JP2002204627A - Method for exchanging milk filter and exchanging apparatus for milk filter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an exchanging apparatus in order to improve hygienic quality of milk and guarantee operations without stagnation and interruption of a milking apparatus. SOLUTION: The method and apparatus for automatically exchanging milk filters (1a to 1d) without actions of an operator are provided. As special constituent characteristics, a closing device (6) is shown and capable of opening a milk filter unit (16) and thereby releasing the milk filter (1a) for exchange. A replacing device (4) is shown and capable of replacing, e.g. the milk filter (1a) with another milk filter (1b to 1d) from a filter magazine (5). Higher standards of milk quality can be achieved on one hand according to the method. On the other hand, more effective utilization of the apparatus and operation time of the operator can be carried out on the basis of rapidity and security of the method.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for replacing a milk filter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Milk filters are used in farming and dairy farming to produce milk. In milking equipment in particular, fresh particles of milk must be freed of airborne particles (straw, dirt or similar foreign matter) that have reached the milk, for example through the dirty nipples of cattle, or of coagulates in the milk. The safe operation of the milk filter unit is a prerequisite for meeting the high demands of milk hygiene.

Conventionally, the filtering of milk has been performed by a single or multiple filters (double, quadruple, etc.). The replacement of the milk filter is then carried out manually, that is to say if necessary by the driver before or during the milking time. European Patent Application Publication No. 0653
From U.S. Pat. No. 153 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,081 there is known a milking machine which diverts the milk flow to a new fresh milk filter when the old one becomes soiled. At this time, the milk filter is not replaced.

[0004] The use of dirty milk filters leads to poor milk quality. Therefore, maintaining milk specifications often requires an undesired interruption of milking time.

[0005]

Given this, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for improving the hygienic quality of milk and for assuring stagnation and uninterrupted operation of the milking device. And an exchange device.

[0006]

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 or by a switching device having the features of claim 7. . Advantageous modifications and arrangements which can be used individually or in combination with one another are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

[0007] The method according to the invention is distinguished in that the change of the milk filter takes place automatically.
Automatic in this context means that the driver does not have to be present during the filter change and that the physical change of the milk filter takes place automatically. Deterioration of milk quality as a result of increased soiling is eliminated by an automated milk filter change, preferably after a predetermined interval. The quick cleaning of the milking device according to the regulations tied to the slight hassle that takes place after the replacement guarantees a high level of hygiene.

[0008] Other advantages of the method are its speed, which leads to a better bearing capacity of the device, in particular its reliability, which allows a more flexible working time for the driver, and a higher degree of rationality. And the associated cost savings for the driver. In operation with an automatic milking machine, the present invention eliminates the hassle that occurs at night due to a failure based on a dirty milk filter.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, the filter unit is opened or closed by a closing device,
The milk filter has a housing or is released and exposed therefrom.

Subsequently, the milk filter according to another embodiment of the method is replaced by a replacement device with a milk filter from a filter magazine. To that end, the filter magazine can accommodate at least two milk filters. The filter magazine is provided with a sufficient fresh milk filter for the amount of milk to be milked, wherein the optimal number of milk filters or the provision of the filter magazine advantageously reduces the use of milk filters. Synchronized with the period, this use is
Depends on milk yield and milk filter capacity. The dirty milk filter is returned to the filter magazine and cleaned or renewed by the driver at the appropriate time.

The cleaning of the milking device with the integrated milk filter takes place at a convenient point in time, advantageously before or after the main milking time. To this end, the filter unit is opened, the milk filter is removed without inserting a new one into the filter unit, the filter unit is closed again and the device is cleaned by cleaning means, for example by hot water.

According to another advantageous variant, it is proposed that the recognition unit detects the degree of soiling of the milk filter. From the pressure difference Δp before or after the milk filter, the milk flow (liters of milk per minute) IMi
The flow resistance R = Δp / IMilch can be detected by the lch. This is, in a first approximation, proportional to the milk filter soiling, so that the degree of milk filter soiling can be conveniently determined. Exceeding the flow resistance above a configurable threshold indicates a filter change. It is sufficient to measure the dynamic pressure before the milk filter, which rises during soiling during a sufficiently continuous milk flow and thus indicates a filter change.
Instead, an optical method is proposed to determine the degree of soiling of the milk filter.

