Adjustable Arm Space Divider for Automated Milking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milking parlor automation technologies have low throughput and are complex, leading to high failure probabilities and discontinuous operation, which is inefficient and costly, especially in large installations.
Innovation Solution
A space divider system with an adjustable arm device that moves a milking cluster from a parking position to a working position between an animal's front and hind legs, allowing for fully automatic or semi-automatic milking operations without obstructing staff, reducing contamination, and enabling efficient use of space and easy access for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If existing automation technology is used for milking parlors, then milking operations can be automated, but throughput is low and complexity is high leading to frequent failures
Solution Approach 1:
The automation system is divided into multiple independent robotic units, each capable of performing milking operations in separate stalls. This segmentation reduces the complexity of any single automated unit while maintaining overall automation capability across the entire milking parlor.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic milking unit is designed to perform multiple functions including approaching the animal, positioning the milking cluster, executing milking operations, and retreating. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single versatile robotic unit.
2Extent of automation
If existing automation technology is used, then milking can be automated, but failure probability is high and operation is discontinuous
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the automation system into multiple independent robotic units operating in separate stalls, the failure of one unit does not affect the operation of other units. This segmentation isolates failures and maintains continuous operation across the milking parlor.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic unit autonomously performs all milking operations without requiring human intervention during the milking process. The robot independently approaches the animal, positions the cluster, executes milking, and retreats, enabling continuous operation without staff involvement that could cause interruptions.
3Productivity
If multiple milking stalls are used to increase throughput, then more animals can be milked, but complexity and failure probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The milking parlor is divided into multiple independent stalls, each with its own robotic unit. This segmentation allows each stall to operate independently, increasing overall throughput while keeping the complexity of each individual stall manageable and isolated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of stall configuration from a single complex automated stall to multiple simpler independent stalls. This parameter change allows parallel operation of multiple units, increasing throughput while reducing the complexity burden on any single unit.
4Reliability
If staff area is blocked for safety in automated robot area, then safety is improved, but access for maintenance and operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic unit dynamically adjusts its position and operation cycle, allowing staff to access the stall area during safe periods when the robot is not actively operating. The robot can pause or retreat to allow maintenance access, then resume operation, providing both safety and operational access.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic unit operates in periodic cycles of approach, milking, and retreat, creating regular intervals when the stall area is safe for staff access. This periodic operation pattern allows maintenance and monitoring activities to occur during retreat phases while maintaining continuous milking operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A space divider of a milking parlor arrangement for at least one milking parlor for milking milk-producing animals, wherein the space divider is arranged approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the animal to be milked, has an arm device having a milking cluster, which can be adjusted from a parking position to a working position and back. The arm device is arranged with the milking cluster in the parking position in the space divider and can be adjusted into the working position laterally to the animal to be milked between the front and rear legs thereof in fully automatic operation or semiautomatic operation. The space divider is designed in such a way that no additional space is required between adjacent animals, so that many animals can be milked in a milking parlor arrangement while the smallest possible amount of space is required.