Individualized Milk Control Device with Buffer Tank and Weighing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milking installations face challenges in accurately measuring milk production from individual animals due to intermittent milk flow and pressure drops caused by flow meters, and lack individualized monitoring and precise control over milking processes.
Innovation Solution
An individualized milk control device with a buffer tank, weighing system, and automated valve control allows real-time weighing of milk without disturbing the milking process, enabling precise measurement and monitoring of each animal's production, and includes sensors for anomaly detection and automated milking control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow meters are positioned on each milking pipe to monitor milk flow, then milk production measurement is enabled, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to intermittent flow and pressure drops
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement function from the milking pipe flow meters and relocates it to a collection tank positioned downstream. The tank collects milk from multiple pipes and provides a stable environment for weighing, isolating the measurement system from the intermittent flow conditions in the milking pipes. This allows accurate measurement without the harmful effects of intermittent flow and pressure drops.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection tank acts as an intermediary between the milking pipes and the measurement system. It receives intermittent milk flow from the pipes and converts it into a stable, continuous mass that can be accurately weighed. The tank's stable position and design provide a buffer that smooths out the fluctuations, enabling reliable measurement without directly measuring the problematic intermittent flow in the pipes.
2Loss of information
If flow meters are installed on milking pipes, then milk flow monitoring is achieved, but the milking process is disrupted due to pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the measurement device from the milking pipe system entirely and places it in a separate collection tank. This extraction eliminates the source of pressure drop from the milking process while preserving the ability to monitor milk flow information through weighing the collected milk in the tank.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly measuring flow in the pipes, the invention creates a copy of the milk in a stable environment (the collection tank) and measures this copy. The tank receives a representation of the total milk flow and measures it under stable conditions, providing flow information without interfering with the original milking process.
3Ease of operation
If manual control is used for detachment, then individualized milking control is possible, but operator workload increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements an automated feedback system where the weighing device continuously monitors milk production and automatically triggers detachment when a target weight is reached. The system feeds back real-time weight information to the control mechanism, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and decision-making while maintaining individualized control for each animal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the milking process automatically regulates itself based on weight feedback. The detachment mechanism activates autonomously when the predetermined weight condition is met, allowing the system to serve itself without continuous operator intervention and significantly improving productivity.
4Extent of automation
If timer-based automatic detachment is used, then operator intervention is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates because animals produce different amounts of milk
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the control parameter from fixed time duration to variable weight threshold. Instead of detaching after a predetermined time regardless of milk production, the system uses a weight-based parameter that adapts to each animal's actual milk output. This maintains automation while ensuring accurate measurement of individual production levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, fixed-time detachment approach to a dynamic, weight-responsive approach. The detachment trigger adapts in real-time based on the actual milk weight being produced, allowing the automation to respond dynamically to variations in individual animal production rather than following a rigid time schedule.
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 device provides reliable milk volume measurement, precise control over milking, and automated monitoring of each animal's production, reducing operator intervention and improving milk quality and production tracking.
Implementation Method 1
a weighing system configured to weigh the buffer tank
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum is generated in the line to cause milk to flow from the milking clusters to the storage tank
Implementation Method 3
A pulsator is also provided to generate sequential movement at the liners of the milking clusters
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an individualized milk control device for a milking installation which includes a buffer tank (38), a weighing system (40) configured to weigh the weighing tank (38), a milking pipe (16) which has a first end (16.1) equipped with a milking cluster (18) and a second end opening into the upper part of the buffer tank (38), a connecting pipe (42) which has a first end (42.1) connected to a milk line (10) and a second end (42.2) opening into the upper part of the buffer tank (38), a drain pipe (54) which has a first end (54.1) configured to be connected to the milk line (10) and a second end (54.2) connected in the lower part of the buffer tank (38), a first valve (60) to control the flow of fluid in the drain pipe (54), and a second valve (62) configured to occupy a passing state in which it allows milking and a blocked state in which it stops milking.