Movable Tines and Powered Rollers for Dual-Mode Bale Wrapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bale wrapping machines are designed for either individual or inline bale wrapping, but not both, forcing farmers to purchase separate machines for each method, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A bale wrapping apparatus that includes movable tines and powered rollers, allowing it to transition between inline and individual bale wrapping configurations by adjusting the position and function of these components to accommodate different wrapping modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bale wrapping machine is designed for individual bale wrapping, then ease of transportation is improved, but plastic film consumption increases and wrapping speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bale wrapping machine employs movable tines that can dynamically adjust their position between extended and retracted states. When extended, they support inline wrapping configuration; when retracted, they enable individual wrapping configuration. This dynamic adjustment allows the machine to adapt between wrapping modes, optimizing both transportation ease and plastic film consumption based on operational needs.
2Productivity
If a bale wrapping machine is designed for inline bale wrapping, then plastic film consumption decreases and wrapping speed increases, but ease of transportation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The machine utilizes movable tines configured to extend into the bale wrapping space for inline wrapping operations, enabling high-speed continuous wrapping. When individual wrapping is required, the tines retract to allow the bale to be individually handled and transported. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction between wrapping speed and transportation ease by providing mode-specific optimization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate machines are purchased for individual and inline bale wrapping, then versatility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bale wrapping machine is designed as a universal system that can perform both individual and inline wrapping functions through a single integrated structure. The movable tines serve dual purposes: extending to enable inline wrapping mode and retracting to enable individual wrapping mode. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate machines, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic capability of the movable tines allows the single machine to adapt between different wrapping modes, providing the versatility of multiple machines without the complexity and cost of maintaining separate equipment for each wrapping type.
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
Enables efficient and flexible wrapping of both inline and individual bales using the same machine, reducing the need for multiple machines and optimizing plastic film usage and transportation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of powered rollers for supporting and rotating the bale in the bale wrapping space during individual bale wrapping
Implementation Method 2
at least one movable tine that is configured to extend into the bale wrapping space to support the bale in the bale wrapping space when the bale wrapping apparatus is configured for inline bale wrapping
Data Source
AI summary
A bale wrapping apparatus for both inline and individual bale wrapping is described herein. The bale wrapping apparatus includes a bale wrapping mechanism configured to carry a plastic film around a bale when the bale is positioned in a bale wrapping space of the bale wrapping mechanism. The bale wrapping mechanism includes at least one movable tine that is configured to extend into the bale wrapping space to support the bale in the bale wrapping space when the bale wrapping apparatus is configured for inline bale wrapping and is movable out of the bale wrapping space when the bale wrapping apparatus is configured for individual bale wrapping. The bale wrapping apparatus also includes two powered rollers for supporting and rotating the bale in the bale wrapping space during individual bale wrapping. The two powered rollers are movable to configure the bale wrapping apparatus for inline bale wrapping.