NL2017531B1

NL2017531B1 - Apparatus and method for forming and ejecting a bale depending on a ramp sensor

Info

Publication number: NL2017531B1
Application number: NL2017531A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Jacobus Reijersen Van Buuren Willem
Original assignee: Lely Patent Nv
Priority date: 2016-09-26
Filing date: 2016-09-26
Publication date: 2018-04-04

Abstract

The invention refers to a bale forming apparatus (1) and a bale forming method. A bale forming device (10, 28.2, 28.2) forms a bale (B) in a provided bale forming chamber. A discharge gate actuator (35) moves a discharge gate (43) from a closed position into an opened position. The formed bale (B) is ejected out of the bale forming chamber and drops onto a ramp (10). A ramp sensor (12) detects the dropping event that the bale (B) drops onto the ramp (10). The detection of a dropping event triggers the step that the discharge gate actuator (35) terminates the movement of the discharge gate (43) away from the closed position.

Description

Apparatus and method for forming and ejecting a bale depending on a ramp sensor FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention refers to a bale forming apparatus and to a bale forming method for forming a bale from loose material, in particular a round-cylindrical bale from agricultural crop material, and for ejecting the formed bale.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

After having formed a round bale, a round baler opens a tailgate and ejects the formed bale. Several proposals how to do so have been made. US 7331279 B2 discloses a round baling press 10 which forms cylindrical bales 24 in a press chamber 22. A rear door 26 can pivot around a horizontal axis 28 with respect to the front housing. A hydraulic actuator 30 can pivot the rear door 26 upwards against the force of gravity such that a formed bale 24 can be ejected out of the press chamber 22. A sensor arrangement with three different sensors 38, 42, 44can record the actual position of the rear door 26. A rotary potentiometer 38 records the rotational angle of the door 26 around the axis 28. An ultrasonic range sensor 42 measures the distance between the lower end of the rear door 26 and the ground. A flow sensor 44 measures the hydraulic fluid which flows into or out of the hydraulic chamber of the actuator 30. An electronic control 46 receives signals from the sensor arrangement 38, 42, 44. The electronic control 46 regulates the opening of the rear door 26 by the actuator 30. In one implementation the rear door 26 moves slowly at the beginning of the opening movement, relatively quickly in the middle, and relatively slowly towards the end of the opening movement. In one implementation a bale size sensor 103 continuously senses the size of the bale 24. The actuator 30 opens the door 26 depending on the measured bale size. EP 1444882 A2 discloses a round baler (Rundballenpresse) with a stationary front housing (Vordergehause 5) and a pivotal rear housing (Hintergehause 9). The rear housing 9 can pivot with respect to the front housing 5 by means of a pivoting bearing (Schwenklager 8). Two single acting hydraulic cylinders 14 can move the rear housing 9 with respect to the front housing 5 from a closed position 13 via an intermediate position 12 towards a fully open position 10. A control valve (Steuerventil 18) operates as a throttle valve and decelerates the rear housing 9 shortly before the moved rear housing 9 reaches the fully open position 10 or the fully closed position 13. In an alternative implementation two double acting hydraulic cylinders 23 are used. Two sensors 16, 17 measure the current position of the piston of the cylinder 13 and therefore a value indicative of the position of the rear housing 9. A control unit 33 receives signals from the sensors 16, 17. Depending on the sensor signals the control unit 33 decelerates the movement of the rear housing 9 by controlling a control valve 34. In one implementation the following further sensors are implemented: a rotary potentiometer (Drehpotentiometer 39) which measures the position of the rear housing 9 with respect to the front housing 5, a pressure sensor (Drucksensor 40) which measures the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in a line guiding to the rear housing actuator, a sensor 41 which measures that a severing device for wrapping material is actuated, and a sensor 43 in a pivotal ramp (Ballenabrolleinrichtung 44) which detects the event that the round bale has left the pivoting area of the rear housing 9 and the situation that the rear housing 9 can be lowered downwards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A problem solved by the invention is to provide a bale forming apparatus with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a bale forming method with the features of the preamble of claim 8 wherein it is not necessary that the discharge gate is moved into the fully opened position for every bale and wherein it is further not necessary to control the process of opening the discharge gate depending on a bale dimension ora measured current position of the moved discharge gate.

This problem is solved by a bale forming apparatus with the features of claim 1 and by a bale forming method with the features of claim 8. Preferred embodiments are specified in the depending claims.

The bale forming apparatus according to the invention comprises a bale forming device, a discharge gate, a discharge gate actuator, a ramp, and a ramp sensor.

The bale forming device provides a bale forming chamber and can form a bale in the provided bale forming chamber.

