DE102005053570A1 - Milking parlor for milk giving animals e.g. buffalo, has limitation devices movable in direction, which is perpendicular to plane of limitation devices, where third limitation device stands perpendicular to two former limitation devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The parlor has two limitation devices (5,6), where an animal is placed in a space between the two limitation devices. One of the limitation devices is arranged in parallel to the other limitation device. One of the limitation devices is movable in a direction, which is perpendicular to a plane of the limitation devices. A third limitation device stands perpendicular to the former two limitation devices. An independent claim is also included for a method for milking milk giving animals.

Description

The The present invention relates to a milking parlor for milking of milk-giving animals. The invention is related to a method and apparatus for milking animals is described. It is noted, however, that the present invention also for Milking and milking equipment for milking sheep, goats, Study, Camels, dromedaries, yaks, elks, horses and other milk-giving Animals can be used.

The Invention may be in conventional milking, in machine milking and also used in semi-automatic milking. The use is also possible with systems in which a semi-automatic or fully automatic or robotsunterstützes and / or computer-controlled cleaning of the teats and / or attachment of the teat cups takes place on the teats of the animals. Milking can be quarter-individual take place or it may be provided a milk collecting piece, in the Starting milking hoses from the teat cups open.

Out The prior art discloses milking parlor systems which have a milking parlor stand. in which the animals are positioned for milking. A task of this Milking parlor systems consist of keeping the cow at a substantially level Firmly fix in the milking parlor, so that the teats of the udder well can be reached by the operator and the milking device. in the In the state of the art, the milking parlor stands are screwed in most cases or welded Pipe constructions, whereby the frameworks form individual milking boxes or milking places. From the state of the art milking parlor systems are known, which in the Essentially the same size Melkflächen for the individual cows to be milked exhibit. However, the systems do not take account of the fact that that the animals have different sizes d. H. especially different lengths or have widths.

It Although there are different milking parlors in different grid dimensions, and thus also different widths of the individual milking boxes or milking places. These milking parlor frameworks but always represent only a compromise, because the required grid once selected when ordering and is applied to the whole herd. This measure then applies to all animals in the herd and that for the whole lifetime of the milking parlor. This leads to, that big Animals within the herd are very constricted while very small Herd animals have a lot of free space inside each box, which, in turn, counteracts the goal of animal fixation. So can It even comes to that very small animals inside the milk box or the milking places Align diagonally, which makes the milking difficult.

Of the The present invention is therefore based on the object, a milking parlor to create, on the one hand, a more favorable fixation of the male Tiers does not reach and on the other hand the animal is not too much cramped. This is inventively A milking parlor according to claim 1 and a milking installation according to claim 8 reached. In addition, the object of the invention by a method according to Claim 12 reached.

advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

Of the milking parlor according to the invention for milk-giving Animals has at least one first lateral limiting device and a second lateral limiting device, wherein in a gap between the first lateral limiting device and the second lateral limiting device, the animal can be arranged and the first lateral limiting device and the second lateral one Limiting device arranged substantially parallel to each other are. At least according to the invention a limiting device in one of the plane of this limiting device vertical direction movable.

Under A limitation device is understood to mean any means which a movement of the animal preferably in one to the plane of the Limiting device vertical direction, limits. The Limiting device is preferably designed as a flat element d. H. as an element, which has a certain extent in a first Direction and a second direction and a this essential less extension in a direction perpendicular to the first two directions. Under a movable boundary direction is also such Restriction device understood that only a movable Area, for example, an animal facing the movable area having.

Next a grid can However, also plates or the like may be provided.

By the mobility of at least one lateral limiting device is achieved that the milking parlor are varied in width and in this way on thinner ones Pets can be adjusted. Thus, the grid size of this Milking parlor type according to the invention in a so-called side-by-side milking parlor after the widest Animal of the herd are selected. To the thinner animals can through the individual milking parlors adapted the above movement of the limiting devices become.

Preferably the milking parlor has another restriction device which substantially perpendicular to the lateral limiting means stands. This refers in particular to a front and a rear limiting device wherein the front limiting device limits the movement of the animal forward and the rear limiting device the movement of the animal backwards. Preferably is also a further limiting device movable and although particularly preferred essentially in the plane of the lateral limiting devices. In this way, the milking parlor according to the invention can be used in every relevant way Dimension can be changed in its size.

