Milking Member Positioning for Premature Detachment Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In milking parlours, it is difficult for operators to observe and address the premature detachment of milking members from animals during the milking process, leading to incomplete milking and reduced efficiency due to the milking member being kicked off or detached undesirably before the process is completed.

Innovation Solution

A supervision device and removing device system that moves an undesirably detached milking member to an indicating position, distinct from the parking position, allowing operators to quickly reattach it, with features like milk flow monitoring, sensing parameters, and alarms to notify operators of premature detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the removing device automatically activates when milk flow drops below a predetermined minimum value, then the milking member is detached and moved to the parking position, but it becomes difficult to observe and address undesired premature detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemilking efficiencyVSAvoiddetectability of premature detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses visual signaling through different positioning locations (visible areas vs. parking position) to indicate the status of the milking member. When detached prematurely, the milking member is moved to a specifically visible location that signals an abnormal status to operators, making detection easy without requiring complex monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Extent of automation

If the milking member is moved to the parking position upon detachment, then the removing device completes its automatic function, but the operator cannot quickly notice or respond to premature detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic detachment functionVSAvoidresponse time for reattachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary signaling mechanism by using a specific visible location as an intermediate state between normal parking and active milking. This intermediary position serves as a visual warning to operators that premature detachment has occurred, enabling quick response and reattachment while maintaining the automatic removal function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the milking member is detached before the milking process is completed, then the removing device activates based on low milk flow, but the cow is not completely milked and efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic detachment activationVSAvoidcomplete milking process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback to operators through visual signaling when premature detachment occurs. By moving the milking member to a visible location rather than the normal parking position, the system alerts operators to intervene and complete the milking process, thereby maintaining reliable automatic activation while ensuring complete milking is achieved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2477479B1Arrangement and method for indicating undesired detachment of a milking member from an animal
Publication Date: 2015.05.06 DELAVAL HLDG AB
  • EP2477479B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2477479B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for indicating an undesired detachment of a milking member (12, 30a-d) from an animal in a milking stall (3, 25). The arrangement comprises a removing device (10, 34a-d) adapted to detach the milking member (12, 30a-d) from the animal and move it to a parking position when the milking process has been completed, and a supervision device adapted to supervise if the milking member (12, 30a-d) has been detached from the animal (1 ) before the milking process has been completed, and if this is the case, the removing device (10, 34a-d) is adapted to move the undesirably detached milking member (12, 30a-d) to an indicating position (23, 42) located at a distance from the parking position (21, 37).