Milking Robot Teat Dipping Device with Separate Valve Arrangements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milking systems face high dipping agent consumption and inefficient teat disinfection due to undefined spraying methods, which are not optimized for use in milking robots where teat cups are removed sequentially.
Innovation Solution
A dipping device with separate inlet lines and dipping valve arrangements for each teat cup, allowing controlled and timed introduction of disinfectant or cleaning agents after milking, preventing unintended agent introduction and ensuring thorough teat disinfection and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single applying member with fluid pattern detecting means is used for all teats, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and adaptability to sequential teat cup removal are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single applying member into multiple separate applying members, with each teat cup equipped with its own applying member for fluid application. This segmentation allows each teat to receive fluid treatment independently and simultaneously, resolving the contradiction by maintaining device simplicity while enabling parallel processing that matches sequential teat cup removal in automated milking systems.
2Ease of operation
If spraying installation with exit nozzles is used for disinfectant application, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of substance (dipping agent consumption) worsens due to undefined spraying manner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid application function from a centralized spraying installation and integrates it directly into each teat cup through inlet lines and applying members. This extraction ensures that dipping agent is delivered precisely where needed (at each teat) in a controlled manner, eliminating waste from undefined spraying while maintaining ease of operation through automated fluid delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing each teat cup with its own dedicated fluid application system through inlet lines and applying members. This ensures that dipping agent is applied locally and precisely to each teat individually, preventing unnecessary dispersion and consumption of the agent while maintaining effective disinfection at each location.
3Reliability
If dipping agent is passed into teat cup after milking, then the reliability of teat disinfection is improved, but the loss of time in the milking process worsens due to additional rinsing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dipping agent to each teat cup immediately after milking completion but before teat cup removal, as a preliminary action. This timing ensures reliable disinfection is established before the teat cup leaves the teat, while the automated sequential processing minimizes time loss by preparing each teat cup for removal in an efficient sequence.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3b
Figure 4a~4d
AI summary
A dipping device for a milking system, especially for an automatic milking system designed as a milking robot with teat cups (1a - 1d) to be placed onto the teats of an animal to be milked, which is designed for bringing into contact the teats of the animal with at least one fluid or several fluids, has several dipping valve arrangements (3) so that the dipping agent introduction to each teat of the animal (1a - 1d) can be controlled separately.