Balanced Milk Hose Support Arm With Rotating Guide Hinge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional milking devices require manual handling of milk hoses, which can be labor-intensive and lead to undesired bending and twisting, affecting milk quality and udder health.
Innovation Solution
A support arm with a hinge and counter element for balanced rotation, featuring a hose guide that allows for independent movement, reducing the risk of hose twisting and bending, and includes adjustable components for flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of milk hoses is performed by the milker, then the hoses can be positioned, but the handling becomes labor-intensive and may require many manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is designed to automatically follow the cow's movement and adjust the hose position without requiring manual intervention. The arm moves autonomously along the cow's body as she walks through the milking parlour, eliminating the need for the milker to manually handle and reposition the hose during the milking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm incorporates a hinge mechanism that enables dynamic adaptation to the cow's movement. The arm can rotate and adjust its position automatically as the cow moves, maintaining optimal hose positioning without fixed rigid structures, thereby reducing manual handling while keeping the system relatively simple.
2Productivity
If conventional support structures are used for milk hoses, then maneuvering is rendered easier and faster, but the support does not follow the cow when she is moving during the milking operation
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is designed with a hinge mechanism that enables it to dynamically follow the cow's movement. As the cow walks through the milking parlour, the arm automatically adjusts its position and orientation to maintain optimal hose positioning, combining fast maneuvering with adaptability to animal movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is divided into segmented components including the arm, hinge mechanism, and hose guide. This segmentation allows each component to move and adjust independently, enabling the overall system to follow the cow's movement while maintaining structural integrity and maneuverability.
3Manufacturing precision
If milk hoses are manually handled and positioned, then the milking cluster can be positioned optimally, but undesired bending and twisting of hoses may result in higher flow resistances and possibly quality reduction of the milk
Solution Approach 1:
A hose guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the support arm and the milk hose. The hose guide ensures the hose is properly directed and positioned without excessive bending or twisting, maintaining optimal flow characteristics and milk quality while achieving precise hose positioning through the guided path.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose guide is integrated with the movable support arm and hinge mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position as the cow moves. This dynamic positioning maintains optimal hose alignment and minimizes bending and twisting throughout the milking process, preserving both precision and preventing harmful deformations.
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
Facilitates easier handling of milk hoses, maintains optimal milk quality, and enhances udder health by minimizing hose deformation during milking operations.
Implementation Method 1
an arm (26) having a first arm end (32) and a second arm end (34)... and a hinge (28) configured for enabling rotation of the arm (26) around an arm axis (29)
Implementation Method 2
a hinge (28) configured for enabling rotation of the arm (26) around an arm axis (29) at or close to the first arm end (32)
Implementation Method 3
a counter element (60) that is attached to the arm (26) at or close to the first arm end (32) and is configured for providing a counter force for balancing the support arm (20)
Implementation Method 4
the arm (26) comprises a guide hinge (40) configured for enabling rotation of the hose guide (38) relative to the arm (26)... wherein the guide hinge (40) defines a guide hinge axis (42) around which the hose guide (38) may rotate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a support arm (20) for supporting a milk hose (10) in a milking device, a milking device and a milking parlour with such support arm and associated method for milking. The support arm (20) comprises: - an arm (26) having a first arm end (32) and a second arm end (34), and a hinge (28) configured for enabling rotation of the arm around an arm axis at or close to the first arm end; - a counter element (60) that is attached to the arm at or close to the first arm end and is configured for providing a counter force for balancing the support arm; and - a hose guide (38) that is attached to the arm at or close to the second arm end and is configured for guiding one or more milk hoses, wherein the arm comprises a guide hinge (40) configured for enabling rotation of the hose guide relative to the arm.