Dual-Stage Camera Lens Cleaning for Rotary Milking Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
In rotary milking systems, the frequent use of robots makes it difficult to clean camera lenses without halting the entire milking process, as the lenses become dirty frequently due to the operating environment, affecting robot visibility and control.
Innovation Solution
A camera cleaning system that includes a cleaning arrangement using detergents, solvents, or mechanical means, and a rinsing arrangement, controlled to perform a more thorough cleaning during less frequent intervals when the camera is not in use, such as during empty milking stalls or unplanned stoppages, allowing continuous system operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the camera lens is cleaned frequently using a thorough cleaning arrangement with detergents and mechanical means, then the lens clarity and robot control precision are improved, but the system operation time is reduced due to frequent cleaning interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into two independent parts: a first cleaning arrangement for thorough cleaning performed less frequently, and a second cleaning arrangement for rapid cleaning performed more frequently. This segmentation allows each cleaning method to be optimized for its specific purpose without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which cleaning arrangement to use based on the soiling level of the lens. The control unit monitors lens condition and automatically switches between the first (thorough) and second (rapid) cleaning arrangements, optimizing the balance between cleaning effectiveness and system productivity.
2Reliability
If a single thorough cleaning arrangement is used for the camera lens, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the cleaning time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into two independent parts: a first cleaning arrangement for thorough cleaning performed less frequently, and a second cleaning arrangement for rapid cleaning performed more frequently. This segmentation allows each cleaning method to be optimized for its specific purpose without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cleaning arrangement provides a rapid, less thorough cleaning that is sufficient for light soiling between milkings. This partial cleaning action maintains acceptable lens clarity without requiring the full complexity of the first cleaning arrangement, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
3Measurement precision
If the camera lens is cleaned between each milking operation, then the lens clarity is maintained, but the cleaning complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second cleaning arrangement provides a rapid, less thorough cleaning that is sufficient for light soiling between milkings. This partial cleaning action maintains acceptable lens clarity without requiring the full complexity of the first cleaning arrangement, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic cleaning with two different frequencies: the first cleaning arrangement is activated less frequently (e.g., once per day or when soiling exceeds a threshold), while the second cleaning arrangement operates more frequently (e.g., between each milking). This periodic action optimizes the balance between lens clarity maintenance and time consumption.
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 camera cleaning system maintains lens clarity without halting the milking system, enhancing robot reliability and milk production efficiency by scheduling cleaning during unused time slots.
Implementation Method 1
a rinsing arrangement, arranged to clean the lens arrangement of the camera according to a second cleaning scheme, e.g. between the animal related operations with respect to the animals in each two adjacent milking stalls
Implementation Method 2
mechanical cleaning means such as a sponge or a brush
Implementation Method 3
the use of detergents, and/or solvents, and/or acids, and/or alkali
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A camera cleaning system for a milking system is provided, which milking system comprises a moving arrangement (19), a plurality of milking stalls (19a) arranged thereon for housing a plurality of animals (15) during milking thereof. A robot (10) is arranged for performing an animal related operation with respect to the animals in the milking stalls passing by the robot, and a camera (14) in response to signals from which the robot is configured to move. A cleaning arrangement (17) is arranged to clean the lens arrangement of the camera according to a first cleaning scheme. A rinsing arrangement is arranged to clean the lens arrangement of the camera according to a second cleaning scheme. The cleaning according to the first cleaning scheme is more time consuming than the cleaning according to the second cleaning scheme. Control means (18) are arranged to control the cleaning arrangement and the rinsing arrangement such that the cleaning according to the first cleaning scheme is performed more rarely than the cleaning according to the second cleaning scheme.