Teatcup Liner Segmentation for Rapid TPE Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of teatcup liners in rubber materials is hindered by the lengthy vulcanization time, and while using thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) can speed up the process, they offer less elasticity, making it difficult to remove the liner from the mould without leakage or bacterial growth issues.
Innovation Solution
Designing a teatcup liner with separate components connected via sealing abutments formed by abutting connecting rings made of different materials, ensuring a tight and reliable joint, and using a grip member for easy mounting and locking, while maintaining elasticity for animal teat contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rubber material is used for teatcup liner, then elasticity is improved, but vulcanization time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The teatcup liner is divided into multiple separate components (head portion and barrel portion) that are connected via a joint. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using rubber material with full vulcanization, ensuring high elasticity while avoiding the need for a single long vulcanization cycle for the entire liner.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint connecting the head and barrel portions uses a sealing arrangement with a sealing member that can be made from different materials than the main liner components. This composite approach allows the main body to be fully vulcanized rubber while the joint uses materials suitable for rapid setting, combining the benefits of both material types.
2Productivity
If thermoplastic elastomer is used for teatcup liner, then solidification time is reduced, but elasticity decreases making removal from mould difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the liner into separate components, the head portion can be made from thermoplastic elastomer for rapid solidification and easy removal from the mould, while the barrel portion that requires high elasticity can be made from fully vulcanized rubber. This segmentation allows each part to use the most suitable material for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the liner are made from different materials with different properties. The head portion uses thermoplastic elastomer where rapid manufacturing and easy removal are priorities, while the barrel portion uses vulcanized rubber where elasticity is critical. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both productivity and performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate components are connected to form teatcup liner, then material selection flexibility is improved, but joint tightness and sealing become critical concerns
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing member acts as an intermediary element between the head portion and barrel portion, providing the necessary sealing function. This intermediary component ensures that the joint between the two separately manufactured components is tight and prevents leakage, while still allowing each component to be made from the most suitable material for its function.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint assembly uses a composite structure with the sealing member made from a material that provides both sealing capability and compatibility with both the head and barrel portions. This composite approach at the joint level ensures reliability and tightness while maintaining the material selection flexibility benefits of separate components.
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
This solution allows for faster manufacturing with TPE, ensures airtight and bacterial-resistant connections, and facilitates easy assembly and secure attachment to the shell, enhancing the manufacturing efficiency and hygiene of teatcup liners.
Implementation Method 1
the connecting ring of at least one of the components abuts the peripheral portion of the other component to form a sealing abutment between the primary component and the secondary component
Data Source
AI summary
This invention refers to a teatcup liner and a teatcup. The liner (1) is mounted in a shell (2) of the teatcup and defines an inner space (3) for receiving a teat. The liner includes a primary component (12) forming a barrel. The primary component includes a peripheral portion (15), a primary connecting ring (16) and a lip (17) defining an opening (4). The secondary component includes a secondary peripheral portion (18) and a secondary connecting ring (20). The primary component is connectable to the secondary component for releasing the liner by a mutual engagement of the connecting rings. At least one of the connecting rings abuts the peripheral portion of the other component to form a sealing abutment between the two components.