Mobile Milking Robot Layout for Existing Parlor Ramps

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing milking systems require significant rearrangement of milking parlors and use large robotic arms, necessitating long travel distances and preventing direct milking into the main milk-line, while human contact is limited.

Innovation Solution

A mobile unit with a minimal footprint that travels between the fore and hind legs of dairy livestock on a ramp, using a vertical upright teat cup holder and an arm to attach teat cups directly to the livestock, allowing integration into existing milking parlors without major alterations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If traditional robotic arms are used to attach milking units, then the system can automate milking, but the arm travels long distances and covers large spaces requiring significant rearrangement of the milking parlor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of milkingVSAvoidmilking parlor space

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of bringing the animal into a robotic zone where large arms operate, the patent introduces the robot into the animal's footprint. The mobile unit travels between the animal's legs and performs milking operations in place, inverting the traditional approach of animal relocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from horizontal arm movement covering large spaces to vertical operation within the animal's footprint. The mobile unit moves along the animal's body length (between fore and hind legs) and operates vertically at the udder level, utilizing the third dimension to minimize footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Extent of automation

If large robotic arms are used for milking operations, then automation is achieved, but the system prevents human contact with livestock and requires major changes to existing platforms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobotic milking operationVSAvoidhuman contact with livestock

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial automation rather than complete automation. The mobile unit handles the milking operation itself, while human operators can still perform other tasks like animal handling, observation, and supervision without being excluded from the entire process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile robot serves as an intermediary that performs the specific milking function while allowing humans to remain in the environment for other operational tasks. This partial automation mediator enables both robotic efficiency and human presence without complete exclusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If traditional milking systems are implemented, then milking can be performed, but the system cannot milk directly into the main milk-line requiring additional transfer steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilking efficiencyVSAvoidmilk line connection system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile unit is designed with multi-functionality, integrating the milking apparatus and direct connection to the main milk-line. This universal design allows the single mobile unit to perform attachment, milking, and direct milk transfer without requiring separate transfer equipment or intermediate containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If existing milking parlors are used, then the infrastructure is available, but major alterations are required to accommodate traditional robotic systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with existing parlorsVSAvoidsystem installation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a mobile, dynamic unit rather than a fixed installation. The mobile unit can move to different positions along the ramp and adapt to various animal positions, allowing integration into existing parlor layouts without requiring fixed structural modifications or major infrastructure changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the milking function into a separate, modular mobile unit that can be independently deployed. This segmentation allows the existing milking parlor infrastructure to remain unchanged while the mobile unit provides the robotic milking capability as an add-on component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250338818A1Mobile milking robot with minimal footprint

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 AFIMILK AGRI COOP

AI summary

Disclosed is a system for treating dairy livestock having fore legs and hind legs, wherein the system comprises a milking parlor ramp, livestock stalls positioned along at least part of the milking parlor ramp, wherein each stall is configured to contain one dairy livestock, at least one vertical upright teat cup holder comprising teat cups and a mobile unit. The mobile unit comprises equipment for treating livestock and a processor, where the mobile unit is configured to travel between the fore legs and hind legs of the dairy livestock on the milking parlor ramp and use the equipment to perform at least one action related to a treatment of the dairy livestock. Also disclosed is that the equipment includes an arm configured to withdraw the teat cups :i-om the vertical upright teat cup holder and connect them to the dairy livestock.