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US 10,945,377 B2Granted
Baler with segmented tension panels
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsDarin L. Roth, Eric R. Lang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A baler includes a frame and a bale chamber structure that is supported by the frame. The bale chamber structure includes a plurality of walls that cooperate to define a baling chamber that extends along a longitudinal axis. The plurality of walls shape different sides of the bale. At least one of the plurality of walls includes a first segment panel that is moveably attached to the frame and a second segment panel that is arranged in a downstream direction from the first segment panel with respect to the longitudinal axis. The second segment panel is moveably attached to the frame independent of the first segment panel.
Claims17
A baler configured to form a bale of crop material, the baler comprising:
- a frame;
- a bale chamber structure that is supported by the frame, the bale chamber structure including a first wall and a second wall that cooperate to define a baling chamber in which the bale is formed that extends along a longitudinal axis, the first and second walls configured to shape different sides of the bale, wherein the first wall includes:
- a first segment panel that is moveably attached to the frame;
- and
- a second segment panel that is arranged in a downstream direction from the first segment panel with respect to the longitudinal axis, the second segment panel being moveably attached to the frame independent of the first segment panel, wherein the first segment panel and the second segment panel cooperate in the forming of the bale in the baling chamber;
- and
- wherein the second wall includes:
- a third segment panel that is moveably attached to the frame;
- and
- a fourth segment panel that is arranged in a downstream direction from the first segment panel with respect to the longitudinal axis, the fourth segment panel being moveably attached to the frame, the fourth segment panel being decoupled from the third segment panel and configured for movement independent of the third segment panel.
7 more elements
A baler configured to form a bale of crop material, the baler comprising:
- a frame;
- a bale chamber structure that is supported by the frame and defines an inlet and an outlet, the bale chamber structure including a plurality of walls that cooperate to define a baling chamber in which the bale is formed that extends along a longitudinal axis, the plurality of walls configured to shape different sides of the bale, at least one of the plurality of walls including:
- a first segment panel that is moveably attached to the frame;
- and
- a second segment panel that is arranged in a downstream direction from the first segment panel with respect to the longitudinal axis, the second segment panel being moveably attached to the frame independent of the first segment panel, wherein the first segment panel and the second segment panel cooperate in the forming of the bale in the baling chamber;
- and
- a compaction member disposed proximate the inlet of the baling chamber and configured to move the crop material away from the inlet of the baling chamber toward the outlet of the baling chamber and form the bale;
- and
- wherein the first segment panel is disposed proximate the compaction member;
- and
- wherein the second segment panel partly defines the outlet.
8 more elements
A method of operating a baler having a bale chamber structure that defines a variable baling chamber in which the bale is formed that extends along a longitudinal axis, the baling chamber partly defined by a wall configured to define a side of a bale of crop material, the method comprising:
- actuating a first segment panel of the wall relative to a frame about a first joint that moveably attaches the first segment panel to the frame;
- and
- actuating a second segment panel of the wall relative to the frame about a second joint that moveably attaches the second segment panel to the frame independent of the first segment panel;
- wherein the first segment panel and the second segment panel cooperate in the forming of the bale in the baling chamber;
- and
- wherein at least one of actuating the first segment panel and actuating the second segment panel includes rotating the one of the first panel and the second panel relative to the frame about an axis of rotation that extends substantially along a vertical direction.
3 more elements
A baler configured to form a rectangular bale of crop material, the baler comprising:
- a frame with a first elongate member and a second elongate member that are spaced apart in a vertical direction to define an opening between the first elongate member and the second elongate member;
- a bale chamber structure that is supported by the frame, the bale chamber structure including a plurality of walls that cooperate to define a baling chamber in which the bale is formed that extends along a longitudinal axis, the plurality of walls configured to shape different sides of the bale, at least one of the plurality of walls including a first segment panel that is received in the opening and moveably attached to the first elongate member and the second elongate member via a first pivot joint, the at least one of the plurality of walls including a second segment panel that is arranged in a downstream direction from the first segment panel with respect to the longitudinal axis, the second segment panel being received in the opening and moveably attached to the first elongate member and the second elongate member via a second pivot joint that is independent of the first segment panel, the second segment panel configured for movement that varies a size of a gap between the first segment panel and the second segment panel;
- an actuator system configured to independently actuate the first segment panel and the second segment panel relative to the frame;
- and
- a control system configured to control the actuator system to control independent movement of the first segment panel and the second segment panel relative to the frame in forming the bale in the baling chamber, the control system:
- determining a baling chamber characteristic of either a dimension or pressure of the baling chamber;
- and
- controlling the actuator system to actuate the first segment panel and the second segment panel according to the baling chamber characteristic.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.