Variable Transverse Distance Leg Spreading Device for Milking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In milking parlours, existing leg spreading devices fail to consistently maintain a desired space between an animal's rear legs, making it difficult for operators or robotic manipulation devices to attach teat cups, as animals often position their legs at varying distances, which can be too far apart, hindering access.
Innovation Solution
A leg spreading device with elongated elements that vary in transverse distance along their length, encouraging animals to position their rear legs in a comfortable and consistent longitudinal position, ensuring a minimum distance suitable for teat cup attachment, and featuring adjustable mechanisms to accommodate different animal sizes and positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the transverse distance between the raised surfaces is kept constant, then the device structure is simple, but the animal cannot be motivated to position its rear legs in a desired longitudinal position
Solution Approach 1:
The leg spreading device features raised surfaces where the transverse distance varies along the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the transverse distance has a minimum value at a first longitudinal position and a maximum value at a second longitudinal position. This local variation in geometric property creates a comfortable positioning zone that guides the animal's rear legs to the desired position, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural simplicity.
2Length of moving object
If the transverse distance between raised surfaces is increased, then more space is created between rear legs, but it becomes difficult for operators or robot arms to reach the teats
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies parameter changes by varying the transverse distance between the raised surfaces along the longitudinal direction. The transverse distance is minimum at the first longitudinal position (enabling teat access) and maximum at the second longitudinal position (providing leg spacing). This parameter variation along the length of the device simultaneously achieves both requirements: sufficient space between legs while maintaining accessibility to the teats.
3Manufacturing precision
If the transverse distance between raised surfaces varies in the longitudinal direction, then animals are motivated to position rear legs in a desired position, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The leg spreading device employs asymmetry in its geometric configuration, where the transverse distance between raised surfaces is not uniform but varies along the longitudinal direction. The elongated elements are configured such that one side has different dimensions or positioning than the other, creating a gradient in transverse distance. This asymmetric design provides precise positioning guidance for the animal's rear legs while remaining implementable with standard manufacturing techniques.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a leg spreading device for an animal in a milking stall. The leg spreading device (10) comprises a first raised surface (10a) provided with a left side edge (10al) and a second raised surface provided with a right side edge (10bi). The leg spreading device (10) comprises a first elongated element (10a) forming the first raised surface and a second elongated element (10b) forming the second raised surface. The elongated elements (10a, 10b) are oriented in a manner such that a transverse distance (w) between the left side edge (10a1) of the first raised surface and the right side edge (10b1) of the second raised surface increases continuously in a longitudinal direction of the elongated elements (10a, 10b) from a first transverse distance (wi) in the first longitudinal position (I1) to a second transverse distance (w2) in a second longitudinal position (12).