Patent Description:
Some baler implements, such as a large square baler, produce a bale in a compression chamber having a parallelepiped shape. As the bale is formed, the bale is moved from the compression chamber onto a discharge chute. Subsequently produced bales push the previously formed bale out of the discharge chute to eject the previously formed bale from the baler implement, and onto a ground surface, trailer, wrapping implement, etc. However, if no subsequent bale is formed, then the last bale is not ejected from the discharge chute.

In order to eject the last bale formed, the baler implement may include a bale ejection system. The bale ejection system may include a pawl that is wedged into the bale to engage the bale when moved longitudinally rearward, and is retracted to disengage from the bale when moved longitudinally forward. The bale ejection system may be continuously operated in a cyclical manner to move the bale rearward until the bale is discharged from the bale chute. <CIT> discloses a bale ejecting mechanism according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

A bale ejection system for a baler implement is provided. The bale ejection system includes a frame, and a pin secured to the frame. A carrier is coupled to the frame. The carrier is moveable relative to the frame along a longitudinal axis of the frame. The carrier defines an elongated slot that extends along the longitudinal axis of the frame. The pin extends through the elongated slot, transverse to the longitudinal axis. A pawl is moveable with the carrier along the longitudinal axis. The pawl is rotatably attached to the carrier for rotation bout a rotation axis. The pawl includes a cam surface contacting the pin. The pawl further includes a material engaging surface that is disposed opposite the cam surface. The cam surface and the material engaging surface extend away from the rotation axis and converging to define a distal end of the pawl that is spaced from the rotation axis along the longitudinal axis. The material engaging surface defines a crop engaging tooth that is positioned between the rotation axis and the distal end of the pawl along the longitudinal axis.

In one implementation, the crop engaging tooth includes a single tooth disposed between the rotation axis and the distal end of the pawl. In an alternative implementation, the crop engaging tooth includes a plurality of teeth disposed between the rotation axis and the distal end of the pawl.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the crop engaging tooth forms a concave notch facing away from the rotation axis for engaging crop material of a formed bale. The concave notch includes a crest and a valley. When the pawl is disposed in a retracted position, the crest is positioned nearer the distal end of the pawl than the valley, with the valley positioned nearer the rotation axis than the crest.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the cam surface may include a substantially arcuate profile orientated perpendicularly to the rotation axis. In one implementation, the arcuate profile of the cam surface may define a radius between the range of <NUM> and <NUM>.

In one aspect of the disclosure, movement of the carrier and the pawl along the longitudinal axis moves the cam surface against the pin, causing the pawl to rotate about the rotation axis between a retracted position and an engaged position. When the pawl is disposed in the retracted position, the pawl is positioned on an exterior side of a bale forming plane. The bale forming plane is a surface defined by a wall structure supporting the bale. The bale is positioned on an interior side of the bale forming plane. When the pawl is disposed in the engaged position, the pawl extends across the bale forming plane to position the distal end of the pawl and the crop engaging tooth on the interior side of the bale forming plane for engaging crop material of the formed bale.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the cam profile may be shaped to position the pawl relative to the bale forming plane when the pawl is disposed in the engaged position, such that a line extending between the distal end of the pawl and the rotation axis intersects the bale forming plane to form an acute angle therebetween. In one implementation, the acute angle is greater than twenty degrees (<NUM>°).

In one aspect of the disclosure, the cam profile may be shaped to cause a total angular rotation of the pawl about the rotation axis. The total angular rotation is measured between the retracted position and the engaged position. In one implementation, the total angular rotation is between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the rotation axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In another aspect of the disclosure, the rotation axis and the longitudinal axis are both positioned substantially horizontally.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the bale ejection system is included in a baler implement. The baler implement includes the frame extending along the longitudinal axis, between a forward end and a rearward end of the frame relative to a direction of travel of the baler implement during harvesting operations. The baler implement includes a compression chamber that is configured for forming crop material into the bale. The bale ejection system is operable to move the bale rearward along the longitudinal axis.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, the pawl includes a planar structure. The planar structure includes a mounting bore extending therethrough. A center of the mounting bore defines a rotation axis. The planar structure includes a cam surface and a material engaging surface disposed opposite the cam surface. The cam surface and the material engaging surface extend away from the rotation axis, and converge to define a distal end that is spaced from the rotation axis. The material engaging surface defines a crop engaging tooth positioned between the rotation axis and the distal end of the planar structure. The crop engaging tooth and the distal end of the planar structure are operable to engage crop material of a bale when the planar structure is rotated into engagement with the bale.

