Dynamic Electrode Pairing for Accurate Milk Property Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milking systems lack flexibility and accuracy in measuring milk properties due to the use of a fixed base electrode and limited electrode configurations, leading to slow and unreliable measurements.
Innovation Solution
A milking system with a sensor device featuring multiple electrodes that can be selectively paired to measure various properties of milk, allowing for targeted measurements of specific layers and parts of the milk, enabling more accurate and flexible determination of milk properties without the need for homogenization or extensive electrode arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed base electrode and series of electrodes at different heights are used to measure milk level, then the system can determine milk level, but the system offers little flexibility and has limitations in speed and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the electrode selection dynamic rather than fixed. The sensor control unit dynamically selects which pair of electrodes to measure based on the current milk level position, allowing the measurement system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining high precision through targeted measurements of the relevant electrode pairs
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are used to improve measurement coverage, then more milk properties can be measured, but the measurement process becomes slower due to reading out more electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by measuring only the necessary electrode pairs at any given time rather than reading all electrodes. The sensor control unit identifies and measures only the relevant pairs that provide information about the current milk level, achieving sufficient measurement coverage without the speed penalty of exhaustive measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the measurement process into discrete, manageable steps by dividing the electrode array into selectable pairs. This segmentation allows the system to process measurements in small, efficient units (pairs) rather than handling all electrodes as a single large set, improving measurement speed while maintaining versatility
3Reliability
If all parts of the milk are measured to ensure comprehensive data, then complete milk property information is obtained, but overlapping measurements reduce the ability to compare different layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making measurements at different local positions (different electrode pairs) rather than uniformly measuring all regions. This allows the system to obtain comprehensive data while maintaining the ability to distinguish between different milk layers, as each local measurement provides information about its specific region without contaminating other layer measurements
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
This approach enhances measurement speed, accuracy, and reliability by focusing on relevant electrode pairs, reducing measurement time, and allowing for redundant measurements to correct for electrode soiling and non-homogeneous milk volumes, while providing higher resolution and clearer insights into milk composition and health indicators.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the conductivity between successively each of the electrodes and a base electrode
Implementation Method 2
measuring impedance values between two electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A milking system for milking a dairy animal includes a milking cup for obtaining milk, a measuring chamber which is in flow communication with the milking cup for at least temporarily containing the obtained milk, and having a sensor device for measuring at least one property of the milk. The sensor device comprises at least three mutually separate electrodes for measuring values of a first milk property using an electrical and/or electromagnetic variable, and a sensor control unit for actuating the sensor device and for processing the measured values. The sensor control unit is configured to repeatedly select a pair of the electrodes in a targeted manner, the pair comprising a first electrode and a second electrode which differs from the first electrode. The sensor device is configured to measure the value of the variable between the electrodes, and to determine the value of the at least one milk property.