Milking Line Cleaning Layout to Preserve Vacuum Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milking devices face issues with vacuum loss during the transition from milking to cleaning, requiring manual positioning of milking cups and inefficient cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A milking device with integrated valve units that control fluid flow to reduce vacuum loss and enhance cleaning efficiency by allowing fluid circulation without passing through milking cups, using a first valve unit to interrupt the flow path to the milk lock and a second valve unit for controlled fluid circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fluid is supplied through milking cups during cleaning, then cleaning is performed, but vacuum is lost in the milking unit
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cleaning fluid path into separate channels (first cleaning line and second cleaning line) that bypass the milking cups. The first cleaning line cleans the milk collection piece while the second cleaning line cleans the milking line, allowing cleaning without disrupting the vacuum in the milking cups.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediate cleaning lines that act as mediators between the fluid source and the components to be cleaned. These cleaning lines provide an alternative pathway for cleaning fluid that does not involve the milking cups, thus preserving the vacuum while enabling thorough cleaning of all components.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual positioning of milking cups is required, then cleaning can be performed, but operator effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the cleaning system to service itself automatically. The valve-controlled cleaning lines can be activated without manual intervention to position or handle the milking cups. The system performs self-cleaning of the milk collection piece and self-cleaning of the milking line through automated fluid circulation.
3Manufacturing precision
If cleaning fluid flows through milking cups, then cups are cleaned, but cleaning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention maintains continuous cleaning action by using valve control to direct cleaning fluid through different paths sequentially. The first valve controls cleaning of the milk collection piece while the second valve controls cleaning of the milking line, allowing continuous cleaning of multiple components without interruption or repositioning.
4Manufacturing precision
If more cleaning fluid is used, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but fluid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the cleaning fluid consumption into two separate controlled streams. The first cleaning line delivers fluid to clean the milk collection piece, and the second cleaning line delivers fluid to clean the milking line. This segmentation allows precise control of fluid distribution to each component, avoiding wasteful overuse while ensuring thorough cleaning of both elements.
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
Reduces vacuum loss and cleaning time, minimizes fluid consumption, and simplifies the cleaning process by eliminating the need for manual cup positioning, while ensuring thorough cleaning of milking equipment components.
Implementation Method 1
a first valve unit (13), which, viewed in the direction of milk flow, is located in the milk line (7) upstream of the milk lock (6)
Implementation Method 2
Fluid supplied by the fluid source is introduced into the milking line via the flushing line (11)
Implementation Method 3
a second valve unit (14), which is connected to the milk line (7) and the secondary line (12)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to the cleaning of a milking device, said milking device comprising milking equipment (1), a milk receiver (6) and a milk tank (8), wherein a milking line (5) connects an outlet of the milk collection piece (4) to an inlet of the milk receiver (6), and the milk receiver (6) can be connected to the milk tank (8) via a milk line (7), as well as comprising a cleaning unit, in turn comprising a fluid source (10), a rinsing line (11) that can be fluidically connected to the fluid source (10) and the milking line (5), and an auxiliary line (12) that can be fluidically connected to the milking line (5) and the milk line (7). The cleaning unit also has a first valve unit (13) which is arranged in the milking line (5) upstream of the milk receiver (6) in the milk flow direction, a second valve unit (14) connected to the milk line (7) and the auxiliary line (12), and a control unit that is connected to the first and the second valve unit (13, 14) via signals.