JP2007111058A - Temperature monitoring system for milk storage tank - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank that can properly carry out the temperature monitoring in the milk storage tank for dairy farmer. <P>SOLUTION: In the temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank equipped with refrigerator to collect the milk squeezed in dairy farmer, the surface temperature of the stored milk is measured and recorded thereby monitors the temperature of the milk stored in the milk tank. The surface temperature of the stored milk is measured by using a radiation temperature detecting sensor that is set at the position higher than the highest liquid phase of the stored milk with the infrared ray energy from the milk surface in the non-contact method, or can be measured by detecting the temperature of a bar or plate dipped in the storage tank. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank, and in particular, a temperature for monitoring the temperature until collection by a milk handling company in a storage tank for storing milk extracted from dairy cows in a dairy farm, and temperature monitoring at the time of washing. It relates to a monitoring system.

  Controlling the temperature of the milk in the milk storage tank is important for producing high quality dairy products. The reason for this is that the temperature of milk immediately after milking is about the body temperature of a dairy cow, but if stored at room temperature as it is, bacteria will propagate in the milk and the milk will not be edible. On the other hand, although the temperature at which milk should be stored is standardized, it is not currently checked whether the milk is stored correctly at the reference temperature. Therefore, a monitoring system that regularly measures the temperature of the milk in the storage tank, stores the measured temperature record, and determines whether or not the storage state of the milk is in accordance with the standard is desired.

  The milk storage tank is a refrigerated tank that stores milk extracted from dairy cows or the like until collection by a milk handling company. Since the temperature of milk immediately after milking is around 37 ° C., which is about the same as the body temperature of dairy cows, when storing milk, it is necessary to keep it at a predetermined temperature in order to prevent spoilage.

  On the other hand, the collection of milk stored in the storage tank is not performed every milking, but is usually performed every two or four milkings. As a result, the storage temperature of milk in the storage tank rises every time milk is introduced into the storage tank after milking. For this reason, it is necessary to lower the temperature of the milk in the storage tank to a predetermined temperature by operating the cooler every time the milk is put into the storage tank.

  By the way, the temperature control of the milk in the conventional milk storage tank is performed according to the detection temperature of the temperature sensor installed in the bottom part of the milk storage tank. That is, when the detected value of the temperature sensor rises above a predetermined temperature, the cooler is operated to lower the temperature of the milk in the milk storage tank.

  The milk in the storage tank is cooled by a cooling panel provided at the bottom of the storage tank or below the storage tank. On the other hand, if the milk in the storage tank is only cooled by this cooling panel, the milk in the vicinity of the bottom of the storage tank becomes low temperature, but the milk in the upper layer of the storage tank is not easily cooled, and the temperature in the upper layer is not easily cooled. High milk will stay. For this reason, the storage tank is generally provided with an agitator for agitating the milk in the tank to make the temperature of the milk uniform.

  And the cooling start by a cooling panel is performed about 10 minutes after milk is thrown in by the first milking after collecting and wash | cleaning a storage tank. The reason for this is that if the chiller is operated before or after the milk is charged, or if the chiller is operated immediately after the milk is added, frost or ice partially adheres to the inner wall of the storage tank, and the This is because there is a risk that the milk may be deteriorated by being hindered or partially freezing the milk. The start of operation of the cooler is generally performed manually.

  However, if there is a time lag between the milking operation and the cooling operation, the operator may forget to turn on the operation switch of the cooling device. At first glance, the milk in the storage tank that was not cooled by the chiller after charging was not different from other milk, but the number of bacteria increased, it was spoiled, and the contents were altered. , May not be available as a raw material. And if milk in such a state is collected and sent to a milk factory and transferred to a larger milk tank, other normal milk may be contaminated, and the quality of milk becomes serious. . Thus, monitoring the temperature of milk during storage in a milk storage tank is very important.

  On the other hand, in the washing of the milk storage tank after the milk is shipped, it is obliged to wash the inside of the tank with hot water. This is because, if the tank is not sufficiently washed, milk having a large amount of nutrients becomes a hotbed for rot. For this reason, when the milk storage tank is washed, it is necessary to monitor the temperature separately from the time when the milk is stored.

  As described above, it is important to monitor the temperature of milk in the milk storage tank, but the temperature is not basically recorded at present. The first reason for this is that such a duty is not imposed on dairymen, but in large milk storage tanks there is a temperature difference between the upper and lower milks stored, This is because it is not determined at which part of the milk the temperature of the milk is measured.

  By the way, it is very difficult to make the temperature of the milk in the milk storage tank uniform. This is because the stirring work in the storage tank by the agitator is limited to maintain the milk quality. The reason for this is that if excessive stirring is performed in order to make the temperature of the milk in the milk storage tank uniform, the milk fat will adhere to the agitator and the milk components will change, and the milk stored in the storage tank will change. This is because the milk component of the milk by stirring changes depending on the liquid level. For this reason, it is very difficult to obtain optimum agitation in all conditions in the milk storage tank. Further, when the blade of the agitator is broken, the stirring is not properly performed, and the temperature of the milk is different between the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion in the milk storage tank, which may cause the milk to rot.

  And even if the milk storage tank or chiller has a temperature recorder, the temperature sensor that measures the temperature is provided near the bottom of the storage tank, so the temperature data obtained is the status of the agitator, etc. Was not accurate and could not monitor the storage temperature of the real milk.