Accordingly, both the distal end of the pawl and the crop engaging tooth operate to engage and/or interlock with the crop material of the bale when the pawl is moved into the engaged position. As such, the pawl described herein, including the crop engaging tooth, grips the bale better than previously known pawls that only gripped the bale with the distal end of the pawl. The increased grip provided by the pawl described herein, including the crop engaging tooth, increase the force that the pawl may apply to the bale for moving the bale, thereby reducing crop rip-out.

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a baler implement is generally shown at <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> the baler implement <NUM> is shown as a large square baler implement <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that the teachings of this disclosure may be applied to other baler implement platforms, such as round baler implements, and are not limited to the example implementation of the large square baler implement <NUM> shown in the Figures and described herein.

A traction unit or vehicle, such as but not limited to a tractor, may be coupled to the baler implement <NUM> for pulling and powering the baler implement <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the baler implement <NUM> may be self-propelled, in which case the traction unit and the baler implement <NUM> are configured as a single, self-propelled vehicle.

As depicted in <FIG>, the baler implement <NUM> may move across a field and gather and process crop material to form a bale. The baler implement <NUM> may then eject the formed bale from the rear of the baler implement <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the exemplary embodiment of the baler implement <NUM> includes a frame <NUM>. The frame <NUM> extends along a longitudinal axis <NUM> between a forward end <NUM> and a rearward end <NUM> relative to a direction of travel <NUM> of the baler implement <NUM> during operation. One or more ground engaging devices <NUM>, such as but not limited to wheels, are coupled to the frame <NUM> and support the baler implement <NUM> on a ground surface. The baler implement <NUM> includes an input shaft <NUM>, such as a power-take-off (PTO) shaft, which can receive rotational power from a power source, such as the tractor.

The baler implement <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> or body, which generally shields various internal components of the baler implement <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is attached to and supported by the frame <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes multiple wall sections or panels that form and/or define a compression chamber <NUM>. The compression chamber <NUM> may alternatively be referred to as a baler chamber. The compression chamber <NUM> is configured to form a bale therein. In the example implementation shown in the Figures and described herein, the bale includes a parallelepiped or rectangular shape.

The baler implement <NUM> includes a pick-up mechanism <NUM>. The pick-up mechanism <NUM> is disposed proximate the forward end <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The pick-up mechanism <NUM> gathers crop material from the ground surface and directs the gathered crop material toward and into an inlet of a pre-compression passageway <NUM>, which stores a volume of gathered crop material. A feeder system <NUM> includes a plurality of forks, which are timed to move the crop material from the pre-compression passageway <NUM> into the compression chamber <NUM>. The pickup may include, but is not limited to tines, forks, augers, conveyors, baffles, etc., for gathering and moving the crop material.

The baler implement <NUM> may be equipped with a pre-cutter, disposed between the pick-up mechanism <NUM> and the pre-compression passageway <NUM>. As such, the pre-cutter may be disposed downstream of the pick-up mechanism <NUM> and upstream of the pre-compression passageway <NUM> relative to the direction of travel <NUM> of the crop material. The pre-cutter cuts or chops the crop material into smaller pieces.

The input shaft <NUM> or PTO shaft is connected to an input of a transmission <NUM> to provide rotational power to the baler implement <NUM> from the tractor or other associated vehicle or power source. The transmission <NUM> includes a gearbox <NUM> which converts the rotational motion of the input shaft <NUM> along a generally longitudinal axis <NUM> of the baler implement <NUM> to an output of the transmission <NUM> having a rotational motion along a generally transverse axis of the baler implement <NUM>.

The baler implement <NUM> includes a crank arm <NUM> connected to the output of the transmission <NUM>. A connecting link <NUM> interconnects the crank arm <NUM> and a plunger <NUM>. The crank arm <NUM> rotates based upon the output of the transmission <NUM> and the plunger <NUM> moves in a reciprocal motion within the compression chamber <NUM> as the crank arm <NUM> rotates. The plunger <NUM> extends into the compression chamber <NUM>, thereby compressing the crop material, and then at least partially retracts from the compression chamber <NUM>, at which time the feeder system <NUM> moves more crop material into the compression chamber <NUM>.

When the bale is completed within the compression chamber <NUM>, a knotter system <NUM> wraps a plurality of twine strands around the bale to secure the shape of the bale. When the baler implement <NUM> is configured as the large square baler, such as described herein, the knotter system <NUM> wraps the twine around a longitudinal extent or longest length of the bale, with each individual twine strand encircling the bale. The knotter system <NUM> ties each end of the twine of each respective twine strand together to form a knot, securing each respective twine strand in place.