The discharge gate can be pivoted between a closed position and a fully opened position. The discharge gate actuator can move the discharge gate from the closed position into an opened position. This opened position is taken from a set of different possible opened positions. Every possible opened position is either the fully opened position or an intermediate position between the closed and the fully opened position.

The bale forming apparatus can eject a formed bale out of the bale forming chamber while or after the discharge gate is moved into an opened position.

The ramp is positioned vertically or angularly below the discharge gate at least when the discharge gate is in an opened position. An ejected bale drops onto the ramp. The ramp sensor can detect the dropping event that a bale drops onto the ramp. The detection of a dropping event triggers the step that the discharge gate actuator terminates the movement of the discharge gate away from the closed position.

The bale forming method according to the invention comprises the corresponding steps. The opened position which is taken when a bale is ejected depends on the dropping event for this bale.

ADVANTAGES

According to the invention an ejected bale drops onto the ramp. The ramp decelerates the movement of the ejected bale towards the ground and guides the ejected bale away from the baler.

The dropping event is automatically detected and triggers the step that the discharge gate actuator terminates the discharge gate movement. Thanks to this feature the tailgate is often only opened as much as necessary. After the bale drops onto the ramp and the ramp sensor detects the dropping event, it is not necessary to move the discharge gate further away from the closed position. The bale has already entirely left the bale forming chamber. Therefore the movement can now be terminated without the risk that the ejected bale hits the discharge gate. In many cases the movement of the discharge gate is stopped as triggered by the dropping event before the discharge gate reaches the fully opened position. In particular in the case that the bale is significantly smaller than a bale with a maximal possible dimension the movement of the discharge gate is terminated significantly before it reaches the fully opened position.

The feature that the discharge gate movement is terminated triggered by the dropping event that the bale drops onto the ramp has the effect that the discharge gate is opened only to that extent which is required for securely removing the entire bale out of the bale forming chamber. As the discharge gate is moved over a shorter distance - compared with movement into fully opened position - time for ejecting the bale and energy for moving the tailgate are saved. The throughput through the baler is increased.

It is possible that the bale forming apparatus comprises a bale size sensor. In the case of a round baler with a bale forming chamber of variable size this bale size sensor measures the bale diameter. Such a bale size sensor is in particular used for comparing the actual size of the bale in the bale forming chamber with a given required bale size while the bale is formed. The formation of the bale is completed if the required bale size is reached and at least one surface of the bale is wrapped in the chamber. It is also possible that the discharge gate actuator operates depending on signals from the bale size sensor. But thanks to the invention such a bale size sensor is not required for controlling the movement of the discharge gate.

It is further possible that a gate position sensor measures the current position of the discharge gate while the discharge gate is moved. But thanks to the invention the discharge gate is opened only to the required amount without the need of using a position sensor for the discharge gate. Therefore the invention saves the need of a gate position sensor.

It is possible that the movement of the bale from the bale forming chamber onto the ramp depends on external conditions, e.g. the inclination of the baler or on the weight or size or specific weight of the bale or on the friction between the bale and the discharge gate.

Thanks to the feature that the dropping event triggers the movement termination for the discharge gate movement it is possible but not necessary to provide a sensor for an external condition or for the bale weight or size. According to the invention the tailgate movement is terminated when the bale actually drops onto the ramp.

Often the invention can be implemented on board of an existing bale forming apparatus. Typically such a bale forming apparatus comprises a bale forming device, a pivotal discharge gate, a discharge gate actuator, a bale ramp and a control unit which is arranged for controlling the discharge gate and further baler parts and for executing control software. If not already implemented, only the ramp sensor needs to be added to the existing bale forming apparatus. In addition the control software has to be adapted to make the bale forming apparatus operating according to the invention. Therefore the invention can be implemented on the existing bale forming apparatus with a relatively small amount of work, often purely by amending the control software.

PREFERED EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment the ramp comprises a pivotal ramp part. A biasing member tends to pivot the ramp part into a raised position. The ejected bale pivots the ramp part into a lowered position against the force of the biasing member. The ramp sensor detects at least one of the events that the ramp part is in the raised position or in the lowered position or in an intermediate position. If the ramp sensor detects that the ramp part is in the lowered or intermediate position and/or does not detect that the ramp part is in the raised position, the ramp sensor has detected the dropping event.

In one implementation the ramp sensor can detect both final positions. The dropping event is detected if the ramp sensor detects that the ramp part is in the lowered position and is not in the raised position. This implementation provides redundancy.

In one implementation the ramp sensor comprises a contact switch. The contact switch is actuated if the pivotal ramp part is in the lowered position. It is possible that a further contact switch is actuated if the ramp part is in the raised position.