  However, in the future, consumers will demand milk of higher quality, and there is a social demand for the need to disclose the milk production process.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank that can be properly and appropriately performed by dividing the temperature of a milk storage tank of a dairy farmer during milk storage and tank cleaning. It is said.

  The present invention that achieves the above object is a temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank equipped with a cooler for storing milk milked in a dairy farm, wherein the temperature of the milk stored in the milk storage tank is measured. The monitoring is performed by measuring and measuring the surface temperature of the stored milk and recording it.

  In this case, the surface temperature of the stored milk is measured in a non-contact manner by measuring the amount of infrared energy emitted from the surface of the stored milk using a radiation temperature detection sensor positioned above the maximum liquid level of the stored milk. It can be performed by a temperature sensor built in a float installed in the storage tank, or by a rod-shaped or plate-shaped thermometer inserted in the storage tank.

  In the present invention, the operation of the vacuum pump provided to store the milk in the storage tank is confirmed, and after the milk has been stored in the storage tank by milking, the storage tank is stored within a predetermined time. Means may be provided for ascertaining whether the cooler for cooling the milk has been switched on. The means for confirming can output a warning display signal or output a signal for forcibly turning on the cooler switch when the cooler switch is off.

  According to the present invention, since the temperature of the milk in the milk storage tank is monitored by measuring the surface temperature of the milk where the milk temperature becomes the highest, the increase in the milk temperature in the storage tank can be prevented, There is an effect that quality deterioration of milk can be prevented.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail based on specific examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention in a milking system. The milking system is installed in a barn where multiple cows 8 can be accommodated. In the barn, a vacuum line 2 for supplying a negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump 1 and milk that collects milk extracted from the cow 8 Line 4 is provided. Each milking place in the barn has a milking machine 3, which is connected to the vacuum line 2 by a flexible vacuum line branch 2A and connected to the milk line 4 by a milk line branch 4A. Yes.

  The breast pump 3 is attached to each of the plurality of nipples on the breast 8A of the cow 8 collected at the milking place, and performs a milking operation of sucking milk from the breast 8A by the negative pressure supplied from the vacuum line branch pipe 2A. The milk squeezed by each milking machine 3 is temporarily stored in the milk receiving jar 5 through the milk line 4 from the milk line branch pipe 4A. The capacity of the breast feeding jar 5 is about 30 liters. The milk stored in the milk receiving jar 5 is sucked out by a milk pump 6 that operates intermittently and stored in a milk storage tank (hereinafter referred to as a bulk tank) 7 having a large capacity.

  The operation of the vacuum pump 1 and the milk pump 6 is controlled by signals flowing through the signal line 9A and the signal line 9B from the control device 9. The milk pump 6 generally operates intermittently by a pulse signal from the control device 9. In addition, the control device 9 includes a pulsator control device that controls the milking operation of the milking machine 3, although not shown. The pulsator is for bringing the milking operation of the milking machine 3 close to an intermittent operation in which a human milks milk from a cow, and causes the milking machine 3 to perform milking operations for inhalation and rest.

  Further, a cooling plate 11 for cooling the milk stored in the bulk tank 7 is provided in the vicinity of the bottom inside the bulk tank 7, and the cooling plate 11 is a cooling machine installed outside the bulk tank 7. 10 is cooled by the refrigerant circulated through the refrigerant pipe 10A. In addition, an agitator 12 is provided inside the bulk tank 7 for stirring the stored milk so as to make the temperature uniform. The agitator 12 is rotationally driven by an agitator motor 13 provided at the upper part of the bulk tank 7. The rotation of the agitator motor 13 is controlled by the control device 9.

  The temperature of the milk stored in the bulk tank 7 is detected by a temperature sensor 14 installed in the vicinity of the bottom of the bulk tank 7 and input to the control device 9. The control device 9 drives the cooler 10 and the agitator motor 13 in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 14.

  The power source of the control device 9 is normally a three-phase AC voltage of 200V to 240V, signal lines 9A and 9B from the control device 9 to the vacuum pump 1 and the milk pump 6, and signals to the cooler 10 and the agitator motor 13. The voltage flowing through the lines 9C and 9D is DC up to 24V or AC between 100V and 120. The vacuum pump 1 and the milk pump 6 are driven, for example, by changing the voltages of the signal lines 9A and 9B from the control device 9 to the vacuum pump 1 and the milk pump 6.

  Milking in the milking system configured as described above is usually performed twice in the morning and evening. Generally, when milking a dairy cow in a milking system, the milk line 4 is washed before and after milking. In the pre-cleaning performed before milking, the milk line 4 is cleaned only for 5 to 10 minutes. In the pre-cleaning, cleaning water is sucked from the breast pump 3 and collected in the breast feeding jar 5 through the milk line 4. The washing water collected in the nursing jar 5 is discharged to a place other than the bulk tank 7 by operating the milk pump 6.

  When this pre-cleaning is completed, the milking machine 3 is attached to the breast 8A of the cow 8 and milking is started. The time for milking from one dairy cow is 5 to 6 minutes, but the milking period is generally 1 to 2 hours because milking is continued and milking is continued. During this milking period, the milk sucked out by the milking machine 3 as described above is once collected in the feeding jar 5 via the milk line 4, and the milk is sent to the bulk tank 7 by the milk pump 6 that operates intermittently. It is done.

