Adjustable Regulator Dip Cup for Bovine Teat Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dip cups for treating bovine teats face challenges in achieving the correct air-to-liquid chemical ratio, leading to insufficient disinfection or excessive chemical use, and are difficult to dismantle and reassemble due to complex designs and harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A dip cup design featuring removable and adjustable regulator devices with air channels and foaming elements, allowing for customizable air-to-liquid ratios and simplified disassembly, using a compressible container connected via a liquid supply line and pump to ensure precise foam generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is mixed with the liquid in a known dip cup, then foam is produced for disinfection, but the air-to-liquid ratio is incorrect leading to either insufficient chemical contact or excessive chemical wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by providing multiple regulator devices with different air channel configurations (different numbers, sizes, and arrangements of air channels) to adjust the air-to-liquid ratio parameter. This allows optimization of foam characteristics to achieve the correct balance between disinfection effectiveness and chemical usage efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the regulator device removable and replaceable, allowing the air-to-liquid ratio to be dynamically adjusted based on different teat-treating liquids and desired foam characteristics. This enables the system to adapt to varying requirements rather than being fixed
2Reliability
If a known dip cup is used in a harsh environment, then disinfection is provided, but the cup is difficult to dismantle for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the dip cup into separate components: a cup body and a removable regulator device. This segmentation allows the regulator device to be easily detached for cleaning of the cup interior, while the regulator can be cleaned separately, solving the cleaning accessibility problem without compromising the disinfection function
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous small parts are used in a known dip cup, then functionality is enhanced, but re-assembly becomes troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple small parts (air channels, regulator body, sealing elements) into a single integrated regulator device assembly. This reduces the number of separate components that need to be handled during assembly, making re-assembly less troublesome while maintaining the functional capabilities provided by the air channels and regulator mechanism
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
The solution ensures accurate air-to-liquid ratios for effective disinfection, simplifies cleaning and reassembly, and reduces waste and costs by allowing for easy adjustment and selection of regulator devices based on teat-treating liquids, enhancing user convenience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
foaming elements for mixing air and teat-treating liquid to produce foam
Implementation Method 2
a pump for urging the teat treating liquid in the container along the fluid flow path to the cup
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A dip cup (10) comprises a cup (12) for receiving a teat, the cup (12) being connected or connectable to a supply of teat treating liquid including a foaming agent, foaming elements (34,36) for mixing air and the teat treating liquidto produce foam, and a regulator device (16) for setting an air-to-liquid ratio. The regulator devices (16) is selectable or adjustable based on the teat (10) treating liquid, so that a specified air-to-liquid ratio is achieved.