Bale Wrap Identification Printing With Timed Rotation and Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural bale identification systems lack efficient methods for printing machine-readable information on bale wraps to facilitate tracking and identification, particularly in varying orientations and environments.

Innovation Solution

An identification printing system for agricultural bales that includes a controller to control a bale rotation system, a print head to print identification information on the bale wrap in multiple locations, and an ejection system to time the bale's ejection after rotation termination, ensuring the information is readable and protected from distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the bale is ejected immediately after rotation, then productivity is improved, but the printed information may be distorted or unreadable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebale ejection speedVSAvoidprinted information legibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary rotation of the bale after printing to reposition it before ejection. The controller rotates the bale an additional angle (e.g., 90-180 degrees) after the print head completes printing, ensuring the printed information is oriented in a readable position before the bale is ejected from the baler.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the print head prints in multiple locations, then tracking reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification tracking accuracyVSAvoidprint head positioning system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing process is segmented into multiple printing locations around the bale circumference. The print head performs printing at different angular positions (e.g., front, rear, left, right sides) to place identification information at multiple locations on the bale wrap, ensuring readability from various orientations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic positioning of the print head relative to the rotating bale. The controller dynamically adjusts the print head position and printing timing based on the bale's rotation speed and position, enabling multiple printing locations without requiring complex mechanical repositioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the bale rotates continuously, then manufacturing precision is improved for printing, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting position accuracyVSAvoidbale rotation energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The bale rotation is performed periodically rather than continuously. The controller rotates the bale at controlled speeds during the printing process, then maintains rotation at lower speeds or pauses during ejection preparation, and finally rotates to the ejection position. This periodic rotation with variable speeds reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining printing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12539704B2Identification printing system for an agricultural bale

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC

AI summary

An identification printing system for a wrapped agricultural bale includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to control a bale rotation system to drive the wrapped agricultural bale to rotate within a bale carrier of a baler, control a print head to print identification information onto an outer circumferential surface of a bale wrap of the wrapped agricultural bale in multiple locations as the wrapped agricultural bale is rotating, control the bale rotation system to terminate rotation of the wrapped agricultural bale, and control an ejection system to eject the wrapped agricultural bale from the baler a target duration after terminating rotation of the wrapped agricultural bale.