  When the milking period ends, the milk line 4 is washed after washing. After this, even during the washing period, washing water is sucked from the breast pump 3 and collected in the breast feeding jar 5 via the milk line 4. The washing water collected in the nursing jar 5 is discharged to a place other than the bulk tank 7 by operating the milk pump 6. The cleaning period after this is approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

  On the other hand, after the milk collected in the bulk tank 7 is normally milked 2 to 4 times, a tank lorry vehicle dedicated to milk collects and collects the entire amount from the outlet 15 and is transported to the factory. ing. Completion of the discharge of milk from the bulk tank 7 is detected by a sensor 28 provided at the discharge port 15. After the milk in the bulk tank 7 is collected, the inside of the bulk tank 7 is washed with warm water. At this time, the temperature of the hot water used for cleaning the bulk tank 7 is around 60 ° C. When washing in the bulk tank 7 is completed, the milk is stored in the bulk tank 7 again by milking. In the milking system, such a cycle of milking 2 to 4 times and cleaning in the bulk tank 7 are repeated.

  Therefore, in the present invention, when a temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank equipped with a cooler for storing milk milked by a dairy farmer is constructed, a milk storage tank, that is, a bulk tank is used as a first embodiment. 7 was divided into a first period and a second period. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, during the first period, milking is started for the first time after collection from the collection time when the milk handling company collects the milk from the bulk tank 7, and the storage of the milk is started. Until the start time. In this first period, the bulk tank 7 is washed with warm water of 70 ° C. or higher made with a water heater (the temperature when this hot water is actually sprayed into the bulk tank 7 is about 60 ° C. as described above. Therefore, this period is a high temperature monitoring period. The second period is from the time when milk is first stored after the collection to the time when the company handling the milk collects the milk from the bulk tank 7. In the second period, in the example shown here, milking is performed four times, and the temperature of the bulk tank 7 is temporarily increased every milking, but the milk temperature in the bulk tank 7 is kept at a low temperature after milking. Therefore, it is a low temperature monitoring period.

The end time of the first period, that is, the time at which milk is first stored after collection, which is the start time of the second period, can be set by the following method, for example.
(1) The time when the vacuum pump 1 shown in FIG. 1 first starts operation after the milk collection is the first milk storage start time after the collection.
(2) The time when the detection value of the temperature sensor provided at the bottom of the bulk tank 7 shown in FIG. 1 becomes a predetermined value after the milk collection is set as the first milk storage start time after the collection.
(3) After the milk is collected, the time when the milk line 4 extended from the milking facility shown in FIG. 1 and connected to the bulk tank 7 or a sensor installed in the vicinity thereof detects the milk flow is collected. The first milk storage start time later.

  In the case of (3), the sensor can be installed at a position as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (e). In the example shown in FIG. 3 (a), a sensor 16 is provided at the discharge port into the bulk tank 7 of the milk line 4 to detect the flow of milk. As the sensor 16 in this case, an optical sensor, a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like can be used. In the example shown in FIG. 3 (b), the sensor 16 is of a mechanical type that detects the opening and closing of a valve provided at the discharge port into the bulk tank 7, and that milk has flowed into the bulk tank 7. It is detected by opening this valve element. In the example shown in FIG. 3 (c), the sensor 16 is provided in the vicinity of the discharge port into the bulk tank 7 of the milk line 4 to detect the flow of milk. As this sensor, an optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like can be used. In the example shown in FIG. 3 (d), a sensor 16 is provided outside the discharge port into the bulk tank 7 of the milk line 4 in the vicinity of the discharge port to detect the flow of milk. An optical sensor, a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like can also be used for this sensor. In the example shown in FIG. 3 (e), the sensor 16 is provided in the middle of the milk line 4 to detect the milk flow. An optical sensor, a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like can also be used for this sensor.

  On the other hand, the end time of the second period, that is, the time when the milk handling company collects the milk from the bulk tank 7 is as described in FIGS. 3A to 3E at the milk outlet 15 of the bulk tank 7. A sensor 28 similar to the sensor 16 is provided as shown in FIG. 1, and the time when the sensor 28 senses that the milk discharge from the bulk tank 7 has been completed may be used.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the control unit 20 used in the temperature monitoring system for the milk storage tank of the present invention in the control device 9 of FIG. The control unit 20 includes a sensor unit 21, a data input unit 22, a data storage unit 23, a data determination unit 24, an external output unit 25, and an auxiliary power source 26 for securing these power sources in the event of a power failure. The auxiliary power supply 26 is not essential and may be provided as necessary.

  Detection values from a temperature sensor and other sensors are input to the sensor unit 21, and the sensor unit 21 sends the detection values to the data input unit 22. The data input unit 22 converts the input data into digital data and sends it to the data storage unit 23. The data storage unit 23 stores the input data and sends this data to the data determination unit 24. The determination by the data determination unit 24 and the stored data in the data storage unit 23 can be output to the outside of the control unit 20 through the external output unit 25. The signals that can be output are stored data, various alarms, and bulk automatic input, and these outputs can be selected.

