Milking Vacuum Pressure Control for Teat-Safe Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milking systems face issues with unstable fluid pressure levels under the teat ends, leading to decreased milking throughput and potential teat damage, and teat cups slipping off during milking, which can contaminate milk.
Innovation Solution
A milking system with a controllable valve arrangement and pressure sensor that adjusts fluid pressure in the milk conduit based on real-time measurements, maintaining optimal pressure levels for efficient and teat-friendly milk extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the milking vacuum level is increased to overcome low fluid pressure and speed up milking, then the milking throughput is improved, but the teats may be hurt
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the vacuum level in real-time based on measured milk flow rate. The controller continuously monitors the milk flow rate through the milk conduit and automatically modifies the vacuum pressure applied to the teat cup, enabling the system to optimize milking speed while preventing teat damage through adaptive control
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the milk flow rate is continuously measured and used to control the vacuum level. The controller receives flow rate information and adjusts the vacuum pressure accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal milking conditions while preventing harmful effects
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the fluid pressure level under the teat end is too low, then the teat integrity is preserved, but the milking speed decreases and throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum level is made dynamic rather than static, adjusting in real-time based on actual milk flow conditions. This allows the system to maintain teat integrity by not applying excessive vacuum while simultaneously maximizing milking throughput by optimizing the vacuum level according to measured flow rates
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the vacuum pressure parameter dynamically based on measured milk flow rate. By continuously monitoring flow and adjusting vacuum pressure, the system optimizes the parameter to balance teat protection with milking efficiency, preventing both teat damage and excessive slowdown
3Adaptability or versatility
If the teat cup slips off the teat due to animal movement, then the animal can move freely, but the milk becomes contaminated and is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from milk flow rate measurements to detect when a teat cup has slipped off. When milk flow stops or becomes abnormal, the controller receives this signal and automatically closes the valve in the milk conduit, preventing contaminated milk from entering the receiver and wasting good milk
Solution Approach 2:
The valve in the milk conduit acts as an intermediary protective element. It normally allows milk flow but can be closed by the controller to isolate the teat cup from the milk receiver, preventing contamination spread while allowing the animal to move freely without restricting teat cup positioning
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 system ensures stable fluid pressure adjustment, enhances milking efficiency, reduces teat integrity issues, and prevents milk contamination, while potentially eliminating the need for a milk flow meter, thus reducing system costs.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor, arranged to measure fluid pressure in the milk conduit upstream the controllable valve arrangement
Implementation Method 2
the controllable valve arrangement comprises an adjustable passage. The fluid pressure of the common milk line is provided to the milk conduit via the adjustable passage. An adjustment of the adjustable passage results in an adjustment of the fluid pressure in the milking unit
Implementation Method 3
one or several vacuum pumps, configured to generate a system vacuum pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A milking system, including: a vacuum pump, a receiver, a milk line, and a plurality of milking units. Each milking unit is connected to the milk line via a respective milk conduit. Each milking unit is also associated with a respective valve arrangement, arranged in the milk conduit, wherein the valve arrangement includes an adjustable passage for adjustment of the fluid pressure. The system also includes a pressure sensor, arranged to measure fluid pressure in the milk conduit upstream the valve arrangement; and a controller. The controller is configured to obtain a pressure level measurement from the pressure sensor and generate and provide a control signal to the valve arrangement, to adjust the adjustable passage, based on the pressure level measurement.