Adjustable Milk Flow Measurement Device with Dynamic Outlet Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milk yield measurement devices struggle to accurately measure varying milk flows, particularly in animals like sheep and goats, and are not suitable for monitoring changes in milk flow during the milking process, with a design that restricts transportability and is inefficient for small milk flows.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a container, a supply unit, a discharge unit, a filling level measuring device, and an evaluation unit, where the discharge unit has adjustable outflow openings to maintain a predetermined fill level, allowing for precise measurement of milk flow across different animal species and flow rates, and an evaluation unit calculates the milk flow based on the fill level and outflow opening size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the outlet line is kept relatively long to keep changes in milk flow small, then the measurement precision is improved, but the overall height of the device increases, restricting transportability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the outlet line length adjustable rather than fixed. The outlet line can be extended or retracted depending on measurement requirements, allowing the device to achieve precise measurements when needed while maintaining a compact form for transport when the line is retracted.
2Measurement precision
If the solenoid valve is opened for very short periods to measure small milk flows, then the measurement of small flows becomes possible, but the number of opening and closing operations increases, making it difficult to measure small milk flows accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the outlet line length adjustable rather than fixed. The outlet line can be extended or retracted depending on measurement requirements, allowing the device to achieve precise measurements when needed while maintaining a compact form for transport when the line is retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the fill level and dynamically adjusts the outlet line length to maintain optimal measurement conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures that the outlet line is sufficiently long to stabilize milk flow during measurement while minimizing its length when not in use, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and transportability.
3Measurement precision
If the device is designed for continuous operation to measure changes in milk flow during the milking process, then the measurement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the outlet line length based on measurement requirements. The outlet line can be extended to provide sufficient flow resistance for stable measurements, and retracted when not needed, allowing the device to adapt to different measurement scenarios without requiring a completely different design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate measurement of milk flows from 0.5 kg/min to 12 kg/min, reducing power consumption and improving measurement precision, while being transportable and suitable for different animal species, including those with low milk production.
Implementation Method 1
The outflow from the container essentially depends on the hydrostatic pressure that the milk has at the outlet opening, which in turn is a function of the fill level
Implementation Method 2
The outflow from the container essentially depends on the hydrostatic pressure that the milk has at the outlet opening, which in turn is a function of the fill level
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for measuring a milk volume yielded from an animal during a milking process, comprising a container, a supply line unit, a delivery unit, a level measurement device, a control unit and an evaluation unit. The supply line unit is designed for supplying milk into the container and can be connected to a milking tool of a milking machine. The delivery unit is designed for delivering milk out of the container and can be connected to a milk line of the milk machine that can be charged with a milking vacuum. The delivery unit comprises means for changing the size of a drain opening through which the milk flows during delivery out of the container. The drain opening can be adjusted to at least two sizes, which allow a flow of milk through the drain opening. The level measurement device is designed to measure a level of milk in the container. The control unit is designed to control the means for changing the size of the drain opening in dependence on the level of milk in the container determined by the level measurement device in order to adjust the size of the drain opening so that the level remains in a specified range. The evaluation unit is designed to calculate a milk flow into the container from the adjusted size of the drain opening and the level measured by the level measurement device.