Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
EMERGENCY STOP DEVICE, BALE WRAPPING DEVICE AND
HARVESTING APPLIANCE
Description
The present invention relates to an emergency stop device for a bale wrapping
device, having
at least one actuating arm which is intended to be assignable to at least one
wrapping arm
of the bale wrapping device in a manner running ahead and which, upon contact
with an
obstacle, can activate and/or deactivate at least one function of the bale
wrapping device, in
particular a drive of the wrapping arm, to a bale wrapping device for
enveloping a preferably
round cylindrical bale with an enveloping material, having a frame and at
least one wrapping
arm attached to the frame in a pivotable manner, the wrapping arm preferably
being able to
run at least regionally around a bale to be wrapped, and to a harvesting
appliance having a
bale wrapping device.
Known emergency stop devices for bale wrapping devices have what are known as
actuating
arms, which usually run ahead of wrapping arms of the bale wrapping devices in
such a way
that they interrupt a drive of the wrapping arms or stop the wrapping arms
when at least one
of the actuating arms running ahead meets an obstacle. The obstacle can be a
person or an
animal who/which is intended to be protected from possible injury by the
wrapping arms being
stopped as promptly as possible. If the actuating arm meets an object,
stopping of the
wrapping arms can prevent damage to the wrapping arms, or to the bale wrapping
device.
Such emergency stop devices, or bale wrapping devices, can be employed on
harvesting
appliances, which are frequently balers which are used both in the
agricultural and in the
industrial sector. Corresponding agricultural balers serve for example to form
bales of
harvested material, for example of the round bale type, and frequently produce
at least
substantially round cylindrical bales of harvested material, for example of
the straw, hay,
chopped material, etc. type. After a bale has been formed, it is enveloped in
a film or net
material, to which end use is made of what is known as a bale wrapping device,
which can
be attached to the harvesting appliance or form an integral, fixed or
detachable constituent
of the harvesting appliance, of a baler or of a baling/wrapping combination,
in particular of
the type known as a combination baler.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-06
Known emergency stop devices for wrapping devices are adapted to the path of
the
enveloping means and are preferably arranged such that they do not impede the
wrapping
operation as far as possible and allow the enveloping material to be severed
in an unimpeded
manner at the end of the wrapping operation. In particular at greater wrapping
speeds, in
order to ensure that the wrapping arms are stopped in good time, it may be
necessary to
position the actuating arm such that it impedes severing of the enveloping
material and/or
ejection of the enveloped bale and optionally makes it necessary to reposition
the bale
wrapping device or a harvesting appliance bearing the bale wrapping device.
The problem underlying the invention is considered that of specifying an
emergency stop
device, a bale wrapping device and/or a harvesting appliance of the type
mentioned at the
beginning, by way of which the abovementioned disadvantages are overcome.
An emergency stop device for a bale wrapping device has at least one actuating
arm which
is intended to be assignable to at least one wrapping arm of the bale wrapping
device in a
manner running ahead. Upon contact of the actuating arm with an obstacle, the
emergency
stop device can activate and/or deactivate at least one function of the bale
wrapping device,
in particular a drive of the wrapping arm. If the position of the actuating
arm is configured to
be variable, or is settable in a variable manner, with respect to the wrapping
arm, this position
and thus the situation in which the at least one function is able to be
activated/deactivated by
means of the actuating arm can be adapted to the particular requirements or
conditions.
It is particularly advantageous when the position of the actuating arm is
settable depending
on a variable predetermined by the bale wrapping device, for example a speed
of movement
or speed of rotation of the wrapping arms. In this way, the activation and/or
deactivation can
be settable in particular depending for example on the speed of movement or
speed of
rotation of the wrapping arms. It is in particular advantageous when the
position is selectable
such that the actuating arm runs ahead of the wrapping arm to a greater extent
at a higher
speed of movement or rotation of the wrapping arm than at a lower speed.
However, provision
can also be made for the position to be able to be determined independently
thereof or
additionally depending on whether the bale wrapping device is in operation
and/or is moving
with respect to the ground, and the wrapping arms are in rotation.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-06
Provision can be made for the position of the actuating arm with respect to
the wrapping arm
to be intended to be settable manually, in particular by an operator, for
example before work
starts. However, the position can also be changed or adjusted by an operator
in the event of
changing requirements and/or during operation/the wrapping process. The
position can also
be intended to be automatically changeable, in particular settable and/or
adjustable,
however.
