JP2003092939A - Milk flow-meter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve workability of a milking work by overcoming inconveniences and achieving a cost down and by improving maintenance and cleaning works. SOLUTION: In constituting a milk flow-meter 1 for measuring the milk volume, joined with the middle of a milk tube 4 joined with a teat cup unit 2 and a milk pipeline 3, a diffusing unit 5 having a diffusing part 6 for diffusing the flowing-in milk and a collecting unit 7 separating a part of the milk diffused by the diffusing part 6 and collecting the separated milk are constituted separately and the diffusing unit 5 and collecting unit 6 are detachably attached.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a milk meter which is attached to a milk tube connecting a teat cup unit and a milk pipeline to measure the amount of milk.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, detection (measurement) of milk yield during milking
However, there are electrical type and mechanical type due to the difference in detection (measurement) principle. As an electric type, for example, JP-A-1
A milk flow rate detecting device disclosed in JP-A 1-123028 is known. This flow rate detecting device has an axially elongated electrode support rod portion in which the outer peripheral surface is not in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flow rate detecting pipe portion inside the flow rate detecting pipe portion connected in the middle of the milk tube. And one electrode is provided in the flow rate detecting tube portion, and the other electrode facing the one electrode is provided in the electrode supporting rod portion, and the one electrode and the other electrode are provided. The electrical resistance between them can be measured, and the flow rate (milk amount) of milk can be obtained by converting the measurement result. The electric type has the advantages of small pressure loss during feeding, small size and light weight, and good washability.

On the other hand, as the mechanical type, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No.
The milking amount instruction | indication apparatus disclosed by the 6-33811 gazette is known. This milking amount indicator (milk meter) is connected in the middle of the milk tube that connects the teat cup unit and the milk pipeline, and collects part of the milk flowing in this milk tube and converts the collected milk. To obtain the total milk yield. Since the mechanical type actually collects milk, it has an advantage that highly accurate measurement can be performed and a sample can be sampled at the same time.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned conventional mechanical milk meter (milking quantity indicating device) has the following problems.

First, since it includes a diffusing chamber for diffusing milk and large parts such as a flask for storing the collected milk, the entire apparatus becomes large and becomes obstructive when attached to a milk tube. Cause a decrease in workability.

Secondly, since it is necessary to attach each milk tube, it is necessary to provide a milk meter of the number corresponding to the number of milk tubes, which is a significant disadvantage in terms of cost.

Thirdly, since the mechanical structure becomes complicated,
It is inconvenient because maintenance and cleaning are difficult.

The present invention solves the problems existing in the prior art as described above, and improves the workability of milking work by avoiding troubles that hinder the operation, and significantly reduces the cost and further the maintenance. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a milk meter capable of improving convenience by facilitating washing.

[0009]

Means and Embodiments for Solving the Problems The present invention is directed to a teat cup unit 2 and a milk pipeline 3.
When configuring the milk meter 1 for measuring the milk yield by connecting the milk tube 4 connected to the middle of the milk tube 4, the diffusion unit 5 having the diffusion unit 6 for diffusing the inflowing milk, and the milk diffused by the diffusion unit 6 The collecting unit 7 for dividing a part of the milk and collecting the divided milk is separately configured, and the diffusion unit 5 and the collecting unit 7 are detachable.

In this case, according to a preferred embodiment, the diffusion unit 5 has a mounting hole 11 into which the sampling unit 7 is attached and detached, and the mounting hole 1 when the sampling unit 7 is not attached.
It can be configured by including a cap 12 that closes 1. Also,
The sampling unit 7 is attached / detached to / from the mounting hole 11 of the diffusion unit 5, and when mounted on the diffusion unit 5, part of the milk diffused by the diffusion unit 5 is diverted, and the diverted milk is collected to collect in the flask 14 It can be configured by including the flow dividing portion 13 having the flow dividing port 13i for supplying the liquid to the. Furthermore, the milk meter 1 can be provided with a communication part 15 that equalizes the internal space 5s of the diffusion unit 5 and the internal space 7s of the sampling unit 7.
In this case, the diffusion unit 5 has the second mounting hole 16 and also has the second mounting hole 16 when the sampling unit 7 is not mounted.
It can be configured by including a second cap 17 that closes. Further, the sampling unit 7 includes the second mounting hole 1 of the diffusion unit 5.
6, a pressure equalizing pipe 15p for connecting the internal space 7s of the sampling unit 7 to the internal space 5s of the diffusion unit 5 may be provided.

