Teatcup Liner Corner Radius for Vacuum Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Teatcup liners with triangular or polygonal cross-sectional shapes do not completely shut off vacuum, leading to slower milking and potential strain on the teat during the milking process.
Innovation Solution
A teatcup liner with corner portions having an inner radius of at least 4 mm at the center, and side portions curved inwardly towards the longitudinal axis, ensuring proper filling and gentle teat treatment by maintaining a smooth transition and appropriate wall thickness ratios, which allows for efficient milking and reduced pressure on the teat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the barrel has a triangular or polygonal cross-sectional shape with acute corners, then the teat treatment is gentle, but the vacuum is not completely shut off resulting in slower milking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different geometric characteristics to different parts of the barrel: the corner portions have a larger inner radius (at least 4 mm at the center part) to allow complete vacuum shut-off and improve milking speed, while the side portions maintain curvature to provide gentle teat treatment. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces curvature to the corner portions by specifying that they shall have a larger inner radius (at least 4 mm at the center part) compared to acute corners. This curvature modification allows the teat to fully contact the liner surface during pulsation, ensuring complete vacuum shut-off while maintaining the overall polygonal shape for gentle treatment.
2Productivity
If the barrel has a circular cross-sectional shape, then the milking is fast and complete, but the teat treatment is less gentle compared to triangular or polygonal shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric hybrid shape that combines elements of both circular and polygonal cross-sections. The corner portions with larger radius provide the vacuum shut-off capability of circular shapes, while the curved side portions maintain the gentle contact characteristic of polygonal shapes, achieving a balance between milking efficiency and teat treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different geometric properties are assigned to different regions: corner portions have larger inner radius for vacuum shut-off (improving milking efficiency), while side portions have curvature for gentle teat contact. This local optimization resolves the contradiction between speed and gentleness.
3Shape
If the corner portions have a small inner radius approaching a perfect triangle, then the shape is more polygonal, but empty space remains between the teat and inner surface during milking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameter of the corner portions by specifying that they shall have a larger inner radius (at least 4 mm at the center part). This parameter change ensures the teat can fully contact the liner surface during pulsation, eliminating empty spaces and achieving complete vacuum shut-off while maintaining the polygonal overall shape.
Data Source
AI summary
A teatcup liner for a teatcup has a longitudinal shape extending along a longitudinal axis (x). The teatcup liner includes a barrel (2) having a length (L) and defining an inner space (21) for receiving the teat. The barrel has a polygonal cross-sectional shape transversely to the longitudinal axis along the barrel. The polygonal cross-sectional shape defines a plurality of corner portions and a plurality of side portions, each connecting two of the corner portions. Each corner portion includes an inner surface facing the inner space and having an inner radius extending from the inner space to the inner surface. The inner radius is equal for each corner portion. Furthermore, the inner radius of each of the corner portions is at least 4 mm at a centre part of the corner portion.