Optical Detector Air Curtain for Milking Robot Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical detection systems in milking environments face challenges with contamination from dirt, dust, and liquid, leading to reduced operational reliability and increased maintenance time, as current cleaning methods are inefficient and can damage equipment.
Innovation Solution
An airflow arrangement generating a curtain of pressurized air is integrated into the optical detector's housing, controlled to coincide with operations that risk contamination, such as teat positioning and cleaning, to prevent debris from reaching the detector window, while minimizing turbulence and reducing the need for continuous air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning devices are provided separately from the detectors or connected to the detector window for washing or wiping the window surface, then the window can be cleaned, but the optical detector becomes inoperative during cleaning and requires additional time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The air curtain is generated in advance before contamination occurs, specifically activated during teat washing operations. This preventive approach eliminates the need for subsequent cleaning operations, keeping the detector window clean without requiring the optical detector to be taken offline for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
A stream of pressurized air is directed across the detector window surface to prevent contamination. This pneumatic approach replaces mechanical cleaning devices (wipers, sprayers) that would require the detector to be inoperative, allowing continuous operation while maintaining window cleanliness.
2Reliability
If a permanent pressurized air flow is used to generate a laminate air flow across the camera objective, then dust is carried away from the surface, but the arrangement becomes expensive and generates turbulent flow that throws up dust, particles, mud and liquid from the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurized air flow is activated periodically only during specific high-risk operations such as teat washing, rather than continuously. This reduces energy consumption and cost while preventing the generation of unnecessary turbulent flow that would stir up contaminants from the floor during other times.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressurized air is directed locally across the detector window surface in a controlled manner, creating a protective air barrier only where needed. This localized approach prevents the generation of widespread turbulent flow that would throw up contaminants from the floor, unlike a continuous ambient air flow system.
3Measurement precision
If the detector is positioned close to the teats of an animal for detecting teat position, then accurate detection is achieved, but the detector window is more susceptible to contamination from milk, liquid, and dirt
Solution Approach 1:
A stream of pressurized air is directed across the detector window surface to create a protective air barrier that prevents milk, liquid, and airborne contaminants from settling on the window. This allows the detector to maintain its close positioning to the teats for accurate detection while protecting the window from contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The air curtain is activated in advance during operations that generate contamination risk, such as teat washing or when the detector approaches the animal. This preventive measure protects the window before contaminants can reach it, maintaining detection precision without requiring repositioning.
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 solution reduces the downtime for cleaning, maintains reliable detector operation, and decreases operational costs by ensuring the detector window remains clean with targeted air flow, minimizing the risk of damage from airborne contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
an airflow arrangement adapted to be connected to a source of pressurised air and having at least one aperture disposed adjacent the detector window for generating a curtain of air that flows substantially parallel with the surface of the window
Data Source
AI summary
A milking system includes a milking robot with a robot arm for applying teat cups to the teats of an animal, an optical detector (40) for detecting radiation emitted and/or reflected from the animal and a controller. The detector has a housing (410) with a window (420) and a detecting element (430) enclosed in the housing that is sensitive to the emitted or reflected radiation passing through the window. In order to prevent contamination from impacting on the detector window, an airflow arrangement is provided that can be connected to a source of pressurized air and has at least one aperture (411) disposed adjacent the detector window (420) for generating a curtain of air that flows parallel with the surface of the window. The controller controls the generation of the air curtain to coincide with the start of at least one further operation controlled by the controller.