As a result, since the milk meter 1 comprises the diffusion unit 5 and the sampling unit 7 which are configured to be removable, the sampling unit 7 is detached from the diffusion unit 5 when the milk amount is not measured. It can be used only in the diffusion unit 5 through which When measuring the milk yield, the sampling unit 7 can be attached to the diffusion unit 5 to configure the milk meter 1. When the flow dividing section 13 and the flask 14 are downsized, an internal pressure difference is generated between the internal space 5s of the diffusion unit 5 and the internal space 7s of the sampling unit 7, which hinders the accurate diversion of milk. If the internal space 5s of the diffusion unit 5 and the internal space 7s of the sampling unit 7 are made to communicate with each other by the communication part 15, both the internal spaces 5s and 7s can be pressure-equalized.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the structure of the milk meter 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The milk meter 1 is roughly divided into a diffusion unit 5 and a sampling unit 7, which are separately configured. The diffusion unit 5 includes the diffusion unit 6 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The diffusion part 6 includes an upper housing part 21 and a lower housing part 22.
And a diffusion chamber S is provided inside.
In this case, the diffusion chamber S is formed shallow so that the vertical dimension is smaller than the horizontal dimension, and consideration is given so that the interior can be easily cleaned (cleaned). Further, a milk inflow portion 22i and a milk outflow portion 22o are provided on the bottom surface portion of the lower housing portion 22. The inflow port 22i has a conductive metal pipe 2
3, the metal pipe 23 is attached to the lower housing portion 2
2 is projected downward from the outer surface. This metal pipe 23
Function as one electrode 26a. Further, a nozzle portion 24 that projects upward from the inner surface of the lower housing portion 22 and discharges milk upward is integrally formed with the inflow port portion 22i. An inverted conical diffusing surface 25 is provided on the inner surface of the upper housing portion 21 located right above the nozzle portion 24. In this case, the mounting hole 27 provided in the upper housing portion 21
Then, a cylindrical diffusion block 28 is attached, and the lower surface of this diffusion block 28 is formed as a diffusion surface 25. Further, the other electrode 26b is embedded inside the diffusion block 28,
The tip (lower end) of the electrode 26b is exposed at the center of the diffusion surface 25. As a result, the diffusion block 28 can be attached to and detached from the upper housing portion 21, and the electrode 26b can be easily replaced or cleaned. The pair of electrodes 26a and 26b are connected to the processing unit 29.

On the other hand, on the side surface of the lower housing portion 22,
A first mounting hole 11 is provided in which a flow dividing portion 13 provided in a collecting unit 7 described later is attached and detached. In this case, the cylindrical first cap 12 shown in FIG. 2 is prepared, and when the flow dividing portion 13 is not mounted, the first mounting hole 11 is closed by the first cap 12. Further, the upper surface of the upper housing portion 21 is provided with a second mounting hole 16 into which a pressure equalizing tube 15p included in the sampling unit 7 described later is attached and detached. Also in this case, when the columnar second cap 17 shown in FIG. 2 is prepared and the pressure equalizing pipe 15p is not mounted, the second mounting hole 1
Block 6 Note that reference numerals 30, 31, and 32 denote O-rings attached to the first cap 12, the second cap 17, and the diffusion block 28, respectively.

On the other hand, the sampling unit 7 comprises a sampling block 35 shown in FIGS. The sampling block 35 is
It has a vertical pipe portion 36 and a horizontal pipe portion 37 that projects from the midway position of the vertical pipe portion 36 in a perpendicular direction. Horizontal pipe section 3
7 forms the flow dividing portion 13 that is attached to and detached from the first mounting hole 11 by closing the tip and forming the flow dividing port 13i on the upper surface. In this case, in the flow dividing portion 13, as shown in FIG. 1, when the flow dividing portion 13 is attached to the first attaching hole 11, the flow dividing port 13i faces the milk diffused by the diffusion surface 25, and a part of the diffused milk is exposed. The shape and position are selected so that the milk can be collected and the separated milk can be collected.