  FIG. 5 shows a routine for explaining the temperature monitoring procedure of the storage tank (bulk tank) 7 performed by the control device 9 of FIG. This routine is executed every predetermined time. In the present invention, as described above, in the first period (high temperature monitoring period), it is monitored whether or not the temperature of the liquid for cleaning the bulk tank 7 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, and the second period (low temperature). In the monitoring period), it is monitored whether or not the milk is stored at a predetermined temperature or less within a predetermined time after the milked milk is added. In addition, the code | symbol used for description of the flowchart of FIG. 5 is a code | symbol of the member demonstrated in FIG.

  In step 501, it is first determined whether or not it is the first period. If it is the first period, the process proceeds to step 502 to determine whether or not the bulk tank 7 has been cleaned. If the bulk tank 7 has been washed, the process proceeds to step 505, where it is determined whether the sensor temperature has exceeded 40 ° C. This determination temperature of 40 ° C. is a determination standard. Generally, the temperature of hot water from a water heater for producing hot water for washing is 70 ° C., and the temperature when this hot water is sprayed into the bulk tank 7 is 60 ° C. Since it is before and after, it is set. This sensor temperature can be detected by the temperature sensor 14 shown in FIG. If the sensor temperature exceeds 40 ° C., the cleaning process is normal and the routine is terminated. If the sensor temperature is 40 ° C. or lower, the routine proceeds to step 506 and the storage tank (bulk tank) 7 is cleaned. An alarm that is insufficient is output. This warning allows the worker to know that the bulk tank 7 has not been sufficiently cleaned.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 502 that the bulk tank 7 has not been cleaned, the process proceeds to step 503 to determine whether or not the first period has ended. If the first period has not ended, the cleaning process for the bulk tank 7 may be performed thereafter, so this routine ends. However, if it is determined in step 503 that the first period has ended, the first period has ended without executing the cleaning process for the bulk tank 7, so the process proceeds to step 504, and the storage tank (bulk tank ) Outputs an alarm indicating that the cleaning in step 7 has not been processed, and ends this routine. From this warning, the worker can know that the bulk tank 7 has not been cleaned.

  Next, if it is determined in step 501 that the period is not the first period, the period is the second period, and the process proceeds to step 507. In the second period, it is first determined whether 15 minutes have passed since milking. If 15 minutes have not passed since milking, this routine is terminated as it is, but if 15 minutes have passed since milking, the routine proceeds to step 508. In step 508, it is determined whether the cooler 10 has moved. If the cooler 10 is not movable even after 15 minutes have passed since milking, the process proceeds to step 515, and a warning that the cooler 10 has not been operated is output. This warning allows the worker to know that the bulk tank 7 has not been cooled after milking, and can take some measures. At this time, in step 504, the cooler 10 can be forcibly turned on to operate the cooler 10.

  If it is determined in step 508 that the cooler 10 is movable, the process proceeds to step 509 to determine whether 60 minutes have elapsed after milking. If 60 minutes have not passed since milking, this routine is terminated as it is. However, if 60 minutes have passed since milking, the routine proceeds to step 510 where it is determined whether the sensor temperature is less than 10 ° C. In a state where 60 minutes have passed after milking, the temperature of the milk must be kept below 10 ° C. by the cooler 10 and the agitator 12. Therefore, if the sensor temperature is 10 ° C. or higher as determined in step 510, the process proceeds to step 511, where a milk temperature abnormality alarm is output and this routine is terminated. By this warning, the worker can know that the milk temperature in the bulk tank 7 is abnormal.

  Here, the cause of the abnormality in the milk temperature of the bulk tank 7 may be a failure of the cooler 10, a failure of the agitator 12, or a malfunction of the agitator motor 13. You can check the equipment and take some measures.

  On the other hand, if the sensor temperature is lower than 10 ° C. in the determination in step 510, it is normal, so the process proceeds to step 512, and it is determined whether or not 2 hours have elapsed after milking. If 2 hours have not passed since milking, this routine is terminated as it is, but if 2 hours have passed since milking, the routine proceeds to step 513. In step 513, it is determined whether the sensor temperature is less than 5 ° C. In a state where 2 hours have passed after milking, the temperature of the milk must be kept below 5 ° C. by the cooler 10 and the agitator 10. Therefore, if the sensor temperature is lower than 5 ° C. in the determination of step 513, it is normal and the routine is terminated as it is. However, if it is 5 ° C. or higher, the routine proceeds to step 514 to output a milk temperature abnormality alarm. Exit. This warning allows the worker to know that the milk temperature in the bulk tank 7 is abnormal and to take some measures.

  FIG. 6 shows the transition of the temperature of milk after milking in the bulk tank 7 when the cooler 10 and the agitator 12 shown in FIG. 1 are operating normally. The temperature indicated by the solid line in FIG. 6 is a transition of the value measured by the temperature sensor 14 provided near the bottom surface of the bulk tank 7. On the other hand, the temperature indicated by the broken line in FIG. 6 indicates the transition of the liquid surface temperature (surface temperature) of the milk in the bulk tank 7. When the cooler 10 and the agitator 12 are operating normally, it can be seen that there is almost no difference between the temperature near the bottom of the milk in the bulk tank 7 and the surface temperature.

