Square Baler Stuffer Arm Redistributes Crop Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Square balers often face issues with uneven distribution of crop material in the intake duct, leading to denser material near the packer and potential clogging, which results in bales of uneven density and increased risk of clogging.
Innovation Solution
A simpler and more compact stuffer drive mechanism using a stuffer arm connected to a crank arm and a cam track follower arrangement, allowing for selective modes of operation to adjust the sweep path of the tines within the intake duct, enabling even distribution and transfer of crop material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the packer propels crop material into the intake duct, then crop material is fed into the duct, but the distribution becomes uneven with denser material near the packer
Solution Approach 1:
The stuffer acts as an intermediary device between the packer and the baling chamber. It receives crop material from the packer, redistributes it through its tines that engage with the material in the intake duct, and then transfers it to the baling chamber. This intermediary action corrects the uneven distribution caused by the packer, ensuring uniform density throughout the intake duct.
2Productivity
If the stuffer performs a full stroke to transfer crop material, then the slice is transferred into the baling chamber, but the mechanism becomes complex with multiple levers
Solution Approach 1:
The stuffer mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it can execute a full stuffer stroke to transfer the entire slice to the baling chamber, or a shortened packer stroke to redistribute material within the intake duct. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single, well-designed lever mechanism that can operate in different modes, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The stuffer mechanism incorporates dynamic adjustability through the selectively engageable clutch. The clutch allows the stuffer to be driven at different speeds relative to the plunger - at the same speed for full transfer strokes, or at a higher speed for shortened redistribution strokes. This dynamic control enables the mechanism to adapt its operation mode based on the required function, simplifying the overall system design.
3Quantity of substance
If crop material is denser near the packer, then material accumulates in the lower end, but clogging risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stuffer performs preliminary redistribution of crop material within the intake duct before the material is transferred to the baling chamber. By engaging its tines with the crop material and executing packer strokes, the stuffer pre-distributes the material evenly throughout the duct, preventing the formation of dense accumulations that would lead to clogging near the packer.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the invention, the stuffer comprises an arm (20) connected at a first pivot point (22) to a crank arm that is driven to rotate at a multiple of the cycling rate of the plunger (12), and the arm (20) is acted upon at a second pivot point (26) by a cam track (30) and follower arrangement selectively driven in synchronism with the crank arm by way of a disengageable clutch.