Milk Meter Using Conductivity Sensor to Replace Mechanical Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current milk measurement mechanisms in the dairy industry are inaccurate and prone to damage due to mechanical moving parts, which are ineffective, difficult to clean, and unsanitary.
Innovation Solution
A milk meter with no mechanical moving parts, utilizing a conductivity sensor with conductive strips to measure fluid flow, allowing for accurate calculation of fluid quantity over time, compatible with various sensors and capable of handling different types of milk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical moving parts are used to measure fluid flow, then measurement capability is provided, but reliability deteriorates due to damage and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical moving parts with a conductivity sensor system that uses electrical conductivity measurements to detect fluid flow. The sensor measures changes in conductivity as fluid passes through the meter, eliminating mechanical components that cause wear and damage while providing accurate flow measurement capability.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical moving parts are used for measurement, then fluid flow can be measured, but ease of operation worsens due to cleaning difficulty and sanitation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The conductivity sensor system replaces mechanical measurement components with electrical sensing elements that have no moving parts to clean or maintain. The sensor measures fluid conductivity through electrical fields, providing accurate measurement while eliminating sanitation problems associated with mechanical parts.
3Measurement precision
If conventional meters are used to measure milk production, then measurement is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a conductivity sensor that measures electrical conductivity changes as milk flows through the meter. This electrical measurement system provides accurate milk production data without the mechanical mechanisms that cause inaccuracy in conventional meters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures changes in electrical conductivity parameter as milk passes through the sensor. By monitoring conductivity variations and correlating them with flow volume, the system achieves precise measurement of milk production through parameter change detection rather than mechanical measurement.
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 provides accurate and durable milk measurement, minimizing damage and ensuring sanitation, while being compatible with multiple sensors and handling varying milk types, thus improving dairy industry productivity and health assessment.
Implementation Method 1
a conductivity sensor comprising a first conductive strip positioned at a first portion of the milk meter and a second conductive strip positioned substantially parallel to the first conductive strip... wherein the conductivity sensor measures a change in resistance between the first and second conductive strips as fluid collects inside the milk meter
Data Source
AI summary
A milk meter operably coupled to a controller, the milk meter comprising an inlet, an outlet, an inner column coupled to an opening of the outlet. The milk meter further comprises a conductivity sensor comprising a first conductive strip positioned at a first portion of the milk meter and a second conductive strip positioned substantially parallel to the first conductive strip wherein the conductivity sensor measures a change in resistance between the first and second conductive strips as fluid collects inside the milk meter before the fluid exits the milk meter through the outlet opening. The controller is operable to receive data about the fluid from the conductivity sensor and calculate a total quantity of fluid flow through the milk meter over a period of time.