Bale weight measurement device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11129333-B2
Application number	US-202016815924-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 11, 2020
Priority date	May 9, 2018
Publication date	Sep 28, 2021
Grant date	Sep 28, 2021

Abstract

A baler for forming a bale includes a frame, an axle, and a sensor. The frame supports a bale chamber. The axle is connected to the frame at a first location and spaced apart from the frame at a second location. The sensor is positioned to measure the deflection of the axle based on a distance. The deflection of the axle changes based upon a weight of the bale.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A baler for forming a bale, comprising:
a frame supporting a bale chamber;
an axle connected to the frame at a first location and spaced apart from the frame at a second location; and
a sensor positioned to measure the deflection of the axle based on a distance, the deflection of the axle changing based upon a weight of the bale;
wherein the frame comprises a housing at least partially surrounding the axle, the sensor positioned to detect a change in the distance between the axle and the housing due to the deflection of the axle.

2. The baler of claim 1 , wherein the housing surrounds the axle and at least partially encloses the sensor.

3. The baler of claim 2 , wherein the housing comprises a seal positioned at the interface between the housing and the axle enclosing the sensor and a portion of the axle.

4. The baler of claim 1 , wherein the axle includes a portion at the second location which extends radially outward more than an adjacent portion of the axle.

5. The baler of claim 1 , wherein the axle comprises a spindle fixedly attached to the frame and operatively connected to a ground engaging device.

6. The baler of claim 1 , further comprising:
a processing unit operatively connected to the sensor and configured to calculate a weight of the bale based upon changes in the deflection of the axle as measured by the sensor.

7. A baler for forming a bale, comprising:
a frame supporting a bale chamber;
an axle connected to the frame at a first location and spaced apart from the frame at a second location;
a sensor positioned to measure the deflection of the axle based on a distance, the deflection of the axle changing based upon a weight of the bale; and
at least one mounting plate, wherein the frame includes a housing at least partially surrounding the axle, from an inner surface of the housing radially protrudes at least one mounting platform, the axle includes a groove, a portion of the mounting plate inserted into the groove of the axle and the mounting plate is coupled to the at least one mounting platform.

8. The baler of claim 7 , wherein the bottom of the groove includes multiple first edges, the at least one mounting plate includes multiple second edges, the first edges and second edges contact to one another to limit the mounting plate moving relative to the axle.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Derscheid Daniel E
• Koch Benjamin D

Classifications

• G01G19/02

  for weighing wheeled or rolling bodies, e.g. vehicles · CPC title

• A01D34/008

  for automated or remotely controlled operation · CPC title

• G01G17/00 Primary

  Apparatus for or methods of weighing material of special form or property (determining weight by measuring volume G01F) · CPC title

• A01F15/0833 Primary

  for round balers · CPC title

• A01F2015/0891

  Weighing the finished bale before falling to ground · CPC title