Teat Cleaning System with Optical Sensor Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dairy farming practices lack an effective system to electronically monitor and analyze teat cleaning procedures, leading to inefficiencies and potential mastitis issues due to worker compliance and procedural variations.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a disinfectant solution delivery and teat cleaning apparatus with rotating brushes, utilizing an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution and a programmable logic board to monitor and control the cleaning process, ensuring consistent disinfection and improved hygiene.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If video monitoring is used to monitor teat cleaning procedures, then worker compliance can be monitored, but the system becomes too costly and has high breakdown rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworker compliance monitoringVSAvoidvideo monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex video monitoring systems with a simple optical sensor-based detection system. The sensor detects the presence of teat cleaning solution on the teat surface through optical properties, providing reliable compliance monitoring without the cost and complexity of video systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the monitoring parameter from visual observation (video) to optical property detection (solution presence). By detecting changes in optical parameters of the teat surface when cleaning solution is applied, the system achieves reliable monitoring with simpler, more cost-effective components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If colorimetric analysis is used to monitor teat cleaning, then compliance can be detected, but there is potential for milk contamination and skin allergic reactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance detectionVSAvoidmilk contamination and skin allergic reaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes colorimetric chemical analysis with optical sensing that detects the physical presence of cleaning solution. This replacement eliminates the need for chemical markers that could contaminate milk or cause allergic reactions, while maintaining reliable compliance detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If manual teat cleaning procedures are used, then workers can perform cleaning, but compliance varies and procedural drift occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual cleaningVSAvoidprocedural consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automated feedback system that detects whether proper cleaning solution application has occurred and provides real-time feedback to workers. This feedback mechanism ensures procedural consistency by confirming correct technique is used, eliminating variability and drift in manual cleaning procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If electronic monitoring of teat cleaning procedures is implemented, then compliance and efficiency can be improved, but no such system currently exists

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilking operation efficiencyVSAvoidelectronic monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex electronic monitoring systems with a simple optical sensor-based detection system. This substitution achieves electronic monitoring functionality while maintaining ease of operation and avoiding the complexity of previous failed attempts at video monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system significantly reduces somatic cell counts, indicating lower pathogen presence, and enhances teat cleaning efficiency, leading to improved milk production and reduced mastitis risks by ensuring proper disinfection and monitoring of teat cleaning procedures.

Implementation Method 1

an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution is supplied to a housing volume for cleaning teats

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDisinfection: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

a teat cleaning apparatus with rotating brushes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical cleaning: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS9241472B2System and method for cleaning teats of a milk-producing animal and monitoring teat cleaning procedures

Publication Date: 2016.01.26 ALPHA TECHNOLOGY USA CORP

AI summary

A system for monitoring a teat cleaning and disinfectant before a milking operation is started that comprises one or more controllers that are configured to monitor various operating parameters of the system. In an embodiment, the current supplied to a motor that drives scrubbing elements in an applicator in order to identify or determine when a teat of a cow is inserted and then removed from the applicator during a wash mode and dry mode. The controller is programmed to count each teat that is properly prepped for milking in order to determine the number of cows that have been properly prepped for milking. If certain thresholds, such as predetermined number of teats on a cow, have not been met a cow is not counted as having been properly prepped.