Milk Meter Stabilization Chamber Valve Cleaning Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing milk meters face issues with inadequate cleaning, which affects germ count and measurement accuracy due to improper valve positioning during the cleaning process, leading to insufficient rinsing and potential contamination.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a processing unit that generates a condition signal based on the liquid flow rate during rinsing operations, allowing for real-time monitoring and correction of valve position, along with features like warning signals to ensure proper cleaning, using sensors to detect temperature and flow rates, and a stabilization chamber with a float to measure flow rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a valve is used to control liquid path during cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but valve positioning errors lead to insufficient rinsing and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a sensor detects liquid flow rate during rinsing operations and sends signals to a control unit. The control unit monitors whether the valve is in the correct position by analyzing flow rate data and provides feedback to ensure proper valve positioning, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual or purely mechanical valve control with an automated electronic control system. The control unit uses sensor data to automatically monitor and adjust valve positioning, substituting mechanical oversight with electronic feedback control to eliminate positioning errors and ensure reliable cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If manual cleaning procedures are used, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning accuracy and consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidcleaning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service cleaning monitoring system where the milk meter automatically detects its own cleaning status through flow rate sensors. The system self-monitors valve positioning and cleaning effectiveness without requiring external intervention, maintaining simplicity while improving cleaning accuracy through automated feedback

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If valve position is not monitored during rinsing, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning quality and measurement accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring system complexityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the flow rate sensor serve multiple functions: it monitors both the cleaning process quality and the subsequent measurement accuracy. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain high measurement precision without adding separate monitoring devices, thereby balancing complexity with performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Ensures correct cleaning operations by monitoring and adjusting valve positions, preventing contamination and maintaining measurement accuracy by providing real-time feedback and ensuring thorough rinsing.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sensor device for generating a sensor signal indicative of a flow rate of a liquid flow through the milk meter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow rate sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a float which is in the stabilization chamber and is configured to float on milk of the milk flow that is in the stabilization chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP3794940B1milkmeter

Publication Date: 2022.06.15 NEDAP

Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3

AI summary

Milk meter (1) for measuring a flow rate of a milk flow, provided with an inlet (2) to which, in use, the milk flow is supplied, an outlet (4) where the milk flow leaves the milk meter, in use, and a liquid flow path (5) extending from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the milk meter is provided with a stabilization chamber (6) which is included in the liquid flow path and a float (8) which is in the stabilization chamber and is configured to float on the milk of the milk flow that is in the stabilization chamber, wherein the milk meter is configured such that a level of milk in the stabilization chamber depends on the flow rate of the milk flow, wherein the milk meter is furthermore provided with a magnetic unit (10) for generating a magnetic field in the stabilization chamber such that the magnetic field varies in a height direction of the stabilization chamber, and wherein in the float an electronic measuring unit (12) is arranged for measuring the strength of the magnetic field, wherein the measured strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the height within the stabilization chamber at which the float is floating on the milk in the stabilization chamber and whereby hence the measured strength of the magnetic field is a measure of the flow rate of the milk flow.