RU2670524C2 - Structure of mobile milking device and one of component parts of said device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to agriculture, in particular to milking devices. Support structure of a mobile milking device includes a hollow body in which first and second support sections are formed by an annular tubular portion. Handle section is located radially outside the annular tubular portion. Second support section is transverse to the handle section. Handle section and second support section together provide a substantially T-shaped arrangement. Cavities made in each of the sections are mutually communicated, forming a reservoir. First opening is provided in the first support section, which in turn is adapted to be connected to the vacuum circuit of the milking system. Second opening is provided in the second support section, which in turn is adapted to be connected to the device. Mobile milking device includes a support structure and a device that requires its connection to a pneumatic circuit under pressure below atmospheric pressure.

EFFECT: high strength of the structure, improved mobility and hygiene of the milking device.

9 cl, 9 dwg

Description

Technical field

The proposed solution relates to the design of the mobile milking device and its integral part.

More specifically, this invention relates to the design of a mobile milking device and its component parts, which are intended for use on dairy farms, especially on cow dairy farms, where the placement of cows in stalls with tether is used.

Prior art

As is known, on farms where cows are placed in stalls with a tether, animals are constantly tied to special stalls. Unlike free conditions, where, as a rule, there is a special room for milking - animals are taken into it for milking. In the case of keeping animals in stalls, each animal is milked in the stall where it is kept by means of mobile milking devices, whose performance is a forced compromise between the mobility needs and optimal milking conditions.

Milking machines used on farms correspond to the concept in accordance with which the placement of existing milking lines, including vacuum air ducts and milk lines, which run along the entire length of the room occupied by animals that need to be milked, is typical. Connection points for mobile milking systems are located at predetermined intervals on the milk lines. Connection points are usually equipped with valves or couplings, made with the possibility of connection to ensure the operation of the milking system. The vacuum duct also provides numerous connecting ports for connecting with the pulsators of milking machines and other devices involved in the milking process.

It is also known that, at present, automated milking lines are tied to vacuum lines and milk lines, through which milk is sent to storage tanks. In this case, the connection points are usually positioned so that you can milk a couple of animals without moving the milking machine.

A typical milking machine, suitable for use with the lines described above, consists of:

- a milking unit including a set of cups - one for each nipple of the animal - with a liner for each cup,

- collector

- a flow meter with a flap, usually located between the milking unit and the milk line - to provide a vacuum or stop its provision in the milking unit depending on the position of the flap,

- cylinder for automatic separation of the milking unit, made with the ability to disconnect the milking node from the animal, as soon as it was milked, by thrust over the rope, to which the cylinder was attached,

- pulsator, as a rule, of electronic type, imparting cyclically varying efforts for opening and closing the tubes necessary for extracting milk from animals,

- a multichannel electrically actuated valve, usually made with two channels, allowing to operate and work together or separately with said cylinder and flow meter (by using each channel), connecting them alternately with the atmosphere and with a vacuum circuit,

- electronic control panel, which is usually powered by electricity through branches from the main supply line that runs along the air ducts and milk ducts of the milking system, while they are usually connected to the connection points to the milk ducts.

Typically, an electronic control panel includes electronic connections to provide control over an electronically controlled valve and pulsator (if an electronic type pulsator), and includes a display or indicator lights that show the data for the milking process and, if there is a flow meter, the current incoming quantity milk and the total amount of milk received at the end of the milking,

- a set of hoses made of elastic materials permitted for use in the food industry - to connect all these parts to each other,

Mobile device for the introduction, as a rule, made in the form of a pistol, which is manually introduced into the valve or pipe, made on the milk line.

The portions described above, designed for mobility, are a structure usually consisting of stainless steel parts welded together, including a handle to allow the operator to grip and transport this structure. This design is usually supplied with a hook made of stainless steel of such a size as to allow it to be placed on the pipe, which is the milk conduit.

The entire set of nodes described above makes up a mobile device for milking.