In the example implementation shown in the figures and described herein, a completed bale is pushed off a rearward end <NUM> of the baler implement <NUM> by a subsequently formed bale onto a ground surface, trailer, etc. In order to discharge a bale that is the last bale of a harvesting period, or in order to discharge a bale when no subsequent bales are available to push the bale off the rearward end <NUM> of the baler implement <NUM>, the baler implement <NUM> may be equipped with a bale ejection system <NUM>. The bale ejection system <NUM> may be engaged to move the bale rearward along the longitudinal axis <NUM> and discharge the bale from the compression chamber <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the bale ejection system <NUM> is shown incorporated into a bottom wall <NUM> of the compression chamber <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that in other implementations, the bale ejection system <NUM> may be incorporated into additional or other wall panels of the compression chamber <NUM>.

A pin <NUM> is secured to the frame <NUM>. The pin <NUM> extends generally transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The pin <NUM> may be attached to the frame <NUM> directly or indirectly, and remains stationary relative to the frame <NUM>. In the implementation shown in the Figures, the pin <NUM> is shown having a circular cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that the pin <NUM> may have a cross sectional shape that differs from the example circular cross sectional shape shown and described herein.

A carrier <NUM> is coupled to the frame <NUM>. The carrier <NUM> is moveable relative to the frame <NUM> along the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The carrier <NUM> may be moveably coupled to the frame <NUM> in a suitable manner the enables longitudinal movement relative to the frame <NUM>. For example, the carrier <NUM> may be slidably mounted to the frame <NUM>. The carrier <NUM> defines an elongated slot <NUM> that extends along the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The pin <NUM> extends through the elongated slot <NUM>. The carrier <NUM> is moveable relative to the pin <NUM>, such that the pin <NUM> may move within the elongated slot <NUM> between a first end <NUM> of the slot and a second end <NUM> of the slot. The first end <NUM> of the slot is located toward the forward end <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, whereas the second end <NUM> of the slot is located toward the rearward end <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

The bale ejection system <NUM> may further include an actuator <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> may interconnect the frame <NUM> and the carrier <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> may be controllable to extend and retract to move the carrier <NUM> relative to the frame <NUM> along the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> may include, but is not limited to, a hydraulic linear actuator <NUM>, a pneumatic linear actuator <NUM>, an electric linear actuator <NUM>, etc. Additionally, the actuator <NUM> may include a linear or non-linear actuator <NUM> that is coupled to one or more gears and/or levers to effectuate linear movement of the carrier <NUM> along the longitudinal axis <NUM>, such as but not limited to an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, etc..

A pawl <NUM> is attached to and moveable with the carrier <NUM> along the longitudinal axis <NUM> and relative to the frame <NUM>. The pawl <NUM> is rotatably attached to the carrier <NUM> for rotation bout a rotation axis <NUM>. The rotation axis <NUM> is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. As shown in the example implementation described herein, in which the bale ejection system <NUM> is incorporated into the bottom wall <NUM> of the compression chamber <NUM>, the rotation axis <NUM> is positioned horizontally relative to the ground surface. However, it should be appreciated that in other implementations, such as if the bale ejection system <NUM> were incorporated into a side wall of the compression chamber <NUM>, the rotation axis <NUM> may be positioned vertically relative to the ground surface.

In the example implementation shown in the Figures and described herein, the pawl <NUM> includes a planar or plate structure <NUM>. The planar structure <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> includes a mounting bore <NUM> that extends through the planar structure <NUM>. The mounting bore <NUM> is parallel with the rotation axis <NUM>. A fastener <NUM>, such as but not limited to a bolt, shaft, rivet, etc., may extend through they mounting bore <NUM> and secure the pawl <NUM> to the carrier <NUM>. A center of the mounting bore <NUM> defines the rotation axis <NUM>.