Further, the sampling unit 7 is provided with a vertically long flask 14 for storing the collected milk. The flask 14 has a connection port 14i on the upper surface thereof, and the connection port 14i is connected to the lower end of the vertical pipe portion 36 via a connection tube 38. The flask 14 is formed of a transparent material, and a scale 14d converted to read the amount of milk is displayed on the side surface. Further, a pressure equalizing pipe 15p (communication portion 15) is connected to the upper end of the vertical pipe portion 36. The pressure equalizing pipe 15p includes a main pipe portion 15po formed of a flexible tube member and the main pipe portion 15p.
It consists of a mounting pipe portion 15pc attached to the tip of o, and the main pipe portion 15po is connected to the upper end of the vertical pipe portion 36, and
The mounting pipe portion 15pc is the second mounting hole 16 of the diffusion unit 5.
Put on and take off. In this case, the opening 15i provided in the mounting pipe portion 15pc is provided at the peripheral surface position so that milk does not enter, and when the mounting pipe portion 15pc is mounted in the second mounting hole 16, the diffusion surface 2
Install in the opposite direction to 5. 39,4
Reference numeral 0 indicates an O-ring mounted on each of the flow dividing portion 13 and the mounting pipe portion 15pc.

Although FIGS. 1 to 3 described above show the main part extracted, the actual diffusion unit 5 and sampling unit 7 may be constructed as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. it can.

First, the diffusion unit 5 includes a support frame 41 attached to the side surface of the diffusion unit 6. The support frame 41 includes a body frame portion 4 fixed to a side surface portion of the diffusion portion 6.
2 and extend upward from the body frame portion 42, and
The hanging hook portion 43 bent into a shape and a control box 44 attached to the hanging hook portion 43 are provided. The control box 44 incorporates the processing unit 29 described above and also includes a display 45.

On the other hand, the sampling unit 7 has a hanging hook portion 51 attached to the upper end of the flask 14, and this hanging hook portion 51 can be hooked on the main body frame portion 42 of the diffusion unit 5. In addition, 52 is a sampling unit, and a part of the milk stored in the flask 14 is piped 52
It has a function of taking out a sample from s. The remaining milk that has been taken out can be returned to the diffusion unit 5 through the pipe 52r. Such a sampling unit 52
A publicly known thing can be used for. Reference numeral 53 indicates a tube relay pipe provided at the lower end of the flask 14. In addition, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals to clarify the configuration.

Next, the usage and function of the milk meter 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, a schematic structure of a milking system to which the milk meter 1 can be attached will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, 3 is a milk pipeline and 61 is a vacuum pipeline. A milk tap 62 is provided at a predetermined position on each of the pipelines 3 and 61 and is inclined upward, and a distributor 63 is attached to and detached from the milk tap 62. The distributor 63 includes a pulsator 64, and the air tube 65 and the vacuum pipeline 61 are inserted through the pulsator 64, and the milk tube 4 and the milk pipeline 3 for feeding milk are inserted through the flow path in the distributor 63. To do. Further, the tip of the milk tube 4 is connected to the milk claw 66 of the teat cup unit 2, and a plurality of teat cup liners 67 ... Are connected to the milk claw 66. In addition,
The air tube 65 is branched and connected to each teat cup liner 67.

The milk meter 1 according to this embodiment can be connected (retrofitted) to the milk tube 4 in such a milking system. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the hanging hook portion 43 of the diffusion unit 5 is connected to the milk pipeline 3.
And the diffusion unit 5 is hung on the milk pipeline 3. On the other hand, the milk tube 4 is cut at an intermediate position and divided into an upstream milk tube 4u and a downstream milk tube 4d. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the milk tube 4d on the downstream side is connected to the outlet port 22o of the diffusion unit 6, and the milk tube 4u on the upstream side is connected to the inlet port 22i. In this case, when the measurement by the milk meter 1 is not performed, the first mounting hole 11 is closed by the first cap 12 and the second mounting hole 16 is closed by the second cap 17, as shown in FIG. Also, the electrodes 26a, 2
6b and the control box 44 (processing unit 29) are connected by a connection cable (not shown).