According to another aspect of the method, the recognition unit of the closing device monitors the operation of the closing device. The recognition unit consists of at least one electrical, magnetic or optical position sensor, or a mechanical switch, which detects the position of the housing relative to the support on which it is mounted. Checking whether the housing is tightly closed can also advantageously be performed by measuring the stability of the pressure in the housing. This recognition unit ensures that the filter unit is properly closed.

According to yet another aspect of the method, the recognition unit of the replacement device monitors operation of the replacement device. The recognition unit includes at least one electrical, magnetic or optical position sensor or a mechanical switch on the support and / or the filter magazine, which detects the position of the milk filter. The recognition unit monitors the insertion and removal of the milk filter on the one hand,
On the other hand, it is ensured that the operation of the device only takes place when the milk filter is inserted, and that it is also recognized whether a sufficiently fresh milk filter is present,
And how much exhausted and fresh milk filter is present is detected.

In another advantageous embodiment of the method, the data of the degree of soiling of the milk, of the recognition unit of the closing device and of the displacing device are supplied to a control circuit and are thereby evaluated and used. The role of the control circuit includes, inter alia, the indication of the operating state of the device, the transmission of possibly existing alarm notifications, the transfer of important data to the computer and the assistance of the organization of the milking machine. .

[0016] An exchange device for a milk filter according to the invention comprises a filter unit having a housing.
The housing comprises a housing portion and a support removably coupled to the housing portion, and includes a milk filter. The replacement device further comprises a closing device for releasing the milk filter from the housing, and a replacement device, such that the milk filter released by the replacement device is replaced by another milk filter in the filter magazine. The filter magazine can accommodate at least two milk filters.

According to an advantageous configuration of the exchange device, the housing part and the support are arranged such that the edge section of the milk filter is clamped between the edge of the housing part and the support.
Surrounding the milk filter. In another advantageous configuration of the changer, the milk filter is detachably connectable to the support, and the housing part to the support.

According to another embodiment of the exchange device, the closing unit of the housing part is vertically separable from the support. The drive of the closing device is, according to an advantageous configuration,
Includes cylinder / piston unit or electric motor.

The drive of the displacement device preferably comprises a cylinder / piston unit or an electric motor. According to another embodiment of the changer, the displacing device comprises a filter magazine, wherein the milk filters are arranged at equal distances on a circumference, in a straight line or in a plane. The milk filters can then be hung, stood or placed next to each other or one above the other. After setting the used milk filter in the empty position in the filter magazine, the filter magazine continues to move by one position, so that the fresh milk filter is moved to the same position. The fresh milk filter is subsequently grabbed,
And can be bonded to a support. Instead, the replacement device itself can remove the fresh milk filter from another location in the filter magazine and return the milk filter to the empty location for subsequent coupling to the support.

[0020] According to yet another configuration, the exchange device has a recognition unit, by means of which the degree of contamination of the milk filter can be detected. This recognition unit can be a pressure measurement before the milk filter at various times, a pressure difference measurement of the milk before or after the milk filter, or an optical measurement on the milk filter itself. Conventional flow measuring devices are particularly problematic for milk flow measurement.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the exchange device has a recognition unit for the closed state of the housing. Optical, mechanical or electrical sensors, or simple mechanical switches, check for locking or closing of the housing.

A recognition unit for the replacement state of the milk filter is advantageous. Optical, mechanical or electrical sensors, or simple mechanical switches, check for proper replacement of the milk filter and / or relate to the number of fresh or dirty milk filters or the degree of installation of the filter magazine. Detect information advantageously.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the switching device includes a control circuit, which evaluates and uses the signals of the at least one recognition unit. The information of the recognition unit is thereby processed in a manner meaningful to the driver, transmitted via a display, possibly made accessible to a computer, and an alarm signal is triggered.

