Vehicular Milking Device with Rotatable Base for Aisle Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic animal processing devices are labor-intensive, bulky, and inefficient, particularly in smaller dairy farms, as they require manual movement of animals and obstruct aisles, limiting other farm operations and hygiene maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular animal processing device with a deployable structure that moves over multiple axes, allowing the processing unit to be positioned under the animal without moving it, and is mounted on a rotatable base to process animals in their stalls without blocking aisles, enabling simultaneous processing of multiple animals and reducing labor requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a bulky automatic animal processing device is used to process animals automatically, then labor requirements are reduced, but the device obstructs aisles and limits other farm operations
Solution Approach 1:
The processing device is divided into separate functional modules (processing unit, support structure, positioning mechanisms) that can operate independently. The processing unit can be positioned over the animal while the support structure remains staged, allowing partial operation without complete aisle blockage.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a ground-based obstructing platform to an elevated overhead structure that spans the aisle. The processing unit hangs from the support structure positioned above the animal, allowing vertical clearance for aisle passage while maintaining processing capability.
2Productivity
If animals are moved to a centralized milking parlor for processing, then processing efficiency increases, but labor-intensive herding and positioning is required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the animal to a centralized processing location, the processing unit is brought to the animal's stall. The processing apparatus positions itself over the animal within its home stall environment, reversing the traditional flow direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing device autonomously navigates to and positions itself at each animal's stall using automated guidance systems. The device independently completes the full processing cycle without human intervention for animal herding, positioning, or restraint.
3Reliability
If a fixed processing platform is used, then processing stability is improved, but the device cannot accommodate animals of varying heights or smaller farm spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates adjustable positioning mechanisms including height-adjustable arms and movable processing units. These dynamic components allow real-time adaptation to different animal sizes and stall configurations while maintaining stable processing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows adjustment of key geometric parameters including processing unit height, horizontal positioning, and angle of approach. These parameter changes enable accommodation of animals with varying heights, lengths, and weights while preserving processing stability through controlled adjustment ranges.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic animal processing device for automatically processing a domestic animal from its stall the animal while restraining the animal and without impeding passage in the aisle. The animal processing device, while operating, allows a person to walk-by the system with minimal constraints. The animal processing device may be a milking machine may be a milking machine having a milking head assembly and a cleaning system. The animal processing device may be mounted on a movable platform, such that the processing device may be automatically moved from one stall to the next. For installations in which the processing device is installed on tracks in the middle of two rows of animals, the processing device may be rotatable on its movable platform, such that it may process the animals of both sides of the aisle.