Milking Cup Protective Device with Segmented Flexible Line Enclosure

Solution Overview

Problem

Milking cups are prone to damage due to kicks from dairy animals or accidental loads, and existing solutions do not provide sufficient flexibility and protection for the milk discharge and pulsating lines, leading to reliability issues and increased replacement costs.

Innovation Solution

A protective device for milking cups with a milking cup part and a line part that form a circumferential wall, where the line part is dimensionally stable and flexible, providing protection and freedom of movement, with a flexible second part and a dimensionally stable third part, allowing the milking cup to move freely while preventing damage from kicks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the connection between milking cup and lines is made stiff, then the milking cup can be pulled back to a well-defined rest position, but the connection becomes vulnerable to rupture under impact loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverest position stabilityVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is divided into three distinct parts: a dimensionally stable first part for structural support, a flexible second part for impact absorption, and a dimensionally stable third part for line protection. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the protective device have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The first part is dimensionally stable for providing structural support, the second part is flexible for absorbing impacts, and the third part is dimensionally stable for protecting lines. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the connection between milking cup and lines is made flexible, then the milking cup can move freely during milking, but the connection lacks sufficient protection against impact loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilking cup mobilityVSAvoidimpact damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is divided into three distinct parts: a dimensionally stable first part for structural support, a flexible second part for impact absorption, and a dimensionally stable third part for line protection. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the protective device have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The first part is dimensionally stable for providing structural support, the second part is flexible for absorbing impacts, and the third part is dimensionally stable for protecting lines. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective device is added around the milking cup and lines, then protection against kicks and impacts is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidprotective device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device combines protection for both the milking cup connection and the lines into a single integrated structure. The first part protects the milking cup connection while the third part protects the lines, merging multiple protection functions into one device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective device is divided into three distinct parts: a dimensionally stable first part for structural support, a flexible second part for impact absorption, and a dimensionally stable third part for line protection. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 protective device ensures the milking cup can hang from the teat with sufficient freedom while protecting the lines from damage, enhancing the reliability and service life of the milking device, allowing for easier replacement and reduced risk of contamination during maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

the second part is flexible in use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

at least the third part is dimensionally stable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStructural rigidity:

Data Source

PatentUS10398123B2Protective device for a milking cup, and milking device comprising the same

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 LELY PATENT NV

AI summary

A protective device for a milking cup including a milking cup part enclosing a portion of the milking cup at a location of a connection, the milking cup part including a wall. The milking cup part includes an opening in the wall for passing through at least one of a milk discharge line and pulsating line, and a single-part or multipart line part connectable to form a circumferential wall for enclosing at least a part of the at least one of the milk discharge line and the pulsating line. The line part is connected to the milking cup part around the opening in the wall, wherein the line part, from the milking cup part, successively encloses first, second, and third parts, wherein at least the third part is dimensionally stable and the second part is, for example, at least ten times more flexible than the third part.