  On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows the transition of the temperature of milk after milking in the bulk tank 7 when the cooler 10 shown in FIG. 1 is operating normally but abnormality occurs in the agitator 12. The temperature indicated by the solid line in FIG. 7 is a transition of the value measured by the temperature sensor 14 provided near the bottom surface of the bulk tank 7. On the other hand, the temperature indicated by the broken line in FIG. 7 indicates the transition of the liquid surface temperature (surface temperature) of the milk in the bulk tank 7. When an abnormality occurs in the agitator 12, it can be seen that the temperature in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the milk in the bulk tank 7 is normal, but the surface temperature does not decrease even if a predetermined time elapses after milking. In this case, there is a risk that the milk in the upper layer in the bulk tank 7 may be altered.

  From the above, in the present invention, in the temperature monitoring system for a bulk tank equipped with a cooler for storing milk milked by a dairy farmer, the temperature measurement of the milk stored in the bulk tank 7 is performed. In addition to the measurement of the temperature in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the bulk tank 7, the surface temperature of the stored milk was measured and measured, and this was recorded so as to avoid an abnormal situation.

The following methods can be considered for measuring the surface temperature of stored milk.
(1) As shown in FIG. 8 (a), a radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 is provided above the maximum liquid level 7L of the bulk tank 7, and the amount of infrared energy emitted from the surface of stored milk is contactless. measure.
(2) As shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, a spherical or disk-like float 18 is floated on the liquid surface 7L of the bulk tank 7, and the shaft below the float 18 or penetrates the float 18 The temperature near the surface of the stored milk is measured by a temperature sensor 19 built in the lower part of the milk.
(3) As shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b), the temperature in the vicinity of the surface of the stored milk is measured by a rod-shaped or plate-shaped plug-type temperature sensor 27 inserted into the bulk tank 7. Here, the broken line in FIG. 9A indicates the liquid surface position measurement sensor 27A, and the broken line in FIG. 9B indicates the temperature sensor element 27B.

  FIG. 10 (a) shows one embodiment of the installation state of the radiation temperature measuring sensor 17 described in FIG. 8 on the bulk tank 7, and shows a partial cross section of the upper part of the bulk tank 7. The radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 of this embodiment is attached to an attachment hole 7 </ b> H opened in the bulk tank 7 via an attachment jig 30. The mounting jig 30 is formed on a grommet 31 that penetrates from the inside to the outside of the bulk tank 7, a rubber packing 32 that seals the grommet 31 on the outside of the bulk tank 7, and an outer periphery of the trunk portion of the grommet 31. The nut 33 is fixed to the bulk tank 7 by screwing it to the screw portion. The radiation temperature measuring sensor 17 is attached by being inserted into a through-hole 34 formed in the outer periphery of the body portion of the grommet 31.

  By the way, if the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 is simply inserted into the through-hole 34 of the grommet 31 and attached, the splash of milk in the bulk tank 7 and the washing water at the time of washing in the tank may It adheres to the measurement surface (light receiving part) 17A. In addition, when warm milk is introduced into milk stored at a low temperature after the start of milking, steam is generated due to a temperature difference, which also causes water droplets or the like to adhere to the measurement surface 17A of the sensor 17. If water droplets adhere to the measurement surface 17A of the sensor 17 in this way, the amount of light received on the measurement surface 17A decreases, and the measurement sensitivity of the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 deteriorates. The shortage of the amount of received light occurs even when the milk adhering to the measurement surface 17A is dry. Therefore, in the present invention, the protection member 40 is attached in front of the temperature measurement surface 17A of the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17, so that the liquid in the bulk tank 7 does not stay in front of the temperature measurement surface 17A of the sensor 17.

  Examples of the protection member 40 are shown in FIGS. 10B to 10F, but the shape of the protection member 40 is not limited to the shape of these examples. The protective member 40 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 (b) is obtained by obliquely cutting the tip of a cylinder 41 (diameter equal to the inner diameter of the through hole 34) of a predetermined length made of transparent plastic. is there. The protective member 40 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 (c) is obtained by cutting the tip of a cylinder 42 having a predetermined length obliquely and joining a transparent elliptical lid 43 to this cut surface. The protective member 40 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 (d) is obtained by obliquely cutting the tip of a prism 44 having a predetermined length made of transparent plastic. The protective member 40 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 (e) is obtained by cutting the tip of a rectangular tube 45 having a predetermined length obliquely and joining a transparent rectangular lid 46 to this cut surface. In the case of these two embodiments, the bulk tank side of the through hole 34 provided in the grommet 31 is a rectangular hole. The protective member 40 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 (f) is provided with a conical hole 48 convex toward the radiation temperature measuring sensor 17 on the tip surface of a cylinder 47 of a predetermined length made of transparent plastic. It is. As a material of these transparent protective members 40, a silicon-based resin can be used.

  When the protection member 40 is configured in the shape as described above, the surface of the protection member 40 on the inner side of the bulk tank 7 is inclined with respect to the liquid surface, so that even if the liquid is on this surface of the protection member 40. Even if it adheres, the adhered liquid flows around the protective member, and the liquid does not stay in the portion of the protective member 40 that faces the central portion of the measurement surface 17A of the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17. Therefore, the amount of infrared rays incident on the central portion of the measurement surface 17A of the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 from the liquid surface is hardly affected by the liquid adhering to the protective member 40.

  In addition, although the protection member 40 in the Example demonstrated above is protruded and provided from the through-hole 34 of the grommet 31, the length of the protection member 40 is not limited to these Examples, The inclined surface may be positioned inside the through hole 34.

