Modular Milk Flow Joining Device with Vacuum Stabilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current milking systems face issues with teat cup detachment during the milking process, leading to uneven operating vacuum, contamination, and reduced milk quality due to air ingress and foreign substances entering the milk line.
Innovation Solution
A device with flow channels that converge to ensure efficient milk drainage and a flow switching mechanism to inhibit milk flow when teat cups detach, stabilizing the vacuum and preventing contamination by blocking air ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional milk collecting piece with large-volume collection areas is used, then milk can be collected from multiple teat cups, but flow losses and flow resistances increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The milk collecting piece is segmented into multiple separate flow channels (first flow channel, second flow channel, third flow channel) that converge at specific points. Each channel has optimized dimensions to minimize flow resistance while maintaining collection capacity. The segmentation allows milk from multiple teat cups to be collected efficiently without the flow losses associated with large-volume collection areas.
2Reliability
If the operating negative pressure is maintained when a teat cup falls off, then the vacuum pump must provide greater performance to compensate for air ingress, but this leads to unstable vacuum conditions and increased energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The flow switching device is configured to detect pressure equalization (indicating teat cup detachment) and automatically switch to inhibit milk flow in the affected channel. This preliminary anti-action prevents air ingress from destabilizing the vacuum system, eliminating the need for the vacuum pump to compensate for pressure fluctuations and reducing energy consumption while maintaining vacuum stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow switching device uses pressure feedback to detect when a teat cup has fallen off (pressure equalization with atmosphere) and automatically responds by inhibiting milk flow in the corresponding channel. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains vacuum stability without requiring increased pump performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a teat cup falls off during milking, then foreign substances can enter the teat cup and contaminate the milk line, but cleaning the teat cups after each milking is not always possible
Solution Approach 1:
The flow switching device prevents contamination by detecting teat cup detachment and automatically inhibiting milk flow in the affected channel before foreign substances can enter and contaminate the milk line. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for frequent manual cleaning interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of teat cup detachment into a beneficial automatic protection mechanism. When detachment is detected through pressure equalization, the flow switching device automatically closes the affected channel, preventing contamination and protecting milk quality without requiring additional cleaning operations.
4Productivity
If the flexible insert is folded frequently to simulate sucking behavior, then milk extraction is improved, but the frequency and duration must be precisely controlled for each animal
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible insert is designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing the frequency and duration of folding cycles to be adjusted according to animal-specific requirements. The system can adapt the milking pattern (e.g., 40-120 folds per minute) to match individual animal characteristics while maintaining high milk extraction efficiency.
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 stabilizes the operating vacuum, reduces contamination, and maintains milk quality by preventing air from entering the system when teat cups fall off, ensuring symmetrical udder emptying and minimizing health and economic impacts.
Implementation Method 1
the flow switching device is designed to detect pressure equalization to the atmosphere in a flow channel and, upon detection, to actuate a sealing body to close the flow channel
Implementation Method 2
actuate a sealing body to close the flow channel
Data Source
Figure 1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a modular system for the pressure-dependent and/or controlled inhibiting of the milk flow. With the modular concept, the required characteristics of the device can be adjusted in an efficient manner. For example, it is possible to adapt the connection to a milk line, i.e. the shape of the connection assembly, specifically to the existing conditions of the milking site and the milking system. The pressure-dependent inhibiting during milking can be adjusted specifically for an individual teat or in pairs for two teats using a corresponding module component. If necessary, an adapting of the region for reliable switching (152) can occur by selecting suitable spring components (153) and/or by adapting the flow resistance. In this way, the flow resistance can be adjusted by using a suitable connection assembly and/or by exchanging a modular flow body.