Variable-Length Connecting Rod for Agricultural Baling Press
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Solution Overview
Problem
Baling presses experience operational delays due to the compressor piston needing to return to its hollow position after forming a bale, which prevents further harvested crops from being transferred into the main channel until a complete cycle is completed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fluid reservoir connected to the working space of the connecting rod, allowing the compressor piston to be moved to its hollow position independently of the drive, using pressurized working fluid to shorten the connecting rod and facilitate the movement of the compressor piston, enabling continuous operation and transfer of crops during the same revolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the compressor piston remains in its pressing position to maintain compression on the bale, then the compression force is maintained, but the transfer of further crop material into the main channel is delayed until a complete drive cycle is finished
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting rod is divided into a drive section and a press section that can move independently relative to each other. The press section remains stationary in the pressing position while the drive section continues to rotate with the drive cycle, allowing the drive to operate continuously without waiting for a complete cycle before transferring new crop material.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting rod transitions from a rigid, fixed-length component to a dynamic, variable-length mechanism. The ability of the press section to remain stationary while the drive section rotates creates a dynamic system that can maintain compression force while accommodating continuous drive operation and crop material transfer.
2Productivity
If the connecting rod length is varied to allow the compressor piston to remain in its pressed position, then continuous drive operation is enabled, but the device complexity increases due to the piston-cylinder unit mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The piston-cylinder unit serves multiple functions: it acts as the connecting rod to transmit drive motion, provides a variable length mechanism to allow piston positioning, and creates a working chamber for hydraulic fluid storage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and justifies the added complexity through consolidated design.
Solution Approach 2:
A working chamber is formed within the piston-cylinder unit that can be filled with hydraulic fluid. This hydraulic system provides the additional mechanism needed to maintain variable connecting rod length, enabling the compressor piston to remain in the pressing position while the drive continues to operate for continuous productivity.
3Productivity
If the compressor piston is moved back to its hollow position during the drive cycle, then further crop material can be transferred into the main channel, but the pressing pressure on the formed bale is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connecting rod into drive and press sections, the press section can remain stationary maintaining pressing pressure while the drive section continues its cycle enabling frequent crop transfers. This segmentation allows both functions to occur simultaneously without compromising either pressure or productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces operational delays by allowing further crops to be transferred and compressed without waiting for a full revolution, maintaining pressing pressure on the bale while enabling efficient movement of the compressor piston, thus enhancing the baling process's efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one fluid accumulator (7) which is fluidically connected to the working chamber (13) and is designed to receive a working fluid that is displaced from the working chamber (13)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to an agricultural baler (1) for pressing crops (2) into bales, comprising a drive (3), a pre-channel (4), a main channel (5), a transfer unit (6), a connecting rod (8) and a compressor piston (9), wherein the crops (2) can be transferred from the pre-channel (4) into the main channel (5) by means of the transfer unit (6), wherein the compressor piston (9) can be cyclically moved between a compression position and a release position during operation of the baler (1), wherein the compressor piston (9) is located at a distal dead center point facing the crops (2) when in its compression position and at a proximal dead center point opposite the distal dead center within the main channel (5) when in its release position, wherein the connecting rod (8) is designed in the form of a variable-length piston-cylinder unit.The working chamber (13) is formed by a drive section (11) associated with the drive (3) and a press section (12) associated with the compressor piston (9), which together define at least one working chamber (13), wherein the compressor piston (9) is held in its pressing position during operation of the baling press (1) by means of at least one holding device (10). In order to provide a baling press whose operation is subject to less delay compared to the prior art, the invention proposes at least one clampable fluid accumulator (7) fluidically connected to the working chamber (13), by means of which a working fluid displaced from the working chamber (13) can be received.