Twin Windguard Rollers for Continuous Baler Crop Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural balers face inefficiencies in crop material intake and processing due to the limitations of conventional windguard rollers, which can lift crop material vertically, reducing efficiency and handling variations in crop density and composition.
Innovation Solution
A dual roller assembly system with independently pivotable primary and secondary rollers, adjustable positions, and a lock mechanism to switch between locked and unlocked configurations, allowing for optimized crop guidance and handling of varying crop conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional windguard roller is used to control crop material flow, then crop guidance is provided, but the roller lifts crop material vertically reducing intake efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The windguard roller is replaced with a dual roller assembly where both rollers can independently pivot about their respective pivot axes. This dynamic configuration allows the rollers to adapt to varying crop conditions and densities, maintaining continuous contact with the crop material without lifting it vertically, thereby improving intake efficiency while providing effective crop guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The single windguard roller is segmented into two separate rollers (primary and secondary) that can operate independently. Each roller has its own pivot axis and can move independently to handle different crop conditions, eliminating the vertical lift problem caused by a single rigid roller while maintaining crop flow control.
2Device complexity
If windguard rollers are fixed together on a single arm assembly to move in unison, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varying crop density and composition is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed arm assembly connecting the rollers is replaced with independently pivotable roller assemblies. Each roller can now pivot independently about its own pivot axis, allowing the system to adapt to varying crop densities and compositions. The lock mechanism provides a way to maintain a fixed configuration when needed, offering both adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changes in the operational parameters of each roller (position, angle, spacing) independently. By adjusting the pivot positions and using the lock mechanism, the rollers can be configured to handle different crop conditions, transforming the system from a fixed-parameter design to a variable-parameter design that adapts to varying crop density and composition.
3Device complexity
If a single windguard roller is used, then device complexity is minimized, but continuous control over crop flow is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single windguard roller is divided into two separate rollers that can be positioned at different locations and angles. This segmentation allows each roller to perform a specific function in controlling crop flow, providing continuous and more effective control over the material as it moves through the pickup assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The second roller acts as an intermediary element between the first roller and the crop material, or between different sections of the crop flow. This intermediate roller provides additional control points and enhances the overall ability to manage crop flow continuously and effectively.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an agricultural baler assembly having, a pickup assembly, a primary roller assembly and a secondary roller assembly. The pickup assembly includes a tine reel with tines that rotate about a rotation axis and a pickup drum surrounding a portion of the tine reel. The primary roller assembly has a primary roller mounted to the baler assembly frame by primary roller arms that pivot about a primary roller arm pivot axis. The secondary roller assembly has a secondary roller mounted to the primary roller arms or the baler assembly frame by secondary roller arms that pivot about a secondary roller arm pivot axis. The primary roller rotation axis is spaced a first distance from the primary roller arm pivot axis; and the secondary roller rotation axis is spaced a second distance from the primary roller arm pivot axis, and the second distance is less than the first distance.