EA034402B1 - Method for increasing the density of a round bale of crop mass and device for forming more dense round bales - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and devices for forming round bales of crop and can be used in haymaking machines. The method is proposed to increase the density of a round bale of crop material formed in layers by rotating a continuously fed layer of crop material in a controlled manner along a set trajectory in a baling chamber with compacting a round bale formed. To compact a round bale when filling a given volume of the pressing chamber, the layers located in the center of the round bale are stopped, continuing to feed the crop mass into the pressing chamber, with formation of additional outer layers due to the shift in the rotating volume of round bale of the previously formed layers from the central to the outer layers until complete filling of the pressing chamber volume, as signaled by absence of bale rotation in all its layers. Also the device is proposed for forming more dense round bales of crop material in the form of pressing chamber in which the locking elements extend from each side wall in the region of the center of rotation of a round bale, the above restraining elements are evenly distributed about the center of rotation of a round bale and mounted to be capable of moving in a controlled and synchronized manner into the chamber in the direction of the center of round bale and of returning to a starting position outside the chamber. The locking elements on both side walls are symmetrically relative to the vertical transverse plane of the chamber's cross section, and the extension does not exceed two thirds of the distance between the side walls of the chamber.

Description

The present invention relates to methods and devices for forming bales, mainly cylindrical, by winding and pressing the source material and can be used in haymaking machines. The invention can be used to achieve equally good results in roll pressing devices with pressing mechanisms of various types: chain, belt, drum, based on pressing mats.

The problem of forming bales, mainly of a cylindrical shape, with given density characteristics is solved by various manufacturers of agricultural machinery for harvesting roughage (hay, straw) in the designs of round balers with pressing chambers of constant or variable volume. Each of these types of balers has both its drawbacks and advantages, but in general, modern roll pressing devices do not fully satisfy a number of requirements, first of all, for the shape, size, uniformity of density and volume of plant material pressed into roll, because it is not possible to obtain bales of uniform and high density throughout the volume. In the framework of this application, bales, mainly of cylindrical shape, will be referred to by the term roll, while in other information sources such a unit may be referred to as a briquette, bale, packaging, etc.

In the known designs of round balers in the general case, the main role in the formation of the roll is played by pressing mechanisms (chain, belt, drum, based on pressing mats) in general and pressing elements in particular. However, with the exception of chambers of variable volume with pressing mechanisms, mainly of the tape type, the pressing mechanism, as a rule, and especially at the initial stages of pressing, only sets the movement of the plant mass again entering the pressing chamber. Directly, the pressing process begins only after filling the chamber. In this case, the impact on the central region of the roll is carried out only through the pressed material of the outer layers. Thus, in chambers with a constant pressing contour it is almost impossible to obtain a uniform roll density over the entire pressing volume, including due to the formation of an arch along the cylindrical surface of the roll, which prevents the transfer of the pressing force into the roll. In addition, given that the pressing mechanism, as a rule, is one integral element that defines the pressing contour and is driven by a single drive element, it is impossible to organize separate control of the pressing processes at different stages of pressing.

In the prior art, designs of roll pressing devices are known, in which, for the possibility of independent control of the pressing process (including to increase the density of the roll) at its various stages, the pressing mechanism is made of separate independent (autonomous) sections driven by separate drive elements [1] . In the General case, such a roll pressing device in some forms of implementation includes, among other things, a pressing mechanism comprising a system of pressing elements, made in the form of at least two autonomous sections, forming a constant pressing circuit and associated with a means of setting motion, including a system of drive elements sections pressing mechanism. If necessary, one section of the pressing mechanism can be made in the form of two pivotally connected sub-sections. Such designs, in particular due to the displacement of the pressing elements on two adjacent sections of the pressing mechanism, which was mentioned in connection with some possible forms of implementation of the described device, can somewhat improve the quality characteristics of the finished rolls and achieve roll compaction in the radial direction. In the method implemented using this device, the sealing force applied to the roll at any stage of pressing is directed from its outer layers to the center.