  FIG. 11 (a) shows another embodiment of the installation state of the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 described in FIG. 8 to the bulk tank 7, and shows a partial cross section of the upper part of the bulk tank 7. The radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 of this embodiment is attached to an attachment hole 7H opened in the bulk tank 7 via an attachment jig 30 as in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the mounting jig 30 is the same as that of the embodiment of FIG. 10, a grommet 31 that penetrates from the inside of the bulk tank 7 to the outside, and a rubber packing 32 that seals the grommet 31 outside the bulk tank 7, And a nut 33 for fixing the grommet 31 to the bulk tank 7 by screwing onto a screw portion formed on the body portion of the grommet 31. Similarly, the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 is inserted into and attached to the through hole 34 opened in the body portion of the grommet 31.

  On the other hand, in the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 of this embodiment, the protective member 40 for preventing the splash of milk in the bulk tank 7 and the washing water at the time of washing in the tank from adhering to the measurement surface 17A of the sensor 17 is transparent. A protective plate is attached to the flange portion 35 of the grommet 31. Therefore, when the attachment jig 30 is attached to the bulk tank 7 in the state as shown in FIG. 10, the protective member 40 becomes parallel to the liquid surface in the bulk tank 7, and the liquid is in the center of the protective member 40. In this case, the measurement sensitivity of the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 is deteriorated.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, an inclined portion 7S that is inclined obliquely is provided in a part of the upper portion of the bulk tank 7 to which the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 is attached, and an attachment hole 7H is provided in the inclined portion 7S. As a result, the attachment jig 30 is attached to be inclined with respect to the liquid level in the bulk tank 7, and the protective member 40 is also inclined with respect to the liquid level. By doing in this way, the liquid in the bulk tank 7 will not stay in the center part of the protection member 40 located in front of the temperature measurement surface 17A of the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17. Therefore, the amount of infrared rays incident on the central portion of the measurement surface 17A of the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 from the liquid surface is hardly affected by the liquid adhering to the protective member 40.

  FIG. 11B shows still another embodiment of the installation state of the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 described in FIG. 8 on the bulk tank 7, and shows a partial cross section of the upper portion of the bulk tank 7. The radiation temperature measuring sensor 17 of this embodiment is attached to an attachment hole 7H opened in the bulk tank 7 via an attachment jig 50. The mounting jig 50 is formed on a grommet 51 that penetrates from the outside to the inside of the bulk tank 7, a rubber packing 52 that seals the grommet 51 on the outside of the bulk tank 7, and an outer periphery of the trunk of the grommet 51. The nut 53 is fixed to the bulk tank 7 by being screwed to the screw portion. Further, the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 of this embodiment is attached to a crank-shaped bracket 29 that is sandwiched and fixed between the flange portion 55 of the grommet 51 and the packing 52 by a nut 39, and its temperature measurement surface 17A. However, it faces the liquid level in the bulk tank 7 through a through hole 54 formed in the body of the grommet 51.

  On the other hand, the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 of this embodiment has a protective member 40 for preventing the splash of milk in the bulk tank 7 and the washing water at the time of washing in the tank from adhering to the measurement surface 17A of the sensor 17. It is attached to the flange portion 55 of the grommet 51 as a transparent protective plate. In this case, if the plate thickness of the flange portion 55 is uniform, the protection member 40 becomes parallel to the liquid surface in the bulk tank 7, and the liquid may adhere to the central portion of the protection member 40. In this case, the measurement sensitivity of the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 is deteriorated.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the plate thickness of the flange portion 55 of the grommet 51 is changed, and the outer surface of the bulk tank 7 is inclined obliquely with respect to the outer surface of the bulk tank 7. The protective member 40 is attached to the inclined flange portion 55 with a cap 37 having an opening 38 that overlaps the through hole 54 of the bracket 51 at the center portion. As a result, the protective member 40 is attached to be inclined with respect to the liquid level in the bulk tank 7, and the bulk is formed in the central portion of the protective member 40 located in front of the temperature measurement surface 17 </ b> A of the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17. The liquid in the tank 7 does not stay. Therefore, the amount of infrared rays incident on the central portion of the measurement surface 17A of the radiation temperature measurement sensor 17 from the liquid surface is hardly affected by the liquid adhering to the protective member 40.

  The protective plate constituting the protective member 40 described in FIGS. 11A and 11B can be configured using a polyethylene sheet. And the thickness of this polyethylene sheet used for the Example demonstrated in FIG.11 (b) may be about 0.1 mm.

  FIG. 12 (a) is a diagram showing an example of a milking program used in the temperature monitoring system for the milk storage tank of the present invention. At the time of milking, pre-cleaning and post-cleaning are performed before and after milking by the milking machine 3 as described above. FIG. 12 (b) is a diagram showing a bulk tank cooling temperature program used in the milk storage tank temperature monitoring system of the present invention.

  In this program, immediately after the first milking, the temperature of the milk in the bulk tank is gradually reduced from the body temperature of the cow, and after 2 hours from milking, the temperature of the milk is kept below 5 ° C. Immediately after milking, the milk in the bulk tank is cooled so that the temperature of the milk in the bulk tank does not rise due to the temperature close to the body temperature, and the temperature in the bulk tank is temporarily raised when washing the bulk tank after collection. When the temperature in the bulk tank deviates greatly from this temperature program, an alarm is issued.

