Sensor arrangement and milking platform arrangement

Abstract

A sensor arrangement (2) is disclosed herefor use with a milking rotary platform. The sensor arrangement (2) comprises a sensor, which includes a sensor shaft rotatable about a sensor axis (12), a sensor wheel (6) connected to the sensor shaft, and a mounting arrangement (8) that supports the sensor and the sensor wheel (6). The sensor and the sensor wheel (6) are arranged on a movable section (14) of the mounting arrangement (8). The movable section (14) is biased towards the milking rotary platform. The movable section (14) is pivotable about a pivot axis (16), and the pivot axis (16) extends substantially vertically to the sensor axis (12). A milking rotary platform arrangement is also disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor or coding arrangement designed for use with a milking rotary platform. The present invention further relates to a milking rotary platform arrangement. BACKGROUND

[0002] Milking systems that incorporate rotating platforms are well-known in the field. In such a system, the animals stand on the rotating platform while being milked. A rotary encoder is connected to the platform. This encoder can be used, for example, to control the platform's speed, track its position, and / or index the platform. The milking system can be fully automatic, meaning the milking cups are automatically attached to the animals' teats, or the cups can be manually attached.

[0003] US Patent 2011 / 0308467A1 discloses a system and method for controlling the speed of a milking rotary platform using a rotary encoder. Fig. Figure 1C illustrates the rotary encoder. The rotary encoder comprises an electromechanical device that can be operated to convert the angular position of a shaft into an electrical signal. The rotary encoder includes the shaft to which a rotary encoder wheel is connected. The rotary encoder wheel rests against the platform and is thus rotated by the platform when the platform rotates.

[0004] As seen here in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, the rotary encoder of US 2011 / 0308467A1 is mounted on an arm (A) that pivots about a vertical axis (B). Thus, the encoder shaft and the vertical axis are essentially parallel. The arm and encoder are pivotally biased about the vertical axis towards the rotary platform. The arm is positioned at an acute angle to the circumference of the rotary platform. The force acting on the encoder wheel and the encoder therefore differs depending on the direction of rotation of the rotary platform. This can lead to stress on the shaft and / or encoder malfunctions. Furthermore, rotational malfunctions can be caused by unevenness or an oval shape of the milking platform, as pivoting the arm about the vertical axis (B), with the encoder wheel in contact with the rotary platform, rotates the encoder shaft. SUMMARY

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to at least reduce the problems mentioned above.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a rotary encoder arrangement or rotary coder arrangement designed to be used with a milking rotary platform, wherein the rotary encoder arrangement comprises: - a sensor comprising a sensor shaft that is rotatable about a sensor axis, - a sensor wheel connected to the sensor shaft, wherein the sensor wheel is designed to bear against a surface of the milking rotary platform, and - A mounting assembly that supports the sensor and the sensor wheel. The sensor and the sensor wheel are arranged on a movable section of the mounting assembly, the movable section being biased towards the milking rotary platform. The movable section is pivotable about a pivot axis, the pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to the sensor axis.

[0007] Since the pivot axis extends essentially vertically to the encoder axis, unevenness or an oval shape of the milking platform does not cause the encoder shaft to rotate. Furthermore, a pivot axis that extends essentially vertically to the encoder axis assembly ensures that the encoder wheel is symmetrically preloaded towards the platform with respect to the two directions of rotation of the milking platform. Thus, the encoder can operate without any variation in preload force, regardless of the direction of rotation of the milking platform. Consequently, the problem mentioned above is solved.

[0008] The milking rotary platform can comprise a series of milking stalls arranged on the platform. The animals stand on the platform, one animal per stall, while being milked. One or more milking machines, comprising a series of milking cups, flexible milk and vacuum lines, pulsators, a vacuum source, and milk collection containers, are used to milk the animals standing on the milking rotary platform. The milking cups of the one or more milking machines can be manually connected to the animals' teats. Alternatively, the milking cups can be connected automatically. Other milking-related actions can also be performed automatically, such as cleaning the teats before milking and treating them with a disinfectant after milking.

[0009] The rotary encoder can be used, for example, to control the speed of the platform, track its position, and / or index the platform. The rotary encoder can include an electromechanical device that can be operated to convert the angular position of a shaft into an electrical signal.

