Pivoting Milking Cluster Pipe Support for Clear Cow Exit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milking cluster pipe supports are not optimally positioned, require manual intervention, obstruct animal movement, and are not efficiently stowed, leading to inefficiencies and potential animal injury in milking parlours.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable pipe support arm that moves between deployed and stowed positions, constrained by end stops, allowing gravity-driven movement, and compatible with various milking parlour configurations, including automatic retraction systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the milking cluster pipe support is positioned to support the milking cluster in the correct position, then the milking efficiency is improved, but it creates an obstacle to animal movement when the cow is backing out
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe support arm is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between a deployed position (when needed for milking) and a stowed position (when not needed). This dynamic adjustment eliminates obstacles for animal movement while maintaining milking efficiency when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe support arm moves in a vertical plane, transitioning from a horizontal deployed position to a vertical stowed position. This dimensional change allows the support to clear the animal's path while still providing support functionality when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the milking cluster pipe support is positioned to be easily accessible for attachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but it remains in an exposed position for longer time increasing risk of breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe support arm is pre-positioned in a stowed position that is out of the way of animal movements, reducing the risk of breakage before milking begins. The arm is then quickly deployed to the accessible position for cluster attachment, minimizing exposure time while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-pivot mechanism allows the pipe support arm to be rapidly deployed from stowed to deployed position, minimizing the time it spends in the exposed, vulnerable position while still allowing easy access for attachment when needed.
3Device complexity
If a manual system is used to move the pipe support arm, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and milking efficiency are decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe support arm uses gravity and its own weight to automatically pivot from the stowed position to the deployed position, eliminating the need for manual operation or complex mechanical actuators. This self-service mechanism maintains simplicity while improving productivity through faster deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical system for moving the pipe support arm is replaced with a gravity-based passive pivot mechanism. This substitution reduces device complexity by eliminating motors, sensors, and control systems while maintaining or improving productivity through automatic operation.
4Measurement precision
If the pipe support arm is held in deployed position without gravity assistance, then the positioning precision is improved, but the use of energy and complexity of control systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe support arm is designed with its center of gravity positioned such that gravity naturally holds the arm in the deployed position when needed, eliminating the need for active energy consumption to maintain position. The end stop provides mechanical positioning precision without requiring energy input or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployed position is designed to be a stable equilibrium position where the center of gravity is directly over the pivot point, creating a gravitational potential well that naturally maintains the arm in the correct position without energy input or active control.
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
Enhances milking efficiency, reduces personnel input, improves cluster positioning, and minimizes obstacles for animal movement, ensuring reliable operation and improved animal welfare.
Implementation Method 1
the pipe support arm is held against the deployed position end stop under the action of gravity and when the pipe support arm is located in the stowed position its centre of gravity is located on the other side of the vertical axis Y-Y and the pipe support arm is held against the stowed position end stop under the action of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A milking cluster pipe support (1) for fitment to the deck-side (3) of a milking parlour comprising a pivotable elongate pipe support arm (5) having pipe slots (29) and which is moveable about a pivot (7) between a deployed and a stowed position within a plane P. The pipe support arm (5) is pivotable in a first rotational sense from its deployed position to its stowed position and in a second rotational sense from its stowed position to its deployed position, wherein the first and second rotational senses are opposite to each other. The pipe support arm (5) has a centre of gravity which is located on one side of the vertical axis Y-Y in the deployed position and on the other side of the vertical axis Y-Y in the stowed position.