WO2009151631A2

WO2009151631A2 - Operating device for a milker unit for a cow stall in a milking parlor

Info

Publication number: WO2009151631A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/003536
Authority: WO
Inventors: Derk Hensel; Heinz Josef Beiwinkel; Uwe Feddermann; Konrad Von Weichs; Goswin Haver; Larry G. Larson; Patrick M. Hein; Eric Stussy; Edward L. Knower
Original assignee: Gea Farm Technologies, Inc.
Priority date: 2008-06-13
Filing date: 2009-06-12
Publication date: 2009-12-17
Also published as: WO2009151631A3

Abstract

An operating device for operating a milking machine, with a holding device (1) for the milking machine, on which a pivotable service arm (2) is arranged, the end of which toward the holding device (1) is connected to the holding device (1) through a pivot (3), which has a rotary axis (R) that is directed at a solid angle to the vertical (Z) and on which a hauler (7) is guided moveably on which the milking machine is hung, characterized by the fact that the hauler is guided outside on the service arm through an eye (6) and that the service arm (2) is formed and arranged on the pivot (3) in such a way that its outer service arm end (21) away from the pivot describes a path of movement (C) upon pivoting that preferably has at least one upper dead point (T).

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 61/131,975, filed June 13, 2008.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention concerns a milking machine operating device for a milking station of a milking parlor and a process for its operation.

[0003] A generic milking machine take-off device and a generic process are known from WO 2004/23866 as well as from the patent applications that are parallel to this document and go back to the same priority.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The task of the invention is, starting from the generic device of

WO2004/23866, the solution of which has proven itself, to-improve the operation of the milking machine take-off device further and to simplify its structure.

[0005] The invention solves this task through the object of Claims 1, 2 and 13. Furthermore, it creates the process of Claim 14.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the subclaims. [0007] Claim 1 creates an operating device for the operation of a milking machine with a supporting device for the milking machine, on which a pivotable service arm is arranged, the end of which toward the supporting device is connected to the supporting device with a pivot having a rotary axis that is directed at an angle to the vertical and on which a hauler is guided moveably on which the milking machine is hung, whereby the hauler is guided outside on the service arm through an eye, and whereby the service arm is formed in such a way and is arranged on the pivot in such a way that the service arm can be swiveled from the milking position only after a certain minimum limiting force has been exceeded in a take-off position. [0008] This arrangement has several advantages. Thus, through the certain minimum limiting force it is assured that the service arm in the milking position assumes a defined stable position, from which it can be moved only by exceeding this force.

[0009] The guiding of the cable outside on the guide arm, moreover, assures in a simple manner that the service arm with the cable can exceed the limiting force. [0010] The invention can be realized according to an especially preferred embodiment by the fact that the outer service arm end away from the pivot when pivoted describes a path of movement that has at least one upper dead point. [0011] This embodiment has several advantages. Thus, through the chosen path of movement of the service arm end in the region of the eye, it is assured that the service arm assumes a defined stable position in the milking position, from which it can be moved only by a movement beyond the dead point, which again requires a minimum force.

[0012] The guiding of the cable outside on the guide arm also ensures in this variation that the service arm can describe this path of movement with its cable. [0013] According to an alternative embodiment, the limiting force to ensure the stable service arm position in the milking position can be realized by the fact that the service arm is stopped in the milking position.

[0014] According to an advantageous practical example of the invention, the eye at the end or near the end of the service arm is arranged or formed on it, since in this region the longest lever arm acting on the service arm with the hauler can be realized. Specifically, in this way an embodiment can be realized in which the service arm can be pivoted by a pulling in of the hauler from a milking position beyond the dead point. [0015] Preferably, the service arm goes beyond the dead point of the path of movement when pivoting between the milking position and at least one other operating position, especially when moving out of the milking position into the takeoff position after the removal of the milking machine and upon movement from a presentation position for a milker back into the milking position. [0016] Moreover, from the take-off position the service arm can be moved into a lowered position and from this back again through the presentation position into the milking position.

