Round Baler Binding Unit with Automatic Loading Aid

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing round balers require laborious and time-consuming processes to insert and remove binding material rolls due to the manual adjustment and handling of heavy rolls, which complicates the operation and accessibility of the binding unit.

Innovation Solution

A round baler design featuring a binding unit that is adjustable between operating and loading positions, with a coupling mechanism that automatically adjusts the loading aid to a normal position when the binding unit is moved to the operating position, allowing for simplified and automated handling of binding material rolls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the binding unit is made adjustable between operating and loading positions, then accessibility for loading/unloading binding material rolls is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility for loading/unloadingVSAvoidadjustable binding unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The binding unit is made dynamically adjustable between operating and loading positions through a pivotable connection to the frame. This dynamic positioning allows the binding unit to be moved to a loading position where the loading aid can access the roll holder from below, improving accessibility for loading and unloading binding material rolls while maintaining operational functionality when returned to the operating position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a loading aid is provided to support the binding material roll, then ease of loading is improved, but the manual handling effort for heavy rolls increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of loadingVSAvoidmanual handling process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A loading aid is introduced as an intermediary element between the user and the binding material roll. The loading aid can be positioned to support the roll from below, allowing the user to push the roll onto the loading aid with reduced effort. The loading aid then serves as a temporary support platform, enabling easier transfer of heavy rolls (40-100 kg) into the roll holder without requiring direct manual lifting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The loading aid is positioned in advance to support the binding material roll before the actual loading operation. By pre-positioning the loading aid in the support position, the system prepares the loading path and support structure beforehand, allowing the user to simply push the roll onto the prepared loading aid rather than manually positioning and supporting the heavy roll during the loading process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the loading aid is made manually adjustable, then flexibility in positioning is improved, but the time required for loading/unloading operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidloading/unloading time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustability of the loading aid is merged with the adjustability of the binding unit. Both components share a common pivotable connection mechanism to the frame, allowing them to be adjusted simultaneously or in coordination. When the binding unit is pivoted to the loading position, the loading aid automatically follows and can be positioned accordingly, eliminating the need for separate manual adjustment operations and reducing total loading/unloading time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4442108A1Round baler
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 MASCHINENFABRIK BERNARD KRONE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4442108A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4442108A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4442108A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a round baler, comprising a frame, a pressing device for pressing agricultural crops into a bale in a pressing chamber, a binding unit which is adjustable relative to the frame between an operating position and a loading position and which has a binding housing, a roller receptacle arranged at least partially in the binding housing for rotatably receiving a roll of binding material, and a loading aid which is adjustable relative to the binding housing between a support position in which the roll of binding material can be supported on it, and a normal position.In order to facilitate the insertion of a roll of binding material into a binding unit in a round baler, the invention provides that a coupling mechanism interacts with the loading aid in such a way that when the binding unit is moved from the loading position to the operating position, the loading aid is moved into the normal position by the coupling mechanism.