An example of such a device described above is the device described in patent source CH 694 781, which includes a rectangular-shaped vacuum compensation tank containing a pulsator inside.

When using this device, the operator transports it manually by the handle until the device can be located near the stationary connection point providing vacuum, electrical energy, as well as the connection point to the milk line - the milk inlet port.

The solution described above has several disadvantages. As mentioned above, the metal frame, usually made of stainless steel, on which the parts described are necessary to perform milking operations, should include a number of welded brackets for fixing parts and structural elements necessary for operation and pneumatic wires to provide vacuum and electrical wires vital to the operation of the device. This set of parts is mounted so as to leave open and accessible to all component nodes. Thus, conditions are created that endanger the safety of external organs during operation of the device with the attendant risk of damaging the connections, in addition to the fact that this solution is not very practical for work and does not provide a good level of hygiene.

The stainless steel frame, due to its multiple components and connecting elements, makes the structure heavy, thus creating a risk of damage to the device, as well as making it aesthetically unattractive and giving the impression of structural fragility.

In addition to the technical, functional and aesthetic drawbacks described above, the decision made is known from the prior art, costly due to the large amount of mechanical processing at the manufacturing stage, the welding work and labor costs required for its installation.

The first desired result of the proposed technical solution is to provide the design of a mobile milking device, devoid of the above-described disadvantages inherent in the solutions known from the prior art.

Another desired technical result is the provision of the design of a mobile milking device, with which it is possible to ensure the easy movement of a mobile milking device.

The next desired technical result is to ensure the design of the mobile milking device is durable and one that is easy to clean.

Another desired technical result is the provision of the design of a mobile milking device, which can be produced as cheaply as possible, with minimal labor costs, which is suitable for mass production.

It should also be noted that in order to obtain good stability in milking operations, a pulsator device requires a vacuum source of adequate performance and stability. A vacuum source that has a suitable volume and also serves as a vacuum buffer or supply is important to compensate, at best, for the instantaneous vacuum consumption peaks that occur during milking. The instability of the pulsation, really negatively affects the nipples of the milking animal, disturbing the animal and endangering its health condition.

Thus, not least the proposed solution is aimed at providing such a device that would allow to obtain a more stable pulsation.

Brief description of the invention

These and other desired results are achieved through the use of a mobile milking device in accordance with the claims.

Due to the fact that the vacuum storage is integrated into the design, an appropriate buffer or storage is provided to ensure a stable continuous level of vacuum, at the level required to meet the requirements of devices that will be powered through a pneumatic duct (with a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure), such as a pulsator device and a cylinder, thus providing an optimal profile of a pulsation graph.

Also, thanks to the design proposed in accordance with this technical solution, the stability and continuity of the vacuum level and, consequently, the operation of the milking equipment is actually equivalent to the milking provided in the room, which is usually installed on farms with free animal housing.

In addition, due to the fact that the vacuum tank is integrated into the design, the design as a whole is compact and light.

Also, the features of the proposed design are high ergonomics and optimal mass balance of the device, consisting of various structural elements - this ensures ease of transportation of the mobile milking device by the operator.

The advantage is that all the structural elements involved in the milking process are connected to the same supporting structure.

The shape and location of the handle, which essentially removes the side weight components acting on the structure, makes it possible to transport the milking machine easily and safely.

The next advantage of the proposed solution is an extremely compact size, as well as the optimal arrangement of the structural elements in the device, which makes it possible to limit the overall dimensions of the mobile milking device.

Compact size is also beneficial for ease of installation and transport by the operator.

Another advantage is that the method of manufacturing a product by molding plastics allows to obtain a rigid and lightweight, as well as a very strong structure.