[0010] According to embodiments, the pivot axis can extend essentially horizontally and the encoder axis can extend essentially vertically when the encoder arrangement is arranged to engage with a milking rotary platform.

[0011] According to embodiments, the encoder assembly can include a pivot shaft, the pivot axis of which extends through and along the pivot shaft, and which can intersect the pivot shaft in a direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft. In this way, the encoder wheel on the mounting assembly can be preloaded symmetrically with respect to the rotary platform, i.e., symmetrically with respect to the two directions of rotation of the milking platform. Thus, the encoder assembly can be operated without differences in the preload force, regardless of the direction of rotation of the milking platform.

[0012] According to embodiments, the mounting arrangement can comprise a fixed section designed to be rigidly adjacent to and separate from the milking turntable, with the pivot axis being located between the fixed section and the movable section. In this way, the movable section of the mounting arrangement can be pre-tensioned by the fixed section towards the milking turntable about the pivot axis.

[0013] According to embodiments, the sensor arrangement can include a pre-tensioning element, wherein the pre-tensioning element is arranged between the fixed section and the movable section in order to pivot and pre-tension the movable section about the pivot axis and towards the milking rotary platform.

[0014] According to embodiments, the preload element can include a compression spring. In this way, the preloading of the movable section can be achieved by the compression spring, arranged between the fixed section and the movable section, pushing the movable section away from the fixed section.

[0015] According to embodiments, the encoder wheel can be pivotably supported by at least one bearing in the movable section of the mounting assembly. In this way, the encoder wheel is supported by a bearing that is separate from all bearings in the encoder. Thus, the encoder can be relieved of forces acting vertically on the encoder shaft.

[0016] According to embodiments, the encoder wheel can be pivotally supported by a first bearing on one side of the encoder wheel and by a second bearing on the opposite side. In this way, the encoder wheel is supported by bearings that are separate from all bearings within the encoder assembly. The encoder assembly can be relieved of forces acting vertically on the encoder shaft on the encoder wheel, as well as of torque acting on the encoder wheel. The encoder assembly can thus be insensitive to rotational changes in the milking platform. This allows for a robust mounting of the encoder wheel, separate from the encoder itself.

[0017] According to certain embodiments, the encoder wheel can include a circumferential friction surface. This allows the encoder wheel to reliably engage with the milking platform.

[0018] According to embodiments, the encoder wheel can include a convex outer surface designed to bear against the milking platform. Thus, the encoder wheel can have essentially the same diameter of rotation when bearing against the milking platform, even if the encoder axis is not parallel to a relevant surface of the milking platform. It is noted that this is not the case in the prior art, which includes encoder wheels with flat outer surfaces, such as in US 2011 / 0308467 A1, where even a slight deviation from a encoder axis parallel to the relevant milking platform leads to diameter differences and encoder errors.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the objective is achieved by a milking rotary platform arrangement comprising a milking rotary platform and a sensor arrangement according to any aspect or embodiment as disclosed herein.

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying claims and the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Various aspects of the invention, including its special features and advantages, are readily apparent from the exemplary embodiments discussed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a rotary encoder according to the state of the art, Fig. 2 illustrates a section of a sensor arrangement according to embodiments, Fig. 3 illustrates a sensor arrangement according to embodiments, Fig. 4 a cross-section through a section of the in Fig. 3 illustrated transmitter arrangements, and Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a milking rotary platform arrangement according to embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail. Identical numbers always refer to the same elements. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or constructions are not necessarily described.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a section of a sensor assembly 2 according to embodiments. The sensor assembly 2 comprises a sensor 4, a sensor wheel 6, and a mounting assembly 8 that supports the sensor 4 and the sensor wheel 6. The sensor 4 comprises a sensor shaft 10 that is rotatable about a sensor axis 12. The sensor wheel 6 is connected to the sensor shaft 10. The sensor wheel 6 is designed to bear against a surface of a milking turntable, see Figure 2. Fig. 5. Thus, the encoder wheel 6 is rotated by the milking platform when the milking platform is rotated. The rotation of the encoder wheel 6 is transmitted via the encoder shaft 10 to electromechanical parts located in the encoder 4.

[0024] The encoder 4 and the encoder wheel 6 are arranged on a movable section 14 of the mounting assembly 8.

