Automatic Milking System Flushing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic milking systems are inefficient due to the need for frequent flushing after milking dairy animals producing separation milk, which requires large amounts of flushing liquid and time, reducing system usage and increasing energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Postpone the flushing of the milking system until it is confirmed that the next animal to be milked belongs to the subgroup producing milk for consumption, minimizing unnecessary flushing operations and optimizing the milking schedule based on the ratio of dairy animals from different subgroups and expected milkings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the milking system is flushed after every dairy animal giving separation milk, then the milk quality is maintained, but the system usage efficiency deteriorates and flushing liquid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of the next dairy animal's subgroup before deciding whether to flush. By identifying the subgroup in advance and postponing the flushing decision until it is confirmed that the next animal belongs to the first subgroup, the system avoids unnecessary flushing operations while ensuring milk quality is maintained when required.
2Reliability
If the milking system is flushed after every dairy animal giving separation milk, then the milk quality is maintained, but the flushing liquid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of the next dairy animal's subgroup before deciding whether to flush. By identifying the subgroup in advance and postponing the flushing decision until it is confirmed that the next animal belongs to the first subgroup, the system avoids unnecessary flushing operations while ensuring milk quality is maintained when required.
3Reliability
If the milking system is flushed after every dairy animal giving separation milk, then the milk quality is maintained, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of the next dairy animal's subgroup before deciding whether to flush. By identifying the subgroup in advance and postponing the flushing decision until it is confirmed that the next animal belongs to the first subgroup, the system avoids unnecessary flushing operations while ensuring milk quality is maintained when required.
4Reliability
If the milking system is flushed after every dairy animal giving separation milk, then the milk quality is maintained, but the milking time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of the next dairy animal's subgroup before deciding whether to flush. By identifying the subgroup in advance and postponing the flushing decision until it is confirmed that the next animal belongs to the first subgroup, the system avoids unnecessary flushing operations while ensuring milk quality is maintained when required.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method of milking a group of dairy animals (A, B) comprising a first subgroup (A) and a second subgroup (B) by means of an automatic milking system (2), and wherein the milking system has to be flushed after a dairy animal from the second subgroup has been milked. The invention is characterized by the fact that the flushing step is postponed after a dairy animal from the second subgroup has been milked until at least a minimum number greater than or equal to two dairy animals from the second subgroup has been milked successively, or a subsequent dairy animal belonging to the first subgroup has been identified and the decision has been made that the dairy animal from the first subgroup presenting itself can be milked, or by postponing the milking of a dairy animal from the second subgroup until at least a minimum number greater than or equal to two dairy animals from the first subgroup has been milked successively.