Teat Cleaning Cup Seal With Integrated Channels and Fewer Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing teat cleaning cups are complex to manufacture and assemble due to multiple parts, leading to high production and service costs, and are inefficient in cleaning dirty teats, especially in free-range animals that may come into contact with muddy or manured surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A simplified teat cleaning cup design utilizing two-step injection moulding to fuse the exterior and inner body, reducing parts and incorporating a seal that distributes cleaning liquid through channels without conduits, facilitating assembly and disassembly, and enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple parts are used in the teat cleaning cup (inner tube, outer sleeve, conduits), then the cleaning function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inner tube and outer sleeve into a single integrated cleaner body through two-step injection moulding. The seal is integrated into the cleaner body with liquid distribution channels formed directly within it, eliminating the need for separate conduits. This consolidation reduces the number of parts while maintaining the cleaning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is designed to perform multiple functions: it seals between the cleaner and lower part, distributes cleaning liquid through integrated channels to the central cavity, and eliminates the need for separate conduit components. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple parts and conduits are used for liquid distribution, then cleaning liquid can be delivered to the teat, but assembly and disassembly become difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid distribution channels are merged directly into the seal structure, which is a single removable part. This eliminates the need to assemble or disassemble separate conduit components, allowing the entire liquid distribution system to be installed or removed by simply attaching or detaching the seal with the lower part.
3Ease of operation
If Y-shaped channels are used for liquid distribution, then cleaning liquid reaches the teat, but the channels are difficult to depurate during washing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex Y-shaped channels that are difficult to clean, the patent inverts the approach by forming simple, straight liquid distribution channels directly within the seal structure. These simplified channels extend from the liquid supply to the central cavity without complex branching, making them much easier to depurate during washing while still achieving effective liquid distribution.
4Ease of operation
If the teat cleaner is designed with separate inner body and exterior part, then assembly is possible, but gaps between parts allow dirt and bacteria to accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The inner body and exterior part are merged into a single integrated cleaner body through two-step injection moulding. This eliminates gaps and interfaces between separate parts where dirt and bacteria could accumulate, while the removable lower part with seal maintains ease of assembly and disassembly for service purposes.
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 design reduces manufacturing and service costs, improves assembly and disassembly ease, and enhances cleaning efficiency by eliminating gaps for dirt and bacteria, ensuring effective teat cleaning and reduced pressure loss.
Implementation Method 1
The seal is configured to distribute liquid from the cleaning liquid valve of the lower part into a set of channels in the teat cleaner... The seal forms at least one first set of apertures, of at least a first aperture and a second aperture extending through the seal from the first surface to the second surface; and wherein the seal forms at least one recess in the second surface, connecting the first aperture to the second aperture.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A teat cleaning cup (130) for cleaning a teat. (120), which teat cleaning cup (130) comprises: a teat cleaner (300) comprising an inner body (270), forming a central cavity (280) for enclosing the teat (120), wherein the inner body (270) comprises an inner surface (271), an outer surface (272), and wherein a set of apertures (275) extend from the outer surface (272) to the inner surface (271); an exterior part (220), enclosing the inner body (270); and a set of channels (291, 292), which set of channels (291, 292) connects to the set of apertures (275); a lower part (230) removably attached to the teat cleaner (300), which lower part (230) comprises at least one cleaning liquid valve (240, 260), and a drainage means (250); and a seal (235) configured to distribute liquid from the cleaning liquid valve (240, 260) into the set of channels (291, 292).