[0025] In these embodiments, an optional additional sensor 4' is illustrated. The additional sensor 4' is also arranged on the sensor shaft 10. Thus, two sensors 4, 4' are provided, which are rotated by a sensor wheel 6. Each sensor 4, 4' can be provided for a different control system of the milking platform and / or a milking system and / or an animal handling system, such as teat cleaning or teat disinfection systems. Alternatively, the additional sensor 4' can be provided redundantly as a backup sensor should sensor 4 malfunction.

[0026] The encoder wheel 6 can include a circumferential friction surface 11, which is made, for example, of rubber or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). 10. The encoder wheel 6 can include a convex outer surface 13, which is designed to bear against the milking rotary platform. The convex outer surface 13 is convex in a cross-section through the encoder wheel 6 in a plane along the encoder axis 12.

[0027] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a sensor arrangement 2 according to embodiments, designed for use with a milking rotary platform. The sensor arrangement 2 comprises the [missing information]. Fig. Section 2 is illustrated. The transmitters are covered by a protective screen 15. Fig. Figure 4 illustrates a cross-section along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. In the following, both Fig. 3 as well Fig. 4 referenced.

[0028] The movable section 14 of the mounting assembly 8 is pivotable about a pivot axis 16. The mounting assembly 8 includes a fixed section 18, which is designed to be fixedly arranged adjacent to and separate from the milking turntable. The mounting assembly 8 includes a pivot shaft 20. The pivot axis 16 extends through and along the pivot shaft 20. The pivot axis 16 and the pivot shaft 20 are arranged between the fixed section 18 and the movable section 14. The pivot shaft 20 connects the movable section 14 to the fixed section 18.

[0029] The pivot axis 16 extends essentially vertically to the encoder axis 12. In more detail, the encoder axis 12 intersects the pivot shaft 20 in a direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft 20, i.e., as shown in Fig. Figure 4 illustrates this. This implies that the encoder axis 12 and the swivel axis 16 extend on the same plane, and that the encoder axis 12 and the swivel axis 16 extend on different planes, as shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 illustrated embodiments.

[0030] The movable section 14 is designed to be pre-tensioned towards the milking platform. For this purpose, the sensor assembly 2 includes a pre-tensioning element 22. The pre-tensioning element 22 is arranged between the fixed section 18 and the movable section 14 and pre-tensions the movable section 14 so that it pivots about the pivot axis 16 towards the milking platform. The pre-tensioning element 22 includes a compression spring 24, e.g., a coil spring. A first end 26 of the compression spring 24 is connected to the fixed section 18. A second end 28 of the compression spring 24 is connected to an arm element 30 of the movable section 14.

[0031] Since the encoder axis 12 intersects the pivot shaft 20, as discussed above, the encoder wheel 6 is mounted on the bracket assembly so that it is biased symmetrically towards the rotary platform, i.e., symmetrically with respect to the two directions of rotation of the milking platform. Thus, the encoder can be operated without differences in bias force, regardless of the direction of rotation of the milking platform.

[0032] The encoder wheel 6 is pivotably supported by at least one bearing 32 in the movable section 14 of the mounting assembly 8. The at least one bearing 32 is separate from the encoder of the encoder assembly 2. In these embodiments, the encoder wheel 6 is pivotably supported by a first bearing 32 on one side of the encoder wheel 6 and by a second bearing 32' on the opposite side of the encoder wheel 6. The first and second bearings 32, 32' naturally support the encoder wheel 6 pivotably about the encoder axis 12.

[0033] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 3, the sensor arrangement 2 is positioned so that it engages with a milking rotary platform; see also Fig. 5. In this position, the pivot axis 16 extends substantially horizontally and the encoder axis 12 extends substantially vertically. Thus, the encoder wheel 6 is positioned so that it rests against a substantially vertical surface of the milking turntable. Alternatively, the encoder axis 12 could extend substantially horizontally. In such a position, the encoder wheel 6 would be positioned so that it rests against a substantially horizontal surface of the milking turntable.