In one embodiment the ramp comprises at least one movable part which comes in contact with the ejected bale, e.g. at least one idle roller. The ramp sensor detects the event that the or at least one part is moved with respect to the rest of the ramp, e.g. a roller is rotated or moved perpendicular to the roller axis. This event is a clue that a bale drops onto the ramp and moves the part.

It is possible that the discharge gate actuator moves the discharge gate close to the fully opened position and that no dropping event is detected before the discharge gate approaches the fully opened position. The reason may be that of the bale is very large, e.g. has the maximal possible dimension, or is not properly ejected or that the ramp sensor malfunctions. In one embodiment a decelerating device decelerates the discharge gate movement before the discharge gate reaches the fully opened position. Thereby end-position dampening is performed. The end-position dampening can be integrated into the discharge gate actuator or can be triggered by a sensor which detects that the discharge gate approaches the fully opened position. Thanks to the end-position dampening it is avoided that a heavy jerk causes mechanical stress to the discharge gate when the discharge gate reaches the fully opened position with high velocity.

In one embodiment the discharge gate actuator decelerates and thereby terminates the discharge gate movement immediately when the dropping event is detected. This embodiment saves time. In a further embodiment the discharge gate actuator starts to decelerate and thereby terminates the discharge gate movement after the dropping event it detected and a time span has passed. This event increases the reliability as the risk is further reduced that the ejected bale hits the discharge gate.

In one implementation the time span for the discharge gate actuator is given. In a further implementation this time span depends on an operational parameter which is measured during operation. This parameter can be a property of the bale, e.g. a bale dimension or the bale weight or the friction between bale and discharge gate. The parameter can also be an environmental characteristic, e.g. the current inclination of the bale forming apparatus. Preferably this inclination is the tilting angle of the bale forming apparatus with respect to a horizontal position around an axis wherein this axis is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the discharge gate. In the case of a bale forming apparatus implemented as a vehicle this inclination axis is preferably perpendicular to the travelling direction of the vehicle.

Preferably an electronic control unit receives signals from the ramp sensor and automatically generates control inputs for the discharge gate actuator. The control unit can be mounted on board of the bale forming apparatus itself or on board of a vehicle which is in data connection with the bale forming apparatus or is implemented on a mobile device, e.g. a smartphone.

The invention can be used on board of a round baler with a drum-shaped bale forming chamber. This bale forming chamber can have a variable size. The round baler can therefore subsequently form bales with different diameters. It is possible but not necessary that the discharge gate actuator moves the discharge gate depending on the measured or given bale diameter.

The round baler can also have a bale forming chamber with a fixed size, i.e. every formed round-cylindrical bale has the same diameter. Nevertheless the time period which passes between ejecting the bale and the dropping event may vary from bale to bale, e.g. due to different inclinations or friction values.

The baler can also be a square or cuboid baler with a pressing channel. The discharge gate may be a pivotal flap mounted at the end and at the top of the pressing channel. The ramp may be a shoot mounted at the bottom of the channel end. The bale forming apparatus can belong to a self-propelled or pulled vehicle which is moved over ground. The bale forming apparatus can also be implemented as a stationary device.

These and other aspects of the invention and of the preferred embodiment will be even more apparent from the detailed embodiment as described below and will be elucidated in detail there.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows in a cross section a first implementation of a round baler on board of which an embodiment of the invention is used;

Fig. 2 shows in a cross section a second implementation of a round baler on board of which an embodiment of the invention is used;

Fig. 3 shows a continuous round baler with an embodiment of the invention while a bale is formed;

Fig. 4 shows the continuous baler of Fig. 3 while the completed bale is wrapped;

Fig. 5 shows the continuous baler of Fig. 3 while the wrapped and ejected and bale rolls over the pivotal ramp downwards;

Fig. 6 shows a diagram with the tailgate velocity over the processing time with two different dropping events;

Fig. 7 shows a variation of the diagram of Fig. 6 wherein a time span passes between the dropping event and decelerating the tailgate movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

In the embodiments described below the invention is used on board of a round baler for agricultural purposes. This round baler is moved over ground in a travelling direction TD and operates as follows:

The round baler picks up or otherwise receives loose crop material (hay, straw, silage, e.g.).

The round baler conveys the received crop material through a feeding channel into a drum-shaped bale forming chamber surrounded and provided by a bale forming device.

Optionally the received crop material is cut while being conveyed through the feeding channel.

The received and cut crop material is injected into the drum-shaped bale forming chamber.

The bale forming device applies pressure onto the injected crop material and forms from the injected crop material a round-cylindrical bale in the bale forming chamber.