In a further preferred embodiment the milking parlor has at least one separating device which in the Essentially parallel to the lateral limiting devices is arranged. The separator is in particular but not exclusively a fixed element, in contrast, the limiting device are movable. Due to the mobility of the limiting devices across from the separator, the width of the milking parlor can be changed.

Preferably are between the separator and the lateral limiting devices Moving devices provided with which this limiting device across from the separator can be moved. In these movement devices Mechanisms may be, for example, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatically driven mechanisms in the form of joint gears or any other kind, the limiting device with respect to the separator move. Leave it the distance between the separator and the limiting device change. This distance can be changed manually or automatically.

In order to form in this embodiment the limiting devices and the separator double walls, wherein itself, as stated above, the Limiting device with respect lets the separator move, so that the separating device with respect the limiting devices is designed in a kind of sandwich construction.

at a further preferred embodiment the movement device has a stretchable element. there it may be, for example, an air cushion or the like, which can be expanded under air pressure or under oil pressure and in this way the distance between an adjacent separator and the also adjacent to this stretchable element limiting device change can.

at a further preferred embodiment the milking parlor has at least one removal device, the distance of the animal to be milked from at least one limiting device determined. Preferably, the animal is within the milking parlor (if possible exact) and measure the dis dance of the individual milking parlor surfaces adjusted to the (exact) measured physiological geometries of the animals. This can be dependent on from the measured distance of the lateral boundary wall to the body of the Tieres the position of the limiting device can be changed.

at a further preferred embodiment the milking parlor has a storage facility in which the animals characterizing data are stored. In this storage device are the physiological data such as the animal widths saved. As soon as an animal enters the milking parlor or as soon as it is known is, which animal enters which place, due to the known and animal widths stored in the storage device, the limiting devices be adjusted accordingly.

At The animal can also be attached to a detection device, with whose help the animal can be identified exactly like a transponder or a smart label or the like. Once with this detection device The animal has been identified, the size of the corresponding milking parlor be customized. Preferably, a control device provided, depending on at least one limiting device moves from the physiological data of the animal. However, it is also possible to move the restriction device manually.

Prefers are both lateral limiting devices in one direction, which is perpendicular to the plane of the limiting device, movable. That way you can in particular a plurality of juxtaposed milking parlors in their width be adjusted. Also, a shift of a front boundary wall Be is possible by using the above-mentioned memory device. Besides For example, a securing mechanism may be provided which is a squeeze prevents the animals.

In order to The system can also be designed so that the distance or the distance of the lateral limiting devices is varied so long until the limiting device with a certain pressure against the Animal thrusts.

The present invention is further directed to a milking facility having at least one milking parlor or at least one milking stall as described above kind of addressed. Preferably, a plurality of milking parlors or milking parlors of the above type is provided. This plurality of milking parlors or milking stalls is arranged essentially along a line, wherein the individual milking parlors or milking parlors are laterally separated from one another by separating devices and limiting devices.

Especially in each case a separating device between two limiting devices is preferred arranged and the limiting devices against the Separating device movable, more preferably in one direction movable, which is perpendicular to the plane of the limiting device.

The The present invention is further directed to a method of milking directed by milk-giving animals, in which, in a first step the animal in a milking parlor with a first lateral limiting device and introduced in a second lateral limiting means becomes. In this case, the animal is formed in a between the lateral limiting devices Interspace arranged. According to the invention, at least one limiting device displaced in a direction substantially perpendicular to the Level of limiting devices stands.

Prefers the restriction device will respond in response to at least one characteristic feature of the animal to be milked. This feature is For example, the volume of the animals, the width of the Animal or the like. This width of the animal can, for example be removed from a storage device or over rangefinder or the like.

Also is a manual displacement of the individual boundary walls conceivable.

