area to guide wrapping material effectively, and a second position where it exposes the area to allow material to fall away. This periodic movement between guiding and clearing actions prevents continuous material accumulation while maintaining effective wrapping material guidance during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If a movable guide means is implemented to expose the area between wrapping device and guide device, then material accumulation is prevented, but the device complexity and potential instability increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuninterrupted wrapping material supplyVSAvoidstability of guide means position
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means utilizes its own weight and gravity to automatically return to the bridging position after exposing the area. When pivoted to the second position to allow material to fall away, the guide means naturally returns to the first bridging position without requiring additional actuators or complex stabilization mechanisms, maintaining stability while enabling uninterrupted material supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3501261B1Guidance means, baler and method
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 DEERE & CO
  • EP3501261B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3501261B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3501261B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A baling press (10) for forming cylindrical bales (12) and a method for operating such a baling press (10) are proposed. The baling press comprises a wrapping device (58) for wrapping a bale (12) with a wrapping material (60), a guide device (80) for feeding the wrapping material (60) to a pressing chamber (26) of the baling press (10), and a guide element (82) designed to direct the wrapping material (60) from the wrapping device (58) to the guide device (80). It is proposed that the guide element (82) be arranged to be movable such that it can assume at least one position in which it at least partially opens an area (84) between the wrapping device (58) and the guide device.