As a result, the milk sent from the milk claw 66 at the time of milking reaches the diffusion portion 6 through the milk tube 4u on the upstream side, and from the inflow port portion 22i to the diffusion chamber S along the arrow Fi direction (FIG. 2). Flows into the interior of. At this time, the milk is discharged from the nozzle portion 24, and the discharged milk hits the diffusion surface 25 to be diffused in the direction of 360 °. Then, all the diffused milk flows out from the outlet port 22o and is sent to the distributor 63 through the milk tube 4d on the downstream side.

Since the milk reaching the diffusing section 6 passes between the electrodes 26a and 26b, the processing section 29 causes the milk to reach the electrode 26a.
And the electrical resistance between 26b is measured. At this time, if there is milk, the electric resistance between the electrodes 26a and 26b becomes small, and if there is no milk, the electric resistance becomes large. Therefore, the measured electric resistance is stored in a database (or conversion function) preset (registered). Based on the above, the flow rate is converted. Then, the data relating to the obtained flow rate is displayed on the display 45.
If the flow rates are detected using the electrodes 26a and 26b, there is an advantage that the milk yield can be monitored even when the milk meter 1 (collection unit 7) is detached. Therefore, by using it together with the milk meter 1 according to the present embodiment, the convenience can be further improved.

On the other hand, the case of using the milk meter 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In addition, the frequency of using the milk meter 1 is usually about once a month. First, the sampling unit 7 shown in FIG. 4 (FIG. 3) is prepared. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the hanging hook portion 51 is connected to the main body frame portion 42 of the diffusion unit 5.
And the sampling unit 7 is hung on the diffusion unit 5. Further, the first cap 12 and the second cap 17 of the diffusion unit 5 are removed, and as shown in FIG.
The diversion part 13 is inserted into the No. 1 and mounted, and the mounting pipe part 15pc is inserted into the second mounting hole 16 and mounted. Further, the milk tube 4u on the upstream side is removed from the inflow port 22i and connected to the lower end of the tube relay pipe 53, and the tube relay pipe 53 and the inflow port 22i are connected by the connection tube 54.

As a result, the upstream milk tube 4u
The milk sent from the nozzle part 24 is discharged from the nozzle part 24, and the discharged milk hits the diffusion surface 25, thereby
It is diffused in the direction of 60 °. And a part of the diffused milk, that is, 5 to 10 ° of the milk diffused at 360 °
The milk in a certain range in is divided by the diversion port 13i,
The separated milk is supplied from the flow dividing section 13 to the flask 14 through the connection tube 38. Therefore, since the collected milk is stored in the flask 14, the converted scale 14
The milk yield can be measured by reading d.

At this time, the internal space 5s of the diffusion unit 5 and the internal space 7s of the sampling unit 7 are separated by a pressure equalizing pipe 15p.
As a result, the internal spaces 5s and 7s are pressure-equalized. Therefore, even if the flow dividing section 13 and the flask 14 are made small, the internal pressure difference between the internal spaces 5s and 7s does not occur, and the problem of impeding the accurate flow division of milk is avoided. In addition, the milk flow rate increases, and
Even when a large amount of water is passed through, the pressures before and after are equalized by the pressure equalizing pipe 15p, and therefore, the accurate milk amount measurement can be performed without being influenced by the increase and decrease of the flow rate.

As described above, the milk meter 1 according to this embodiment is
Since the diffusion unit 5 and the sampling unit 7 are configured separately and detachably, when the milk amount is not measured, the sampling unit 7 having a relatively large occupied space is detached from the diffusion unit 5 and the milk is diffused. Can only be used with Unit 5. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the trouble that the milk meter 1 is disturbed, and improve the workability in the daily milking work.

Also, since the sampling unit 7 is attached to the diffusion unit 5 to configure the milk meter 1 only when measuring the amount of milk, one sampling unit 7 is shared by a plurality of diffusion units 5. In addition to contributing to a significant cost reduction, the collection unit 7 and the diffusion unit 5 can be separated from each other, so that convenience such as maintenance and cleaning can be enhanced. Moreover, the diffusion unit 5
Is connected to the milk tube 4 regardless of whether the sampling unit 7 is attached or detached, the pressure loss is almost the same when the sampling unit 7 is attached or detached, and the accurate milking according to the actual milking state is obtained. Along with obtaining quantitative data, it is possible to avoid adverse effects on the cow body and fluctuations in milking time.