[0017] According to a further development, which can also be regarded as an invention by itself, a single actuating means is sufficient, especially a single vacuum or compressed air cylinder to activate the hauler. [0018] The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawing, as follows:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure Ia shows a front view of an operating device for a milking machine in the milking position; [0020] Figure Ib shows a side view of the operating device from Figure 1 with the side cover in the milking position emphasized;

[0021] Fig. Ic shows a front view of another embodiment of an operating device in the milking position;

[0022] Fig. Id shows a side view of the operating device from Figure Ic with the side cover in the milking position emphasized;

[0023] Figs. 2a and b show the operating device from Figure 1 in a take-off position;

[0024] Figs. 3a and b show the operating device from Figure 1 in a lowered position;

[0025] Figs. 3c and d show another embodiment of the operating device in a lowered position; [0026] Figs. 4a and b show the operating device from Figure 1 in a presentation position for the milker;

[0027] Figs. 5a and b show the operating device from Figure 1 without milking machine and with the path of movement of a service arm end of the operating device indicated with a line; and [0028] Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the service arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Figure 1 shows an operating device for a milking machine for milking of a milk-producing animal, that has a holding device 1 for the milking machine, which is designed so that it can be arranged on a milking station of a milking parlor not shown here, that has at least one or several milking stations, each of which is provided with one of the holding devices 1. The holding device 1 serves first of all for holding a service arm 2. However, it can assume other functions, too.

Specifically, it can be formed in a cabinet-like manner and hold control electronics

20 and it can also be designed as part of a partition between the milking stations. [0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the milking parlor is designed as a milking carousel - especially as an outer milking carousel - with a multiple number of milking stations. An outside milking carousel on which the operating devices according to Figures 1 to 4 can be arranged is represented for example in the applicant's own generic patent WO 2004/23866. In such an outer milking carousel, the cows stand with their heads directed radially towards the inside. Figure Ia shows correspondingly a view from a region outside the outer periphery of the milking carousel towards the operating device for the milking machine. [0031] The invention is not limited to the use of such a milking carousel, but can be also used in other types of milking parlors, for example, with a row of milking stations arranged next to one another.

[0032] Regarding the fundamental operation of the milking machine during milking, reference is made again to the already-mentioned WO 2004/23866. [0033] The service arm 2 is arranged on the holding device 1 of the operating device, the end of which toward the holding device 1 is connected to the holding device 1 so that it can be pivoted through a pivot 3.

[0034] The pivot 3 has here a central pivot pin (not visible here), which is connected immovably to the holding device 1 and carries a rotary sleeve 4 that is arranged rotatably on the pivot pin and has its own service arm 2. [0035] A preferably rotatable milk carousel floor on which the holding device is arranged is given reference number 5.

[0036] Furthermore, the pivot 3 has a rotary axis R that is directed at a solid angle to the vertical Z, whereby in the view of Figure Ia a first angle α between the vertical Z and the rotary axis R preferably lies between 10° and 60° (see Figure Ia) and in the view of Figure Ib a second angle β between the vertical Z and the rotary axis R preferably lies between 10° and 60° (see Figure Ia). [0037] For example, as can be seen in Figure 8 of WO 2004/023866, the rotary axis of the pivot of the service arm there is also directed correspondingly at an angle to the vertical. However, the service arm of the generic state of the art there is hereby arranged at an angle to the rotary sleeve in such a way that it can be swiveled horizontally outward from a milking position in which it is directed horizontally or essentially horizontally (see Figure 8 there) into a lowered (essentially vertical) position for lowering and optionally cleaning the milking machine (see Figure 10) outside the periphery of the milk carousel bottom, in such a way that the end of the service arm away from the pivot describes a path of movement which, starting from the highest horizontal position into the lowest vertical position describes a curved path continuously running vertically from the top toward the bottom. Since a hauler for lowering and lifting the milking machine goes through the inside of the service arm and exits axially from it at the end of the tubular service arm away from the pivot, the hauler follows within the service arm its path of movement. [0038] This arrangement is changed advantageously by the invention and thus further developed.

