JP5027166B2 - Automatic milking unit removal device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring the washing of a milking machine used for milking work, particularly in a tethered cowshed.

The milking unit of the milking machine may be provided with an automatic detaching device such as a milk claw. The invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-305031 is an automatic detaching device for a milking unit used in a tethered cattle barn. As shown in FIG. A cow C is moored, and a vacuum pipe V and a milk pipe M are arranged across the upper part of the cow bed A. A milk tap 10 is provided in the middle of the two cow beds Aa and Ab for providing vacuum pressure and a milk conveying line to these cow beds. As shown in FIG. 3, the milk tap 10 has a connection port communicating with the vacuum pipe V and the milk pipe M, and a connection structure that allows the milk inlet 6 to be engaged and disengaged. The vacuum tube v and the vacuum pipe V are connected to the milking tube m and the milk pipe M of the milking unit, respectively. In addition, on the support pipe S, on the left and right sides of the milk pipe M, there are provided suspension parts 12 for suspending hangers 502 of the automatic detachment device 5 described later corresponding to the cow beds Aa and Ab, respectively. The milk claw or the like is arranged at an appropriate position when the is hung. The milking unit including the automatic detaching device 5 is guided to a milking position along a guide rail (not shown), and can be used by connecting a connecting portion to the milk feeding line M / vacuum line V of the barn as shown in FIG. . The pulling means inside the automatic detaching device 5 is connected to a detaching rope 508 and hangs down from the lower part of the device. When milking, the operator moves the milk claw 3 to the milking position while pulling the release rope 508 from the lower end of the automatic removal device 5 and attaches the teat cup 4 to the nipple of the cow.
JP 2004-305031 A

  As shown in FIG. 5, an inverted U-shaped tube terminal 510 is provided on the rear surface of the automatic detaching device 5, and both ends of the tube terminal 510 communicate with the milk claw 3 and the feeding line M of the cowshed, respectively. The tube terminal 510 is a part of a milk feeding system that connects the milk claw and the milk collecting pipe, and when automatic cleaning / sterilization is performed, the tube terminal 510 also serves as a flow path for circulating a cleaning liquid and a sterilizing liquid. The sensor terminal 511 is provided with a milk flow sensor that outputs to the control circuit an output proportional to the electrical conductivity between the two locations in the tube.

  During milking, the control circuit of the automatic detachment device 5 monitors the amount of milk by the milk flow sensor, and when the output satisfies a predetermined condition, it judges that milking is finished, cuts the milking vacuum pressure, and for the set delay time After waiting, the pulling means is driven to pull up the release rope 508, and the teat cup 4 is recovered. In addition to the pulling means and the control circuit, the automatic detachment device 5 has an operation unit for changing the setting of the control circuit, a 7-digit liquid crystal display unit of several digits for displaying the setting contents and work information, An operator can set a delay time until the pulling is started.

  In other devices, only an end notification is given by an alarm or a display device, and an operator collects milk claws and the like. A multi-functional device that has a display unit that displays the measured milk flow rate over time and a multi-function device that performs intensive management of milking information have been developed. In addition, from the viewpoint of food traceability, it has been proposed that data of milking work can be transmitted by a wireless communication function. However, during the cleaning and sterilization treatment, the automatic detachment device usually has no function and is therefore turned off.

  On the other hand, devices that come into direct contact with milk in a milking machine must always be kept clean and prevent the propagation of germs. Therefore, usually, before and after the milking operation, the remaining milk is automatically removed by flowing cleaning water such as water and acidic / alkaline cleaning liquid through the milking line in a predetermined order. In a normal washing procedure, milk components are first washed away by first rinsing with room temperature water or lukewarm water. Next, the dirt that is difficult to dissolve is removed by sequentially performing decomposition cleaning of fat by circulation cleaning with an alkaline cleaning liquid and removal of inorganic substances by acid. Finally, rinse with water or lukewarm water to wash away the cleaning solution. Before milking, a sterilization process with a sterilizing solution may be further performed.

