Milking Cup Ventilation Device with Fixed Annular Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing milking systems face hygiene issues due to the risk of germ contamination from lost or reinserted ventilation plugs, which can disrupt the milking process and lead to milk escape or blockages.

Innovation Solution

A secure ventilation device with an annular body fixed on the milk hose, featuring a nozzle opening and a passage that communicates with the hose interior, preventing accidental reinsertion of contaminants and ensuring a tight fit to prevent milk escape, is designed. The annular body is securely positioned and cannot be lost, with a design that avoids turbulence and facilitates easy cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an insertable ventilation plug is used in the milk hose, then ventilation function is achieved, but hygiene is compromised due to risk of loss and reinsertion with germs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation functionVSAvoidgerm contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the removable plug from the system and replaces it with a fixed annular body integrated into the milk hose. The ventilation function is maintained through a fixed nozzle opening in the annular body, eliminating the risk of plug loss and reinsertion contamination while preserving the essential ventilation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The annular body is merged with the milk hose structure, creating an integrated assembly where the ventilation device becomes an inherent part of the hose rather than a separate removable component. This merging ensures the ventilation opening remains permanently sealed and hygienic while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a removable ventilation plug is used, then installation flexibility is improved, but device integrity is worsened due to potential loss and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidsystem integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The annular body is pre-installed and fixed onto the milk hose during manufacturing or initial setup, creating a permanent integrated structure. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated installation/removal operations, maintaining system integrity while achieving the necessary ventilation function from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If a ventilation opening with larger diameter is used, then ventilation efficiency is improved, but risk of contamination and blockages increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation efficiencyVSAvoidcontamination and blockages
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating a differentiated structure with a small-diameter nozzle opening (0.5mm) in the annular body that communicates with a larger-diameter passage (3mm) in the milk hose. This local differentiation allows the ventilation opening to be small and contamination-resistant while the larger internal passage maintains ventilation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention resolves the diameter contradiction by transitioning to another dimension - creating a multi-dimensional flow path where the small nozzle opening (first dimension) connects to a larger passage (second dimension) through the wall thickness. This dimensional transition allows both small opening benefits and large passage benefits to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution enhances hygiene by preventing germ ingress and milk escape, ensuring a consistent milk flow and easier cleaning, while maintaining the system's integrity and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

Air from the outside atmosphere can enter the flow path through the small nozzle opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir intake through nozzle opening:

Data Source

PatentEP2672808B1Arrangement comprising a milinkg liner with a milking tube and a ventilating device, and milking cup
Publication Date: 2017.07.26 GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP2672808B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2672808B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2672808B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a rubber teat (1), a milking tube (8) that is connected to the rubber teat (1), and a ventilating device (10). The arrangement has a flow path for discharging milked milk, said flow path communicating with the outside atmosphere via the ventilating device (10). The arrangement is characterized in that the ventilating device (10) comprises a ring body (11) with a nozzle opening (12), said ring body (11) being fixed on a straight section of the milking tube (8) in a position in which the ring body (11) rigidly embraces the milking tube (8) and the nozzle opening (12) communicates with the flow path in a tube interior (20) of the milking tube (8).