[0039] Let us mention first of all that the term used below "service arm end 21" is not to be defined too narrowly. It refers to an eye 6 that is arranged on or built into the end or near the end of the service arm and through which a chain or preferably a flexible pulling cable 7 is guided outside on the service arm 2 as pulling means on which the actual milking machine 8 is hung, which comprises at least one milk- collecting component 9, several milking cups 10 and a short milk tube 1 1 arranged between the milk-collecting component 9 and the particular milking cups 10. [0040] Figure 1 shows a so-called milking position in which the milk-collecting component is directed downward and the milking cup is directed upward. In this position the milking cups would be actually placed on the teats of the animals. In the state where they are not placed on the teats, the short milking tubes according to one embodiment could also bend down so that the vacuum suction process is interrupted. [0041] The pulling cable 7 is secured with one end on the milking machine 8 (on or near the milk-collecting component 9), runs from there through eye 6 outside on the service arm 2 to an opening 12, especially of a single- or multi-component pipe 13 through which the pulling cable 7 is guided into the inside of the holding device 1. There the pulling cable 7 is arranged on an actuating means with which the pulling cable 7 can be moved in order to pull the milking machine 8 into a position at least near the service arm end (in the take-off position of Figures 2a, 2b or in the presentation position for the milker in Figure 4) and to release it or let it down into a position that is further removed from the service arm end (the milking position of Figure Ia, Ib or the lowered position of Figure 3a, 3b). Preferably a vacuum- operated (or compressed-air-operated) actuating cylinder 14, called also take-off cylinder, is preferably used as an actuating means on which the hauler is secured and which here comprises a vertically moveable cylinder piston. [0042] According to Figures 1 to 4, the service arm 2 is formed and arranged on the pivot 3 in such a way that its outer service arm end away from the pivot 3 describes a path of movement C in which there is an upper dead point between the horizontal milking position and the vertical position, beyond which the outer service arm end must pass when the service arm is pivoted between the position of Figures 1 or 5 and the position of Figures 2 or 4. This dead point is designated by T in Figure 5. [0043] The path of movement C of the service arm end 21 with the upper vertical dead point T is definitely advantageous, since the service arm 2 is held in a defined position with the milking machine 8 as a result of the movement beyond the dead point in the horizontal or essentially horizontal direction of the milking position of Figure 1, from which the service arm with the milking machine 8, after the removal of the milking machine and when the milking machine 8 comes into contact with the eye 6, can be moved out again only actively, using a minimum force, to perform another movement beyond the dead point of the service arm 2 as a result of pull on the hauler 7 in the opposite direction. The stable position is important so that the milking machine can be positioned by the milker optimally to the udder of the animal to be milked. [0044] This can be realized in a simple manner by the fact that the service arm 2 is not, itself, straight but has a corresponding non-straight geometry between its end at the pivot 3 and the eye 6, for example an arc-shaped form. This ensures in a simple and advantageous manner that the milking machine 8 can be placed by the milker on the udder optimally free from collision without contact with the animal by the movement beyond the dead point, and that the animal can move freely. Moreover, it is conceivable that the service arm 2 can be made telescopic for even more optimal adjustment to the cow udder of the animal.

[0045] For example, a geometry shown in Figure 1 is conceivable in which the service arm for example is provided with three straight sections 15, 16, 17 that are connected to one another via bending joints 18, 19.

