Round Bale Sled with Side Runners for Soft Field Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trailers designed for transporting round bales are not suitable for soft fields and are prone to getting stuck in holes due to their wheel design, which can lead to inefficiencies and damage to the field surface.

Innovation Solution

A sled assembly with side runners and rail caps that allow it to slide on top of the ground, distributing weight and preventing digging, along with a hitch assembly that can absorb sudden movements and attach securely to a tractor, enabling efficient transport of multiple bales across soft surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional trailers with wheels are used on hard surfaces, then transportation efficiency is improved, but they get stuck in soft fields and holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation efficiencyVSAvoidability to operate on soft fields

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the contact interface parameter from wheeled contact to sled-like sliding contact. The side runners provide a continuous flat surface that distributes weight and prevents engagement with subsurface holes, enabling reliable operation on soft fields while maintaining transportation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The side runners act as an intermediary between the trailer body and the soft ground. This intermediate sliding surface prevents direct wheel-ground contact that would cause getting stuck, while still allowing the trailer to be pulled efficiently across various terrain conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If weight is concentrated on small contact areas, then structural strength is improved, but the field surface is damaged and the sled gets stuck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidfield surface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The trailer weight is segmented and distributed across multiple side runners positioned along the length of the trailer. This segmentation prevents concentration of force on single contact points, reducing field surface damage while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed support system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contact interface is extended from point contact (wheels) to line contact (side runners). This dimensional change from zero-dimensional to one-dimensional contact distributes the load across a longer surface area, preventing both field damage and sled entrapment while preserving structural strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If multiple bales are transported at once, then productivity is improved, but the risk of bale damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of bales per tripVSAvoidbale damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The side runners and cross beams create a flexible yet stable baling structure that cradles multiple bales. This configuration secures bales during transport without rigid confinement, reducing damage risk while enabling efficient multi-bale capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 sled assembly effectively transports heavy round bales across soft fields with reduced impact on the terrain, minimizing the risk of getting stuck and allowing for more efficient collection by accommodating multiple bales per trip, while also protecting the bales during transport.

Implementation Method 1

said side runners 504 can each be designed with a plurality of lower runner interfaces 602 in order to spread out the weight of said one or more round bales 1102

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWeight distribution:

Implementation Method 2

said rail caps 502 are designed to ensure said side runners 504 do not dig into said ground surface 1210 while moving forward

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical protection:

Implementation Method 3

a hitch loop assembly 206 (having a cable portion 208 and a sleeve portion 210) means that said hitch assembly 104 is adapted to absorb quick starts and stops as between said tractor 1202 and said sled 102

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10159190B2Round bale sled system and method of use

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 COQUAT RODERICK

AI summary

A sled assembly for the transport of a one or more round bales across a ground surface being soft. Said sled configured to slide on top of said ground surface. Said hitch assembly having said lowered configuration and said raised configuration. Said hitch assembly configured to selectively attach to said vehicle and to enable said sled assembly to be dragged behind said vehicle. Said sled comprising said side rail assemblies and said cross beams. Said hitch assembly fixed to a first end of said sled. Said sled assembly further comprising a one or more wheel assemblies.