Further Advantages and embodiments emerge from the attached Drawings:

In this demonstrate:

1a a representation for illustrating the problem underlying the invention;

1b a further illustration to illustrate the problem underlying the invention;

1c a further illustration to illustrate the problem underlying the invention;

2 a schematic representation of a milking station according to the invention;

3 a representation of a milking plant according to the prior art;

4 a detail of a milking parlor;

5 an illustration of a separator and two limiting devices;

6 a schematic representation of a separator and two limiting devices;

7 the presentation 6 with movement devices;

8th the presentation 6 wherein the moving means are designed as limiting means;

9 the presentation 7 in a further embodiment; and

10 the presentation 7 in a further embodiment.

The 1a to 1c illustrate the problem underlying the invention. 1a shows a milking machine 1 with a variety of milking stalls 2 , There is a cow in each of these milking parlors 3 arranged. In this idealized illustration, all cows have exactly the same dimensions. For this reason, also the individual milking parlors 2 be chosen in the same sizes.

In reality, however, the animals have different sizes, namely different lengths Y (Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4) as well as different widths X (X1, X2, X3, X4), as in 1b shown. Any differing heights are in 1b not shown.

Are these cows now in the in 1a introduced shown milking parlor, this results in the 1c illustrated situation. You realize that the cow 3c relatively cramped stands in her milking parlor or milking stall, while the much slimmer cow 3a there is so much space available that it can align diagonally, for example, thus applying the teat cups to the teats of the animal 3a considerably more difficult.

2 schematically shows a milking plant according to the invention. This milking system has a variety of milking parlors 2 on. Between the milking parlors at a distance R is a fixed, ie not movable partition wall 9 arranged. The reference chen 5 and 6 refer to each left and right side limiting devices, with respect to the separator 9 in the direction of the double arrow P can be moved. In this way, every milking parlor or milking parlor can be used 2 be adjusted individually in terms of its width to the width of the animal therein. In this embodiment, both the right-side and the left-side partition can be moved.

The distance between two separators 9 is uniformly chosen in this embodiment. Also, in this embodiment, the respective distances between the separator 9 and those limiting devices 5 respectively. 6 who have a particular milking parlor 2 limit, uniformly selected. This means that, starting from two separating devices that limit the milking parlor of a cow, the respective limiting devices 6 and 5 be moved inwards. In this way, it is achieved that the animal remains substantially centered with respect to the entire milking parlor, as in FIG 2 shown. It is also achieved that between the animals, the maximum lateral distance, which facilitates milking.

The reference numerals 7 and 8th refer to a rear and a front limiting device, which limit the movement of the animals forward and backward. Also one or both of these limiting devices 7 and 8th can be movable in the direction of the arrow P.

3 shows a partial view of a milking plant according to the prior art. This has three side by side arranged milking parlors 2 on. Between these milking parlors 2 are each separation devices 9 arranged in the form of rotatable grids. In addition, a rear grid is provided, on which the rear part of the cow is arranged. The separation devices 9 are opposite support rods 14 rotatably mounted. About a front limiting device, which is rotatably or pivotally mounted relative to a horizontal axis, the milking parlors 2 be opened and the cows in the milking parlors 2 be set.

4 shows a detailed representation of a milking parlor according to the invention. Here is also a support bar 14 a separator 9 rotatably arranged, in addition, however, still two limiting devices 5 and 6 , These are parallel to the left or right side of the separator 9 added.

5 shows a plan view from the front and a top view from above of the representation according to the invention 4 , It can be seen in both perspectives that the separator 9 sandwiched between the limiting devices 5 respectively. 6 is arranged. In addition, the respective front and rear walls can also be designed in the manner shown here namely with a space-fixed separating device which is arranged to be movable relative to a limiting device. In all embodiments, however, the separating device can be arranged to be movable and thus simultaneously perform the function of the limiting device.

6 shows a schematic representation of the in the 4 and 5 shown detail view.

7 shows the presentation 6 , in which case between the separator 9 and the limiting devices 5 respectively. 6 movers 11 are arranged. In this embodiment, the moving means is an inflatable device such as a pneumatic or hydraulic bellows. By filling this bellows with an expanding agent such as a gas or a liquid, the moving means expands in the direction of the arrow P and thus causes the limiting means 5 and 6 laterally from the separator 9 move away. In the variant shown here, a single bellows could be provided, which is around the separator 9 is arranged around. In this case, by inflating this bellows a substantially uniform movement of the limiting means 5 and 6 respectively.

