Variable Diameter Round Baler Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing round balers with variable compression chambers face challenges in reliably controlling baling pressure, leading to inconsistent bale density and potential deformation due to the imbalance between swivel arms.

Innovation Solution

A round baler with a variable diameter baling chamber and adjustable clamping arms, where the pressing pressure is controlled based on the size of the compression chamber and effective length of the pressing means, using a cam control mechanism or electric/hydraulic actuators to set and regulate the maximum pressing pressure, ensuring precise adjustment and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydraulic cylinders are used to couple swivel arms for balance, then the size change of baling chamber and pressing pressure are balanced, but reliable control of pressing pressure is not possible and bale deformation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess reliabilityVSAvoidpressing pressure control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by detecting the actual pressing pressure through the position of the second clamping arm and comparing it with the target pressure determined by the cam profile. The system automatically adjusts to maintain the correct pressing pressure throughout the baling cycle, ensuring reliable control and preventing bale deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The cam profile is pre-configured with the optimal control function that determines the target pressing pressure for each position of the first clamping arm. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for real-time complex calculations and ensures that the correct pressing pressure is maintained from the start of the baling process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If pressing pressure is increased to improve bale density, then bale formation is improved, but bale deformation may occur due to imbalance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebale densityVSAvoidbale shape stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the pressing pressure parameter throughout the baling cycle based on the chamber size and bale formation stage. The cam profile encodes the optimal pressure progression, allowing the system to apply higher pressure when needed for density while automatically reducing pressure to prevent deformation, thus optimizing both bale density and shape stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If cam control mechanism is used to set second clamping arm position, then pressing pressure control is simplified and made reliable, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing pressure control reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex electronic control systems with a mechanically sophisticated cam profile that embodies the optimal control function. The cam profile translates the position of the first clamping arm into the appropriate position of the second clamping arm through pure mechanical interaction, eliminating the need for sensors, controllers, and power consumption while maintaining high reliability.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3298881B1Baling press
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 USINES CLAAS FRANCE SAS
  • EP3298881B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3298881B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3298881B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A round baler (10) comprises a pressing chamber (12) arranged in a housing (14) for pressing round bales (16) from a crop, wherein the pressing chamber (12) has a variable diameter, an endlessly rotating pressing element (18) which delimits the pressing chamber (12), several rollers (20) for guiding the pressing element (18), a first clamping arm (28) pivotably mounted on the housing side, which has rollers (20) on the pressing chamber side for guiding a loop of the pressing element (18), and a second clamping arm (30) which is pivotably mounted on the housing side and has at least one roller (20) at a free end for guiding the pressing element (18). According to the invention, at least one pressing pressure with which the pressing element (18) acts to form a round bale (16) is adjustable according to a control function based on a size of the pressing chamber (12) and an effective length of the pressing element (18).