Milk Sampling Valve and Agitation Control for Mastitis Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for milk sampling in milking machines face challenges in achieving high accuracy for detecting mastitis due to milk stratification and the increase in free fatty acids from mechanical agitation, which can lead to contamination and decreased milk quality.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the initial attachment of teat cups to only one or two teats, followed by agitation and sampling in the milk receiver before milking the remaining teats, ensuring thorough cleaning and gentle agitation to maintain milk quality, with a control unit managing the agitation, sampling, and outlet valve to facilitate efficient and accurate sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical agitation is applied to milk in the milk receiver, then the homogeneity of milk samples is improved, but the free fatty acid content increases and milk quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of mechanical agitation on milk quality is eliminated by removing the agitation device from the milk receiver. Instead, a separate sampling device is used to mix and homogenize the milk sample after extraction, thereby achieving sample homogeneity without exposing the bulk milk to damaging mechanical treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate sampling device acts as an intermediary between the milk receiver and the analysis system. This intermediary performs the mixing function on a small sample portion rather than on the entire milk volume, thus achieving homogeneity without the harmful side effects of bulk agitation.
2Measurement precision
If the outlet valve device is closed during milk receiving, then the accuracy of milk samples is improved by allowing agitation, but milk from the previous milking process may contaminate the current sample
Solution Approach 1:
The milk receiver is pre-cleaned by allowing the first portion of milk from the current milking to flow through and wash the inner walls before the outlet valve is closed. This preliminary cleaning action removes residues from previous milkings, ensuring that subsequent sampling occurs in a clean environment without contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet valve remains open during the initial milk flow to maintain continuous milk movement through the receiver, ensuring that cleaning milk continuously contacts and removes residues from all surfaces. This continuous flow action ensures thorough cleaning before sampling begins.
3Productivity
If teat cups are attached to all teats simultaneously, then milking efficiency is maintained, but quarter-level sampling accuracy is reduced due to mixing of milk from different quarters
Solution Approach 1:
The milking process is segmented into sequential phases: first milking one or two specific teats to collect their milk in the receiver, then sampling that milk before attaching teat cups to the remaining teats. This segmentation allows quarter-level sampling accuracy while maintaining overall milking efficiency by completing the sampling before proceeding with the remaining teats.
Solution Approach 2:
Milk from specific teats is collected and sampled in advance before the other teats are milked. This preliminary collection and sampling ensures that the sample represents only the milk from the targeted quarter(s) without contamination from other quarters, while the overall milking process is completed afterward.
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
This approach allows for accurate quarter-level sampling with minimal decrease in milk production efficiency, maintaining low levels of free fatty acids and ensuring representative milk samples, enabling continuous monitoring and reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
an agitation device configured to provide a stirring process of the milk in the milk receiver
Implementation Method 2
a milk receiver to which vacuum from a vacuum supply draws milk from the teat cups
Data Source
AI summary
A method for sampling milk in a milking machine includes the steps of attaching teat cups to teats of an animal and starting to milk said teats; receiving a first amount of milk in a milk receiver while keeping an outlet valve device open; closing the outlet valve device; continuing the receiving of milk in the milk receiver; agitating the milk in the milk receiver using an agitation device of a milk sampling arrangement; taking a regular milk sample from the milk in an outlet portion of the milk receiver using a milk sample device of the milk sampling arrangement; and opening the outlet valve device so that the milk can be transferred to a milk tank.