Milking System By-Pass for Independent Interface Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic milking systems require efficient and simultaneous cleaning of separable fluid systems without mixing detergents with milk, as traditional cleaning methods are inefficient and pose animal health risks.
Innovation Solution
A by-pass arrangement allows independent circulation of fluid in the first fluid system, enabling simultaneous or staggered cleaning of the milk line system and milk tank, with a shut-off arrangement to prevent leakage and a drain outlet for fluid replacement, ensuring effective separation and cleaning of interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cleaning procedures for separable systems are coordinated to clean both systems simultaneously with a common detergent, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but the complexity of coordinating cleaning procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a first fluid system (milk line system) and a second fluid system (milk tank system) that can be cleaned independently. The by-pass arrangement allows the first system to be cleaned through a separate path that does not require the common cavity to be available, enabling parallel or staggered cleaning operations without coordination complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The by-pass arrangement acts as an intermediary path that allows cleaning fluid to reach the first fluid system without requiring the common cavity. This mediator structure enables independent cleaning of the first system while the second system is in use, resolving the contradiction between cleaning efficiency and coordination complexity
2Reliability
If the milking robot is taken out of operation to manually clean the milk line system, then cleaning thoroughness is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic cleaning of the milk line system through the by-pass arrangement, which allows cleaning fluid to circulate through the first fluid system independently. This self-service cleaning capability eliminates the need for manual intervention and system shutdown, maintaining both cleaning thoroughness and operational continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The by-pass arrangement enables continuous operation of the milking robot while cleaning can be performed at any time without interrupting milk extraction. The cleaning process can occur continuously or periodically without stopping the main production activity, maintaining both hygiene standards and productivity
3Reliability
If detergents are used during cleaning of the milk line system, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of detergent contamination of milk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid systems are segmented into separate pathways: the first fluid system (milk line) and second fluid system (milk tank) are separated by the shut-off arrangement. This segmentation ensures that detergents used in cleaning the first system cannot contaminate milk in the second system, as the shut-off arrangement physically isolates the two systems during cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The common cavity, which could potentially serve as a contamination pathway, is extracted from the first fluid system's cleaning path by using the by-pass arrangement. This removes the potential harm pathway, allowing detergents to be used effectively in the first system without risking contamination of the second system
4Adaptability or versatility
If the common cavity is used for fluid passage between separable fluid systems, then system connectivity is improved, but the risk of fluid leakage between systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The by-pass arrangement serves as an intermediary pathway that allows the first fluid system to be cleaned without requiring connectivity through the common cavity. This mediator path eliminates the leakage risk associated with the common cavity while maintaining the ability to clean the first system effectively, resolving the contradiction between connectivity and leakage risk
Data Source
AI summary
A milking installation includes first and second fluid systems (S1; S2) and a coupling arrangement for connecting and disconnecting the first fluid system (S1) to and from the second fluid system (S2). In a connected state, the first and second fluid systems (S1, S2) are in fluid communication with one another, and in a disconnected state the first and second fluid systems (S1, S2) are not in fluid communication with one another. The coupling arrangement includes a common cavity (CC) configured to be alternately included in the first fluid system (S1) or in the second fluid system (S2) for through passage of fluid while the first and second fluid systems (S1, S2) are disconnected from one another. The first fluid system (S1) also has a by-pass arrangement configured to allow fluid in the first fluid system (S1) to circulate independently from the passage of fluid through the common cavity (CC) when the common cavity (CC) is included in the second fluid system (S2).