[0046] Moreover, the outside guidance of the hauler 7 on the actuating arm in the eye 6 is advantageous, because in this way by pulling in the hauler 7 the service arm 2 can perform the described movement beyond the dead point at least in one direction. [0047] Figure 1 shows the position in which the service arm 2 is moved into an essentially horizontal position, whereby the milking machine 8 is aligned in such a way that the milk-collecting component 9 points downward and its milking cup 10 points upward, whereby the latter, however, can, for example, be tilted slightly. [0048] This position is called milking position, in which the service arm 2 is pivoted into a position in the region between the back legs at the udder of the animal to be milked, so that the milking machine 8 is attached to the udder through the hind legs of the cow in order to milk the milk-producing animal. The hauler/pulling cable 7 is hereby maximally freed from the aerated vacuum take-off cylinder 14 in order to be able to be attached to the milking machine. [0049] In this milking position, the service arm 2 with the milking machine 8 is in a clearly-defined, stable position or location, in which the service arm can be moved in and out again only by going beyond the dead point T.

[0050] According to the preferred embodiment, this is achieved on the one hand by the fact that the eye 6 lies somewhat lower than the opening 12 of the pipe piece 13 on the holding device and, on the other hand, by the fact that the opening 12 of the pipe piece 13 lies further outside against the holding device higher in the vertical Z- direction and preferably in the radial X-direction relative to the holding device 1 than the pivot 3 does. For a milking parlor that is not designed as a milking carousel, this directional information applies correspondingly. [0051] At least the end section of the service arm 2 is hereby preferably directed horizontally or essentially horizontally so that the upper dead point T is crossed over and a milking position is assumed. In this position the hauler 7 is released long enough so that it applies no significant pulling forces on the udder of an animal to be milked. [0052] The gravitational action of the long milking tube, which is connected to the milk collection component 10, is compensated further by the fact that the long milk tube (LMS) is connected to a displaceable loop and is placed near the eye 6 (not shown here).

[0053] After the completion of the milking process, when, for example, the milking carousel has completed a predetermined rotation, the pivot 3 (compare Figure Ia and Figure 2a) is first rotated around approximately 50° with the milking machine 8 into a so-called "take-off position, whereby here the milk-collecting component 9 is rotated by 180° upward with respect to the position shown in Figure Ia (which is the case in the lowered position shown in Figure 3, when an intermediate disinfection is performed).

[0054] As such, in contrast to Figure 2, the short milking tubes (KMS) 11 protruding from the milk-collecting component 9 would have to point upward, whereby the short milking tubes 11 would be bent downward by the weight of the sleeves 12 themselves (see for example Figure 10 of WO 204/023 866 A2). [0055] The now-deaerated take-off vacuum cylinder 14 pulls the milking machine 8 at the hauler 7 from the udder from the milking position of Figure 1, by means of which the service arm 2 is pulled also and is pivoted beyond the dead point T into the take-off position of Figure 2. Hereby the service arm end also pivots radially above the edge of the milking parlor, hereby the bottom of the milking carousel 5, so far outward that the milking machine 8 can be lowered (Figures 2a, 2b).

[0056] Then the service arm 2 is lowered or further pivoted into its position illustrated in Figures 3a, b, whereby the hauler 7 is released or let down from the take-off cylinder. [0057] Hereby, the service arm 2 has the lowered position shown in Figure 3, pointing vertically downward, whereby the path of movement of the service arm 2 furthermore is such that the milking machine 8 is moved radially outside the peripheral edge of the milking carousel floor 5 (not shown). In this position of the service arm 2, which corresponds to the position of Figure 2, the milking machine 8 can be lowered vertically by another actuation of the cylinder, in order, for example, to be taken off and/or cleaned. The milking cup 12 again points downward here (as in the discussion of Figure 2) since again the position for the intermediate disinfection is represented. However, the disinfection is not the standard case for the object according to the invention. In the standard case the milk-collecting component 9 is rotated by 180° so that the short milk tubes 11 must point upward (see again Figure 10 of WO 2004/023 866 A2).