An improved construction of the pressing device of the type described above is also known, in which at least two sections of the pressing mechanism, or at least one section and one subsection of at least one section, or a subsection of each of at least two sections of the pressing mechanism are rotatable each around a corresponding rotary axis located parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pressing chamber, and equipped with appropriate rotation mechanisms [2]. This device, regardless of the type of pressing mechanism, makes it possible to form a roll having a higher and more uniform density, in particular by increasing the force applied at the initial moment of pressing, and also by acting on the outer surface of each layer of material pressed into the roll. However, the design of such a device is very complex and includes a large number of moving elements requiring coordinated control, which reduces the reliability of the structure as a whole and significantly increases energy costs. The complexity of the design does not provide a significant increase in the efficiency of pressing. Moreover, as for the device described above, in the method implemented using this device, the sealing force applied to the roll at each of the pressing stages is directed from its outer layers to the center.

Also known is a machine for picking and pressing crop products, in particular hay, straw, grass and the like, with the formation of roll-shaped bales, comprising a folding press chamber with a bale-forming device that is guided by at least

- 1 034402 of at least one first and one second of rigidly fixed guiding devices and which, during the stage of forming the bale inside the chamber, follows a certain spatial path along the guides and, to seal the formed bale, provides a sealing force to the bale from the outside inward after the bale reaches its maximum diameter. A device for forming bales with a spatially defined path during the first stage of forming bales during the next stage of forming bales can be transferred to another path-independent, determined by the diameter of the formed bale, until the set diameter of the bale is reached. The set maximum diameter value of the bale can be selected by means of movable installation means. Upon reaching the selected bale diameter, a step of compacting the molded bale from outside to inside may be introduced. This device is also characterized by all of the above disadvantages.

An analysis of the prior art has shown that in almost all prior art round balers, the sealing force exerted on the coil is directed from its outer layers to the center. Moreover, increasing the density of the roll and uniformity of density in the volume of the roll is achieved only by complicating the design of the pressing chambers or preliminary grinding of the pressed mass.

Thus, all of the above devices are characterized by a significant complexity of the design to provide an increase in the density of the roll of plant mass, therefore, they cannot be considered as prototypes for the inventive device for pressing from the plant mass of high density rolls. As a prototype for the inventive device can be selected baler of the simplest design, containing a pressing chamber with a chain pressing mechanism and fixed side walls [4]. The method of setting the density of the coil of plant mass formed in the chamber of this baler, including the continuous supply of plant mass to the chamber of the bed and controlled movement of the bed in the pressing chamber along a predetermined path with layer-by-layer formation of the roll by rotation with compaction, can be selected as a prototype for the proposed method of increasing the density of the coil of plant mass. It should be noted that the simplicity of the design of the pressing chamber, as well as the simplicity of the process of forming the roll cannot provide rolls with high characteristics of density and uniformity of density throughout the volume.

The objective of the invention is to develop a method of increasing the density of the coil of plant mass formed in the pressing chamber, as well as a device for pressing from the plant mass of high density rolls without grinding. The device, as well as the method implemented with its help, should at the greatest possible simplicity provide a significant increase in the density of the coil of plant mass, uniformity of density throughout the volume of the roll, as well as a reduction in energy costs associated with an increase in density.

The problem is solved by the claimed method of increasing the density of a coil of plant mass formed in the pressing chamber of agricultural machinery, including the continuous supply of plant mass into the chamber of the bed and controlled movement of the bed in the pressing chamber along a predetermined path with layer-by-layer roll formation by rotation with compaction. The problem is solved due to the fact that when filling a given volume of the pressing chamber, the layers located in the center of the roll are stopped, while continuing to feed the plant mass into the pressing chamber, with the formation of additional outer layers due to the shift in the rotating volume of the roll of the previously formed layers from the central to external until the final volume of the pressing chamber is filled, in which there is no roll rotation in all layers.

Thus, the proposed method is based on an unexpected approach to the direction of compaction of the layers of the roll. While in traditional methods the sealing effect is always directed from the outer layers to the inner ones, which does not allow for maximum compaction of the inner, especially the central layers, in the inventive method, the compaction begins from the most problematic zone - from the center. So, when the central layers stop and the outer layers rotate between adjacent layers, starting from the central ones, shear stresses arise, due to which the outer of two adjacent layers shift, leading to compaction. Upon reaching a certain maximum density in these adjacent layers, the shear stress between them takes a zero value, and shear stresses occur in the following adjacent layers, etc., up to the outermost layer.

