Overhead Press Bale Banding Machine with Pivoting Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bale banding machines with bottom-mounted press heads suffer from fouling issues due to varying bale heights and shear the band when attempting to position the press head overhead, leading to inadequate tension in the band wrapping around the bale.
Innovation Solution
A bale banding machine with a stationary band feeding guide assembly and an overhead press head that translates vertically, using pivoting members and cam mechanisms to widen the band guide channels, allowing the press head to lower without shearing the band, while the band feeding system remains stationary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the press head is positioned overhead and lowered to seal the band, then the fouling problem is eliminated and adaptability to bale height variations is improved, but the band is sheared prior to sealing resulting in loss of tension
Solution Approach 1:
The feed guide pivoting member transitions from a stationary closed position to a pivoted open position, dynamically changing the channel configuration to accommodate the press head's vertical movement without shearing the band
Solution Approach 2:
The feed guide pivoting member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the stationary band feeding guide assembly and the translating press head, allowing relative movement while maintaining band integrity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the press head translates vertically to accommodate varying bale heights, then adaptability is improved, but the band feeding system becomes complex requiring additional pivoting members and cam mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The band guide system is segmented into a stationary band feeding guide assembly and a translating press head with separate guide assemblies, allowing independent optimization of each component
Solution Approach 2:
The head guide pivoting member dynamically adjusts the band receiving guide assembly configuration during press head translation, enabling adaptability without requiring complete system redesign
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 the press head to accommodate varying bale heights without shearing the band, ensuring a tight wrap and effective sealing, improving the operational reliability of the bale banding process.
Implementation Method 1
a follower cam in the feed guide pivoting member reacts to a cam wedge on the descending press head, causing the feed guide pivoting member to pivot away from the band
Implementation Method 2
feed guide pivoting member that is biased in a closed position until the press head is lowered
Data Source
AI summary
A bale banding machine having an overhead press head that translates in the vertical direction relative to the band guide track and the bale being banded. The band is directed through a stationary band feeding guide assembly into a band receiving guide assembly mounted on the translating press head assembly. The stationary band feeding guide assembly defines an enclosed channel, at the end of which is provided a feed guide pivoting member that is biased in a closed position until the press heads lowers, upon which event a follower cam in the feed guide pivoting member reacts to a cam wedge on the descending press head, causing the feed guide pivoting member to pivot away from the band extending between the stationary band feeding guide assembly and the translating band receiving guide assembly. Simultaneously, the head guide pivoting member is caused to pivot upward from the band. In this manner the band is no longer retained within the small guide path previously defined by the feeding guide assembly and the receiving guide assembly, such that the translating head can be lowered several inches without shearing the band.