Teat Cup Cleaning Device Segmented Liquid Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing teat cup cleaning devices are often inflexible and slow, unable to perform multiple cleaning operations efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A teat cup cleaning device with a direct connection between a liquid supply and discharge, allowing for independent control of liquid flow around the heating chamber, enabling quick cooling and simultaneous heating of new liquid for successive cleaning actions, and incorporating an expansion means to manage vapor expansion without liquid leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the heating chamber is used for both heating cleaning liquid and cooling teat cups, then the device can perform multiple functions, but the heating chamber temperature control becomes inefficient and energy is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid circulation system is segmented into two separate circuits: a first circuit for heating cleaning liquid through the heating chamber, and a second circuit for cooling teat cups using stored cold liquid. This segmentation allows independent control of each function, preventing energy waste while maintaining functional versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A cold liquid storage chamber acts as an intermediary element, storing pre-cooled liquid that can be rapidly dispensed for teat cup cooling without requiring the heating chamber to perform cooling functions. This mediator enables efficient thermal management by decoupling heating and cooling operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the device performs sequential cleaning operations, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but the cleaning speed is slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning thoroughnessVSAvoidcleaning speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Cold liquid is pre-cooled and stored in the cold liquid storage chamber before cleaning operations begin. This preliminary action allows rapid cooling of teat cups during cleaning cycles without waiting for the heating chamber to cool down, thereby maintaining cleaning thoroughness while significantly increasing operational speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous useful action by simultaneously heating cleaning liquid in the first circuit while storing cold liquid in the second circuit for immediate use during cooling phases. This continuity eliminates idle time between heating and cooling operations, improving productivity without compromising cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If the liquid supply is directly connected to the heating chamber, then liquid flow control is simplified, but the device cannot independently control cooling liquid flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidflow control independence
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid supply system is segmented into separate controlled circuits: a first circuit with a first control valve for regulating cleaning liquid flow to the heating chamber, and a second circuit with a second control valve for independently regulating cold liquid flow to the discharge. This segmentation provides independent flow control while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular valve design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 device achieves faster and more flexible cleaning and disinfecting capabilities, capable of treating multiple teat cups efficiently while minimizing energy loss and ensuring effective disinfection.

Implementation Method 1

heating means which are arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

heating the cleaning liquid in the heating chamber to a condition with a temperature T which is higher than a boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change (liquid to vapor): Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

the heating chamber comprises an expansion means which is arranged to enable expansion of the liquid to be heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 4

a discharge which is closable by means of a valve... the valve opens at a selected overpressure, so that a steam jet will be released

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP1994818B2Teat cup cleaning device
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 MAASLAND NV
  • EP1994818B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1994818B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1994818B2 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Teat cup cleaning device comprising: - a heating chamber (2), provided with a discharge (3) which is closable by means of a valve (4), and arranged for connection to a teat cup, - a filling device (20) for filling the heating chamber (2) with an amount of cleaning liquid (11), and - heating means which are arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber (2), wherein the filling device (20) is arranged to fill the heating chamber (2) with such an amount of cleaning liquid (11) that, in a situation in which the heating chamber (2) has been closed by means of the valve (4) and the cleaning liquid (11) has been heated to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure, the valve (4) being arranged to open in this situation, there will be cleaning liquid (11) in the liquid state present in the heating chamber (2), the teat cup cleaning device comprising a connecting line (17) between a liquid supply and the discharge.