The pawl <NUM> includes a cam surface <NUM> disposed in contacting or abutting engagement with the pin <NUM>. The pawl <NUM> further includes a material engaging surface <NUM> disposed opposite the cam surface <NUM>. The material engaging surface <NUM> is a surface of the pawl <NUM> that engages a material. The material may include, but is not limited to, a plant material, a crop material, or a bale of plant and/or crop material. In the example implementation shown in the figures and described herein, both the cam surface <NUM> and the material engaging surface <NUM> may be considered edge surfaces of the planar structure <NUM> of the pawl <NUM>. The cam surface <NUM> and the material engaging surface <NUM> extend away from the rotation axis <NUM> and converge to define a distal end <NUM> of the planar structure <NUM> of the pawl <NUM>. The cam surface <NUM> and the material engaging surface <NUM> terminate at the distal end <NUM> of the planar structure <NUM> of the pawl <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> is spaced from the rotation axis <NUM> along the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

Movement of the carrier <NUM> and the pawl <NUM> along the longitudinal axis <NUM> moves the cam surface <NUM> against the pin <NUM>. Movement along the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the cam surface <NUM> on the pin <NUM> causes the pawl <NUM> to rotate about the rotation axis <NUM> between a retracted position, show in <FIG>, and an engaged position, shown in <FIG>. When disposed in the retracted position, the pawl <NUM> is positioned on an exterior side <NUM> of a bale forming plane <NUM>. The bale forming plane <NUM> may be considered a plane defined by a wall surface forming the compression chamber <NUM>, e.g., the bottom wall <NUM> in the example implementation shown in the Figures and described herein. The bale is formed on an interior side <NUM> of the bale forming plane <NUM>. As such, the exterior side <NUM> of the bale forming plane <NUM> is positioned outside the region or volume of the compression chamber <NUM> in which the bale is formed, i.e., exterior to the bale, whereas the interior side <NUM> of the bale forming plane <NUM> is positioned inside the region or volume of the compression chamber <NUM> that forms the bale.

Initial movement of the carrier <NUM> and the pawl <NUM> in a rearward direction moves the pawl <NUM> from the retracted position, shown in <FIG>, into the engaged position, shown in <FIG>. It should be appreciated that the rearward direction is a direction moving toward the rearward end <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. When the pawl <NUM> is positioned in the engaged position, the pawl <NUM> extends across the bale forming plane <NUM> to position the distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> on the interior side <NUM> of the bale forming plane <NUM> for engaging crop material of the formed bale and moving the bale with the pawl <NUM> and the carrier <NUM>. Once the pawl <NUM> is disposed in the engaged position, continued movement of the carrier <NUM> rearward along the longitudinal axis <NUM>, maintains engagement between the pawl <NUM> and the bale and moves the bale rearward relative to the compression chamber <NUM> to discharge the bale.

Initial movement of the carrier <NUM> and the pawl <NUM> in a forward direction along the longitudinal axis <NUM>, causes the pawl <NUM> to rotate and move the engaged position, shown in <FIG>, into the retracted position, shown in <FIG>. It should be appreciated that the forward direction is a direction moving toward the forward end <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. When the pawl <NUM> is disposed in the retracted position, the distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> is positioned on the exterior side <NUM> of the bale forming plane <NUM> and does not engage the bale. Once the pawl <NUM> is disposed in the retracted position, continued movement of the carrier <NUM> forward along the longitudinal axis <NUM>, maintains dis-engagement between the pawl <NUM> and the bale and moves the carrier <NUM> and the pawl <NUM> relative to the compression chamber <NUM> to reset the carrier <NUM> and the pawl <NUM> for a subsequent ejection stroke.

In order to improve mechanical interaction and/or engagement between the pawl <NUM> and the crop material of the bale, the material engaging surface <NUM> defines a crop engaging tooth <NUM>. The crop engaging tooth <NUM> may include, but is not limited to, a pointed edge, spike, spear, barb, etc. for penetrating into the bale and mechanically interlocking with the crop material of the bale. The crop engaging tooth <NUM> is positioned on the material engaging surface <NUM>, between the rotation axis <NUM> and the distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> along the longitudinal axis <NUM>. Similar to the distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM>, the crop engaging tooth <NUM> is positioned on the interior side <NUM> of the bale forming plane <NUM> when pawl <NUM> is disposed in the engaged position, and is positioned on the exterior side <NUM> of the bale forming plane <NUM> when the pawl <NUM> is disposed in the retracted position.

In one implementation, the crop engaging tooth <NUM> includes a single tooth. However, in other implementations, such as shown in <FIG>, the crop engaging tooth <NUM> may include plurality of teeth <NUM>. For example, the pawl <NUM> may include, two crop engaging teeth <NUM>, three crop engaging teeth <NUM>, four crop engaging teeth <NUM>, etc. As such, it should be appreciated that the crop engaging tooth <NUM> may include one crop engaging tooth <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>, or may include a plurality of crop engaging teeth <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the crop engaging tooth <NUM> is distinct and separate from the distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM>. While the distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> engages the crop material of the bale, the crop engaging tooth <NUM> operates in addition to the distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> to provide increased engagement/interaction between the pawl <NUM> and the bale. The increased engagement and/or interaction between the pawl <NUM> and the bale increases a moving force that the pawl <NUM> may apply to the bale for moving the bale, thereby reducing the chance that crop material may be torn from the bale and/or the bale may be otherwise damaged during the ejection operation.

