Pivoting Storage Container for Baling Press Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing baling presses for agricultural crops have limited accessibility to drive and functional elements on the longitudinal sides, making maintenance and repair difficult due to the positioning of storage containers for binding twine, which obstructs important components and hinders efficient cleaning and repair work.
Innovation Solution
A baling press design that includes a storage container system pivotally supported by a link arrangement, allowing it to move from an operating position to a loading and maintenance position, with an actuator initiating the pivoting movement and a locking mechanism for secure transfer, ensuring optimal accessibility to the drive and functional elements for repair and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the storage container is positioned high above the ground and laterally close to the pressing device in the operating position, then the binding material can be efficiently fed to the bale, but the drive and functional elements on the longitudinal sides are obscured and inaccessible for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is mounted on a pivotable linkage assembly that allows it to dynamically change position between an operating position (high and close to pressing device) and a maintenance position (low and away from pressing device). This dynamic repositioning enables the container to serve dual purposes: efficient operation during baling and accessibility during maintenance, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of repair
2Ease of operation
If the storage container is moved to a loading position low above the ground and laterally far from the pressing device, then refilling with new twine spools is facilitated, but access to functional elements remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable linkage assembly enables the storage container to achieve a loading position that is optimized for refilling operations (low and far from pressing device), while maintaining the capability to return to the operating position for maintenance access. This dynamic positioning system allows sequential optimization for different operational phases without compromise
3Device complexity
If the storage container is mounted fixedly on the baler frame, then the structure is simple and robust, but the container obstructs the longitudinal sides and hinders maintenance work
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage assembly provides a pivotable mounting solution that balances structural simplicity with maintenance accessibility. The mechanism uses basic mechanical components (links, pivots, locking elements) to enable the container to move between positions, adding minimal complexity while dramatically improving ease of repair compared to a fixed mounting
4Productivity
If the storage container is positioned close to the pressing device during operation, then the binding material feed is optimized, but the container width increases the machine dimension
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable linkage allows the storage container to be positioned close to the pressing device only when needed for operation, and moved away when not in use. This dynamic positioning optimizes the binding material feed during baling while reducing the effective machine width during transport and storage, resolving the contradiction between productivity and machine dimension
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
The design enhances accessibility to the drive and functional elements, allowing for efficient maintenance and repair by enabling the storage container to be lowered and positioned for easy access, while maintaining a compact machine width compliant with regulatory dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one storage container is further designed to be moved into a maintenance position in which the at least one storage container can be moved about a pivot axis directed in the direction of travel, approximately horizontal
Implementation Method 2
the at least one storage container is pivotably supported by a linkage assembly comprising at least two links, the free ends of which are connected to a frame assembly
Implementation Method 3
the frame assembly can be fixed or locked relative to the frame by a release or locking element
Data Source
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AI summary
Baler for producing agricultural crop bales, which, as a self-propelled harvesting machine supported on wheels (2) or as a tractor-mounted and driven harvesting machine, receives the crop via intake (3) and conveying devices (4) and feeds it to a pressing device (5) which forms the crop into bales, wherein the bales are wrapped with binding or wrapping material for permanent cohesion, which is fed to the bale by binding or wrapping material rolls housed in at least one storage container (6) arranged on the baler (1), wherein the at least one storage container (6) can be moved from an operating position, in which the storage container (6) is arranged at a great height above the ground and laterally close to the pressing device (5), to a loading position.in which the at least one storage container (6) is located at a low height above the ground and laterally far removed from the pressing device (5), wherein the at least one storage container (6) is furthermore designed to be moved into a maintenance position in which the at least one storage container (6) can be moved about a pivot axis (16) directed in the direction of travel, approximately horizontal, from the operating position into a position that releases a relevant lateral area of the pressing device (5), wherein the at least one storage container (6) is pivotably supported by a linkage assembly (11) comprising at least two links (9, 10), the free ends (12, 13) of which are connected to a frame assembly (14), and an actuating element (17) initiating the pivoting movement of the storage container (6) is articulated to the storage container (6).