Two-Level Bale Transporter Layout for Higher Carrying Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bale transporters have limited bale carrying capacity, making them inefficient for transporting large quantities of round bales of fodder material.

Innovation Solution

A bale transporter design featuring a chassis with two elongated bale carriers and a transfer mechanism that allows for the alignment and transfer of bales onto the carriers, significantly increasing the carrying capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a conventional bale transporter with a single bale carrier is used, then the device complexity is low, but the bale carrying capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebale carrying capacityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second bale carrier is positioned above and behind the first bale carrier, with bales on the second carrier nested above and behind the bales on the first carrier. This vertical stacking arrangement doubles the bale carrying capacity within the same horizontal footprint, effectively nesting one carrier system within another to maximize space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single horizontal bale carrier to a two-level vertical arrangement. The second bale carrier is elevated above the first carrier, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase carrying capacity. This dimensional change allows twice as many bales to be transported without increasing the horizontal footprint of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the second bale carrier is positioned above the first bale carrier, then the bale carrying capacity is doubled, but the transfer mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebale carrying capacityVSAvoidtransfer mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bale transfer mechanism employs pivotal movement to dynamically reposition bales from the second bale carrier above to the first bale carrier below. The transfer means can pivot between a raised position for receiving bales and a lowered position for depositing bales, providing flexible and efficient bale transfer capability that adapts to the vertical arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer means acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two bale carriers. It receives bales from the second carrier above and transfers them to the first carrier below, mediating the bale transfer process and enabling the vertical stacking arrangement to function effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If bales are arranged in end-to-end abutting engagement with aligned central axes, then the bale stability is improved, but the alignment precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebale stabilityVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bale carriers are designed with surfaces and structures that create equipotential conditions for bale placement, ensuring that bales naturally settle into aligned positions during transfer. The pivotal transfer mechanism and carrier geometry work together to automatically align bale central axes parallel to the direction of motion, reducing the need for high-precision manual alignment while maintaining stable end-to-end abutting engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Data Source

PatentEP3790374B1A bale transporter and a method for transporting bales
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 MALONE FARM MACHINERY LTD
  • EP3790374B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3790374B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3790374B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A bale transporter (1) for transporting four rows (3) of bales (2) comprises a chassis (5), a first framework (20) mounted on the chassis (5) for carrying a lower two of the rows (3) of bales (2), and a secondary framework (26) for carrying an upper two of rows (3) of bales (2). A pair of transfer elements (60) are pivotally coupled to the chassis (5) about respective first pivot axes (61) between a first state for picking up bales from the ground, and a second state for transferring the bales onto the main and secondary frameworks (20) and (26). The secondary framework (26) is urgeable between a first state adjacent the main framework (20) and a raised second state spaced apart above the secondary framework (26). Initially, with the secondary framework (26) in the first state, two rows (3) of bales (2) are picked up by the transfer elements (60) and transferred onto the secondary framework (26) which is then urged upwardly into the second state. The next two rows (3) of bales (2) are then picked up by the transfer elements (60) and are transferred onto the main framework (20).