The position can be determined purely manually, for example by releasing a
fastener of the
actuating arm, for example by releasing a screwed connection, changing the
position and
refastening the actuating arm, for example by tightening a screwed connection.
However, if
the position is determined by a control device, in particular an operator can
have a direct or
indirect influence by actuating for example a corresponding setting means
provided in a cabin
of a towing vehicle or of a self-propelled harvesting machine or on the
harvesting machine or
wrapping device. The setting means can act electrically, hydraulically,
pneumatically or
mechanically, for example via a push-pull cable. The control device can also
be actuated
automatically, however, for example by an electronic control and/or regulating
device, for
example including by an electronic control and/or regulating device of a
harvesting machine
or of a towing machine. However, a configuration is also conceivable in which
the position of
the actuating arm is configured to be determinable purely by the effect of
centrifugal force or
in combination with a control device.
Positioning can take place via an actuator which is able to be actively
connected to the
actuating arm directly or indirectly at one end. The actuator can be moved for
example
hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically or purely mechanically or manually
and be
configured in the form of a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, an
electric motor, for
example a servomotor, a spindle drive, a push-pull cable or in any other
suitable manner. If
the actuator is able to be connected directly or indirectly to the wrapping
arm at the other
end, the position of the actuating arm can be determined depending on a
position of the
wrapping arm.
The position can be defined by a spacing and/or an angle between the actuating
arm and the
wrapping arm, in particular depending on the type of attachment of the
actuating arm.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-06
The actuating arm can be provided on the wrapping device or harvesting machine
independently of the wrapping arm. However, if it is attachable to the
wrapping arm, it can be
moved together therewith. Preferably, the actuating arm is attached or able to
be attached to
the wrapping arm in a pivotable manner. However, it is also conceivable to
attach the
actuating arm to the wrapping arm in a displaceable or other suitable manner.
A described emergency stop device can be used on a bale wrapping device for
enveloping a
preferably round cylindrical bale with an enveloping material, having a frame
and at least one
wrapping arm attached to the frame in a pivotable or rotatable manner, the
wrapping arm
being able to run at least regionally around a bale to be wrapped. Such a bale
wrapping
device can also have two or more emergency stop devices and/or an emergency
stop device
can have one or more actuating arms. A bale wrapping device can have one, two
or more
wrapping arms, which can move and/or be moved or driven independently of one
another, in
a manner dependent on one another and/or together with one another or jointly.
Provision
can be made for each wrapping arm to be assigned an actuating arm. However, it
is also
possible for an actuating arm assigned to several wrapping arms to be
provided. It is also
conceivable for at least one one-part wrapping arm to be provided with two or
more end
regions that bear enveloping material, wherein again one, two or more
actuating arms can
be assigned to said wrapping arm. A bale wrapping device can be provided on a
harvesting
appliance, be attached to such a harvesting appliance connected thereto or
arranged
downstream thereof, for example also be pulled by a harvesting appliance or
some other
towing vehicle. A bale wrapping device can also be configured in a self-
propelled manner,
however.
A described bale wrapping device can be provided on a harvesting appliance.
Such
harvesting appliances are frequently balers which are used both in the
agricultural and the
industrial sector. Corresponding agricultural balers serve for example to form
bales of
harvested material, for example of the round bale type, and frequently produce
at least
substantially round cylindrical bales of harvested material, for example of
the straw, hay,
chopped material, etc. type. After a bale has been formed, it is enveloped in
a film or net
material, to which end use is made of what is known as a bale wrapping device,
which can
be attached to the harvesting appliance or form an integral, fixed or
detachable constituent
of the harvesting appliance, of a baler or of a baling/wrapping combination,
in particular of
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-06
the type known as a combination baler. Use is also possible on a baler for
producing cuboidal
bales or bales of some other shape.
The invention and further advantages and advantageous developments of the
invention and
configurations of the invention are explained and described in more detail in
the following text
with reference to the drawing, which shows an exemplary embodiment of the
invention and
in which:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a harvesting appliance having a
wrapping
device and an emergency stop device having an actuating arm,
Fig. 2 shows a simplified three-dimensional illustration of a wrapping
arm with an
actuating arm,
Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of the emergency stop device having an
actuating
arm as seen from above,
Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of an emergency stop device in an
illustration as
per fig. 3, and
Fig. 5 shows an actuating arm of an emergency stop device in various
positions.
