Dual Teat-Preparing Cup Robot for Fast Rotary Parlour Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary parlour milking systems face challenges in achieving high-quality teat preparation within the limited time available due to the rapid rotation of the rotary platform, making it difficult to efficiently clean and prepare all teats of an animal during the brief milking period.

Innovation Solution

A preparation robot with two teat-preparing cups, one fixed and one detachable via a flexible line, allows simultaneous preparation of two teats by moving the detachable cup to different teats while the fixed cup remains attached to the robot arm, enabling efficient teat cleaning and fore-milking operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a rotary platform rotates at high speed to increase productivity, then the milking throughput increases, but the time available for teat preparation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilking throughputVSAvoidtime available for teat preparation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple teat preparation functions (cleaning, stimulation, fore-milking) into a single integrated cup device that performs all operations simultaneously during the brief time the animal is at the milking station, eliminating the need for separate sequential steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If a single teat-preparing cup is used for one teat, then the device structure is simple, but the preparation efficiency for multiple teats is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveteat preparation efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple teat-preparing cups into a single holder assembly that can be simultaneously presented to multiple teats, allowing parallel processing of multiple teats without requiring multiple separate devices or complex mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder assembly is designed as a universal device that can accommodate and position multiple teat-preparing cups, each capable of performing the same preparation function on different teats, enabling the system to handle varying numbers of teats with a single multi-functional unit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4075953B1A preparation robot for preparing the teats of an animal, a teat preparation arrangement and a method of preparing teats

Publication Date: 2026.01.21 DELAVAL HLDG AB

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AI summary

A preparation robot (3), a teat preparation arrangement and a method of preparing teats are disclosed. The preparation robot comprises a base, a robot arm arrangement connected to and movable in relation to the base, wherein the robot arm arrangement comprises an outer robot arm member (7), a first teat-preparing cup (8) and a second teat-preparing cup (9), each comprising an inner space (10) for receiving a respective one of the teats (11). The first teat-preparing cup is attached to the outer robot arm member to be immovable in relation to the outer robot arm member during operation of the preparation robot. The second teat-preparing cup is detachable from the outer robot arm member to be movable in relation to the outer robot arm member during at least a part of the operation of the preparation robot.