The embodiment has been described in detail above.
The present invention is not limited to such an embodiment,
The detailed configuration, shape, method, etc. can be arbitrarily changed, added, or deleted without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the parts to be attached / detached are not limited to the examples, and the structure to be attached / detached at other parts is not excluded. Further, the electrodes 26a, 26b and the communication portion 15 for equalizing the pressure between the internal spaces 5s and 7s are not necessarily provided.

[0032]

As described above, the milk meter according to the present invention comprises a diffusion unit having a diffusion unit for diffusing inflowing milk,
A part of the milk diffused by the diffusing unit is divided, and the collecting unit for collecting the divided milk is configured separately, and the diffusion unit and the collecting unit are detachable, so the following remarkable Has a great effect.

(1) When the milk yield is not measured, the sampling unit, which occupies a relatively large space, can be removed from the diffusion unit. Workability can be improved.

(2) Since the sampling unit is attached to the diffusion unit to configure the milk meter only when measuring the amount of milk, one sampling unit can be shared by a plurality of diffusion units. , Can contribute to a significant cost reduction.

(3) Since the sampling unit and the diffusion unit can be detached, convenience can be improved by facilitating maintenance and cleaning.

(4) Since the diffusion unit is connected to the milk tube regardless of whether the sampling unit is attached or detached, the pressure loss becomes almost the same when the sampling unit is attached or detached, and the actual milking state is obtained. In addition to obtaining accurate and accurate milk yield data, it is possible to avoid adverse effects on the cow's body and fluctuations in milking time.

(5) According to a preferred embodiment, by providing a communicating portion for equalizing the internal space of the diffusion unit and the internal space of the sampling unit, both internal spaces can be equalized.
Even if the flow dividing part and the flask are made smaller, the internal pressure difference between both internal spaces does not occur, and it is possible to avoid the problem that interferes with the accurate diversion of milk and to be influenced by the increase or decrease in the milk flow rate. Accurate measurement of milk yield can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional front view showing a main part of a milk meter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a sampling unit attached to a diffusion unit;

FIG. 2 is a sectional front view showing a main part of a diffusion unit in the milk meter,

FIG. 3 is a sectional front view showing a main part of a sampling unit in the milk meter,

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a diffusion unit and a collection unit in a detached state in the milk meter,

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing the diffusion unit and the collection unit in the mounted state in the milk meter,

FIG. 6 is an external view of the milking system with the milk meter attached,

[Explanation of symbols]

1 milk meter 2 teat cup units 3 milk pipeline 4 milk tubes 5 diffusion unit 5s Internal space of diffusion unit 6 diffusion section 7 sampling unit Internal space of 7s sampling unit 11 mounting holes 12 caps 13 shunt 13i outlet 14 flasks 15 Communication 15p pressure equalizing tube 16 Second mounting hole 17 Second Cap

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A milking meter for measuring milk yield by connecting a milk tube connecting a teat cup unit and a milk pipeline, and a diffusing unit having a diffusing portion for diffusing inflowing milk, and the diffusing portion. A part of the milk diffused by is divided, and with a separate collecting unit for collecting the separated milk, the diffusion unit and the collecting unit is configured to be removable Quantity meter. 2. The milk amount according to claim 1, wherein the diffusion unit has a mounting hole for attaching and detaching the sampling unit, and a cap for closing the mounting hole when the sampling unit is not mounted. Total. 3. The sampling unit is attached to and detached from a mounting hole of the diffusion unit, and when mounted on the diffusion unit, a portion of the milk diffused by the diffusion unit is diverted and the diverted milk is collected. The milk meter according to claim 1, further comprising a flow dividing section having a flow dividing port for supplying the mixture to the flask. 4. The milk meter according to claim 1, further comprising a communicating portion that equalizes the internal space of the diffusion unit and the internal space of the sampling unit. 5. The milk amount according to claim 4, wherein the diffusion unit has a second mounting hole and includes a second cap that closes the second mounting hole when the sampling unit is not mounted. Total. 6. The collecting unit includes a pressure equalizing pipe that is attached to and detached from a second mounting hole of the diffusion unit to connect the internal space of the sampling unit to the internal space of the diffusion unit. The milk meter according to 4.