At the in 8th In the embodiment shown, the moving devices themselves are at the same time the limiting devices 5 . 6 , More specifically, among the limiting devices here are the outer surfaces facing the animal ie the animal 5a respectively. 6a the bellows 5 respectively. 6 Understood. This embodiment has the advantage that it ergonomically adapt the limiting devices to the respective animal.

In addition to the movement devices and rails or other means may be provided which prevent the limiting devices 5 and 6 in 7 put diagonally.

9 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention. In this case, the left and right sides of the separator 9 not just one bellows, but three bellows each. By providing a plurality of such bellows prevents the limiting devices 5 respectively. 6 diagonally with respect to the separator 9 align.

10 schematically shows a further embodiment of a milking parlor according to the invention. Here is the distance between the Trennein direction 9 and the limiting devices 5 respectively. 6 not achieved by an inflatable bellows but by a hydraulic or pneumatic linkage, which is shown here only very schematically and simplified.

Of the One skilled in the art recognizes that other arrangements of the limiting device across from the separator are possible For example, arranged above and below rails, in which the respective edges the limiting devices can be arranged, and which a shifting in the lateral direction.

All Features disclosed in the application documents are considered to be essential to the invention as long as they are individually or in combination with respect to State of the art are new.

1

milking machine

2

parlor

3a, 3b, 3c, 3d

cow

5, 6

lateral limiting devices

7

rear limiting device

8th

front limiting device

9

separators

11

mover

14

Stabilizer

Claims (13)

Milking parlor ( 2 ) for dairy animals ( 3 ) with a first lateral limiting device ( 5 ) and a second lateral limiting device ( 6 ) in a space between the first limiting device ( 5 ) and the second limiting device ( 6 ) the animal ( 9 ) and the first lateral limiting device ( 5 ) and the second lateral limiting device ( 6 ) are arranged substantially parallel to each other, characterized in that at least one limiting device ( 5 . 6 ) is movable in a direction perpendicular to a plane of this limiting device direction. Milking parlor according to claim 1, characterized in that the milking parlor ( 2 ) a further limiting device ( 8th ) substantially perpendicular to the lateral limiting devices ( 5 . 6 ) stands. Milking parlor according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the milking parlor comprises at least one separating device ( 9 ) fixedly substantially parallel to the lateral limiting devices ( 5 . 6 ) is arranged. Milking parlor according to claim 3, characterized in that between the separating device ( 9 ) and the lateral limiting devices ( 5 . 6 ) Movement devices ( 11 ) are provided, with which this limiting device ( 5 . 6 ) can be moved relative to the separating device. Milking parlor according to claim 4, characterized in that the movement device ( 11 ) has a stretchable element. Milking parlor according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the milking parlor ( 2 ) comprises at least one distance measuring device which determines the distance of the animal to be milked from at least one limiting device ( 5 . 6 ). Milking parlor according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the milking parlor ( 2 ) has a memory device in which the animals characterizing data are stored. Milking plant ( 1 ) with at least one milking parlor ( 2 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims. Milking installation according to claim 8, characterized in that a plurality of milking parlors ( 2 ) is provided according to at least one of the preceding claims. Milking installation according to claim 9, characterized in that between the individual milking parlors ( 2 ) each separating devices ( 9 ) are arranged. Milking installation according to at least one of the preceding claims 8-10, characterized in that at least one separating device ( 9 ) between two limiting devices ( 5 . 6 ) is arranged and these limiting means are movable relative to the separating device. Method for milking dairy animals comprising the steps of: - introducing the animal into a milking parlor ( 2 ) with a first lateral limiting device ( 5 ) and a second lateral limiting device ( 6 ), wherein the animal is in one between the lateral limiting devices ( 5 . 6 ) is arranged; Shifting at least one limiting device ( 5 . 6 ) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of this limiting device ( 5 . 6 ) stands. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the limiting device ( 5 . 6 ) is shifted in response to at least one characteristic feature of the animal to be milked.