Modular Rotary Swivel Assembly for Custom Milking Media Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary milking parlor swivel assemblies are costly and inefficient due to their standardized design, which often includes unnecessary media ports and seals, leading to increased maintenance and fabrication expenses, as well as inefficiencies in media distribution.
Innovation Solution
A modular swivel assembly with stackable sleeve and core segments, each tailored to specific media types and volumes, using spring-energized seals that eliminate the need for lubrication and reduce leakage, allowing for customizable configurations to match the needs of individual rotary milking platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a standardized swivel assembly design is used with fixed number of media ports, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different media needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel assembly is divided into modular segments, each handling a specific media type. The core is segmented into multiple sections that can be independently configured, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific media while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity through standardized segment designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular segments are designed with universal connection interfaces and standardized manufacturing processes, allowing the same basic segment design to be used across different media types. This enables a single standardized component to serve multiple functions across different media applications.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform swivel size and configuration is used for all media, then fabrication cost is reduced, but maintenance cost increases due to unnecessary seals
Solution Approach 1:
Unnecessary seals and media ports are removed from each modular segment, keeping only the essential components for each specific media type. This extraction of unnecessary elements reduces both fabrication complexity and maintenance requirements, as each segment contains only the seals and ports actually needed for its function.
Solution Approach 2:
Each modular segment is configured with the specific number and type of seals and ports required for its particular media, rather than using a uniform configuration throughout. This local optimization reduces the total number of seals across the entire assembly, lowering both fabrication and maintenance costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If oversized media ports and conduits are used in standard swivels, then manufacturing is simplified, but media distribution efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each modular segment's ports and conduits are sized specifically for its designated media type and flow requirements, rather than using oversized uniform dimensions. This localized optimization ensures each conduit is appropriately sized for its function, improving media distribution efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized sizing for each media type.
4Reliability
If seals are positioned between stationary core and rotating sleeve, then media isolation is achieved, but lubrication becomes difficult requiring complex cam and lug mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the swivel into modular core sections allows each seal location to be independently accessed and lubricated. The modular design provides access points for lubrication without requiring complex cam and lug mechanisms, while still maintaining effective media isolation between sections.
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
This modular design reduces fabrication and maintenance costs while enhancing media distribution efficiency by accommodating varying media types and volumes, minimizing unnecessary components and maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
spring-energized seals that eliminate the need for lubrication and reduce leakage
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary milking parlor swivel comprising a stationary central core defining a milk line and a media inlet port; a rotating sleeve disposed at least partially around the stationary central core, and the rotating sleeve includes a first segment defining a milk inlet port in communication with the milk line and a second segment defining a media outlet port in communication with the media inlet port.