[0024]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained by means of embodiments which are shown in the drawings but which do not limit the invention.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a first configuration of the filter unit 16 in a cross-sectional view. The direction of the milk flow is indicated by the arrows. The filter unit 16 has a housing in which the milk filter 1a is arranged and which comprises a housing part 3 and a support 2 detachably connected to the housing part 3. Magnetic, electrical,
The closure of the housing or the connection between the housing part 3 and the support 2 is monitored by an optical or mechanical sensor 9. Magnetic, electrical, optical or mechanical sensor 7
Monitors the installation of the milk filter 1a on the support 2. In order to determine the degree of contamination of the milk filter 1a, the pressure of the milk before and after the milk filter 1a at the inlet and outlet positions of the housing is measured. Alternatively, the dynamic pressure before the milk filter 1a, which rises when the milk filter 1a is soiled, may be measured. A filter change is triggered when the pressure difference between the values of the sensors 8a, 8b or a predetermined threshold value of the dynamic pressure is exceeded.
In addition to the pressure difference, (sensor 8
Since the milk flow is measured by an additional (not shown) flow meter at (a), a particularly accurate determination of the degree of contamination can be made if the flow resistance of the milk filter 1a can be determined from the pressure difference and the milk flow. Can be achieved. In a first approximation, the flow resistance of the milk filter 1a is proportional to the degree of soiling, and the soiling of the milk filter 1a can be quantitatively detected by appropriate calibration.

FIG. 2 shows another configuration of the filter unit 16 in a cross-sectional view. In contrast to FIG. 1, the housing is mounted on the milk filter 1a and on the milk filter 1a.
a is connected to the support 2. This has the advantage that the milk filter 1a can be more easily connected to the displacing device (not shown) from the outside in the rim section, so that the gripping process required, for example, in the configuration of FIG. 1 is omitted. . Advantageously, the edge section 18 of the milk filter 1 a is clamped between the edge 17 of the housing part 3 and the support 2.

FIG. 3 shows the filter unit 16 according to FIG.
Is shown in cross section with the housing closed. In this case, the filter unit 16 described in FIG. 2 can be seen again, which filter unit is mounted on the wall 11 by the holder 12. The closing device 6 releases the milk filter 1a from the housing. By means of the replacement device 4, the milk filter 1a released by the closing device 6 is replaced by another milk filter 1b in the filter magazine 5. The milk filter 1a is gripped by the displacement device 4 when the housing part 3 is separated from the support 2. The filter magazine 5 comprises at least two milk filters 1a, 1
b can be accommodated. The housing part 3 is connected to a retainer 12 and a pneumatic cylinder 10, which drives the closing unit 6. Alternatively, the coupling element 13 and thus the housing part 3 may be moved by an electric motor along the guide rail. The housing is closed by pushing the edge 17 of the housing part 3 against the edge section 18 of the milk filter 1a, the milk filter 1a being lifted lightly from the filter magazine 5 and towards the support 2 Sealed. For this purpose, it is advantageous to integrate a sealing elastic material, for example rubber, into the edge section 18, the support 2 or the edge 17. In the filter magazine 5,
The milk filters 1a, 1b are loosely suspended. If the milk filter 1a becomes dirty, a fresh milk filter 1b
The filter magazine 5 continues to rotate by one position until it has advanced to the position in front of the milk filter 1a and can now be clamped between the housing part 3 and the support 2. A sensor 9 for monitoring the closing device 6 is mounted on the support 2. In the simplest configuration, these sensors 9 can be simple mechanical contact switches, and these contact switches are
And is operated by the housing part 3. Another sensor 7 monitors the normal operation of the replacement device 4 and determines how many fresh milk filters are present in the filter magazine 5 and whether the milk filters are correctly suspended in the filter magazine 5. To detect.

FIG. 4 shows the changer according to FIG. 3 with an open housing, in which the cylinder 10 has been withdrawn, the milk filter 1a has been lowered,
And it is held by the filter magazine 5.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the filter magazine 5 without a milk filter. The hole 15 is preferably somewhat larger in diameter than the milk filter. The sensor 7 is advantageous for detecting the number of fresh or dirty milk filters.

FIG. 6 shows milk filters 1a, 1b, 1
Fig. 6 shows the filter magazine according to Fig. 5 fully equipped with c, 1d.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show two different configurations of how the milk filter 1a, the housing part 3 and the support 2 can be connected to one another. In FIG. 7, the edge section 18 of the milk filter 1a
It is clamped between the housing part 3 and the support 2. Advantageously, the edge section 18 of the milk filter 1a is
An elastic material is included, which aids in sealing the joint. In FIG. 8, the milk filter 1 a and the housing part 3 are separately mounted on the support 2.