Figure 1 shows a harvesting appliance 10 in the form of a baler configured as
a round baler
having a downstream bale wrapping device 12. In the exemplary embodiment
shown, the
harvesting appliance 10 has a frame 14, a chassis 16, a baling chamber 18 and
a feeding
apparatus 20. Also provided is a drawbar 22 by means of which the harvesting
appliance 10
is able to be hooked up to a towing vehicle (not shown) for example an
agricultural working
machine or tractor. The harvesting appliance 10 can in principle be of any
conventional
structural type. According to the figures, the harvesting appliance 10 is a
round baler. Such
an appliance can have for example a fixed or variable baling chamber and be
used both in
agriculture and in the industrial sector. Preferably, the baler 10 is of the
structural type
according to German patent application DE 101 53 540.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-06
The frame 14 is formed by a welded and/or screwed assembly and is supported on
the
ground by means of the chassis 16. The chassis 16 is illustrated in the
drawing in a tandem
axle design with two axles 24, each of which is provided on each side with a
wheel 26. A
configuration with only one axle or with support by means of crawlers or other
suitable means
is also conceivable.
The bale wrapping device 12 has a frame 30, a wrapping table or receiving
apparatus 32 for
receiving the bale 34 to be enveloped, and wrapping arms 36 which can be set
in motion
about an axis A by means of a suitable drive (not shown) in order to envelop
the bale 34 with
an enveloping material 38, for example a film, and an emergency stop device
40.
The emergency stop device 40 has actuating arms 42 which are each assigned to
the
wrapping arms 36. Lower end regions 44 of the actuating arms 42 extend
substantially
parallel to the actuating arms 42. In figure 2, to which reference is likewise
made here, a
wrapping arm 36 with the assigned actuating arm 42 is illustrated in more
detail. In the upper
end regions 46 located opposite the lower end regions 44, the actuating arms
42 are
connected to the wrapping arms 36 in a pivotable manner via a joint 48 such
that they run
ahead of the wrapping arms 36 in operation. The lower end regions 44 are each
provided
with a covering 50 made of damping material, for example foam. However, this
is not
absolutely necessary.
According to the illustrations in figures 3 and 4, the emergency stop device
40 has a switching
device 52 and an actuating device 54. The switching device 52 has a tensioning
means 56
which acts on or is attached to the wrapping arm 36 at one end and the
actuating arm 42 at
the other end. The tensioning means 56 is configured in the form of a
mechanical tension
spring, although other configurations of tensioning elements are perfectly
possible.
The emergency stop device 40 and the actuating arm 42 cooperate in a known
manner with
a switching means (not shown), for example a switch that opens or
correspondingly closes
an electrical circuit, a sensor that interacts with a control or regulating
device, or with suitable
mechanical means, such that in the event that the actuating arm 42 is pivoted
counter to the
action of the tensioning means 56, in particular upon striking an obstacle, an
emergency stop
of the rotating wrapping arms 36 is executed. As a result of an emergency
stop, in particular
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-06
the driving of the wrapping arms 36 is suppressed, and
furthermore/alternatively, a braking
device (not shown) for the wrapping arms 36 can be activated and/or further
functions of the
wrapping device 12, a harvesting appliance 10 bearing the wrapping device 12
and/or a
towing machine (not shown) can be suppressed and/or activated/triggered.
The actuating device 54 has an actuator 58 in the form of a hydraulic
cylinder, which can be
driven or accordingly charged with hydraulic fluid such that an angle a
enclosed between the
wrapping arm 36 and the actuating arm 42 and/or a spacing D between the
wrapping arm 36
and the actuating arm 42, or the lower end region 44 thereof, is variable.
Reference is now made again to figure 3, according to the illustration of
which a pivot lever
60 is provided which is connected in a pivotable manner to the joint 48 in a
central region 62.
In a region 64, remote from the axis A, of the pivot lever 60, a further joint
66 is provided,
about which the actuating arm 42 is again connected to the pivot lever 60 in a
pivotable
manner. The actuator 58 acts on a region 68, facing the axis A, of the pivot
lever 60 such that
it can pivot the pivot lever 60 and thus also the actuating arm 42, connected
to the pivot lever
60 via the joint 66, about the joint 48.