A vacuum piping type milking machine may be provided with a function of automatically performing these washing steps using a milking pipe and a vacuum source. For example, a vacuum piping type milking machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-56288 is an example, and as shown in FIG. 11, a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid is stored in a cleaning tank 80 in advance from a cleaning liquid supply device 70, and a breast feeding pump The discharge side pipe 81 faces the inside of the washing tank 80, and the milking unit is suspended from the connection port 84 provided in the milk collecting pipe 83 passing above the washing tank 80, and the tip of each teat cup 85 is washed. By immersing in the cleaning liquid in 80, a cleaning liquid circulation circuit is formed from the cleaning tank 80 via the teat cup 85, milk claw 86, milk collection pipe 83, receiver jar 87, and breast feeding pump P. Then, the milk feeding pump P is driven to forcibly circulate the cleaning liquid, and the milk collection pipe 83 and the milking unit are automatically cleaned. At the time of completion of washing or flush washing, the drain valve 88 provided on the discharge side pipe of the breast feeding pump is opened, and the returned water and washing liquid are automatically discharged.
JP-A-9-56288

In the detergent supply apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-154470, in the detergent supply apparatus configured to individually store each detergent in a tank and sequentially supply the detergent to the milking machine, a water level sensor that determines a necessary amount of the detergent in the detergent tank; A detergent sensor (electrical conductivity sensor, capacitance sensor, etc.) that determines the type of detergent is provided, and the control unit of the detergent supply device stores these outputs in advance at a predetermined timing after the start of each cleaning process. The type and amount of stored detergent and the like are confirmed, and the result is displayed on the display unit. However, this apparatus checks the amount of detergent in the detergent tank and the type of detergent, and does not directly check the cleaning liquid that actually circulates in the piping.
JP 2008-154470 A

  Conventional cleaning devices generally do not have a function to determine whether they are correctly cleaned (cleaning temperature, detergent concentration, cleaning time), and whether they are correctly cleaned or sterilized with the automation of cleaning. What could be judged automatically was required.

  In addition, it is necessary to check the temperature, electrical conductivity, etc. in accordance with the timing of the cleaning / sterilization process controlled by the milking machine control device or the automatic cleaning device in order to judge the quality of cleaning / sterilization. Communication with the controller of the device was considered essential. That is, each process including a plurality of cleaning / sterilization processes is not determined independently, but based on a process signal received from a milking machine control device, an automatic cleaning device, or an automatic detergent supply device. Therefore, when additional settings are made for existing control devices and cleaning devices, it is necessary to set the communication interface and rewrite the program, so it is not possible to easily add a pass / fail judgment function for the cleaning process. A new investment was unavoidable. Furthermore, there is a problem that it is difficult to cope with the case where an operator himself / herself manages the cleaning process without using the automatic cleaning function.

  In addition, even if a cleaning monitoring device can be installed independently, devices such as sensors, control circuits, and display / operation means are required. Therefore, it is necessary to make use of existing devices as much as possible to save additional costs. It was done. Therefore, the present invention can independently determine the determination of each process having a plurality of cleaning and sterilization processes in a stand-alone state without being based on the process signal from the milking machine control device or the automatic cleaning device, It is an object of the present invention to provide a monitoring means for a rational cleaning process or the like that can be easily added to an existing control device or cleaning device and that can make effective use of existing equipment.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a milking unit automatic detaching device having a function of detecting the end of milking by a milk flow rate sensor and pulling up the detaching rope and recovering the teat cup. A temperature sensor, an electrical conductivity sensor, a control circuit, and a storage means are provided, and the storage means uses temperature, electrical conductivity, and duration used to distinguish between cleaning processes executed by other external devices and pass / fail judgment. The reference value is stored, and the control circuit compares the time-dependent output changes of the temperature sensor and the electrical conductivity sensor with the reference value, and uniquely determines the cleaning process currently being performed based on the result. A unique determination means, and a cleaning process pass / fail judgment means for determining whether the cleaning process is good or not based on whether the output of the temperature sensor and the electrical conductivity sensor satisfies a standard for a predetermined time. The milking unit automatic withdrawal device, wherein the Rukoto, to solve the above problem.

