Tube-Shaped Milk Filter Cleaning With Countercurrent Pulse Turbulence
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milking devices do not satisfactorily clean the milk filter, leading to reduced milk quality and quicker blockages, which can cause the device to malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A milking device with a tube-shaped filter component featuring a unilaterally tapering cross-sectional profile and a spiral-shaped wire frame, which divides the filter volume into inner and outer sections, is cleaned using countercurrent pulses with varying liquid levels to enhance turbulence and improve cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If countercurrent cleaning is used to clean the milk filter, then the filter can be cleaned without replacement, but the cleaning is not satisfactory and the filter becomes blocked quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device operates in periodic pulses rather than continuous flow. Each pulse creates a temporary liquid level rise that generates turbulence for enhanced cleaning effect, then allows drainage. This periodic pulsing action repeats multiple times to progressively clean the filter component effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system dynamically varies the liquid level in the filter volume during operation. During pulse stages, the liquid level rises to submerge filter openings and create turbulence; during drainage stages, the level falls to allow discharged liquid to carry away loosened contaminants. This dynamic level variation optimizes both cleaning and waste removal.
2Reliability
If filter sleeves are replaced frequently to maintain cleaning quality, then milk quality is maintained, but labor and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The milk filter is designed to be self-cleaning through the integrated cleaning device that passes cleaning liquid through the filter in countercurrent direction. The pulse-driven cleaning system automatically removes contaminants from the filter component without requiring manual intervention or replacement, allowing continuous operation while maintaining filtration performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the filter sleeve after single-use, the system recovers and reuses the filter component indefinitely through repeated pulse cleaning cycles. The cleaning liquid flushes away accumulated contaminants, restoring the filter's performance and allowing it to continue serving without replacement.
3Ease of operation
If cleaning liquid flows continuously through the filter, then cleaning occurs, but turbulence is insufficient and upper openings are not cleaned effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device uses periodic pulsing instead of continuous flow. Each pulse creates a temporary surge in liquid level that generates turbulence throughout the filter volume, particularly effective at reaching upper openings. The pulsing cycle alternates between filling (creating turbulence) and draining (removing contaminants), repeating this pattern multiple times for thorough cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow parameters of the cleaning liquid by varying flow rate and liquid level dynamically. During pulse stages, high flow rate creates turbulence and submerges filter openings; during drainage stages, flow rate decreases to allow controlled discharge. This parameter variation optimizes cleaning effectiveness without requiring complex additional components.
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 solution effectively cleans the filter component, particularly the upper openings, by creating additional turbulence and ensuring thorough cleaning, reducing soiling and blockages, thereby maintaining milk quality and device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the cleaning liquid of the next pulse hits. This collision creates additional turbulence resulting in a greater turbulence intensity in the liquid
Implementation Method 2
an amount of cleaning liquid collects in the filter volume up to a liquid level which surrounds at least a portion of the plurality of openings
Data Source
AI summary
A milking device is provided with milking means, a control unit, a milk line for transporting the milk from the milking means to a milk tank, a milk filter for filtering the milk passing through the milk line, and a cleaning device for the milk filter with cleaning liquid. The milk filter includes a housing which surrounds a filter volume and has a milk inlet and a milk outlet, and a filter component in the filter volume. The filter component includes a circumferential plate part with filter openings, and divides the filter volume into a central inner filter volume and an outer filter volume surrounding the latter. The filter component includes wire with a unilaterally tapering cross-sectional profile and a frame. The wire is provided in a spiral shape with a plurality of windings or in a series of individual parallel rings or rods.