GR1010648B - ELECTRONIC MILKOMETER - Google Patents

Abstract

The electronic lactometer is a device with integrated multiple functions and unifies the milking process. It can improve the performance of the milking parlor with its multiple possibilities, while the recording of a lot of data (quantity, animal identification, conductivity, temperature), which can be analyzed later, helps the good functioning of the form and provides information for its correct operation. Simplicity in installation and use helps prevent damage.

Description

ELECTRONIC MILK METER

This invention relates to a device used in systems for the mechanical milking of dairy animals.

During the mechanical milking of animals using vacuum and teat cups (structures consisting of an elastic part that comes into contact with the animal's udder and an outer shell), a vacuum is applied to the edges of the animals' udders in order to suck the milk that is secreted. The secretion of milk is done by using mechanical force on the outer surface of the udder which is repeated in the form of continuous pulses and which imitates the movement of the human hand and at the same time the application of vacuum. There are several parameters that affect the proper functioning of the system, such as a constant level of vacuum, speed and stability in the pulsation. Also, the use of automatic devices results in the operator not having a sense of the amount of milk produced. The problem becomes more pronounced on farms with a larger number of animals, with multiple operators, which is becoming increasingly common.

For the device to function, the existence of a milk transfer line and a pulse transfer line is necessary.

It is common practice to use branching devices in mechanical milking systems so that the milk coming from each animal's udders can be collected and continue its journey through a single rubber tube to the collection bucket or fixed milk line.

The total milking time is also a key factor for the profitable operation of the farm. There is a need to extract data and comparable values for making decisions regarding feeding, but also the genetic improvement of the animals while simultaneously improving milking conditions and identifying potential problems early.

There are already means for recording animal performance, both mechanical and electronic, as well as guiding the milking process. They usually operate as independent units that cooperate.

All known implementations so far have a series

problems.

The separate individual units require external wiring that is sensitive to humidity and the difficult conditions prevailing in the milking parlor, while the many connections required make installation and repair in case of failure very difficult. In addition, they are designed for animals with high milk production (more than 6 kg per day) and are unable to achieve the accuracy required by mammals with low production (e.g. sheep with a daily production of less than 1 kg). All existing solutions operate during milking of the animals and ignore the monitoring of the cleaning process.

The advantage of this invention is that it improves the quality and safety of milking, the ease and simplicity of use by the operator, the provision of reliable data on the amount of milk produced, the health of the animals, but also the improvement of hygiene conditions, the quality of the milk and the speed of milking,

The electronic milk meter consists of the following parts, as shown in Figure 1:

Inlet cap (1) from where the milk enters with a valve to limit the vacuum when required (2) the main space in the meter body (3), one or more sensors to control the milk level, conductivity and temperature (4), valve for emptying the meter (5), sealed compartment for integrating and protecting the electronic parts (6), section that may have an integrated pulse generator, valves, detachment and control of the teat system (7).

The electronic meter has the ability to incorporate all or some of the necessary functions for an efficient milking. The milk enters through the inlet and fills the main part of the meter where the sensors are located. The milk level is detected depending on which electrodes (4) are covered and thus its quantity is calculated. At the same time, the temperature and conductivity of the milk are recorded. The meter can be calibrated at regular intervals to ensure the accuracy of the measurements.

When the milk reaches a predetermined height, the discharge valve is activated and the chamber is emptied. An algorithm calculates possible losses from the inflow of milk into the meter during its emptying to optimize accuracy.

Conductivity and temperature measurement can remain active during cleaning to provide information on adequate system cleaning.

The electronic milk meter has a built-in pulse generator for controlling milking, as well as valves for operating the detacher (the system that, when milking is finished and there is no flow, breaks the vacuum in the udder and removes the teats from the animal's teats).

The presence of the pulser close to the milking set allows the use of short vacuum tubes, optimizing the response. All electronic parts (meter control, animal identification circuit, pulser-detachment) can be located inside the sealed part of the electronic meter. The risk of corrosion or damage to the wiring is eliminated. Installation is very simple since all peripheral connections are eliminated and the electronic meter only needs a power supply. The connection of each meter to the others can be done either wired or wirelessly.

The following diagram shows the individual parts of the electronic meter.

Claims (8)

1. The electronic milk meter is a device for measuring the milk produced by animals during mechanical milking, characterized by the use of electrodes - sensors (4) to determine the quantity, temperature and conductivity of the milk inside the meter. 2. The electronic milk meter according to claim 1 is characterized in that it may have an integrated pulse generator (7). 3. The electronic milk meter according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that it may have an integrated circuit for animal identification. 4. The electronic milk meter according to claim 1, 2 and 3 is characterized in that it can have all the necessary electronics for milking integrated in its sealed compartment (6). 5. The electronic milk meter according to claim 1, 2 and 3 is characterized in that it can communicate and transfer data wired or wirelessly. 6. The electronic milk meter according to claim 1 is characterized in that it can measure conductivity and temperature during the cleaning process. 7. The electronic milk meter according to claim 1, 5 and 6 is characterized in that it can be self-calibrated during the cleaning phase, by taking measurements from the cleaning water. 8. The electronic milk meter according to claim 1, 2 and 4 is characterized in that it can have all the valves (7) necessary for its operation integrated.