The circumferential surface of the round-cylindrical bale is wrapped into wrapping material (a net or plastic sheet or strands of twine e.g.). A pivotal tailgate is opened.

The wrapped bale is ejected out of the bale forming chamber.

The ejected bale rolls over a pivotal ramp onto the ground and is deposited on the ground.

Fig. 1 shows a first implementation of a round baler 1 on board of which the invention is implemented. Fig. 2 shows a second implementation of such a round baler 1. In both implementations the baler 1 is moved over ground in the travelling direction TD. The baler 1 of Fig. 1 and that of Fig. 2 comprises the following parts: a towing unit 27 for connecting the baler 1 with a pulling propelled vehicle, two ground-engaging wheels 4, a pick-up unit 5 with several spring-mounted pick-up tines, two pick-up guiding wheels for guiding the pick-up unit 5 over ground, a pivotal downholder unit 2 arranged above the pick-up unit 5, a conveying rotor 24 with several conveying stars which engage from above into the feeding channel, a sequence of knives 69 which engage from below into the feeding channel and which cooperate with the conveying rotor 24, two driven starter rollers 28.1, 28.2 which delimit the crop material inlet which guides into the bale forming chamber, an endless flexible pressing belt 30 or several parallel endless flexible pressing belts 30, a casing with a stationary front housing 59 and a pivotal tailgate 43, a tensioning device 32 for the pressing belt or belts 30 with an inner tensioning arm 32.1 and an outer tensioning arm 32.2, a hydraulic retaining device 34 for the tensioning device 32, two movable deflecting rollers 23.1, 23.2 mounted at the inner tensioning arm 32.1, several stationary guiding rollers 29.1,29.2, ... mounted at the front housing 59, several guiding rollers 26.1,26.2, ... mounted at the pivotal tailgate 43, a supply reel 40 with wrapping material, a wrapping material feeding roller 39, a severing device 38 for the wrapping material, a hydraulic tailgate actuator 35 with two single-acting piston-cylinder devices each comprising a cylinder 36 and a piston 37, a reservoir 42 with hydraulic fluid, a controllable electro-magnetic 3/3 proportional valve 50 for controlling the hydraulic flow into the hydraulic actuator 35, two hydraulic lines 51.1, 51.2 which connect the tailgate actuator 35 with the valve 50, a spring 68 which tends to close the tailgate 43, a ramp 10 with a pivotal ramp part 13 and a ramp spring 11, a ramp sensor 12, optionally a rotary potentiometer 52 measuring the position of the tailgate 43, optionally a sensor 53 for the severing device 38, optionally a pressure sensor 55 which measures the pressure which the bale B applies onto the tailgate 43, optionally an inclination sensor 41, and a baler control unit 54.

The round baler 1 forms one bale per time. Fig. 2 shows simultaneously an intermediate bale B.1 and a bale B with the required final diameter.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1 the tailgate 43 is directly mounted at the front housing 59 and can pivot around the pivoting axis 21. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 the inner tensioning arm 32.1 is rigidly connected with the outer tensioning arm 32.2. The outer tensioning arm 32.2 carries the tailgate 43. The tensioning device 32 comprising the tensioning arms 32.1, 32.2 is pivotal with respect to the stationary front housing 59 around the pivoting axis 21. The increasing bale B.1 tends to increase the diameter of the drum-shaped bale forming chamber and thereby tends to pivot the tensioning device 32. For pivoting the tensioning device 32 the retaining force of the retaining device 34 must be surpassed. Thereby the or every pressing belt 30 is tensioned by the tensioning device 32 and applies pressure onto the increasing round bale B.1. In addition a helical spring 68 tends to close the tailgate 43 and contributes to an end-position dampening for the tailgate 43. A diameter sensor (not shown) measures the current diameter of the bale B while it increases in the bale forming chamber. As soon as the bale diameter reaches a given diameter threshold, the injection of further crop material into the bale forming chamber is interrupted.

For preventing the bale B from falling apart, the circumferential surface of the bale B is wrapped into a web of wrapping material (a net or a plastic film or twine strands e.g.). For wrapping the circumferential surface of the bale B, the web of wrapping material is pulled from the supply reel 40 and is conveyed by the feeding roller 39 towards the bale forming chamber. The web is injected into the bale forming chamber through an inlet which is positioned below the deflecting roller 39.3.

When the circumferential surface of the bale B is wrapped, the severing device 38 severs the web of wrapping material. The sensor 53 monitors the operation of the severing device 38.