  FIG. 13 shows the normal operation of each part in the milking system to which the temperature monitoring system for the milk storage tank of the present invention is applied. (A) shows how the milk in the bulk tank 7 increases and decreases, (b) (C) is the operating time of the vacuum pump 1, (d) is a sensor output for detecting milk inflow into the bulk tank 7, (e) is the operating time of the cooler 10, (f ) Shows the operating state of the agitator 12 respectively.

  In this example, it is understood that the milking is performed four times in the second period, and the temperature in the bulk tank is increased by the high-temperature hot water in the first period. The present invention can monitor whether the milking system has deviated from such normal operation.

  In the first embodiment described above, when building a temperature monitoring system for the bulk tank 7 equipped with a cooler for storing milk milked by a dairy farmer, the temperature monitoring cycle in the bulk tank 7 is: As shown in FIG. 14, a first period which is a high temperature monitoring period from a collection time when milk is collected from the milk bulk tank 7 to a time when milking is first started and storage of milk is started after collection, It was divided into a second period which is a low temperature monitoring period from the time when milk is first stored after collection to the time when milk is collected from the bulk tank 7. In the first embodiment, the first period and the second period are temporally continuous.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the temperature monitoring cycle in the bulk tank 7 is performed as shown in FIG. 15 (a) for the high temperature cleaning of the bulk tank 7 after the collection from the bulk tank 7 of the company handling milk. The high temperature period from the start time to the start time of the next high temperature cleaning, that is, the interval of the high temperature period, and the storage start time of milk in the bulk tank 7 after the start of milking as shown in FIG. It was divided into a low temperature period until the storage start time, that is, a low temperature interval. Each of the high temperature interval and the low temperature interval is managed independently.

  In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the temperature in the bulk tank 7 is periodically measured using the sensor described above. In the second embodiment, the measured bulk tank 7 is measured. The internal temperature value is stored in a memory for determining a high temperature and a memory for determining a low temperature in independent memories. Then, by looking at the transition of the temperature of the bulk tank 7 stored in each memory, for example, in the temperature management for high temperature determination, the temperature in the bulk tank 7 becomes the determination reference temperature within one hour after the high temperature interval starts. If the temperature does not exceed 40 ° C, the alarm is generated. In the temperature management for low temperature judgment, the temperature in the bulk tank 7 falls below 5 ° C which is the judgment reference temperature within 2 hours after the low temperature interval starts. If not, an alarm can be generated.

  As another form of the second embodiment, the measured temperature value in the bulk tank 7 is stored independently by dividing one memory into a high temperature determination area and a low temperature determination area. You can also. In this case, by looking at the transition of the temperature of the bulk tank 7 stored in each independent storage area of the memory, as in the above-described embodiment, for example, in the temperature management for high temperature determination, the interval of the high temperature period starts. If the temperature in the bulk tank 7 does not exceed 40 ° C, which is the reference temperature, within 1 hour, an alarm will be issued. In the temperature management for low temperature judgment, the bulk tank will be within 2 hours after the low temperature interval starts. An alarm can be generated if the temperature in 7 is not below 5 ° C., which is the reference temperature.

  In addition to this operation, in the temperature monitoring system for the bulk tank 7 according to the second embodiment, the temperature in the bulk tank 7 is monitored during the low temperature period and during the high temperature period. It can be reset at a certain time.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the temperature monitoring period in a certain low temperature interval can be reset at a time point indicated by a symbol R in the figure. This reset time point is a time point after the start of the low temperature interval and before the start of the next low temperature interval. As a specific method for determining the time of resetting, the past state of the temperature transition in the bulk tank 7 is based on the past results of the temperature transition in the bulk tank 7, and then the same state is maintained. There is a method for setting a time point at which it can be determined that the next low temperature period interval will continue. Further, in the low temperature interval, it is also possible to determine the time when a predetermined time during which the temperature in the bulk tank 7 is stabilized from the time when the interval is disclosed as the time of resetting, and to perform this automatically.

  It should be noted that the temperature change in the high temperature interval is included in the low temperature interval every four low temperature intervals (in general, one low temperature interval is 12 hours and milk collection is performed on the 2nd. Since this is performed once, the high temperature period is 48 hours), the temperature monitoring in the low temperature period needs to be stopped before the temperature inside the bulk tank 7 becomes high. In this case, the temperature monitoring is reset at the low temperature interval when the milk collector manually resets, when the milk collecting valve of the bulk tank 7 is opened, and when the washing switch in the bulk tank 7 is turned on. It can be either when it is turned on or when it detects a signal from a sensor indicating that the milk in the bulk tank 7 is empty.

  Further, the time when the monitoring of the temperature in the bulk tank 7 in the high temperature interval is discontinued and reset can be the time when the temperature in the bulk tank 7 becomes a low temperature equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature.