Referring to <FIG>, the crop engaging tooth <NUM> forms a concave notch <NUM> facing away from the rotation axis <NUM> for engaging crop material of the formed bale. The concave notch <NUM> includes a crest <NUM> and a valley <NUM>. When the pawl <NUM> is disposed in the retracted position, the crest <NUM> is positioned nearer the distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> than the valley <NUM>. In contrast, when the pawl <NUM> is disposed in the retracted position, the valley <NUM> is positioned nearer the rotation axis <NUM> than the crest <NUM>. A reference line <NUM> may extend between the rotation axis <NUM> and the distal end <NUM> of the planar structure <NUM> of the pawl <NUM>. The crest <NUM> of the crop engaging tooth <NUM> is positioned farther from the reference line <NUM> than is the valley <NUM>.

The cam surface <NUM> may be configured to position the distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> and the crop engaging tooth <NUM> deeply into the bale to maximize the mechanical interaction or locking that occurs between the pawl <NUM> and the crop material of the bale.

Referring to <FIG>, the pawl <NUM> is shown in the engaged position using solid lines, and is shown in the retracted position in phantom. The cam surface <NUM> may include a substantially arcuate profile <NUM> orientated perpendicularly to the rotation axis <NUM>. In the example implementation shown in the Figures and described herein the arcuate profile <NUM> of the cam surface <NUM> may define a radius <NUM> between the range of <NUM> and <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the radius <NUM> of the arcuate profile <NUM> may differ from the example implementation shown in the Figures and described herein. It should be appreciated that a shorter radius <NUM> of the arcuate profile <NUM> tends to increase penetration of the distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> into the bale. In order to generate good mechanical interaction between the bale and the crop engaging tooth <NUM>, the pawl <NUM> may be rotated about the rotation axis <NUM> farther than if only the distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> is used to engage the bale.

Referring to <FIG>, when the pawl <NUM> is disposed in the engaged position, the cam profile is shaped to position the pawl <NUM> relative to the bale forming plane <NUM> such that the reference line <NUM> extending between the distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> and the rotation axis <NUM> intersects the bale forming plane <NUM> to form an acute angle <NUM> therebetween. In order to position the distal end <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> and the crop engaging tooth <NUM> on the material engaging surface <NUM> deeply into the bale to maximize the mechanical interaction or locking that occurs between the pawl <NUM> and the crop material of the bale, the acute angle <NUM> may be greater than twenty degrees (<NUM>°). Additionally, in order to achieve the acute angle <NUM> described above, the cam profile may be shaped to cause a total angular rotation of the pawl <NUM> about the rotation axis <NUM> that is between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. The total angular rotation of the pawl <NUM> is the total angular movement of the pawl <NUM> when moving between the engaged position and the retracted position.

Claim 1:
A bale ejection system (<NUM>) for a baler implement (<NUM>), the bale ejection system (<NUM>) comprising:
a frame (<NUM>);
a pin (<NUM>) secured to the frame (<NUM>);
a carrier (<NUM>) coupled to the frame (<NUM>) and moveable relative to the frame (<NUM>) along a longitudinal axis (<NUM>) of the frame (<NUM>), wherein the carrier (<NUM>) defines an elongated slot (<NUM>) extending along the longitudinal axis (<NUM>) of the frame (<NUM>) with the pin (<NUM>) extending through the elongated slot (<NUM>);
a pawl (<NUM>) moveable with the carrier (<NUM>) along the longitudinal axis (<NUM>) and rotatably attached to the carrier (<NUM>) for rotation about a rotation axis (<NUM>);
wherein the pawl (<NUM>) includes a cam surface (<NUM>) contacting the pin (<NUM>), and a material engaging surface (<NUM>) disposed opposite the cam surface (<NUM>), with the cam surface (<NUM>) and the material engaging surface (<NUM>) terminating at a distal end (<NUM>) of the pawl (<NUM>) that is spaced from the rotation axis (<NUM>) along the longitudinal axis (<NUM>); characterized in that the material engaging surface (<NUM>) defines a crop engaging tooth (<NUM>) positioned between the rotation axis (<NUM>) and the distal end (<NUM>) of the pawl (<NUM>) along the longitudinal axis (<NUM>).