[0058] As can be seen from Figures 1 to 5, the alignment of the rotational axis R is unchanged during the movement of service arm 2.

[0059] Before lowering the milking machine 8, the service arm 2 can also assume another angular position easily (not shown here) which, however, lies near the position of Figure 2.

[0060] Before milking again, the hauler 7 is shortened and the service arm 2 is lifted up until it is located in the presentation position for the milker of Figure 4 (here shown without milking machine), who then sets the milking machine 8 again - as can be seen in Figure 1 - onto a cow, whereby the hauler is released and the service arm end is moved beyond the dead point T.

[0061] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, according to one variation of the invention, a single activating means is sufficient, here a single takeoff vacuum cylinder 14 to activate the hauler 7 in order to lower it or lift it up and to remove it from the cow-udder region. [0062] Fig. Ic and Id show another embodiment of the operating device. This operating device essentially corresponds to the embodiment of Figs. Ia and Ib. However, a holding or fixing device is provided which additionally ensures that the service arm 2 is securely held in the milking position, i.e. in the stable position beyond the dead point T. This holding device can be put into practice by different means. In the embodiment shown in Fig. Ic and Id, a vacuum cylinder 24 is provided. An additional pulling cable 23 can be fixed to the service arm 2, e.g. at an additional eye 22 on one end and to the vacuum cylinder 24 on the other end. [0063] By activating the vacuum cylinder 24 in the position shown in Figs. Ic and Id, the vacuum cylinder 24 excerts a pulling force on the pulling cable 23 and the service arm 2 which additionally secures the service arm 2 in the milking position. It is also possible to include a holding or fixing device to aid in securing the service arm 2 in other positions, such as the presentation position. It is a special advantage of the embodiment shown in Figs. Ic and Id that the vacuum cylinder 24 secures the service arm 2 in a dampening manner, e.g. in the event that a cow kicks at the service arm 2, the service arm 2 is not rigidly fixed, but the cylinder 24 would dampen the impact on the service arm 21.

[0064] In addition to this, in Figs. Ic and d and Fig. 3d, the hauler 7 is secured to the other side of the milking component 9. [0065] A stopper 25 on the hauler 7 can be provided to limit possible movement of the hauler 7 at the eye 6.

[0066] It is noted that Figs. 3a and 3b merely show the hauler 7 in a position in which a backflush can be carried out, i.e. it is possible in this position to clean the milking machine 8 e.g. with a fluid. In contrast to this, figures 3c and 3d show the hauler 7 and milking machine 8 in a more realistic lowered position. [0067] Fig. 6 shows an additional embodiment of the service arm 2. In this embodiment, an eye 6 is provided as a hole in a (plastic) piece 26 which is joined to an end 21 of the service arm 2, and which is so designed, that no sharp edges are provided.

[0068] The foregoing detailed description is provided for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations therefrom should be read into the following claims.

Claims

1. Operating device for operating a milking machine of a milk-producing animal, with a holding device (1) for the milking machine, on which a pivotable service arm (2) is arranged, the end of which pointing to the holding device (1) is connected to the holding device (1) with a pivot (3), that has a rotary axis ®, which is directed at a solid angle to the vertical (Z) and is guided moveably on the hauler (7) on which the milking machine is hung, characterized by the fact that the hauler is guided outside on the service arm by an eye (6) and that the service arm (2) is formed and arranged on the pivot (3) in such a way that the service arm can be pivoted into a take-off position from the milking position only after an exceeding of a certain minimum limiting force.

2. Operating device for operating a milking machine of a milk-producing animal, with a holding device (1) for the milking machine, on which a pivotable service arm (2) is arranged, the end of which toward the holding device (1) is connected to the holding device (1) with a pivot (3) which has a rotary axis (R) that is directed at a solid angle to the vertical (Z) and on which a hauler 7 is guided moveably on which the milking machine is hung or the operating device according to Claim 1, characterized by the fact that its outer service arm end (21) away from the pivot (3) describes a path of movement (C) upon pivoting, the path having an upper dead point (T).

