Variable Baling Chamber Geometry for Round Balers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing round balers are not flexible enough to produce either weakly compressed or heavily compacted round bales, requiring multiple machines for different applications, and often result in initial stage compression issues and unstable bale formation due to fixed or triangular bale chamber geometries.

Innovation Solution

A round baler with a variable baling chamber featuring two adjusting devices with movable rollers, allowing for a quadrangular or trapezoidal cross-section adjustment, which enables flexible compression and stable bale formation by altering the press chamber geometry and reducing initial compression forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed cross-section baling chamber is used, then the construction is simple, but the adaptability for different compression requirements is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability for different compression requirementsVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the baling chamber cross-section adjustable through movable guide rollers and press belt positioning mechanisms. The chamber can dynamically change between different geometric configurations (triangular, quadrangular, trapezoidal) to adapt to various compression requirements, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that responds to different baling needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the baling chamber cross-section. Through adjustable guide rollers and press belt positioning, the chamber can change its shape parameters (from triangular to quadrangular to trapezoidal), allowing optimization of compression characteristics for different crop types and bale requirements without changing the overall machine structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stress or pressure

If a variable press chamber with tracking press belt is used, then heavily compacted round bales can be produced, but initial stage compression is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression forceVSAvoidstart-up difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the baling chamber geometry before material entry. The adjustable guide rollers and press belt positioning mechanisms are set in advance to create optimal initial chamber shapes, preventing excessive compression at the start of the baling cycle and ensuring smooth material feed before progressive compression begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamics to enable the press chamber geometry to adapt during the baling cycle. The movable components allow the chamber to transition from an open initial configuration that facilitates easy material entry to a progressively more compressed configuration, optimizing both start-up ease and final compression force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If a triangular cross-section press chamber is used, then the press belt can be successively tracked, but the bale formation is unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebaling efficiencyVSAvoidbale formation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the cross-sectional geometry parameters of the press chamber from triangular to quadrangular or trapezoidal configurations. This geometric parameter adjustment provides more stable support surfaces for the forming bale, improving formation stability while maintaining the productivity benefits of the variable chamber design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dimensionality change by transitioning from a triangular cross-section (three contact points) to quadrangular or trapezoidal cross-sections (four contact points). This additional dimensional element provides more stable geometric support for the bale, distributing forces more evenly and preventing the instability associated with triangular configurations.

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

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple round balers are used for different applications, then both weakly pressed and heavily compacted bales can be produced, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability for different bale typesVSAvoidnumber of machines required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single round baler with multi-functional capability. Through adjustable guide rollers, movable press belts, and variable cross-section chambers, one machine can perform multiple functions - producing both weakly pressed and heavily compacted bales - eliminating the need for multiple specialized machines and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3459341B1Agricultural round baler
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 USINES CLAAS FRANCE SAS
  • EP3459341B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3459341B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3459341B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to an agricultural round baler (1) comprising an interior space (4) enclosed by a housing (3), a feeding device (5), a plurality of guide rollers (7), a press belt (8), and an adjusting device (9) comprising at least one adjusting roller (10) extending parallel to the guide rollers (7), wherein at least one of the guide rollers (7) is designed in the form of a drive roller by means of which the press belt (8) can be driven, wherein the press belt (8) spans a press chamber (12) along its running path, which interacts with the transition cross-section (6), wherein the adjusting roller (10) is positioned along the running path of the press belt (8) such that at least one running path section (13) immediately adjoining the adjusting roller (10) at least partially limits the press chamber (12).wherein the adjusting roller (10) of the adjusting device (9) is designed to be movable within the interior (4) such that at least part of the running path of the press belt (8) is displaceable. In order to provide a round baler that is as flexible as possible for the various requirements for round bales, a second adjusting device (14) is proposed according to the invention, the adjusting roller (15) of which, in operative conjunction with the adjusting roller (10) of the first adjusting device (9), at least partially opens the press chamber (12), wherein the adjusting roller (15) of the second adjusting device (14) is designed to be movable within the interior (4).