Brief description of drawings

Some preferred embodiments of the proposed solution are further given as examples, not limiting its use only to these options with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 - a general front view of a mobile milking device in accordance with the proposed technical solution, connected to the milk line;

FIG. 2 is a general rear view of the mobile device shown in FIG. one;

FIG. 3 is a general front view of a device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a general rear view of the device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a general front view of the device shown in FIG. 3, connected to an electronic control device;

FIG. 6 is a general rear view of the device shown in FIG. 3 connected to a flow meter;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 1, in which some structural elements are conventionally not shown for clarity;

FIG. 8 shows a structural element of the device shown in FIG. 1, in which some details are conventionally not shown for clarity;

FIG. 9 shows a structural element of the device shown in FIG. 1, in which some details are conventionally not shown for clarity.

A description of some preferred embodiments of the invention.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a support structure 11 of a mobile milking device is illustrated, which is made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention and a mobile milking device 15 including a support structure 11.

In accordance with the proposed solution, the supporting structure 11 is configured to accommodate at least one device 13 on it, which requires connecting it to a pneumatic circuit that is under pressure below atmospheric. Said device 13 may, for example, be a pulsator 13a of an electronic or pneumatic type, or an electronically controlled valve 13b having, for example, two channels. The advantage of the proposed solution is that the pulsator 13a and the electronically controlled valve 13b are mounted directly on the supporting structure 11, as will be better understood from the following explanations.

Also, in accordance with the proposed solution, the supporting structure 11 includes a hollow body 17, in which the first supporting section 19 and the handle section 21 and the second supporting section 23 are made. Inside these sections 19, 21, 23, cavities are made that communicate with each other, forming thus the reservoir 25. The proposed solution assumes that the volumes of the cavities of the sections 19, 21, 23 preferably differ from each other and form a single reservoir 25, the total volume of which is determined by the sum of the volumes of the said cavities. In the first supporting section 19, an opening 27 is made, which is connected to the vacuum circuit of the milking device, and in the second supporting section 23, an opening 29 is made, connected to at least one of the devices mentioned above. Preferably, the above-mentioned holes 27 and 29 were the only holes through which the tank 25 is connected with the surrounding space.

The second support section 23 is connected to the first support section 19 by means of the handle section 21.

In accordance with the proposed solution, in the above-mentioned floor body 17, the first support section 19 is preferably formed by a corresponding annular tubular part, which is preferably located in the same plane and which has, in the shown embodiment, a rectangular shape, but in other embodiments can take various configurations, for example, round, oval polygonal.

Also in accordance with the proposed solution, in the floor body 17, the arm section 21 is formed by a corresponding straight line portion, preferably a tubular one, which is located radially outside the annular tubular portion forming the first support section 19. In other embodiments, it is also possible to ensure, for example, that the arm section has different forms, for example, a bow-like form.

Also in accordance with the proposed solution, in the above-mentioned floor body 17, the second support section 23 is formed by a corresponding straight part, preferably a tubular one, which is located transversely to the handle section 21.

Also, in accordance with the proposed solution, the two straight tubular parts of sections 21, 23 have their own longitudinal axes — coplanar and perpendicular.

Also in accordance with the proposed solution, the arm section 21 and the second support section 23 provide a substantially T-shaped arrangement of the support section and the handle section.

Inside the annular tubular part forming the first supporting section 19, a fixing plate 31 is made, preferably integrated (integral) with the hollow body 17 and surrounded by the annular tubular part, wherein the plate forms a corresponding flat front surface 33a and a flat rear surface 33b with which connected parts of the mobile milking device.

Also in accordance with the proposed solution, the described construction ensures that the fixing plate 31, the recessed seat or niche 35 are located in the center of the structure 11 and are adapted to accommodate the electronic control device 37 equipped with the control panel 39a, and the switchboard 39b for monitoring and milking unit control 15.

Also, in accordance with the proposed solution, the fixing plate 31 is inclined so that the front surface 33a of the plate itself is directed toward the second supporting section 23, i.e. upwards - when the supporting structure 11 is used, as shown, for example, in Figures 1 and 2, to make the control panel 39a and the switchboard 39b more easily visible and accessible to the operator.

