Removable Cutting Module for Mobile Agricultural Press Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional agricultural presses are inefficient for processing smaller batches and incur high transport and maintenance costs, making them uneconomical for stationary use, especially when handling diverse raw materials like corn silage or fruit residues.

Innovation Solution

A mobile agricultural press equipped with a removable cutting module and a cross conveyor device allows for conversion into a stationary press, enabling the processing of various materials without the need for frequent machine relocation, by feeding materials directly to the press using a screw conveyor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional agricultural presses are used for stationary processing of smaller batches, then processing capability is improved, but transport and maintenance costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidtransport and maintenance costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting module is divided into separable components (cutting knives, support structure, mounting elements) that can be detached as a complete unit. This segmentation allows the cutting module to be removed and transported independently, reducing the effort and cost for maintaining stationary processing capability without requiring the entire press to be moved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting module is designed with dynamic configurability - it can be quickly attached and detached from the press using simple mounting elements. This dynamic design enables the system to switch between mobile and stationary operation modes efficiently, allowing smaller batches to be processed stationary when needed while maintaining the option for mobile operation to minimize transport and maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the cutting module is made easily removable for maintenance and transport, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremovability of cutting moduleVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting module is segmented into distinct functional components (cutting knives, support structure, mounting elements) that are interconnected but can be removed as a complete unit. This segmentation simplifies the removal process while avoiding the need for complex disassembly mechanisms, as each component has defined mounting points and connection elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting module is designed as an extractable unit that can be completely removed from the press. The mounting elements and support structures are designed to facilitate this extraction without requiring complex tools or procedures. The cutting module includes all necessary components (knives, support, mounting) that can be transported and reinstalled elsewhere, enabling easy maintenance and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This configuration enables cost-effective and efficient processing of different materials into bales, reducing operational costs and improving handling efficiency by allowing the press to be used both mobile and stationary, thus optimizing resource utilization.

Implementation Method 1

a cross conveyor device (44) inserted into the press (10) instead of the knife cassette (36) at its installation position, in particular a screw conveyor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical conveyance:

Data Source

PatentEP4458131A1Agricultural press, in particular round baler
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 RUBENBAUER GEORG
  • EP4458131A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4458131A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4458131A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

The invention relates to a mobile agricultural press (10) or straw baler for pressing, in particular, cylindrical bales (20) or round bales. The press comprises a receiving device (30) for receiving crop material (14), a cutting module (16) arranged downstream of the receiving device in the conveying direction, with a rotating knife roller (38) and cutting knives (48) engaging with it, and a pressing and/or wrapping device (42) arranged downstream of the cutting module in the conveying direction of the crop material. A transverse conveying device (44) can be assigned to the knife roller by allowing parts of the cutting module (16) to be removed from the press and replaced by said transverse conveying device (44). This enables the simple conversion of a mobile agricultural press into a universally applicable stationary press for straw or baling material of all kinds.