The hydraulic actuator 35 opens the tailgate 43 by moving it away from the stationary front housing 59 against the force of gravity. In one implementation the tailgate actuator 35 can only open the tailgate 43. The force of gravity closes the tailgate 43 again and the tailgate actuator 35 dampens the closing movement. It is also possible that the tailgate actuator 35 can additionally close the tailgate 43, i.e. it is double-acting. Fluid is taken from a fluid supply 42 and is guided into the lower chambers of the tailgate actuator 35. A control unit 54 generates control inputs for the electro-magnetic proportional valve 50. This proportional valve 50 regulates the flow of hydraulic fluid through the lines 51.1 (for closing the tailgate 43) and 51.2 (for opening the tailgate 43) into the cylinders 36 of the hydraulic actuator 35. Thereby the common velocity of the pistons 37 moving out of the cylinders 36 is regulated while the tailgate 43 is moved from the closed position away from the stationary front housing 59 into an opened position. The tailgate 43 can be moved into a fully opened position.

In one implementation a rotary potentiometer 52 measures the current rotational position of the tailgate 43, cf. Fig. 1. It is possible that the potentiometer 52 can measure the tailgate position over the entire path from the closed position to the fully opened position. It is also possible that the potentiometer 52 can only measure the tailgate position in a range of the path, e.g. in a range close to the fully opened position. It is further possible that the baler control unit 54 only processes signals from the potentiometer 52 within a movement range.

But thanks to the invention such a rotary potentiometer 52 is not needed for controlling the tailgate movement.

It is possible that the control unit 54 obtains signals from the potentiometer 52 in a range close to the fully opened position and triggers an end-position dampening when the tailgate 43 approaches the fully opened position. Therefore a jerk is avoided which may otherwise occur when the tailgate 43 reaches the fully opened position without being dampened or decelerated. It is also possible that a gate contact switch detects the event that the tailgate 43 reaches a given position close to the fully opened position.

According to the invention the tailgate 43, however, is not moved in every case, i.e. for every bale B, into the fully opened position. It is also possible that the tailgate movement is stopped before the tailgate 43 reaches the fully opened position. In this case the tailgate 43 is moved into an opened position which is an intermediate position between the closed position and the fully opened position. The formed and wrapped bale B is ejected through an aperture occurring between the tailgate 43 being in an opened position and the front housing 59.

After the tailgate 43 is opened, the wrapped bale B is ejected out of the bale forming chamber. The or at least one pressing belt 30 supports the step of ejecting the bale B. The ejected bale B drops onto the movable ramp part 13. Before the bale B has been ejected, the ramp spring 11 pivots the movable ramp part 13 upwards into a raised position. The ejected bale B pivots the movable ramp part 13 downwards in a lowered position against the force of the spring 11.

The ramp sensor 12 detects a dropping event, i.e. that an ejected bale B drops onto the movable ramp part 13 and pivots it into the lowered position. When detecting the dropping event, the ramp sensor 12 generates a signal. This signal is transferred to the baler control unit 54. The control unit uses the signal for decelerating the movement of the tailgate 43, see below.

In one implementation the ramp sensor 12 comprises a lower contact sensor which is activated when the movable ramp part 13 has reached the lowered position. In a further implementation the ramp sensor 12 comprises an upper contact sensor which is activated as long as the movable ramp part 13 is in the raised position. For sake of a higher reliability these implementations can be combined. In an alternative implementation a rotary potentiometer belonging to the ramp sensor 12 measures the current rotational position of the movable ramp part 13. It is also possible that the ramp sensor 12 measures the expansion or compression of the spring 11. Further implementations for the ramp sensor 12 are possible.

Fig. 3 to Fig. 5 show a continuous round baler as known from US 9258947 B2, e.g. Coinciding parts have the same reference signs as those in Fig. 2. The bale forming chamber is positioned between two rotatable discs 58. The tailgate 43 of the continuous baler has a tailgate frame 43.1 and a pivotal tailgate bottom 43.2. The supply reel is kept by an unrolling station mounted at the tailgate frame 43.1. The bale forming chamber is positioned between two rotatable discs 58.

In the situation of Fig. 3 the tailgate 43 is closed and a bale B is formed in the bale forming chamber. In the situation of Fig. 4 the bale B has reached the required diameter and the circumferential surface of the bale B is wrapped. The tailgate bottom 43.2 is lowered downwards and the bale B has been moved backwards out of the bale forming chamber. At the same time a new bale B2 is formed in the bale forming chamber. In the situation of Fig. 5 the tailgate 43 is opened and the wrapped bale B is ejected and drops onto the ramp 10. The dropped bale B causes the ramp 10 to be pivoted downwards. The ramp sensor 12 detects a dropping event.

Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show diagrams with the time t on the x-axis and the velocity v of the tailgate 43 on the y-axis. The tailgate velocity v = v(t) depends on the velocity with which the tailgate actuator 35 expands. The baler control unit 54 generates control inputs for the discharge gate actuator 35 such that the discharge gate 43 is moved according to one of these diagrams.

In both implementations the tailgate 43 is moved as follows: The tailgate velocity v increases, i.e. the tailgate 43 accelerates, until the time point T1 is reached. Now the tailgate 43 is opened with a constantly increasing velocity until the time point T2 is reached. The velocity increase is reduced until the time point T3 is reached. Now the tailgate 43 is opened with a constant velocity v_max.

The tailgate 43 remains to be moved with v_max at least until the ramp sensor 12 has detected a dropping event, i.e. the bale B has dropped onto the movable ramp part 13. The tailgate movement is decelerated as soon as a set point S1, S2 is reached. This set point S1, S2 depends on the corresponding dropping event E1, E2 and can therefore vary from bale to bale. Fig. 6 shows two different set points S1 and S2 corresponding to two dropping events E1 and E2 for two different bales. The dropping event E2 occurs after a longer time span than the dropping event E1. After the dropping event E1, E2 causing the set point S1, S2 has been detected, the tailgate movement is decelerated in three consecutive phases as shown in Fig. 6. The values T1, T2, T3, Δ1, and Δ2 are given and are programmed in the control software executed by the baler control unit 54. The set points S1 and S2 depend on the detection of the dropping event E1 and E2, resp.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6 the dropping event E1, E2 triggers the step of decelerating the tailgate movement without any delay, i.e. the set point S1, S2 only depends on the detection of the dropping event E1, E2. Fig. 7 shows a variation in which a time span ΔΤ between the dropping event E1 and the set point S1 passes. The second dropping event E2 is omitted in Fig. 7.

This time span ΔΤ can be given in advance. It is also possible that the time span ΔΤ is automatically calculated during operation. It is possible that the time span ΔΤ depends on a measured characteristic of the bale B, e.g. on the bale diameter or bale weight or on the friction between a front face of the bale B and the adjacent sidewall of the tailgate 43. In one embodiment the time span ΔΤ is calculated depending on signals from the inclination sensor 41. This inclination sensor 41 measures the inclination around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the travelling direction TD. If the baler 1 travels angularly downwards, the bale B is ejected upwards and the time span ΔΤ is enlarged.

Reference signs used in the claims will not limit the scope of the claimed invention. The term “comprises” does not exclude other elements or steps. The articles “a”, “an”, and “one” do not exclude a plurality of elements. Features specified in several depending claims may be combined in an advantageous manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

Claims

1. Balenvorminrichting (1) omvattende - een balenvormeenheid (10, 28.2, 28.2) die voorziet in een perskamer, - een uitlaadklep (43) die scharnierbaar is tussen een gesloten positie en een volledig geopende positie, en - een uitlaadklepactuator (35), waarbij de balenvormeenheid (10, 28.2, 28.2) ingericht is om een baal (B) te vormen in de voorziene perskamer, waarbij de uitlaadklepactuator (35) ingericht is om de uitlaadklep (43) te bewegen van de gesloten positie naar een geopende positie die genomen is uit een set van verschillende mogelijke geopende posities, waarbij elke geopende positie de volledig geopende positie is of een tussenliggende positie, en waarbij de balenvorminrichting (1) ingericht is om een gevormde baal (B) uit te werpen uit de perskamer terwijl of nadat de uitlaadklep (43) is bewogen naar een geopende positie, met het kenmerk dat de balenvorminrichting (1) verder omvat - een hellingbaan (10) en - een hellingbaansensor (12), waarbij de hellingbaan (10) gepositioneerd is verticaal of onder een hoek onder de uitlaadklep (43) tenminste wanneer de uitlaadklep (43) in een geopende positie is, waarbij de balenvorminrichting (1) zodanig ingericht is dat een uitgeworpen baal (B) op de hellingbaan (10) valt, waarbij de hellingbaansensor (12) ingericht is om de valgebeurtenis (E1, E2) te detecteren waarbij een baal (B) op de hellingbaan (10) valt, en waarbij de uitlaadklepactuator (35) ingericht is om de beweging van de uitlaadklep (43) weg van de gesloten positie af te breken, daarbij de uitlaadklep (43) in een geopende positie bewegend, getriggerd door de hellingbaansensor (12) die de valgebeurtenis (E1, E2) gedetecteerd heeft.A bale forming device (1) comprising - a bale forming unit (10, 28.2, 28.2) which provides a pressing chamber, - a discharge valve (43) pivotable between a closed position and a fully opened position, and - a discharge valve actuator (35), wherein the bale forming unit (10, 28.2, 28.2) is arranged to form a bale (B) in the provided bale chamber, the discharge valve actuator (35) being adapted to move the discharge valve (43) from the closed position to an open position which is taken from a set of different possible open positions, each open position being the fully opened position or an intermediate position, and wherein the bale forming device (1) is arranged to eject a shaped bale (B) from the bale chamber while or after the unloading flap (43) has been moved to an open position, characterized in that the bale forming device (1) further comprises - a ramp (10) and - a ramp track sensor (12), the ramp (10) being positioned d is vertical or at an angle below the unloading flap (43) at least when the unloading flap (43) is in an open position, the bale forming device (1) being arranged such that an ejected bale (B) falls on the ramp (10), wherein the incline sensor (12) is adapted to detect the fall event (E1, E2) where a bale (B) falls on the incline (10), and wherein the discharge valve actuator (35) is adapted to control the movement of the discharge valve (43) away from the closed position, thereby moving the unloading flap (43) into an open position, triggered by the incline sensor (12) which has detected the fall event (E1, E2).