  In the milking unit automatic detachment device of the present invention, it is self-determined what the current cleaning process is in consideration of the outputs of the temperature sensor and the electrical conductivity sensor as the liquid quality sensor without communication with the cleaning control device. In addition, since the quality of the process currently being performed is judged by accumulating the time that the temperature and liquid quality that meet the standards continue, the quality of the washing can be judged independently of the milking machine control device and the automatic washing device. Can do. Observing the change in the output of the sensor over time refers to determining the process type while taking into account the change in the output of the sensor together with the current output of the sensor. Preferably, the recording means is preliminarily washed and rinsed. Record the order of work processes and the type characteristics of each work process (threshold value of each sensor output for determining the work process), and record the reference value indicating the type characteristics of the work process to be performed next time The type of work process currently performed is determined by calling from the means and repeatedly comparing with the output of the sensor, and stored in the recording means. Therefore, even for a cleaning operation consisting of a plurality of processes, it is possible to determine the progress of the operation process without using the input from the external device that is performing the cleaning, and call the appropriate type feature to make a pass / fail determination. it can.

  The liquid temperature during the cleaning operation is maintained at about 35 to 50 ° C. in the rinsing process and rises to about 60 ° C. in the cleaning process, which is effective in determining which process is currently in progress. The electric conductivity is close to 0 in normal water, but increases when the cleaning liquid is mixed, and is effective in distinguishing the rinsing process from the cleaning process. Therefore, by using the determination by the temperature sensor and the electrical conductivity sensor in combination, it is possible to determine the distinction between the cleaning steps and the quality thereof.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the milking unit automatic detachment apparatus further includes a pH sensor provided in the milk feeding pipe, and the storage means further stores a reference value of pH used for distinguishing each cleaning process and determining pass / fail. The cleaning process unique determination means compares the outputs of the temperature sensor, the electrical conductivity sensor and the pH sensor with a reference value, and uniquely determines the currently performed cleaning process based on the result, The cleaning process pass / fail judgment means determines whether the cleaning process is pass / fail according to whether or not the output of the temperature sensor, the electrical conductivity sensor, and the pH sensor satisfies a standard for a predetermined time. The value of pH is 6 to 7 for normal tap water, and increases when an alkaline detergent is mixed, and decreases when an acid is mixed. Therefore, it is effective in determining the type of detergent that has been added. Accordingly, by using a pH sensor in combination as a liquid quality sensor, it is possible to accurately determine the distinction between cleaning steps and the quality thereof.

  The invention described in claim 3 includes a temperature sensor and an electrical conductivity sensor provided in the breast feeding pipe, a control circuit, and a storage means, and the storage means uses a temperature / The reference value of electrical conductivity and duration is stored, and the control circuit compares the output of the temperature sensor and the electrical conductivity sensor with the reference value, and uniquely determines the sterilization process currently performed based on the result. A sterilization process independent determination means and a sterilization process quality determination means for determining whether the sterilization process is good or not based on whether or not a state where the outputs of the temperature sensor and the electrical conductivity sensor satisfy a standard have continued for a predetermined time. The milking unit automatic detaching device, which makes it possible to determine whether or not the sterilization process is being performed and to determine whether it is good or bad.

  In the milking unit detachment apparatus provided with the sterilization process unique determination means and the sterilization process pass / fail determination means according to claim 3, the invention according to claim 4 distinguishes the sterilization process by using a pH sensor as a liquid quality sensor. The quality can be determined more accurately.

  The invention described in claim 5 comprises the cleaning process unique judgment means and the cleaning process pass / fail judgment means described in claim 1, and the sterilization process unique judgment means and the sterilization process pass / fail judgment means described in claim 3, wherein a plurality of cleaning / sterilization processes are provided. When a process is performed, it is possible to distinguish between these cleaning and sterilization processes and to perform automatic determination of quality.

  The liquid temperature during washing and sterilization is maintained at about 35 to 50 ° C. in the rinsing and sterilization process, and rises to about 60 ° C. in the washing process, which is effective in determining which process is currently in progress. The electric conductivity is close to 0 in normal water, but increases when mixed with a cleaning liquid or a sterilizing liquid, and is effective in distinguishing between a rinsing process and a cleaning or sterilizing process. Therefore, by using the determination by the temperature sensor and the electrical conductivity sensor in combination, it is possible to determine the distinction between cleaning and sterilization processes and the quality thereof. Preferably, by further using a pH sensor as a liquid quality sensor, it is possible to more accurately determine the distinction between cleaning and sterilization processes and the quality thereof.

