Variable Position Tine Reel Linkage for Round Baler
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Round balers with wider pickup units than the bale forming chamber require secondary feed mechanisms to prevent clogging, increasing complexity and cost, and optimizing tine movement is complex and not always effective in eliminating the need for these mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A variable position tine reel system that extends tines towards the bale chamber inlet and retracts them to clear converging augers, allowing for optimized tine extension and retraction based on rotational and lateral positions, reducing the need for secondary feed mechanisms and improving crop flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wider pickup is used to handle wider crop windrows and improve crop fill, then crop packaging efficiency is improved, but the distance between pickup tines and bale chamber inlet increases requiring a secondary feed mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The pickup tines are made dynamically adjustable in position along the feed table. The tine position can be varied to optimize crop movement efficiency and reposition tines to prevent contact with converging augers, eliminating the need for a fixed secondary feed mechanism while maintaining productivity with a wider pickup
2Device complexity
If the feed table length is reduced to eliminate secondary feed mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but tine movement optimization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tine position management system is made dynamically adjustable, allowing tines to be repositioned along the shortened feed table. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimal tine positioning for crop movement while preventing contact with converging augers, making the shortened feed table configuration work effectively without oversimplifying position management
3Device complexity
If converging augers are placed closer to pickup tines to reduce feed table length, then device complexity is reduced, but clearance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pickup tines are made dynamically repositionable along the feed table, allowing them to be moved forward to clear the converging augers when placed closer. This dynamic adjustment enables the use of a shortened feed table with closer auger placement while maintaining adequate clearance, reducing device complexity without sacrificing operational effectiveness
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 simplifies tine position management, reduces the need for secondary feed mechanisms, enhances crop flow, and minimizes the likelihood of plugging, while maintaining efficiency and reducing complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a cam and cam follower mechanism controls the lateral position of the cam follower along the cam
Implementation Method 2
a linkage connects the laterally central pickup tines to the outboard pickup tines so that rotation of the outboard pickup tines is transferred to the laterally central pickup tine
Data Source
AI summary
An tine reel for a round baler pickup unit allows tine position to be altered dependant of rotational position of the tine reel and the lateral position of the tine on the pickup. A plurality of tine bars are mounted on the tine reel, with separate tine bars provided for the centrally located tines and the outboard located tines. A linkage connects the centrally located inboard tine bars to the outboard tine bars so that rotation of the outboard tine bars by a tine reel cam and cam follower mechanism is transferred to the inboard tine bar without the need for a second cam or second cam follower mechanism. The linkage configuration is adjusted to provide optimal tine extension position for both the centrally located and the outboard located tines.