Round Baler Pickup Integrating Transmission Wheel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pickup devices for round balers have large transversal dimensions due to complex structural designs and the need for external transmission wheels, making them difficult to transport on roads without disassembly, which is time-consuming and potentially hazardous.

Innovation Solution

A pickup device with a central shaft, transverse bars, and side heads that integrate a transmission wheel directly adjacent to the side heads, eliminating the need for external transmission members and reducing overall width by placing wheels and motion transmission components closer to the pickup body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If pickup devices are made wider to maximize pick-up effectiveness, then the pick-up width increases, but the device exceeds road transportation width limits and requires disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepickup widthVSAvoidroad transportation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission wheel is repositioned from an external location to an integrated position directly adjacent to the side head, utilizing the vertical and depth dimensions rather than extending the horizontal width. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the pickup device to maintain its functional width while complying with road transportation limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission wheel is merged with the side head assembly, creating a compact integrated unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate external transmission components that would increase the overall width, allowing the device to remain assembled during transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If external transmission wheels are used to drive the pickup teeth, then the pick-up function is achieved, but the overall transverse dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepick-up functionVSAvoidtransverse dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission wheel is nested within the space adjacent to the side head, utilizing the existing structural volume rather than adding external protrusions. This nesting approach maintains the pick-up function while minimizing the transverse envelope of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If the pickup device is designed with external transmission wheels, then motion transmission is achieved, but the number of external components increases requiring disassembly for transportation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion transmissionVSAvoidnumber of external components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1920648B1Pickup device for agricultural machines, in particular for round balers

Publication Date: 2010.01.27 GALLIGNANI

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Figure 3
Figure 4

AI summary

A pickup device for agricultural machines, in particular round balers, apt to pick up tiers of straw, hay, forages and similar materials comprises a pickup body constituted by a central shaft, at least two transverse bars bearing a plurality of teeth, two side heads integral to the central shaft bearing said transverse bars, supports allowing the rotation of said pickup body around an axis parallel to the transverse bars, at least one transmission wheel integral to said pickup body. Such transmission wheel is directly adjacent to one of said side heads and it is fastened thereto by means of mechanical connection members. Said transmission wheel can be circular crown-like and it can be constituted by interlocked sectors identical therebetween (Figure 3).