  In the milking unit automatic detaching apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to use the automatic monitoring function of the washing process by adding it as an automatic detaching apparatus for the milking unit, even when an automatic washing apparatus or the like is not newly introduced. Furthermore, it can cope with the case where each process is performed manually without using an automatic cleaning device. Furthermore, traceability can be enhanced by providing a function of storing data such as milk yield and milking time in a control circuit and transmitting the data to an external personal computer or the like by wireless communication. A plurality of milking units equipped with an automatic detaching device may be arranged in the barn, but the present invention may be installed only in one of these milking units, and can be easily added to existing equipment.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The milking unit including the automatic detaching apparatus of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the conventional apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and includes a milk claw 3, four teat cups 4, 4, and an automatic detaching apparatus. 5, a milk inlet 6, a milk tube m, a vacuum tube v, and a release rope that interconnect these components. In the present embodiment, the automatic control unit and the pulsator are integrally provided inside the automatic detachment device 5 and have an easy configuration such as transportation.

  As in FIG. 4, a metal hanger 502 whose tip is bent in a U-shape is provided on the upper portion of the main body 501 as an attachment means to the hanging portion 12, and the bent portion of the hanger 502 is hooked on the hanging portion 12. Thus, the whole milking unit can be suspended at a position convenient for milking. In addition, an infrared light emitting unit 503 and an infrared light receiving unit 504 are provided on the upper portion of the main body 501 at positions facing the infrared light receiving unit 122 and the infrared light emitting unit 123 of the suspended portion 12. The front surface of the main body 501 is provided with a display unit 505 for displaying the state of the apparatus, milk amount, milking time, and the like, an operation unit 506 for instructing milking start, mode change, and the like. A grip 507 for projecting the apparatus with one hand is provided inside. A release rope 508 hangs down from the lower end of the grip 507, and a snap lock 509 that can be locked to the locking portion 301 of the milk claw 3 is bound at the tip thereof. The upper end of the detaching rope 508 is connected to a pulling means accommodated in the grip 507.

  Similarly to FIG. 5, both end portions of the inverted U-shaped milk tube terminal 510 communicate with the milk outlets of the milk claw 3 and the milk inlet 6 through the milk tube m, respectively. From the lower part of the main body 501, a vacuum tube v for supplying a vacuum pressure to the internal pulsator extends in parallel with the milk tube m on the milk inlet side, and is connected to the milk inlet 6 together. The vacuum pressure for milking and the atmospheric pressure are alternately supplied from the internal pulsator to the connection port 512 on the back surface of the main body 501, and the vacuum pressure for adjusting the pressure is supplied to the connection ports 513 and 514, respectively. It is connected to a predetermined part of the milk claw 3 via In this embodiment, the electrical conductivity sensor 108 measures the amount of current between two locations in the tube for determining the end of milking during milking and the liquid quality during washing or sterilization, and measures the data to measure the automatic detachment device 5. In order to reduce the measurement error due to the return of milk, the sensor terminal 511 is provided at a position slightly lowered from the upper end of the milk tube terminal 510 to the milk inlet side. Further, a temperature sensor 107 and a pH sensor 109 are installed facing the tube terminal 510, and during cleaning or sterilization, the water temperature and pH inside the tube are measured and the data is output to the control circuit 100 in the automatic detachment device 5.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the control circuit 100 of the automatic detachment device 5. In addition to the automatic detachment function and the vacuum pressure shut-off function, the automatic detachment apparatus 5 of the present embodiment can monitor automatic cleaning comprising a plurality of cleaning processes and sterilization processes according to the operator's settings. In the control circuit 100, the microcomputer 101 is connected to a temperature sensor 107, an electrical conductivity sensor 108, and a pH sensor 109 via A / D conversion circuits 104 to 106. The A / D conversion circuit 104 converts analog data of the water temperature received from the temperature sensor 107 during cleaning or sterilization into digital data. The A / D conversion circuit 105 converts analog data of the amount of current received from the electrical conductivity sensor 108 into digital data during milking, washing or sterilization. The A / D conversion circuit 106 converts analog data of the pH value received from the pH sensor 109 during cleaning or sterilization into digital data.