[0034] Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a section of a milking platform rotary assembly 34 according to embodiments. The milking platform rotary assembly 34 comprises a milking platform rotary assembly 35 and a sensor assembly 2 according to any aspect or embodiment as disclosed herein. The sensor wheel 6 of the sensor assembly 2 rests against a surface 36 of the milking platform rotary assembly 35. The surface 36 extends circumferentially and continuously around the milking platform rotary assembly 35. The fixed section 18 of the sensor assembly 2 is connected to a post 38 of the milking platform rotary assembly 34. The post 38 is stationary next to the milking platform rotary assembly 35. Thus, the movable section 14, which is supported by the fixed section 18, is biased towards the milking platform rotary assembly 35 by the biasing element 22.

[0035] By way of example only, the milking rotary platform 35 can have a diameter of 10 to 30 meters, the movable section 14 can have a length of approximately 30 cm from the pivot axis 16 to the encoder wheel 6, the fixed section 18 can have a length of approximately 15 cm from the pivot axis 16 to the pretensioning element 22, and the encoder wheel 6 can have a diameter of approximately 18 cm.

[0036] This invention should not be interpreted as limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined to form embodiments that differ from those described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the accompanying claims. Those skilled in the art will also understand that the encoder wheel 6 can bear against an inner circumferential surface of the milking platform instead of the illustrated outer circumferential surface 36. Likewise, the encoder wheel 6 can bear against a horizontal surface of the milking platform, such as an underside of the milking platform. The encoder 4 can be arranged above the encoder wheel 6 instead of below it, as shown in [reference missing]. Fig. Figure 2 illustrates that the fixed section 18 can be directly connected to the ground adjacent to the milking rotary platform.

[0037] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, many different changes, modifications, and the like are obvious to the person skilled in the art. It should therefore be understood that the foregoing serves to illustrate various exemplary embodiments and that the invention is defined only by the accompanying claims.

[0038] As used here, the term “comprehensive” or “includes” is non-restrictive and includes one, one or more of the listed features, elements, steps, components or functions, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof.

Claims

[1] Sensor arrangement (2) designed to be used with a milking rotary platform (35), the sensor arrangement (2) comprising: - a sensor (4) comprising a sensor shaft (10) rotatable about a sensor axis (12), - a encoder wheel (6) connected to the encoder shaft (10), wherein the encoder wheel (6) is designed to bear against a surface of the milking rotary platform (35), and - a mounting arrangement (8) which supports the sensor (4) and the sensor wheel (6), wherein the sensor (4) and the sensor wheel (6) are arranged on a movable section (14) of the mounting arrangement (8), wherein the movable section (14) is biased towards the milking rotary platform (35), characterized by , that the movable section (14) is pivotable about a pivot axis (16), wherein the pivot axis (16) extends substantially perpendicular to the encoder axis (12). [2] Sensor arrangement (2) according to claim 1, wherein the pivot axis (16) extends substantially horizontally and the sensor axis (12) extends substantially vertically when the sensor arrangement (2) is arranged such that it engages with a milking rotary platform (35). [3] Encoder arrangement (2) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a pivot shaft (20), wherein the pivot axis (16) extends through and along the pivot shaft (20), wherein the encoder axis (12) intersects the pivot shaft (20) in a direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft (20). [4] Transmitter arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting arrangement (8) comprises a fixed section (18) which is designed to be fixedly adjacent to and separate from the milking rotary platform (35), wherein the pivot axis (16) is arranged between the fixed section (18) and the movable section (14). [5] Transmitter arrangement (2) according to claim 4, comprising a pretensioning element (22), wherein the pretensioning element (22) is arranged between the fixed section (18) and the movable section (14) to pivot and pretension the movable section (14) about the pivot axis (16) and towards the milking rotary platform (35). [6] Sensor arrangement (2) according to claim 5, wherein the preload element (22) comprises a compression spring (24). [7] Sensor arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor wheel (6) is pivotably supported by at least one bearing (32) in the movable section (14) of the mounting arrangement (8). [8] Sensor arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor wheel (6) is pivotably supported by a first bearing (32) on one side of the sensor wheel (6) and by a second bearing (32') on an opposite side of the sensor wheel (6). [9] Sensor arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor wheel (6) comprises a circumferential friction surface (11). [10] Sensor arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor wheel (6) comprises a convex outer surface (13) designed to rest against the milking rotary platform (35). [11] Milking rotary platform arrangement (34) comprising a milking rotary platform (35) and a sensor arrangement (2) according to any of the preceding claims.

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