Inverted Teat Cup Storage Bracket for Dairy Milking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dairy milking systems are inefficient and lack scalability, failing to effectively maintain cleanliness and automate the process of attaching and storing teat cups, leading to potential contamination and increased operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

A milking box system featuring a retractable hose, hose lift belt, cup holder base, and cup holder bracket that allows for upside-down storage and automated retrieval of teat cups, incorporating a robotic attacher and cleansing system to maintain hygiene and streamline the milking process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If teat cups are stored in a conventional storage area, then they are easily accessible, but they are prone to contamination from debris and lack automated retrieval

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness of teat cupsVSAvoidcomplexity of storage mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cup holder bracket is inverted to hang upside down, with the opening facing downward. This inversion prevents debris from entering the cup while stored, and allows the robotic attacher to easily access and retrieve cups by reaching upward into the bracket. The hose lift belt also operates in reverse by pulling upward on the hose to retract it, rather than pushing downward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automated retrieval of teat cups through the robotic attacher, which automatically reaches into the cup holder bracket, grasps cups, and transports them to the milking station. The hose lift belt automatically retracts the hose after each use, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining continuous system operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual retrieval of teat cups is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but labor intensity increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of milking operationVSAvoidcomplexity of automated retrieval system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical action of retrieving cups and retracting hoses is replaced with an automated robotic system. The robotic attacher uses a gripper mechanism to grasp and transport cups, while the hose lift belt uses a motorized reel to automatically retract the hose. This substitution eliminates manual labor and increases operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic attacher performs multiple functions: it retrieves teat cups from storage, transports them to the milking station, and can potentially return them to storage. The hose lift belt serves dual purposes by both extending the hose during milking and retracting it afterward. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the cup holder bracket remains open for easy access, then retrieval is simple, but debris can enter and contaminate stored cups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness of stored teat cupsVSAvoidease of cup retrieval

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cup holder bracket is inverted with the opening facing downward, which prevents debris from falling into the stored cups while maintaining easy accessibility. The robotic attacher, positioned above the bracket, can still easily grasp and retrieve cups by reaching upward into the inverted bracket structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The inverted bracket structure acts as an intermediary between the stored cups and the external environment. By inverting the bracket, the opening faces away from the environment where debris accumulates, creating a protective barrier that prevents contamination while still allowing the robotic attacher to access the cups through the inverted opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9043988B2Milking box with storage area for teat cups

Publication Date: 2015.06.02 TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

In certain embodiments, a milking box comprises a storage area comprising a retractable hose, a hose lift belt, a cup holder base, a cup holder, and a cup holder bracket. The retractable hose couples to a cup and suspends the cup in the storage area. The hose lift belt couples to the retractable hose and is operable to retract the retractable hose. The cup holder base defines an aperture through which the retractable hose is positioned. The cup holder comprises a rimmed structure adapted to hold an attachment end of the cup. The cup holder is coupled to the cup holder bracket. The cup holder bracket is operable to open and close such that when closed, the rimmed structure of the cup holder aligns with the attachment end of the cup that is suspended from the retractable hose.