  The control circuit 100 also includes a storage unit 102, a display unit 110, a communication unit 111, a power source 112, and an operation unit 113 that are also used for milking management, and a pulling unit control circuit and a vacuum pressure control unit control circuit that are used in the milking process. I have. The display means 110 is a 7-digit liquid crystal display device of several digits installed on the front surface of the device, and displays the determination result of each cleaning or sterilization process and the quality of the sterilization / cleaning result. In addition, it is preferable to use the display unit 110 in common with the display unit 505 of the automatic detachment device 5 from the viewpoint of reducing the number of parts. The communication unit 111 acquires the cow bed identification number recorded in the hanging portion 12 by the infrared communication unit, and stores the data of the determined process order and pass / fail judgment data by a wireless communication device or the like. Can be output. The power supply 112 has a capability of supplying power to the pulling means and the vacuum pressure control means together with the control circuit. For example, the commercial power supply 112V is converted into 24V DC and used.

  The microcomputer 101 repeatedly monitors the signals of the A / D conversion circuits 104 to 106 as a logical block by executing the program, and compares the reference values read from the storage means 102 to determine the liquid quality. The elapsed time after the condition is satisfied is integrated by the determination unit 101a and an internal timer, and compared with the reference value read from the storage unit 102, and the process progress is received from the control unit of the automatic cleaning apparatus or the like. In addition, it has a cleaning and sterilization process unique determination unit 101b that uniquely determines by stand alone, and a cleaning and sterilization process pass / fail determination unit 101c that determines a quality result of the cleaning and sterilization process. Moreover, as a logic block corresponding to the milking process, the measurement values of the sensors 107 to 109 during milking are displayed on the display unit 110 as appropriate and recorded in the storage unit 102 and received from the A / D conversion circuit 105. Comparing the electrical conductivity sensor 108 with a reference value read from the storage means 102, a milking end determination means 101e that determines that milking is completed when a state equal to or lower than the reference value continues for a certain time is provided. The storage unit 102 is a non-volatile memory, and stores a pass / fail determination and process determination program, a determination process order, a determination reference value table, a current process, past determination data, a milking end reference value, and the like. Depending on the type of milking machine control device or automatic washing device, the washing process may be different, so that it is possible to select and set the judging process, reference value, etc. according to the input from the operation means 113. The setting contents are recorded in the storage means 102, and each procedure is called to the microcomputer 101 according to the setting contents.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a cleaning / sterilization process pass / fail judgment reference value table stored in the storage means 102 for determining the progress and pass / fail of the cleaning / sterilization process. The first rinse process, the alkali cleaning process, and the second rinse process. The reference values of the liquid temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, and duration corresponding to the acid rinsing process and the sterilization process are stored. For example, when the liquid temperature of 35 to 50 ° C., the electrical conductivity of 0 to 2 mS / cm, and the pH of 6 to 7 are continued for 60 seconds in the first rinsing step, it indicates that the rinsing step is judged as good. In the case of this example, the reference value of this table also serves as a reference value for process progress judgment. For example, when a liquid temperature of 35 to 50 ° C., an electric conductivity of 0 to 2 mS / cm, and a pH of 6 to 7 are detected, It is determined that the first rinsing process or the second rinsing process is being executed. Whether it corresponds to the first or second rinsing is determined with reference to the processes up to now. Depending on the washing procedure, it is not always necessary to consider all measured values of the liquid temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH value in the determination of the process. Rinse or sterilization process when the liquid temperature is 35 ° C to 50 ° C, when the temperature is 60 ° C or higher It can also be determined as a cleaning step.

  In this embodiment, whether each process set in the storage unit 102 is good or bad is determined, and if all the steps are good, the overall determination is good. For example, “Good” (good) is displayed on the display unit 110. If there is a defective process, all the defective processes are displayed on the display means 110. For example, when the alkaline cleaning process is determined to be defective, “AL.nG” (failed to alkaline cleaning), and when the acid rinse cleaning process is determined to be defective, “Sr.nG” (acid rinse failed), rinse. When it is determined that the process is defective, “SG.nG” (rinse failure) can be displayed.