3. Operating device according to Claim 1, characterized by the fact that the service arm is stopped in the milking position.

4. Operating device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by the fact that the eye (6) is arranged or formed at the end or near the end of the service arm (2).

5. Operating device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the service arm (2) can be pivoted by means of a pulling in of the hauler (7) from a milking position through the dead point (T).

6. Operating device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the service arm (2) goes beyond the dead point (T) of the path of movement (C) upon pivoting between the milking position and at least one other operating position, especially from the milking position into a take-off position and from a presentation position for a milker into the milking position.

7. Operating device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the service arm (2) can be pivoted from the take-off position into a lowered position and from the lowered position into the presentation position for the milker.

8. Operating device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the service arm (2) can be moved by means of a pulling in of the hauler (7) from the milking position beyond the dead point into the take-off position.

9. Operating device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the moveable hauler is a flexible pulling cable (7) or a chain.

10. Operating device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the actual milking machine (8) is hung onto the one end of the hauler and that this milking machine has at least one milk-collecting component (9), several milking cups (10) and a short milk tube (11) between the milk-collecting component (9) and the particular milking cups (10).

1 1. Operating device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the pivot (3) has a rotary sleeve (4) that is arranged rotatably on a pivot pin and that the rotary sleeve (4) carries the actual service arm (2).

12. Operating device for operating a milking machine of a milk-producing animal with a holding device (1) for the milking machine, on which a pivotable service arm (2) is arranged, whose end pointing to the holding device (1) is connected to the holding device (1) through a pivot (3) having a rotary axis ® that is directed at a solid angle to the vertical (Z) and on which a hauler (7) is guided moveably, on which the milking machine is hung, or operating device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the pulling cable (7) is attached at its one end to the milking machine (8) and from there runs through the eye (6) outside on the service arm (2) to an opening (12) on the holding device, through which the pulling cable (7) is guided into the holding device (1) and that the other end of the pulling cable (7) is arranged on an actuating means (14) with which the hauler (7) can be moved.

13. Operating device according to Claim 12, characterized by the fact that only a single actuating means is provided.

14. Operating device according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized by the fact that the actuating means is a vacuum cylinder (14).

15. Operating device according to one of the previous Claims 12 or 13, characterized by the fact that the actuating means is a compressed air cylinder.

16. Operating device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the service arm (2) has an arc-shaped form.

17. Operating device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the service arm (2) can be telescoped.

18. Operating device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the eye (6) lies deeper vertical than an opening (12) on a tube piece (13).

19. Operating device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the opening (12) of the tube piece (13) lies on the holding device higher in the vertical Z-direction and farther out in the radial X-direction relative to the holding device (1) than the pivot (3) does.

20. Method for operating an operating device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the service arm (2) is moved beyond the upper dead point (T) of a path of movement (C) upon pivoting in and out of a milking position.

21. The operating device of claim 1, and further comprising: a holding device having means for maintaining the service arm in the milking position.

22. The operating device of claim 1, and further comprising: a holding device comprising: a pulling cable joined to the service arm; and a pneumatic cylinder joined to the pulling cable, and the pneumatic cylinder biases the pulling cable and the service arm toward the milking position.

23. The operating device of claim 1 , and further comprising: a pulling cable joined to the service arm; a pneumatic cylinder joined to the pulling cable, the pneumatic cylinder for movement to a position that applies tension to the pulling cable and a dampening force on the service arm when the service arm is in the milking position.

24. The operating device of claim 1, and further comprising: a stopper joined to the hauler and in bearing engagement with the eye when the service arm is in the take-off position.

25. The operating device of claim 1, wherein the eye is formed of plastic.

26. The operating device of claim 1, and further comprising: a plastic piece joined to an end of the service arm, and the plastic piece defines the eye.