Inlet Valve for Teat Cup Air Admission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current milking technologies face challenges in efficiently discharging milk from teat cups due to increased negative pressure, which can lead to turbulent flow, milk plug formation, and quality issues such as oxidation of free fatty acids, resulting in reduced milk quality and increased operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A teat cup with a controllable air inlet valve featuring a valve body with a flow channel, an elastic membrane, and a sealing body as a unit, coupled with a spring element, allows controlled admission of air or gas into the milk discharge area, reducing pressure differences and minimizing direct contact with milk, thus enhancing milk discharge efficiency and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If operating vacuum is increased to ensure satisfactory milk drainage, then milk drainage efficiency is improved, but turbulence and mechanical stress on the teat increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet valve introduces air into the milk line before the milk plug reaches the teat cup, preemptively equalizing pressure and preventing the formation of high negative pressure zones that would cause turbulence and mechanical stress during subsequent milk drainage
2Productivity
If air inlet openings are provided to counteract pressure difference reduction, then milk drainage is improved, but power consumption of the vacuum pump increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet valve operates periodically, opening only during the release phase when the teat cup insert folds away from the teat, allowing air to be introduced at specific intervals rather than continuously, thereby reducing the additional power load on the vacuum pump while still maintaining effective milk drainage
3Productivity
If complex air inlet valves are used to control air intake, then milk drainage efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet valve is designed to operate automatically based on pressure differential across the diaphragm, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms or complex actuation systems. The valve self-regulates air intake based on the natural pressure changes during the pulsation cycle, simplifying the overall device architecture
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 solution ensures reliable and efficient milk discharge with reduced turbulence and improved milk quality by maintaining a consistent pressure gradient, minimizing foaming, and reducing mechanical stress on the milk, thereby enhancing operational reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a first side can be subjected to pressure prevailing in a pulsation chamber of the milking cup
Implementation Method 2
an elastic diaphragm that, on a first side, can be subjected to pressure
Implementation Method 3
a spring element that is coupled to the elastic diaphragm in order to pre-tension it towards the sealing surface
Implementation Method 4
a sealing element formed as a unit with the diaphragm, which, in a first position, closes the flow channel by bearing against the sealing surface
Implementation Method 5
allows controlled admission of air or gas into the milk discharge area, reducing pressure differences
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to means for mitigating in general the problem of discharging milk during milking. For this purpose, means for the improved periodic inlet of air and/or gas during milking and means for inspecting the milk discharge region are provided for a teat cup. An improved controlled inlet valve (150), an inlet line (158) having improved positioning of an air and/or gas outlet point, and also combinations of such means are provided for the inlet of air and/or gas during milking.