Automated Teat Cup Detachment Detection for Milking Fluid Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional milking systems face inefficiencies and contamination risks due to manual fluid application methods, particularly when teat cups are detached abnormally, leading to wasted time, increased costs, and potential milk contamination.

Innovation Solution

A fluid application system that automatically determines whether a teat cup detachment is normal or abnormal using sensors and control arrangements, controlling fluid application to prevent contamination and optimize the milking process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fluid is applied automatically to all teat cup detachments, then fluid application efficiency is improved, but milk contamination risk increases due to abnormal detachments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid application efficiencyVSAvoidmilk contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control arrangement continuously monitors milking parameters (milk flow rate, vacuum level, teat cup position) and uses this feedback to distinguish between normal and abnormal detachments. Based on the feedback signal, the system automatically controls the applicator to apply fluid only when detachment is confirmed as normal, preventing contamination while maintaining efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of determining normal/abnormal detachment is replaced with an automated control system using sensors and processing logic. The control arrangement electronically evaluates detachment characteristics and controls fluid application accordingly, eliminating human intervention and improving consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual fluid application is used, then contamination risk is reduced, but workload and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination riskVSAvoidworkload and time consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting detachment characteristics and controlling fluid application without human intervention. The control arrangement independently evaluates whether to activate the applicator based on monitored parameters, eliminating the need for manual assessment and reducing workload

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual assessment and application processes are replaced with automated sensor-based detection and electronic control. The system uses electrical/optical sensors to monitor detachment parameters and electronically controls fluid delivery, substituting mechanical manual operations with automated systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If fluid is applied during abnormal detachment, then teat conditioning is improved, but milk contamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveteat conditioning effectivenessVSAvoidmilk contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control arrangement uses real-time feedback from sensors monitoring milk flow rate, vacuum level, and teat cup position to determine the nature of detachment. This feedback mechanism ensures fluid is applied only when detachment is normal, maintaining teat conditioning reliability while preventing milk contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary action by evaluating detachment characteristics before activating fluid application. The control arrangement assesses whether the detachment is normal or abnormal in advance, and only permits fluid application when the condition is safe, preventing contamination before it can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 ensures efficient, precise, and cost-effective fluid application, reducing workload and contamination risks by automatically determining normal or abnormal teat cup detachment, allowing for timely re-attachment and minimizing fluid waste.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum sensor for repeatedly measuring a vacuum level in the milking equipment during the milking

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum measurement:

Implementation Method 2

a milk flow meter for repeatedly measuring a milk flow rate from the animal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS7926449B2Fluid application systems and methods and milking systems and methods

Publication Date: 2011.04.19 DELAVAL HLDG AB

AI summary

A fluid application system for automatically applying a fluid to the teats of an animal subsequent to the milking of the animal comprises a fluid delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of applicators, wherein each of the applicators is arranged in connection with a respective teat cup and is provided for applying the fluid to a teat of the animal, to which the respective teat cup is attached during the milking of the animal, in connection with a detachment of the teat cup from the teat. A control arrangement is provided for (i) determining, for a detachment of a teat cup from a teat, whether that detachment is a normal detachment or an abnormal detachment, and (ii) controlling, for the detachment of the teat cup from the teat, the applicator arranged in connection with that teat cup to apply the fluid provided that the detachment is a normal detachment and to not apply the fluid provided that the detachment is an abnormal detachment.