Round Baler Ejection Speed Control for Bale Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing round balers require high ejection speeds to deposit round bales effectively, leading to increased handling effort, potential rolling hazards, and the need for heavy, stable dumping devices to prevent damage.

Innovation Solution

A round baler with a control unit that adjusts ejection speed based on operating parameters, using gravity-assisted ejection and a pivotable wrapping table, along with a tipping device that can pivot about a horizontal axis, to ensure reliable bale deposition on either surface, reducing the need for high speeds and stabilizing the tipping device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high ejection speed is used to deposit round bales, then reliable bale placement is achieved, but handling effort increases and rolling hazards occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebale placement reliabilityVSAvoidrolling hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the ejection speed as a variable parameter based on operating conditions. The control unit modifies the ejection speed parameter to optimize bale deposition, reducing it when not needed to minimize rolling hazards while maintaining reliability when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high ejection speed is used to deposit round bales, then reliable bale placement is achieved, but the tipping device must be very robust increasing its weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebale placement reliabilityVSAvoidtipping device weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes to control ejection speed, allowing the system to achieve reliable bale placement only when necessary. This reduces the mechanical stress on the tipping device during normal operation, enabling a lighter design while maintaining reliability when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If high ejection speed is used to deposit round bales, then bale ejection is achieved, but interruptions to processing are minimized only at high speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing continuityVSAvoidejection speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the ejection speed adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically modifies the ejection speed parameter based on real-time operating conditions, allowing optimization between processing continuity and safety requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If controlled ejection speed is implemented, then operator workload is reduced, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator workloadVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by implementing an automated control unit that independently adjusts ejection speed based on operating parameters. The system monitors conditions and makes adjustments without operator intervention, reducing workload while the control complexity is managed through automated decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution allows for controlled and reliable bale deposition under various conditions, reducing operator workload, minimizing the risk of rolling, and enabling a lighter, less complex tipping device design.

Implementation Method 1

Ejection of the round bale, which is positioned on the wrapping table for wrapping, is at least partially gravity-assisted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3338534B1Round baler
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 USINES CLAAS FRANCE SAS
  • EP3338534B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3338534B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A round baler (10) for agricultural straw comprises a pressing chamber (14) for pressing round bales (12), a wrapping device (24) downstream of the pressing chamber (14) for wrapping a round bale (12) with a wrapping material, and a wrapping table (26) which is pivotably mounted on a base frame (16) of the round baler (10). According to the invention, a control unit (48) is provided by which the round baler (10) can be controlled such that the discharge speed (va) of a round bale (12) can be adjusted as a function of at least one operating parameter (PB).