The invention is particularly suitable for a quick and reliable change of the milk filter, the change taking place automatically and without operator intervention. The method according to the invention makes it possible on the one hand to achieve a higher standard of milk quality and, on the other hand, to make more efficient use of the working time of the device or of the operator on the basis of its speed and certainty.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first configuration of a filter unit.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration of the filter unit.

FIG. 3 is a view of the exchange device with the filter unit and the closed housing according to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows the changer according to FIG. 3 with an open housing.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a filter magazine without a milk filter.

FIG. 6 shows the filter magazine according to FIG. 5 fully equipped with a milk filter.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the detail from FIG. 1 showing the connection of the housing part, the milk filter and the support.

8 shows another configuration of the detail section according to FIG. 7;

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a Milk filter 1b Milk filter 1c Milk filter 1d Milk filter 2 Support 3 Housing part 4 Replacement device 5 Filter magazine 6 Closing device 7 Recognition unit for replacement device 8a Pressure sensor 8b Pressure sensor 9 Closing device Recognition unit for 16 filter unit 17 edge 18 edge section

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Reugegel Ostholt Wützel Schüvüller Mel Schutlase 74 F-term (reference) 4D064 AA40 BN00

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A method for replacing a milk filter (1a), wherein the replacement of the milk filter is performed automatically. 2. The milk filter (1a) comprising a housing or being released therefrom, since the filter unit (16) is opened or closed by a closing device (6). 2. The method according to 1. 3. When the milk filter (1a) opens the filter unit (16), the replacement device (4) removes another milk filter (1b) from the filter magazine (5).
Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method is replaced by 1d). 4. The cleaning of the device in which the milk filter (1a) is integrated takes place during the replacement process, in which the filter unit (16) is first opened by the closing device (6) and then the milk filter is opened. (1a) is removed from the housing, after which the filter unit (16)
Is closed again by the closing device (6), so that the milk filter (1a-1) is installed in the filter unit (16).
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein d) is absent and the device is finally cleaned by a cleaning means. 5. The recognition unit (7-9) monitors the degree of soiling of the milk filter (1a), the operation of the closing device (6), and the operation of the replacement device (4),
A method according to one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the signals of the monitoring unit are supplied to a control circuit and are evaluated and used therewith. 7. A filter unit (16) is provided, said filter unit comprising a housing part (3).
And a housing consisting of a support (2) detachably connected to the housing part (3), in which the milk filter (1a) is arranged and a closing device (6) is provided. The closing device releases the milk filter (1a) from the housing and a replacement device (4) is provided, the milk filter (1a) released by the replacement device being located in the filter magazine (5). This replacement device is designed so that it can be replaced by a milk filter (1b), wherein the filter magazine (5) can accommodate at least two milk filters (1a, 1b). And the exchange device. 8. An edge section (1) of the milk filter (1a).
The housing part (3) and the support (2) surround the milk filter (1a) so that 8) is clamped between the edge (17) of the housing part (3) and the support (2). The switching device according to claim 7, wherein the switching device is provided. 9. The milk filter (1a) comprises a support (2).
8. The exchange device according to claim 7, wherein the exchange device is detachably connected to the switching device. 10. The exchange device according to claim 7, wherein the closing unit (6) causes the housing part (3) to separate vertically from the support (2). . 11. The change-over device according to claim 7, wherein the closing device has a cylinder / piston unit. 12. The switching device according to claim 7, wherein the closing device comprises an electric motor. 13. The changer according to claim 7, wherein the changer has a cylinder / piston unit. 14. The switching device according to claim 7, wherein the replacement device has an electric motor. 15. The displacing device (4) includes a filter magazine (5), wherein the milk filters (1b-1d)
Are arranged circumferentially, linearly or in a plane at equal distances from each other.
The exchange device according to one of claims 4 to 7. 16. A method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of providing a recognition unit, wherein the degree of contamination of the milk filter can be detected by the recognition unit. Exchange equipment. 17. The switching device according to claim 7, wherein a recognition unit for the closed state of the housing is provided. 18. The changing device according to claim 7, wherein a recognition unit is provided for a replacement state of the milk filters. 19. A control circuit is provided, said control circuit comprising at least one recognition unit (7, 8, 9).
Switching device according to one of the claims 7 to 18, characterized in that the signal is evaluated and used.