Milk Sampling Control Using Metered Yield Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milk sampling devices fail to provide a consistent and predictable sample quantity, leading to unnecessary product loss or inaccurate analysis results due to uncertainties in milk yield estimation.
Innovation Solution
A sampling device that measures milk yield using a milk meter to control a sample pump or valve, ensuring a predetermined sample quantity is taken based on the actual milk volume, allowing for precise sample collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a proportional sample pump is used to take a partial milk flow during milking, then a representative milk sample can be obtained, but the sample quantity becomes unpredictable and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The invention collects all milk produced during milking in a collection vessel before any sampling occurs. This preliminary collection ensures that the total milk quantity is available and can be accurately measured, providing a reliable basis for determining the proportional sample quantity to be taken later.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a milk meter to measure the actual milk quantity produced during milking. This measurement feedback is then used by the control device to calculate and control the exact proportional sample quantity to be transferred to the sample container, ensuring both representativeness and predictability.
2Measurement precision
If a large sample quantity is taken to ensure representativeness, then analysis accuracy improves, but product loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention dynamically adjusts the sample quantity parameter based on the actual milk production measured during each milking session. By changing the sample quantity parameter proportionally to the total milk quantity, the system ensures adequate sample size for analysis while minimizing unnecessary product loss.
3Ease of operation
If the sample pump runs continuously during milking, then sample collection is simplified, but the sample quantity cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a static, continuous sampling approach to a dynamic, controlled sampling process. The sample pump operation is dynamically adjusted based on real-time milk quantity measurements, with the control device regulating pump speed and operation duration to achieve precise sample quantity control while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
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 accurate and representative milk samples by eliminating uncertainties in milk yield estimation, reducing product loss and improving analysis reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a milk pump for pumping the milk from the milk jar to the milk tank at a milk pumping speed
Implementation Method 2
which sampling device is configured to pump a sample quantity of milk through the sample line
Data Source
AI summary
A sampling device for taking a representative milk sample from a milking device. The milking device includes a milking means, a milk jar, a milk hose, a milk tank, a milk line, a milk pump for pumping the milk, a milk meter for determining the quantity of milk milked, and a control unit. The sampling device includes a sample line with an input connection to the milk jar, the milk pump or the milk line, an output to a sample collection receptacle, and a control device controllable by the control unit based on the quantity of milk determined by the milk meter in order to direct, during pumping, a sample quantity of milk through the sample line. The control unit knows how much milk must be pumped and can take precisely enough milk samples distributed over the pumping operation such that an accurate representative sample is obtained.