Wrapping Device Guide Element for Round Baler Feeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wrapping devices for round balers often fail to reliably feed wrapping material to the bale during the wrapping process, leading to incomplete or unsuccessful wrapping, with issues such as material not being fed at the beginning, being blown out due to draft or windy conditions, or unintentionally wrapping around pressing means.

Innovation Solution

A wrapping device with a guiding means that holds the wrapping material in contact with the pressing means of the round baler, particularly a drivable press roller, to ensure continuous feeding and prevent material from being blown out or stuck to other parts, featuring a flexible and elastic design to accommodate varying material thickness and prevent blockages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wrapping material is fed through a feed gap to a round bale, then the material can envelop the bale, but the material may not be fed reliably at the beginning or may be blown out by draft or wind

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of wrapping material feedingVSAvoidmaterial being blown out by draft or wind
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A guide element is introduced as an intermediary component between the wrapping material supply and the bale. This guide element extends into the feed gap and maintains continuous contact with the wrapping material, guiding it reliably through the feed gap and preventing it from being blown out by draft or wind before it reaches the bale.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element is positioned to make contact with the wrapping material before it enters the feed gap and before the wrapping process begins. This preliminary guidance ensures the material is properly positioned and secured early in the process, preventing feeding failures at the beginning of wrapping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If wrapping material is fed through a feed gap, then the bale can be wrapped, but the material may unintentionally wrap around pressing devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of wrapping material applicationVSAvoidmaterial unintentionally wrapping around pressing devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element acts as a controlled intermediary that directs the wrapping material exclusively toward the bale. By extending into the feed gap and maintaining contact with the material, it prevents the material from deviating and unintentionally wrapping around pressing devices while still allowing proper bale wrapping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a rigid guide element is used to hold wrapping material, then the material can be kept in contact with pressing elements, but it may clog or jam with varying material thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous contact of wrapping material with pressing elementsVSAvoidrisk of clogging or jamming
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is designed with elastic or flexible properties, allowing it to dynamically adapt to varying wrapping material thicknesses. This flexibility enables continuous contact with the pressing elements and wrapping material without rigid constraints that could cause clogging or jamming, while still maintaining reliable guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Duration of action of stationary object

If the guide element extends further into the feed gap, then the wrapping material can be kept in contact with pressing elements continuously, but the guide element may interfere with other components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous contact durationVSAvoidpotential interference with other components
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic or flexible nature of the guide element allows it to extend into the feed gap when needed to maintain continuous contact with the wrapping material, while naturally retracting or adapting to avoid interference with other components. This dynamic behavior enables extended duration of contact without creating permanent obstructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3414991B1Wrapping device and round baler
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 DEERE & CO
  • EP3414991B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3414991B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3414991B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A wrapping device (38) for a round baler (10), in particular an agricultural baler for forming round cylindrical bales, is described, comprising means for supplying a wrapping material (40) through a feed slot (42) to a round bale (12) arranged in a pressing chamber (26), wherein at least one guiding element (46) is provided that can keep the wrapping material (40) at least partially in contact with at least one pressing element of the round baler (10), preferably adjoining the feed slot (42) at the bottom, and in particular being driveable. Furthermore, a round baler (10) with such a wrapping device is proposed.