Tilting Trough for Wrapping Apparatus Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for depositing round-cylindrical objects, such as agricultural bales, often result in the objects rolling downwards when placed on their circumferential surface, leading to potential damage and instability, especially on uneven ground.

Innovation Solution

A wrapping apparatus with a tilting unit that selectively pivots the wrapped object onto its front face, using a tilting actuator assembly and trough to ensure the object's center axis is perpendicular to the ground, allowing for secure deposition without manual adjustment of the tilting unit during operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the wrapped object is deposited on its circumferential surface on the ground, then the deposition process is simple, but the object may roll downwards causing damage and instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition process simplicityVSAvoidobject stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the depositing device movable and adjustable. The trough is mounted on a pivoting arm that can rotate around a vertical axis, and the entire assembly can pivot around a horizontal axis. This dynamic configuration allows the device to adapt its orientation to uneven ground and selectively deposit objects on different surfaces (front face or circumferential surface), thereby preventing unwanted rolling while maintaining deposition simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tilting unit is manually adjusted to change deposition orientation, then deposition options increase, but operation complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition orientation optionsVSAvoidmanual adjustment requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements the self-service principle through automatic sensing and control systems. Sensors detect the ground orientation and object properties, and the control system automatically calculates and executes the optimal deposition orientation. The pivoting arms and trough are actuated automatically without manual intervention, providing multiple deposition options (front face or circumferential surface) while eliminating manual adjustment requirements and reducing operation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the object is tilted onto front face for stable deposition, then object stability improves, but the tilting mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject stabilityVSAvoidtilting unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tilting function into two independent pivoting movements: (1) the pivoting arm rotating around a vertical axis, and (2) the trough pivoting around a horizontal axis. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, achieving complex tilting and orientation capabilities while keeping individual components relatively simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3106023B1Wrapping apparatus and wrapping method with a tilting unit for selectively tilting an object into a first one or a second one of two opposing directions
Publication Date: 2018.01.31 FORAGE CO BV
  • EP3106023B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3106023B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3106023B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wrapper wraps an object (B) into wrapping material. The wrapped object is moved onto a trough (2) of a tilting unit. The trough (2) carrying the object (B) is selectively tilted in a first direction or in a second direction (TD.2). The tilted trough (2) deposits the tilted object on one front face (FF.r). A tilting actuator assembly (16.2) pivots the trough (2) carrying the object (B) selectively to the first direction or into the second direction (TD.2).