Baler and method and apparatus for determining uniformity of the density of a round bale
A belt baler comprises a first part and a second part housing belts defining a variable diameter bale chamber. The second part is pivotally coupled to the first part from a closed state for forming a bale and an open state for discharge of a bale from the bale chamber. A pair of retaining devices on respective opposite sides of the baler comprise latches on the first part engageable with corresponding latch pins on the second part for retaining the second part in the closed state. Load sensors coupled to the respective latch pins produce signals indicative of the forces induced in the respective retaining devices resulting from the pressure being applied by a bale in the bale chamber. The uniformity of the density of the bale across the axial length thereof is determined from the signals read from the load sensors.
1 . A method for determining uniformity of a density of a round bale across an axial length of the bale during formation of the bale by a baler, wherein the baler comprises:
a first part and a second part comprising a pressing means defining a bale chamber and for rotating and pressing the bale therein,
the second part being moveable relative to the first part between
a closed state with the pressing means operable to rotate and press a bale, and
an open state for discharging the formed bale from the bale chamber,
two retaining devices for releasably retaining the second part in the closed state, the retaining devices being spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the bale chamber, each retaining device comprising:
a receiver comprising a latch pin extending from one of the first and second parts of the baler, the latch pin of each receiver extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and being secured to the one of the first and second parts adjacent the proximal end thereof, and projecting therefrom to the distal end, and
a latch coupled to the other one of the first and second parts of the baler and being releasably engageable with the latch pin of the corresponding retaining device for releasably retaining the second part in the closed state,
the method comprising:
monitoring a characteristic indicative of the forces induced in the respective retaining devices when the latches are engaged with the corresponding latch pins retaining the second part in the closed state by monitoring a characteristic indicative of the deflections of the latch pins of the respective retaining devices at a location spaced apart from the proximal ends thereof, and
determining the uniformity of the density of the bale across the axial length thereof as a function of the monitored characteristic indicative of the deflections of the latch pins of the respective retaining devices.
2 . The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the uniformity of the density of the bale across the axial length thereof is determined as a function of the difference of the monitored characteristic indicative of the deflections of the latch pins of the respective retaining devices.
3 . The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the method further comprises producing an output signal, the output signal comprising a signal indicative of one or both of the uniformity and non-uniformity of the density of the bale across the axial length thereof.
4 . The method as claimed in claim 3 in which the output signal comprises a signal indicative of a direction of travel or a change in the direction of travel of the baler required to maintain uniformity of the density of the bale across the axial length thereof, or to correct for non-uniformity in the density of the bale across the axial length thereof.
5 . The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the characteristic indicative of the deflection of each latch pin at the location spaced apart from the proximal end thereof is determined by monitoring a characteristic of the force induced in a connecting system extending between and connecting the latch pin adjacent the location at which the deflection is to be monitored and an anchor location on the one of the first and second parts of the baler, from which the latch pin extends, and spaced apart from the latch pin.
6 . The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the characteristic indicative of the deflection of each latch pin is monitored adjacent the distal end of the latch pin.
7 . The method as claimed in claim 3 in which the output signal comprises a signal indicative of the densities of the bale adjacent the respective axial opposite ends thereof.
8 . The method as claimed in claim 4 in which the output signal is configured for applying to the baler or to a prime mover towing the baler for controlling the direction of travel of the baler or the prime mover for one of maintaining the density of the bale across the axial length thereof uniform, and correcting for non-uniformity of the density of the bale across the axial length thereof.
9 . A baler comprising:
a first part and a second part comprising a pressing means defining a bale chamber and for rotating and pressing a round bale during formation thereof in the bale chamber,
the second part being moveable relative to the first part and being operable between
a closed state with the pressing means operable to rotate and press a bale, and
an open state for discharging the bale from the bale chamber,
two retaining devices for releasably retaining the second part of the baler in the closed state, the retaining devices being spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the bale chamber, each retaining device comprising:
a receiver comprising a latch pin extending from one of the first and second parts of the baler, the latch pin of each receiver extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and being secured to the one of the first and second parts adjacent the proximal end thereof, and projecting therefrom to the distal end, and
a latch coupled to the other one of the first and second parts of the baler and being releasably engageable with the latch pin of the corresponding retaining device for releasably retaining the second part in the closed state,
a monitoring means for monitoring a characteristic indicative of the forces induced in the respective retaining devices when the latches are engaged with the corresponding receivers latch pins retaining the second part in the closed state by monitoring a characteristic indicative of the deflections of the latch pins of the respective retaining devices at a location spaced apart from the proximal ends thereof, and for producing signals indicative of the monitored characteristic indicative of the deflections of the latch pins of the respective retaining devices, and
a signal processor configured
to read the signals produced by the monitoring means indicative of the monitored characteristic indicative of deflections of the latch pins of the respective retaining devices, and
to determine uniformity of a density of the bale across an axial length thereof in response to the signals read from the monitoring means as a function of the monitored characteristic indicative of the deflections of the latch pins of the respective retaining devices.
10 . The baler as claimed in claim 9 in which the signal processor is configured to produce an output signal, the output signal comprising a signal indicative of one or both of the uniformity or the non-uniformity of the density of the bale across the axial length thereof.
11 . The baler as claimed in claim 10 in which the output signal produced by the signal processor comprises a control signal adapted for applying to the baler or to a prime mover towing the baler to control the direction of travel of the baler or the prime mover for maintaining the density of the bale across the axial length thereof uniform, or for correcting for non-uniformity of the density of the bale across the axial length thereof.
12 . The baler as claimed in claim 9 in which a connecting system is provided corresponding to each retaining device, each connecting system extending between and connecting the latch pin of the corresponding retaining device at the location adjacent which the deflection of the latch pin is to be monitored, to a corresponding anchor location in the one of the first and second parts of the baler from which that latch pin extends spaced apart from that latch pin, and the monitoring means is configured to monitor a characteristic indicative of the forces induced in the connecting systems of the respective retaining devices in response to the deflections of the respective latch pins adjacent the locations thereof at which the deflections thereof are to be monitored.
13 . The baler as claimed in claim 12 in which the connecting system of each retaining device is connected to the corresponding latch pin adjacent the distal end of the latch pin.
14 . The baler as claimed in claim 10 in which the output signal produced by the signal processor comprises a signal indicative of the densities of the bale adjacent the respective axial opposite ends thereof.
15 . The baler as claimed in claim 10 in which the output signal produced by the signal processor comprises a signal indicative of the direction of travel, or a change in the direction of travel of the baler required to maintain the density of the bale uniform across the axial length thereof, or to correct for non-uniformity of the density of the bale across the axial length thereof.
16 . The baler as claimed in claim 11 in which the control signal of the output signal produced by the signal processor is adapted for applying to a steering system of the baler or a steering system of the prime mover for steering the baler or the prime mover.