Bale Identification Filament with Embedded RFID Tag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bale identification systems for agricultural crop material lack efficient methods to affix identification tags to bales, making it difficult to track parameters such as quality, origin, and nutritional value effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bale identification assembly that integrates a knotter system with a binding material and an identifying filament, using a passive RFID tag embedded in the binding material to assign attributes to each bale, allowing for accurate tracking and storage of bale parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a separate tag attachment system is used, then identification capability is improved, but device complexity and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the identification tag system with the existing binding material supply system. The identification filament is integrated into the binding material roll, allowing tags to be applied during the normal binding operation without requiring separate attachment equipment or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding material serves dual functions: it binds the bale and simultaneously carries the identification tag. The filament is designed to be processed by the existing knotter mechanism, making the binding system universal for both binding and identification purposes.
2Productivity
If manual tag attachment is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The identification information is pre-encoded into the filament structure before the baling process. Sensors detect these pre-placed identifiers during binding, eliminating the need for manual tag attachment and data entry after bale formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the bale's own binding process to automatically apply and detect identification tags. The knotter mechanism and sensors work together to self-identify each bale during the binding operation without external intervention.
3Loss of information
If traditional binding material is used, then simplicity is maintained, but identification capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The binding material is constructed as a composite structure with multiple filaments, where at least one filament contains embedded identification elements or reflective markers. This composite structure enables both binding function and automated optical detection of bale identifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses variations in filament color, reflectivity, or optical properties to encode identification information. Sensors detect these optical characteristics to identify and track individual bales, using visual properties rather than complex electronic components.
Data Source
AI summary
A bale identification assembly for use with an agricultural baler having a first supply roll mounted on the baler providing a binding material used by the knotter system to bind the formed bale, wherein the binding material on the first supply roll is free of identification tags. The bale identification assembly includes a second supply roll mounted on the baler providing an identifying filament. The knotter system joins the identifying filament from the second supply roll with the binding material from the first supply roll while tying a knot to bind the formed bale.