  The procedure for milking using the milking unit 1 of the present embodiment is almost the same as the procedure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-305031, when the gripper 507 of the automatic detaching device 5 is provided and there is an automatic conveying device. Utilizing this, the milking unit 1 is moved to the cow beds Aa and Ab where milking is performed, and the hanger 502 of the automatic detaching device 5 is hung on the hanging portion 12 on the side of the support pipe S corresponding to the cow bed Aa. The communication means 111 communicates with the infrared light receiving unit 122 and the infrared light emitting unit 123 of the suspended portion 12 by the infrared light emitting unit 503 and the infrared light receiving unit 504 at the upper part of the automatic detachment device 5 to receive the identification number of the cow bed A, and milking management Output to the means 101d. The milking management means 101d reads data corresponding to the cow bed A from the storage means 102 and displays it on the display means 111. The operator connects the milk inlet 6 to the milk tap located between the cow beds Aa and Ab, operates the operation unit 506 of the automatic detaching device 5 to make the detachable rope 508 detachable, and pulls out the teat cup 4 , 4... Are attached to the nipple of cow Ca. When the operator operates the operation unit 506 to start milking after the mounting is completed, the milking end determination unit 101e compares the output of the electrical conductivity sensor 108 with the reference value read from the recording unit 102 during milking, When the state where the output is below the predetermined value continues for a certain time, it is determined that the milking is finished, and the milking vacuum pressure of 512 is automatically cut, the pulling means is driven to pull up the release rope 508, and the milk claw 3 and Pull up the teat cup units 4, 4 ... Further, milking can be interrupted at any time by operating the operation unit 506. During this time, the display unit 505 displays data such as milking time and milk yield.

  Further, when automatic washing of the milking unit 1 of this embodiment is performed, a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid is stored in the cleaning tank 80 from the cleaning liquid supply device 70 as in FIG. The milking unit is suspended from the connection port 84 provided in the milk collection pipe 83 passing above the cleaning tank 80, and the tip of each teat cup 85 is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 80. As a result, a circulation circuit of the cleaning liquid is formed from the cleaning tank 80 via the teat cup 85, the milk claw 86, the milk collection pipe 83, the receiver jar 87, and the breast feeding pump P. Then, the milk feeding pump P is driven to forcibly circulate the cleaning liquid, and the milk collection pipe 83 and the milking unit are automatically cleaned. At the time of completion of washing or flush washing, the drain valve 88 provided on the discharge side pipe of the breast feeding pump is opened, and the returned water and washing liquid are automatically discharged. Therefore, the automatic detaching device 5 is arranged between the milking unit immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank and the connection port provided in the milk collection pipe. By driving the vacuum pump in this state, the tube of the automatic detaching device 5 is arranged. The cleaning liquid, sterilizing liquid, rinsing water, etc. in the cleaning tank are circulated through the terminal 510. In this case, the snap lock 509 is removed from the detaching rope 508 of the automatic detaching device 5, and the milk claw 3 and the teat cup units 4, 4,.

  In order to monitor the cleaning / sterilization process according to the table of FIG. 7, first, after the start of monitoring, it is determined as the “first rinsing process” based on all or any combination of liquid temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH value. After the quality determination of the “first rinsing step”, the “alkaline cleaning step” is determined based on all or any combination of the liquid temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH value. After the pass / fail judgment of the “alkaline cleaning process”, the “second rinse process” is determined based on all or any combination of the liquid temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH value. After the quality determination of the “second rinsing step”, the “acid rinsing step” is determined based on all or any combination of the liquid temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH value. Then, after the quality determination of the “acid rinsing process” and the comprehensive determination of all the cleaning processes, the “sterilization process” is determined based on all or any combination of the liquid temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH value.

  The determination procedure in each step will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. First, the cleaning / sterilization monitoring procedure is started by pressing the start / stop switch 114 (S101), and the temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH are measured by each sensor. Start (S102). Next, the current process stored in the storage means 102 is checked (S103), and if all cleaning / sterilization processes are completed, the quality of each process is checked (S104). If all the processes are good, the display device displays that all the process results are good (S106). When there is a defective process, the defective process and the defect content are displayed on the display device (S105).

  When the entire cleaning / sterilization process is not completed, the timer count is started or reset (S107). Then, the judgment reference value of the process to be judged next is read from the storage means, and it is checked whether the measured values of temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH satisfy the judgment standard at regular intervals (S108). If the temperature / electrical conductivity / pH measurement value criteria are not satisfied, it is checked whether the value of the timer 124 exceeds a predetermined specified time (S109), and the check of S108 is repeated until it exceeds. If the specified time is exceeded, the process is unknown. When the measured value judgment criteria for temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH are satisfied in S108, the fact is recorded in the storage means 102, and the name of the cleaning or sterilization process is displayed on the display device (S110). Further, even when the specified time has elapsed in S109, the fact that the determination is impossible is recorded in the storage means 102, and the fact is displayed on the display device.