The back surface 33b of the fixing plate 31, respectively, is directed downwardly when the structure is used, and this makes it possible to secure the structural elements constituting the mobile milking device. These structural elements will preferably be attached to the fixing plate 31 by means of corresponding metal holders made of bent stainless steel wire having a cross section of a few millimeters, for example 4 mm. These metal holders in turn are fixed by means of screws to metal inserts attached to the fixing plate 31 or made with it at the same time.

The following example and with reference, especially to Figures 4 and 6, illustrate the implementation of the supporting structure 11 according to the invention, including a flow meter 41 associated with a fixing element with either a bracket or a holder 43 of stainless steel wire, which, in turn, is attached by means of a screw 45a to the back surface 33b of the fixing plate 31 to the metal insert 45b mounted in it.

As best seen in Figures 2 and 7, a pair consisting of the upper 47a and lower 47b brackets attached to the back surface 33b of the fixing plate 31 make it possible to fix with separating cylinder 51 to the hollow body 17 of the supporting structure 11 by means of screws 49. is located in a plane parallel to the plane in which the supporting structure 11 is located, and the axes of the cylinder 51 and the arm section 21 are parallel. In addition, the cylinder 51 performs the function of protecting the parts that are placed on the rear surface 33b of the fixing plate 31 - they are preferably placed between said fixing plate 31 and the cylinder 51.

A special-shaped bracket 53, preferably made of stainless steel wire, is adapted to be attached to the lower part of the first supporting section 19 in order to provide a V-shaped supporting element for the cable 55 of the separating cylinder, to which the milking equipment is connected in working position. Said V-shaped supporting element defines a stopping place for the ball 55a, which is connected to the cable 55 and on which the weight of the milking machine 15 to be released after the end of the milking lies, when the cable 55 is unwound. The ball 55a can be detached from the stopping place by moving the cable 55 in the direction opposite to the base 53a of said V-shaped seat 53, i.e. to the hollow body 17 of the supporting structure 11.

The design described above makes it possible for the milking device hanging from the cable 55 to be in this position due to its weight, the center of gravity of the milking device is below the handle section 21 and in the axial direction the device is aligned with said handle section 21, which, in its turn, provides high stability of the milking device. In addition, this feature gives an advantage during manual transportation of the milking device by the operator using the handle section 21 due to optimal balancing of the device relative to the axis of the handle section 21 captured by the operator. This advantage is achieved mainly due to the fact that section 21 of the handle grasped by the operator during transportation of the milking device is above the center of gravity of the milking device. Thus, the downward force of the weight helps in aligning the supporting structure 11 during its transportation, thus eliminating interfering lateral vibrations.

According to the invention, from the side relative to the arm section 21, at least one protruding portion 57a, 57b is provided in the first supporting section 19, which is directed to the second supporting section and has the function of supporting a bundle of milk hoses and pulsator pair hoses during transport of the mobile milking device from one milking place to another.

The presence of at least one, preferably two protruding portions 57a, 57b of preventing the dangerous creep of said hoses to the floor during transportation of the mobile milking unit from one milking site to another is helpful.

The supporting structure 11 further includes a hook 59, preferably made of bent stainless steel wire made of paired parallel wires, below attached to the body of the supporting structure 11 to the second supporting section 23 and bent at its upper part to form the semicircular end 59a of the hook 59, suitable for being supported by a horizontal pipe supporting a milking machine, represented, for example, by a LT milk line.

The supporting structure 11 according to the invention may further include preferably a protective cover 61 located between the hollow body 17 of the supporting structure 11 and the top of the separating cylinder 51. The cover 61 allows preventing dirt falling on top of the parts placed in the supporting structure 11 and located between the fixing plate 31 and cylinder 51.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the openings 27 and 29 are provided at opposite ends of the hollow body 17.

The opening 27 is preferably provided with a nipple 27a for connecting a rubber sleeve, provided at the opposite end with a connecting unit adapted to be quickly connected by pushing the tank 27 with the vacuum line of the milking system.

