Round Bale Transport Device with Conveyor and Cage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport devices for round bales are not suitable for public road transport due to load safety concerns and can only carry a limited number of bales at a time, requiring labor-intensive arrangements for larger quantities.

Innovation Solution

A transport device with a conveyor unit, L-shaped swivel arm, and cage-like superstructure that allows for efficient loading and unloading of multiple round bales without damaging the wrapping film, enabling safe transport on public roads by pivoting the swivel arm to lift and roll bales onto a storage area, and using guide rollers to prevent damage during transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If transport forks are used to carry round bales, then a limited number of bales can be transported at the same time, but the device is not permitted for transport on public roads due to load safety concerns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroad transport permissionVSAvoidnumber of bales transported
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The transport device is divided into modular components: a frame with connection element for vehicle attachment, a conveyor unit with storage area for bales, and a cage-like superstructure for safety. This segmentation allows the device to meet road transport safety requirements while maintaining the capability to carry multiple round bales simultaneously through the modular storage and conveyor sections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cage-like superstructure acts as a pre-installed safety containment system that prevents bale displacement during transport. This protective enclosure is built into the device before road transport, ensuring load safety requirements are met without limiting the number of bales that can be carried

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Quantity of substance

If lashing straps are used to secure large quantities of round bales on a commercial vehicle, then more bales can be transported, but the process involves a great deal of work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of bales transportedVSAvoidloading and unloading effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor unit is equipped with a conveyor belt that automatically transports round bales from the storage area to the discharge point. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual handling and lashing operations, allowing large quantities of bales to be transported without increasing operational effort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor belt acts as an intermediary mechanism between the storage area and the discharge point, automatically transferring bales without requiring direct human intervention. This mediator system handles the physically demanding tasks of moving and positioning multiple bales, significantly reducing the effort required compared to manual lashing methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If conventional transport methods are used, then round bales can be transported, but the wrapping film is likely to be damaged during loading and unloading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading and unloading simplicityVSAvoidwrapping film integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor unit replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated conveyor belt system that gently transports bales. This substitution eliminates the rough handling associated with conventional methods, protecting the wrapping film while maintaining operational simplicity through the automated system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor belt serves as a protective intermediary between the storage area and the discharge point, providing a controlled transfer mechanism that prevents direct contact and potential damage to the wrapping film during loading and unloading operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 safe and efficient transport of multiple round bales on public roads, reducing the risk of damage to the wrapping film and simplifying the loading and unloading process, while allowing for more bales to be transported in a single trip without additional safety devices.

Implementation Method 1

a conveyor unit (6) which extends in a longitudinal direction (8) and forms a storage area (7) for the round bales, preferably a circulating conveyor or a roller conveyor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConveying:

Implementation Method 2

the loading unit (10) has an L-shaped swivel arm (11), which swivel arm can be swiveled about a first swivel axis (12) running parallel to the storage surface (7) and normal to the longitudinal direction (8) from a gripping position for gripping a round bale from underneath into a loading position for feeding the round bale gripped from underneath onto the storage surface (7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting:

Implementation Method 3

using guide rollers to prevent damage during transport

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling support: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP3272203B1Transport device for round bales
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 FLIEGL ABDA GEPGYARTO KFT
  • EP3272203B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3272203B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In order to be able to transport a large number of round bales on public roads and to ensure easy loading and unloading.To enable unloading of the transport device (1), a transport device (1) for round bales is proposed according to the invention, which comprises a conveying unit (6) extending in a longitudinal direction (8) and forming a storage area (7) for the round bales, preferably a circulating conveyor or a roller conveyor, with a cage-like superstructure (2) for receiving several round bales and a connecting element (9) for coupling the transport device (1) to a, preferably agricultural, commercial vehicle, wherein the transport device (1) has a pivotable feed unit (9) arranged at one end of the storage area (7), by means of which feed unit (9) a round bale can be fed onto the storage area (7), and wherein a round bale located on the storage area (7) can be conveyed by means of the conveying unit (6) in the direction of the end of the storage area (7) opposite the feed unit (10).