  Furthermore, in the temperature management system for the bulk tank 7 in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the management of remote external organizations such as agricultural cooperative associations, etc. by public lines or mobile phone lines. It is also possible to transmit the detected temperature data in the bulk tank 7 to the organization and collect and manage the record data of the bulk tank 7 on the farm by such an external organization. In addition, when an abnormality is found in a predetermined bulk tank 7 in the management of an external organization, a warning is given to the farmer with the bulk tank 7 using a public line or a mobile phone line. In addition, by sending it back to a designated department such as a repair organization for the bulk tank 7, even if an abnormality occurs in the bulk tank 7, it is possible to recover the abnormal state more efficiently and in a short time. It is.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the temperature monitoring system of the milk storage tank of one Example of this invention in a milking system. It is a cycle diagram which shows the high temperature monitoring period (1st period) and the low temperature monitoring period (2nd period) in the temperature monitoring system of the milk storage tank of this invention. (a)-(e) is a figure which shows the installation position of the sensor installed in the milk line extended from the milking facility and connected to the bulk tank, or these. It is a block block diagram which shows the structure of the part used for the temperature monitoring system of the milk storage tank of this invention of the control apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the control apparatus of FIG. It is a diagram which shows transition after the milking of the temperature of the bottom face of the milk in a bulk tank, and the surface temperature when the cooler and the agitator are operating normally. It is a diagram which shows transition after the milking of the temperature near the bottom face of the milk in the bulk tank and the surface temperature when the cooler is normal but an abnormality occurs in the agitator. (a) is a figure which shows the installation position in the bulk tank of a radiation temperature measuring sensor, (b), (c) is a figure which shows the structure of the float which measures the temperature of the surface vicinity of the milk in a bulk tank. (a), (b) is a figure which shows the structure of the plug-in type temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the surface vicinity of the milk in a bulk tank. (a) is a sectional view of the main part of the milk storage tank showing an embodiment of the installation state of the radiation temperature measuring sensor described in FIG. 8 in the milk storage tank, and (b) is the milk of the radiation temperature measuring sensor of (a). The perspective view which shows an example of the protection member attached to the liquid level side of (a), (c) is an assembly perspective view showing the modification of the protection member of (b), (d) is another example of the protection member of (a). (E) is an assembled perspective view showing a modified example of the protective member of (d), and (f) is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the protective member of (a). (a) is a sectional view of the main part of the milk storage tank showing another embodiment of the installation state of the radiation temperature measuring sensor explained in FIG. 8 in the milk storage tank, and (b) is a radiation temperature measuring sensor explained in FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing of the milk storage tank which shows another Example of the installation state to other milk storage tanks. (a) is a diagram showing an example of a milking program used in the milk storage tank temperature monitoring system of the present invention, and (b) is a bulk tank cooling temperature program used in the milk storage tank temperature monitoring system of the present invention. FIG. (a) is a diagram showing the increase or decrease of milk in the bulk tank with time, (b) is a diagram showing the change in temperature in the bulk tank, (c) is a diagram showing the operating time of the vacuum pump, and (d) is a diagram showing the bulk time. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sensor output for detecting the inflow of milk into the tank, FIG. 5E is a diagram showing an operating time of the cooler, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the change of the temperature in the tank of the 1st period and 2nd period with time in the temperature monitoring system of the milk storage tank of 1st Example of this invention. (a) is a figure explaining the interval of the high temperature period in the temperature monitoring system of the milk storage tank of the second embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is the temperature monitoring system of the milk storage tank of the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the interval of the low temperature period in. It is a figure which shows the temperature monitoring period in the interval of the low temperature period shown in FIG.15 (b).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vacuum pump 2 Vacuum line 3 Milking machine 4 Milk line 6 Milk pump 7 Milk storage tank (bulk tank)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Control apparatus 10 Cooling machine 11 Cooling plate 12 Agitator 14, 19, 27 Temperature sensor 15 Outlet 16 Sensor 17 Radiation temperature measurement sensor 18 Float 20 Control part 30 Mounting jig 40 Protection member 50 Mounting jig

Claims (8)

A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank with a cooler for storing milk expressed in a dairy farm,
A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank, wherein the temperature of the milk stored in the milk storage tank is monitored by measuring and recording the surface temperature of the stored milk. A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank according to claim 1,
The surface temperature of the stored milk is measured in a non-contact manner by measuring the amount of infrared energy emitted from the surface of the stored milk using a radiation temperature detection sensor located above the maximum liquid level of the stored milk. A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank, characterized in that: A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank according to claim 2,
A transparent protective member is attached to the surface of the radiation temperature detection sensor that faces the liquid level of the stored milk, and this protective member is formed in a shape that prevents water droplets from adhering to the surface, or the liquid level of the stored milk A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank, characterized in that water droplets are less likely to adhere to the surface. A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank according to claim 1,
The milk storage tank temperature monitoring system, wherein the surface temperature of the stored milk is measured by a temperature sensor built in a float installed in the storage tank. A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank according to claim 1,
A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank, wherein the surface temperature of the stored milk is measured by a rod-shaped or plate-shaped thermometer inserted into the storage tank. A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
After the operation of a vacuum pump provided for storing milk in the storage tank is confirmed, the milk in the storage tank is cooled within a predetermined time after the start of storing milk in the storage tank by milking. A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank, characterized in that it is provided with a cooling operation confirmation means for confirming whether or not the cooling machine switch is turned on. A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank according to claim 6,
A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank, wherein the operation confirmation means outputs a warning display signal when the switch of the cooler is off. A temperature monitoring system for a milk storage tank according to claim 6,
The system for monitoring temperature of a milk storage tank, wherein the operation confirmation means outputs a signal for forcibly turning on the switch of the cooler when the switch of the cooler is off.

Images