  Next, the quality of the cleaning / sterilization process that is considered to be in progress is determined. In this embodiment, even if the process cannot be determined, it is determined that the next process is being performed. First, the timer is reset and measurement of the working time is started (S111). Then, the measured values of liquid temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH are integrated at regular intervals (S112). Then, the time from the start of the operation is compared with the time reference value obtained by reading the cleaning / sterilization process time from the storage means 102 (S113), and if it is less than the reference value, S112 is repeated. If the measured value is higher than the reference value, the measured value of the liquid temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH recorded in the memory is read, and this is the product of the reference value of each measured value read from the reference value table and the reference value of the cleaning / sterilization process time. The comparison is made (S114), and the determination result is recorded in the storage means and displayed on the display device (S115). When the pass / fail determination is completed, the integrated values of temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH and the timer of the cleaning process time are reset (S116), and the process proceeds to the determination of the next cleaning or sterilization process according to the procedure set in the storage means. In addition, said apparatus structure and algorithm are examples, and are not restricted to this.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the milking unit automatic detaching device 5 is provided with a monitoring function of the cleaning and sterilization process of the milking device, thereby favoring adverse effects such as the growth of bacteria inside the milking device due to the poor cleaning and sterilization process. Can be prevented.

  In this case, the cleaning and sterilization process is monitored independently as a stand-alone system without relying on information from an external device that directly performs cleaning such as an automatic cleaning device or an automatic detergent supply device. The determination can be made reliably even when the apparatus or the automatic detergent supply device is abnormal or when the cleaning tank is damaged and the detergent leaks out.

  Furthermore, as described above, by providing the communication unit 111 that stores data such as milk yield and milking time in the storage unit 102 and transmits the data to a device such as an external personal computer by wireless communication, the traceability is greatly improved. Is also possible.

  In addition, there are cases where a plurality of milking units equipped with the automatic detaching device 5 are arranged in the barn, but the present invention only needs to be installed in one of these milking units, and additional replacement work for existing equipment is also possible. It is easy and the replacement cost is low.

  Further, since the cleaning monitoring function is added to the existing automatic detachment device 5, the control function and sensors of the current automatic detachment device 5 can be used as they are, and can be dealt with only by changing the program. In addition, it functions as an automatic detachment device in normal times and functions as a cleaning work monitoring device in the cleaning mode. Therefore, it is significantly cheaper and saves compared with the case where a cleaning work monitoring device is provided separately from the automatic detachment device. Space can be achieved.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the milking unit 1 is automatically cleaned as described above, the snap lock 509 is removed from the detaching rope 508 of the automatic detaching device 5, and the milk claw 3 and the teat cup units 4, 4 are removed. .. Is in a free state, but the release rope 508 of the automatic release device 5 can link the function of the automatic release device and the cleaning work monitoring function without removing the snap lock 509. For example, when it is determined by the cleaning operation monitoring function that the cleaning is completed, the pulling means of the automatic detaching device 5 is driven to pull up the detaching rope 508 and pull up the milk claw 3 and the teat cup units 4, 4. You may do it.

According to the milking unit automatic detachment device with a cleaning monitoring function realized in the present invention, it is possible to perform washing / sterilization determination without significantly changing the existing milking machine and washing device, and the quality of the washing / sterilization process is good / bad. Can be confirmed before milking work, and high-quality milk can be milked with confidence. In addition, since it is only necessary to install this apparatus for any one of a plurality of milking units, it is extremely cost-effective.