2. Balenvorminrichting (1) volgens conclusie 1, met het kenmerk dat - de balenvorminrichting (1) een voorspanelement (11) omvat en - de hellingbaan (10) een scharnierbaar hellingbaandeel (13) omvat dat scharnierbaar is tussen een hogere positie en een lagere positie, waarbij het voorspanelement (11) het hellingbaandeel (13) naar de hogere positie neigt te scharnieren, waarbij een uitgeworpen en gevallen baal (B) het hellingbaandeel (13) scharniert in de lagere positie tegen de kracht van het voorspanelement (11) in, en waarbij de hellingbaansensor (12) ingericht is om tenminste één van de gebeurtenissen te detecteren dat het hellingbaandeel (13) in de lagere positie of in de hogere positie is.Bale forming device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the bale forming device (1) comprises a pre-stressing element (11) and - the ramp (10) comprises a pivotable ramp section (13) pivotable between a higher position and a lower one position, wherein the biasing element (11) tends to pivot the incline part (13) to the higher position, an ejected and fallen bale (B) pivoting the incline part (13) in the lower position against the force of the biasing element (11) and wherein the incline sensor (12) is arranged to detect at least one of the events that the incline path (13) is in the lower position or in the higher position.

3. Balenvorminrichting (1) volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk dat de balenvorminrichting (1) een afreminrichting (68) omvat die ingericht is om de beweging van de uitlaadklep (43) af te remmen wanneer de uitlaadklep (43) de volledig geopende positie benadert.Bale forming device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bale forming device (1) comprises a braking device (68) which is adapted to inhibit the movement of the unloading valve (43) when the unloading valve (43) fully opened position.

4. Balenvorminrichting (1) volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk dat de balenvorminrichting (1) een uitlaadklepsensor (52) omvat die aangepast is om de gebeurtenis te detecteren dat de uitlaadklep (43) de volledig geopende positie benadert, waarbij de uitlaadklepactuator (35) ingericht is om de beweging van de uitlaadklep (43) af te remmen afhankelijk van een signaal van de uitlaadklepsensor (52).Bale forming device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bale forming device (1) comprises a discharge valve sensor (52) adapted to detect the event that the discharge valve (43) approaches the fully opened position, the discharge valve actuator (35) is adapted to inhibit the movement of the discharge valve (43) depending on a signal from the discharge valve sensor (52).

5. Balenvorminrichting (1) volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk dat de uitlaadklepactuator (35) ingericht is om de beweging van de uitlaadklep (43) af te breken wanneer - de hellingbaansensor (12) de valgebeurtenis (E1, E2) gedetecteerd heeft en - een tijdspanne ( T) verstreken is nadat de valgebeurtenis (E1, E2) gedetecteerd is.Bale forming device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge valve actuator (35) is arranged to stop the movement of the discharge valve (43) when - the incline sensor (12) is the fall event (E1, E2) has detected and - a time span (T) has elapsed after the fall event (E1, E2) has been detected.

6. Balenvorminrichting (1) volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk dat de uitlaadklepactuator (35) ingericht is om te werken volgens een tijd gebaseerd schema (T1, T2, T3) totdat de hellingbaansensor (12) de valgebeurtenis (E1, E2) detecteert.Bale forming device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge valve actuator (35) is arranged to operate according to a time-based scheme (T1, T2, T3) until the incline sensor (12) detects the fall event (E1, E2).