The problem is also solved by the claimed device for pressing from the plant mass of high density rolls, made in the form of a pressing chamber with a chain pressing mechanism and fixed side walls. The problem is solved due to the fact that on the side of each side wall in the zone of the center of rotation of the roll there are at least two locking elements uniformly distributed around the center of rotation of the roll and installed with the possibility of controlled synchronous extension into the chamber in the direction of the center of the roll and return to the starting position outside the chamber, and the locking elements on both side walls are symmetrically relative to the vertical transverse plane of the section of the chamber, and the magnitude of the extension is not n two thirds of the distance between the side walls of the chamber.

The proposed design is slightly complicated in comparison with traditional ones, since

- 2 034402 holds elements that are simple in their design and manufacturing technology, which perform only reciprocating movement, which can be controlled using standard baler systems, for example, using hydraulic cylinders connected to the hydraulic system of the pressing chamber. The claimed design also does not require additional energy consumption for compaction, since the stopping of the central layers is ensured by simple mechanical locking (energy consumption is only for the extension of the locking elements), in contrast to the significant energy consumption for the drive of the pressing mechanism in the prepress mode, which should provide significant pulling forces .

In preferred embodiments of the inventive device, a pair of locking elements may be arranged on the side of each side wall, with each locking element being made in the form of a rod with a pointed end or plate. As a rule, two locking points are enough to stop the central layers, but, depending on the specific form of implementation in the design, a larger number of locking elements may be provided.

Also preferred are the above-mentioned forms of implementation, in which the locking elements are configured to control their position by means of a hydraulic cylinder associated with the hydraulic system of the chamber.

The above-mentioned and other advantages and advantages of the inventive method for increasing the density of a roll of plant mass and a device for pressing high-density rolls from plant mass will be considered further on the example of some preferred, but not limiting forms of their implementation with reference to the positions of the figures of the drawings, which are schematically represented:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through a press device from a plant mass of high density rolls made in the form of a press chamber;

FIG. 2 is a section along line AA of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a roll seal.

In FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal section, FIG. 2 is a section along line AA, and in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a pressing device from plant mass of high density rolls made in the form of a pressing chamber 1 with a chain pressing mechanism 2 (shown schematically in FIG. 4) and fixed side walls 3 (see FIG. 2). On the side of each side wall 3 in the zone of the center of rotation 4 of the roll 5 are located, for the considered form of implementation, two locking elements made in the form of rods 6 with a pointed end. The rods 6 are evenly distributed around the center of rotation 4 of the roll 5 and are installed with the possibility of controlled synchronous extension into the chamber 1 in the direction of the center 4 of the roll 5 and return to the initial position (indicated in Fig. 2 without hatching) outside the chamber 1. The locking rods 6 on both the side walls 3 are located symmetrically relative to the vertical transverse plane 7 of the section of the chamber 1. The magnitude of the extension does not exceed two-thirds of the distance H (see Fig. 3) between the side walls 3 of the chamber 1. The locking rods 6 are made with the possibility control their position by means of a hydraulic cylinder 8 associated with the hydraulic system 9 of the chamber 1.

In FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the sealing of a roll 5. Radial arrows 10 indicate the direction of shift of the layers of the roll when the stop rods 6 are extended into the chamber 1 (the rods 6 are in the position shown in FIG. 3). The areas from which the compaction begins, located around the center of rotation 4 of the roll 5, are indicated by a darker shade. As already mentioned above, the pressing mechanism is indicated by position 2. Position 11 denotes a layer of plant mass supplied to the pressing chamber 1.

The inventive method of increasing the density of a coil of plant mass formed in the pressing chamber is implemented using the inventive device for pressing from the plant mass of high density rolls as follows.

