Profile Arm Bale Tracking for Automatic Wire Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The manual removal of wire bindings from paper bales is hazardous due to tension in the wires, and existing automatic de-wiring machines struggle to accommodate the inconsistent dimensions and topography of raw material bales.

Innovation Solution

An automatic de-wiring machine employing profile arm technology that continuously records and calculates the topography of the bale, allowing the winding head to adjust and follow the contour of the bale for precise wire removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual removal of wire bindings is used, then the process is simple, but the risk of injury increases due to wire tension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of removal processVSAvoidrisk of injury from wire tension

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical removal process with an automated mechanical cutting system. The cutting head with blade automatically cuts the wire bindings, eliminating direct human contact with tensioned wires while maintaining effective wire removal. This substitution of manual operation with automated mechanical systems resolves the contradiction between process simplicity and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If automatic de-wiring machine is used, then the risk of injury is reduced, but the machine struggles to accommodate inconsistent bale dimensions and topography

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverisk of injuryVSAvoidability to accommodate inconsistent bale dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a profile arm that is dynamically movable along the bale surface, allowing it to adapt to varying heights and contours. The cutting head is also positioned on a movable carriage that can adjust its position automatically. This dynamic capability enables the machine to accommodate inconsistent bale dimensions and topography while maintaining safe automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The profile arm continuously scans the bale surface and provides feedback information about the topography and wire positions. This feedback is used by the control system to automatically adjust the cutting head position and timing, enabling the machine to adapt to each bale's unique characteristics. The feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing real-time information that allows the automated system to handle variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If profile arm technology is used to read bale topography, then adaptability to inconsistent dimensions is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to read and adjust to bale topographyVSAvoidcomplexity of profile arm and sensing system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The profile arm serves as an intermediary device between the bale and the cutting head. It scans the bale surface and translates the topography information into positional data that controls the cutting head movement. This intermediary approach enables adaptability without requiring the entire system to be highly complex, as the profile arm handles the sensing and translation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12208936B2Profile arm technology

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 AUTOMATIC HANDLING INT

AI summary

An automatic de-wiring machine having a profile arm is shown. The profile arm is capable of recording the contours of a bale to the de-wiring head such that the de-wiring head can adjust its position throughout the bale to fully remove wire without jamming.