Reference is now made to figure 4, in which the reference signs in figure 3
have been adopted
in a corresponding manner given the same configuration. If the embodiment
differs from the
illustration shown in figure 3, an a is added to the reference signs.
According to the illustration
in figure 4, an actuator 58a of an actuating device 54 acts on the wrapping
arm 36 at one
end. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 4, the actuator 58a acts on the
wrapping arm next
to the axis A and, as seen from above, beneath a drive for the wrapping arms
36. At the other
end, the actuator 58a acts directly on a tensioning means 56a of the switching
device 52a.
The tensioning means 56a, likewise configured as a tension spring, again acts
on the
actuating arm 42 connected to the wrapping arm 36 via a joint 48a.
The actuating devices 54 according to figures 3 and 4 are each actively
connected to a control
device 70. The control device 70 cooperates with the actuator 58, for example
by being
charged in a corresponding manner with hydraulic oil, such that the angle a
enclosed
between the unactuated actuating arm 42 and the wrapping arm 36 and the
spacing D
between the lower end region 46 of the unactuated actuating arm 42 and the
wrapping arm
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-06
36 can be controlled and/or regulated thereby in particular in a state of the
actuating arm 42
in which it is not actuated by the control device 70. However, the actuator
can also be
configured in the form of a mechanical connection, for example as a lever or
linkage
connection, as a push-pull cable, a spindle drive, an electrical drive, for
example of the
servomotor type or in any other suitable way. Actuation or regulation can take
place
automatically or manually.
Generally, in operation, a bale 34 is delivered by the harvesting appliance 10
after the end
of the baling operation and is transferred to the bale wrapping device 12 by
means of known
means that are not illustrated in more detail. After the bale 34 has been
received by the
receiving device 32, the bale 34 is enveloped with enveloping material 38 by
means of the
wrapping arms 36.
While the bale 34 is being enveloped with enveloping material 38, the
actuating arms 42 run
ahead of the wrapping arms 36. If one of the actuating arms 42 comes into
contact with an
obstacle, for example with a person or an animal, who/which could be injured
by the wrapping
arms 42, or with an object, for example an object which could result in damage
to the bale
wrapping device 12, the harvesting appliance 10 or one or more constituents of
the bale
wrapping device 12 and/or of the harvesting appliance 10, the actuating arm 42
pivots counter
to the action of the tensioning means 56, 56a and deactivates at least one
function of the
bale wrapping device 12 or of the harvesting appliance 10, in particular the
driving of the
wrapping arms 42, and activates preferably a braking device in order to brake
the wrapping
arms 36, or the movement thereof in rotation.
The spacing D or the angle a are intended to be adjustable or settable in
order for it to be
possible to adjust, set or adapt a delay between the actuating arm(s) 42
striking an obstacle
of the person, animal and/or object type, in particular given different speeds
(of rotation). If
the wrapping device 12 or the wrapping arms 36 thereof is/are moving or
rotating at a greater
speed, the spacing D or the angle a can be increased, and reduced in the case
of a lower
speed. To this end, reference is now made to figure 5, in which the actuating
arm is shown
in correspondingly different positions with spacings D'; D", Dm, Dm', D"' and
angles a', a",
a", a", a ................................................................ of
different sizes. Provision can be made for the actuating arm 42 to be retained
permanently in its respective position but it is also conceivable for the
actuating arm 42 to
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-06
take up a rest position in which it bears for example closely against the
wrapping arm 36
when the bale wrapping device 12 is not in operation and/or when the bale
wrapping
operation is intended to be concluded, the enveloping material severed and/or
the bale
delivered from the bale wrapping device 12 or from the harvesting appliance
10.
It is also conceivable, as per the simplified illustration in figure 5, for no
control device to be
provided, such that the actuating arm 42 is configured such that, on account
of the effect of
a centrifugal force, it takes up a position that is predetermined with respect
to the wrapping
arm 36 or is determined by the intensity of the centrifugal force occurring.
To this end, the
actuating arm 42 can cooperate for example with a suitable tensioning or
spring means, for
example in that it is pretensioned counter to the effect of the centrifugal
force by the
tensioning or spring means.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-06-06