The process of forming a roll 5 in the pressing chamber 1 begins in the traditional way, when a plant mass layer 11 is continuously fed into the chamber 1, the controlled movement of which in the pressing chamber 1 along a predetermined path is carried out using the pressing mechanism 2. As a result of this movement, the pressing chamber 1 is layered a roll 5 is formed by rotating it with a seal until the predetermined volume of the pressing chamber 1 is filled. Typically, various sensors are used to determine the achievement of a given volume, well known to those skilled in the art. Upon reaching a predetermined volume (upon receipt of the corresponding sensor signal, which is not shown in the drawings), the hydraulic cylinder 8 is turned on, connected to the hydraulic system 9 of the pressing chamber 1 and the locking rods 6 located on the side of both side walls 3 synchronously extend into the pressing chamber 1 in the direction the center 4 of rotation of the roll 5. When the locking rods 6 are extended into the pressing chamber 1, the layers located in the center 4 of the roll 5 are stopped. Thus in the chamber 1 pressing continues the flow of the reservoir 11 of the plant mass. In the rotating volume of the roll 5, starting from the central layers, shifts in the layers occur, due to which the density of the roll 5 increases (starting from the central region). Due to the shift of the previously formed layers in the direction from the central to the outer, additional outer

- 3,034,402 layers. The described process continues until the final volume of the pressing chamber 1 is filled, in which there is no rotation of the roll 5 and no shifts in all layers, which is determined by the readings of the corresponding sensors. After completion of the formation of the roll 5 of plant mass of increased density, the signal from the sensor feeds the formation 11 into the pressing chamber 1, and the hydraulic actuator 8 puts the locking rods 6 in the initial position (outside the pressing chamber 1). The roll is tied, packaged and unloaded.

The process of forming the next roll 5 of increased density is repeated again as described above.

Due to the fact that during the compaction process the compaction begins precisely from the central layers and sequentially moves to the outer layers, a high and constant density of the roll 5 is guaranteed throughout the entire volume of the roll 5.

The above examples of the implementation of the proposed method for increasing the density of a coil of plant mass formed in the pressing chamber, as well as the inventive device for pressing from the plant mass of high density rolls, do not limit the claimed claims, but only illustrate and confirm the possibility of a density control (increasing density) of the formed roll of plant mass throughout its volume. Moreover, the inventive method allows to significantly simplify the design of the pick-up by eliminating complex components and parts from its composition that have low reliability and / or durability, and also does not require increasing energy consumption for the compaction process, which significantly increases the overall performance of the baler and guarantees trouble-free work in the normal mode for the entire period of the cleaning company.

Sources of information.

1. International application PCT / BY03 / 0015 of 11/17/2003, publ. WO 2005/046308 05/26/2005.

2. Patent EA No. 006669B1, publ. 02.24.2006.

3. Patent EP No. 1595438 B1, publ. 12/31/2008.

4. A.V. Klochkov, N.V. Chaychits, V.P. Buyashov, Agricultural machines, Minsk: Urajay, 1997, p. 290, 291.

Claims (4)

1. A method of increasing the density of a roll of plant mass formed in the pressing chamber of agricultural machinery, comprising continuously feeding the bed of plant mass into the pressing chamber of the bed and controlled movement of the bed in the pressing chamber along a predetermined path with layer-by-layer roll formation by rotation with compaction, characterized in that when filling a predetermined volume of the pressing chamber, the layers located in the center of the roll are stopped, while continuing to feed the plant mass into the pressing chamber, with the formation of additional outer layers due to a shift in the rotating volume of the roll of previously formed layers in the direction from the central to the outer to fill the final volume of the pressing chamber, in which the rotation of the roll and shears in all layers are absent. 2. The pressing device from the plant mass of high density rolls, made in the form of a pressing chamber with a chain pressing mechanism and fixed side walls, characterized in that at least two stop elements are arranged uniformly around each side of the side of the roll center of rotation of the roll the center of rotation of the roll and installed with the possibility of controlled synchronous extension into the pressing chamber in the direction of the center of the roll and return to its original position outside the chamber s compression, the locking members on both side walls located symmetrically about a vertical transverse plane of the compression chamber section, and the value does not exceed the extension two thirds of the distance between the side walls of the baling chamber. 3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that on the side of each side wall there is a pair of locking elements, with each locking element made in the form of a rod with a pointed end or plate. 4. The device according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the locking elements are configured to control their position by means of a hydraulic cylinder associated with the hydraulic system of the pressing chamber.