7. Balenvorminrichting (1) volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk dat de balenvorminrichting (1) een hellingshoeksensor (41) omvat die ingericht is om een waarde te meten die indicatief is voor de huidige hellingshoek van de balenvorminrichting (1), waarbij de uitlaadklepactuator (35) ingericht is om de uitlaadklepbeweging af te breken afhankelijk van signalen van de hellingshoeksensor (41).Bale forming device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bale forming device (1) comprises an inclination angle sensor (41) which is adapted to measure a value indicative of the current inclination angle of the bale forming device (1), wherein the discharge valve actuator (35) is arranged to abort the discharge valve movement depending on signals from the inclination sensor (41).

8. Methode om een baal (B) te vormen door een balenvorminrichting (1) te gebruiken omvattende - een balenvormeenheid (10, 28.2, 28.2) voorzien van een perskamer, - een uitlaadklep (43) die scharnierbaar is tussen een gesloten positie en een volledig geopende positie, en - een uitlaadklepactuator (35), - waarbij de methode de stappen omvat dat - de balenvormeenheid (10, 28.2, 28.2) de baal (B) vormt in de voorziene perskamer, - de uitlaadklepactuator (35) de uitlaadklep (43) beweegt van de gesloten positie naar een geopende positie die genomen is uit een set van verschillende mogelijke geopende posities, waarbij elke geopende positie de volledig geopende positie is of een tussenliggende positie, en - de gevormde baal (B) uitgeworpen is uit de perskamer terwijl en/of nadat de uitlaadklep (43) in een geopende positie verplaatst is, met het kenmerk dat de balenvorminrichting (1) verder omvat - een hellingbaan (10) en - een hellingbaansensor (12) en de methode de verder stappen omvat dat - de uitgeworpen baal (B) op de hellingbaan (10) valt, - de hellingbaansensor (12) automatisch de valgebeurtenis (E1, E2) detecteert waarbij de uitgeworpen baal (B) op de hellingbaan (10) valt, en - de gebeurtenis dat de hellingbaansensor (12) de valgebeurtenis (E1, E2) detecteert de stap triggert dat de uitlaadklepactuator (35) de beweging weg van de gesloten positie van de uitlaadklep (43) afbreekt zodanig dat de uitlaadklep (43) in een geopende positie verplaatst is.A method of forming a bale (B) by using a bale forming device (1) comprising - a bale forming unit (10, 28.2, 28.2) provided with a pressing chamber, - a discharge valve (43) pivotable between a closed position and a fully open position, and - a discharge valve actuator (35), - the method comprising the steps that - the bale forming unit (10, 28.2, 28.2) forms the bale (B) in the provided bale chamber, - the discharge valve actuator (35) the discharge valve (35) 43) moves from the closed position to an open position taken from a set of different possible open positions, each open position being the fully opened position or an intermediate position, and - the formed bale (B) is ejected from the bale chamber while and / or after the unloading valve (43) has been moved into an open position, characterized in that the bale forming device (1) further comprises - a ramp (10) and - a ramp track sensor (12) and the method comprises the further steps that -the ejected bale (B) falls on the ramp (10), - the ramp track sensor (12) automatically detects the fall event (E1, E2) where the ejected bale (B) falls on the ramp (10), and - the event that the incline sensor (12) the fall event (E1, E2) detects the step that triggers the unloading valve actuator (35) to break the movement away from the closed position of the unloading valve (43) such that the unloading valve (43) is moved to an open position.

9. Methode om balen te vormen volgens conclusie 8, met het kenmerk dat de balenvorminrichting (1) een hellingshoeksensor (41) omvat, waarbij de methode de verder stappen omvat dat de hellingshoeksensor (41) een waarde indicatief voor de huidige hellingshoek van de balenvorminrichting (1) meet en de uitlaadklepactuator (35) de beweging van de uitlaadklep (43) weg van de gesloten positie afbreekt nadat de hellingbaansensor (12) de valgebeurtenis (E1, E2) detecteert en een tijdspanne ( T) verstreken is na de valgebeurtenis (E1, E2), waarbij de tijdspanne ( T) afhangt van signalen van de hellingshoeksensor (41).Method of baling according to claim 8, characterized in that the bale forming device (1) comprises an inclination angle sensor (41), the method comprising the further steps of the inclination angle sensor (41) being a value indicative of the current inclination angle of the bale forming device (1) measures and the discharge valve actuator (35) breaks the movement of the discharge valve (43) away from the closed position after the incline sensor (12) detects the fall event (E1, E2) and a time period (T) has elapsed after the fall event ( E1, E2), wherein the time span (T) depends on signals from the slope sensor (41).