The opening 29 is then preferably equipped with a bayonet connector in order to hydraulically bind the device 13 in order to power the device 13 with the necessary vacuum reserve having a constant pressure; This is an essential condition for the optimal functioning of the device, especially the pulsator 13a. Said bayonet connector also allows the device 13 to be connected, for example, the pulsator 13a or the valve 13b, which is electronically controlled, to the second supporting section 23, in addition to establishing a hydraulic connection for supplying vacuum to the device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second support section is preferably provided with said holes 29, numbered positions 29a, 29b, each of which is provided with a bayonet connector and configured to be connected to the pulsator 13a and to the valve 13b, which is electronically controlled.

According to the invention, the supporting structure 11 and, accordingly, the hollow part 17, is preferably made using a method of blowing plastics. The supporting structure 11 and, accordingly, the hollow part 17, made of blown plastics is preferably made as a single part.

The design of the mobile milking device according to the invention, as described and illustrated, can be subjected to various modifications and can be carried out in various ways, being within the same inventive concept.

Claims (9)

1. The supporting structure (11) of the mobile milking device (15), made with the possibility of carrying at least one device (13), which requires connection to a pneumatic circuit under pressure below atmospheric pressure, while the supporting structure (11) includes a hollow body (17) in which the first support section (19) is formed in an annular tubular part, a handle section (21) that is located radially outside the annular tubular part forming the first support section (19) They are formed by a rectilinear part located radially outside the first annular tubular support section (19), and the second supporting section (23) connected to the first supporting section (19) by means of the handle section (21), the second supporting section (23) across the handle section (21), the handle section (21) and the second supporting section (23) together provide a substantially T-shaped arrangement, with cavities made in each of the sections intercommunicating to form a reservoir (25 ) when e the volume in the first supporting section (19) has an opening (27), which, in turn, is made with the possibility of connection with the vacuum circuit of the milking system, and in the second supporting section (23), an opening (29) is made, which, in turn, configured to connect with at least one device (13). 2. The supporting structure according to claim 1, in which the two straight tubular parts of the sections (21, 23) have their own longitudinal axes - coplanar and perpendicular. 3. Bearing structure according to claim 1, in which a fixing plate (31) is formed inside the annular tubular part, forming a flat front surface (33a) and a flat rear surface (33b), with which parts of a mobile milking unit can be connected. 4. The supporting structure according to claim 3, in which the fixing plate (31) includes metal inserts (45b), made with the possibility of connection with the corresponding holder (43), which can be a holder made of stainless steel wire, which is made with the ability to support and connect with the structural elements of the milking device. 5. The supporting structure according to claim 3, in which the fixing plate (31) is made integral with the hollow body (17) and surrounded by an annular tubular part, while the fixing plate (31), the recessed seat or niche (35) were located in the center designs (11) and are adapted to accommodate an electronic control device (37) for monitoring and controlling the milking device (15). 6. The supporting structure according to claim 3, in which a pair is made consisting of upper (47a) and lower (47b) brackets attached to the back surface (33b) of the fixing plate (31), which make fixing possible using screws (49) separating cylinder (51) to the hollow body (17) of the supporting structure (11), while the cylinder (51) is thus located in a plane parallel to the plane in which the supporting structure is located (11), while the cylinder (51) performs the function the protection of the parts that are placed on the back surface (33b) of the fixing plate (31) is advantageously venno placed between said fixing plate (31) and the cylinder (51). 7. The supporting structure according to claim 1, in which the volume of the cavities of the sections (19, 21, 23) differ from each other and form a single reservoir (25), the total volume of which is determined by the sum of the volumes of the said cavities. 8. Bearing structure according to claim 1, in which the hollow body (17) is made of blown plastics as a single part. 9. Mobile milking device, including at least one device (13), which requires its connection to a pneumatic circuit under pressure below atmospheric, characterized in that it includes a supporting structure according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8.

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