Explanatory drawing showing the vicinity of the cow bed of the milking management system Side view of the cow bed portion of FIG. Perspective view showing connection of milk tap and milk inlet Front view of the automatic release device in the suspended state Perspective view of the back side of the automatic release device Block diagram showing an example of the control circuit of the automatic detachment device Example of reference value table for quality determination of cleaning / sterilization process stored in storage means Flow chart showing cleaning / sterilization process monitoring procedure Flow chart showing cleaning / sterilization process determination procedure Flow chart showing the procedure for determining the quality of the cleaning / sterilization process Illustration of automatic cleaning system for vacuum piping milking machine

1 Automatic separation device

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Control circuit 101 Microcomputer 101a Liquid quality determination means 101b Cleaning and sterilization process original determination means 101c Cleaning and sterilization process quality determination means 102 Storage means 103 Operation means 104-106 A / D conversion circuit 107 Temperature sensor 108 Electrical conductivity sensor 109 pH Sensor 110 Display unit 111 Communication unit 112 Power supply unit

Claims (5)

In a milking unit automatic detachment device having a function of determining the end of milking by a milk flow rate sensor and pulling up a detaching rope and collecting a teat cup, the device includes a temperature sensor and an electrical conductivity sensor provided in a milk feeding pipe, and a control A circuit, and storage means, wherein the storage means stores reference values for temperature, electrical conductivity, and duration used for distinction and quality determination of cleaning steps performed by other external devices, The control circuit compares a change in output of the temperature sensor and the electrical conductivity sensor with time with a reference value, and based on the result, the cleaning process unique determination means for uniquely determining the currently performed cleaning process, and the temperature sensor and the electrical conductivity A milking process comprising: a cleaning process pass / fail judgment means for judging whether the cleaning process is good or not based on whether or not a state in which the output of the degree sensor satisfies a standard has continued for a predetermined time Knit automatic withdrawal system. The milking unit automatic detaching apparatus further includes a pH sensor provided in the milk feeding pipe, and the storage means further stores a reference value of pH used for distinguishing between cleaning and sterilization processes and for determining pass / fail, and for the cleaning The process unique judgment means compares the output of the temperature sensor, the electrical conductivity sensor and the pH sensor with a reference value, and uniquely judges the current cleaning process based on the result, and the cleaning process pass / fail judgment means The milking unit automatic detachment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the quality of the washing process is determined based on whether or not the output of the temperature sensor, the electrical conductivity sensor, and the pH sensor satisfies a standard for a predetermined time. In a milking unit automatic detachment device having a function of determining the end of milking by a milk flow rate sensor and pulling up a detaching rope and collecting a teat cup, the device includes a temperature sensor and an electrical conductivity sensor provided in a milk feeding pipe, and a control A circuit and storage means, wherein the storage means stores reference values for temperature, electrical conductivity, and duration used for distinguishing between sterilization processes performed by other external devices and determining good or bad, The control circuit compares the change in output of the temperature sensor and the electrical conductivity sensor over time with the reference value, and based on the result, uniquely determines the sterilization process currently performed, and the temperature sensor and the electrical conductivity A milking process comprising: a sterilization process pass / fail judgment means for judging whether the sterilization process is good or not based on whether or not a state in which the output of the degree sensor satisfies a standard has continued for a predetermined time Knit automatic withdrawal system. The milking unit automatic detachment apparatus further includes a pH sensor provided in the milk feeding pipe, and the storage means further stores a reference value of pH used for distinction of the sterilization process and quality determination, and the sterilization process unique determination The means compares the outputs of the temperature sensor, the electrical conductivity sensor, and the pH sensor with reference values, and uniquely determines the sterilization process currently being performed based on the results, and the sterilization process pass / fail judgment means includes the temperature sensor 4. The automatic milking unit detachment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the quality of the washing process is determined based on whether or not a state in which the outputs of the electrical conductivity sensor and the pH sensor satisfy a standard continues for a predetermined time. In a milking unit automatic detachment device having a function of determining the end of milking by a milk flow rate sensor and pulling up a detaching rope and collecting a teat cup, the device includes a temperature sensor and an electrical conductivity sensor provided in a milk feeding pipe, and a control A circuit and a storage means are provided. The storage means stores reference values for temperature, electrical conductivity, and duration used to distinguish between cleaning and sterilization processes executed by other external devices and pass / fail judgment. The control circuit compares the time-dependent output change of the temperature sensor and the electrical conductivity sensor with a reference value, and uniquely determines the cleaning / sterilization process currently performed based on the result, and the sterilization process Each has its own judgment means, and it is judged whether the output of the temperature sensor and the electrical conductivity sensor has satisfied the standard for a predetermined time, and the washing / sterilization process is performed based on the result. Quality milking unit automatic withdrawal device according to claim in that it comprises respectively a cleaning process acceptability determining means and sterilization process quality determining means for determining.

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