Animal husbandry – Milkers – Teat compressor or cup
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-12
2001-08-07
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Milkers
Teat compressor or cup
C119S014080
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269767
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The subject matter of the present invention relates to an apparatus for applying at least one teat cup to a teat of an animal, in particular a cow.
For mechanically applying at least one teat cup to a teat of an animal, in particular a cow, a large variety of configurations of such apparatus have been developed. EP 0 300 115 B1 discloses an apparatus for applying at least one teat cup to a teat of an animal, which comprises sensors for locating the position of the teat as well as a movable positioning arm for applying at least one teat cup. The location of at least one teat occurs such that a sensor unit initially performs a coarse positioning of the positioning arm. Thereafter, additional sensors perform a fine positioning of the positioning arm. Once the teat is found, the teat cup is applied.
The sensors may be ultrasound sensors or optical sensors. Since the sensors are arranged within a reach of contamination, there is the risk that contamination reduces the sensitivity of the sensors, so that more time is required for locating a teat.
EP 0 191 517 B1, EP 0 258 938 B1, as well as EP 0 551 960 B1 disclose apparatus for applying at least one teat cup. These apparatus are intended to facilitate a coarse positioning of the positioning arm in that the freedom of movement of the animal in a milking compartment is reduced by blocking means. The animal occupies in the milking compartment a predetermined, forced position, which the animal is unable to change while at least one teat is being located. This forced position of the animal in the milking compartment may lead to a decrease in the milk output of the animal, since the animal is exposed by its forced position in the milking compartment to an increased stress situation.
EP 0 630 564 A2 discloses an apparatus for applying at least one teat cup, which comprises a sensor arrangement with at least one sensor unit adapted for contacting a rear body part of the animal. The sensor unit extends in the longitudinal direction of the milking compartment and is thus displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the animal, so that the animal is able to move inside the milking compartment. The sensor arrangement follows the movement of the animal. The positioning arm is rigidly connected to the sensor arrangement via a frame. The positioning arm is forced to follow the movement of the sensor arrangement. The sensor arrangement is arranged on a crossarm, which is adapted for swiveling about a substantially vertically extending axle. To make it possible for an animal to enter the milking compartment, it is necessary to swing the crossarm out of the milking compartment. This requires adequate space for being able to perform the swinging motion.
Based on the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to improve the known apparatus for applying at least one teat cup such that a coarse positioning of the positioning arm is simplified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by the provision of an apparatus for applying at least one teat cup to a teat of an animal, in particular a cow, which comprises a sensor arrangement, which includes at least one sensor unit. The sensor unit is adapted for coming into contact with a rear body part of the animal. The apparatus also comprises an application device, which includes at least one positioning arm for applying at least one teat cup to a teat of the animal and a positioning device for locating at least one teat and for positioning the positioning arm. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a controller that connects to the positioning device.
The sensor arrangement comprises a measuring device connected to the sensor unit. The sensor arrangement is stationarily arranged with respect to a reference position. However, the sensor unit is adapted for changing its position along with the movement of an animal. The measuring device measures a change of position of the sensor unit with respect to the reference position. The measuring device connects to the controller, which includes an evaluation unit. In the evaluation unit, the measurement is evaluated, which has been carried out by the measuring device. The result of the evaluation is used for a coarse positioning of the positioning arm. Between the sensor arrangement and the positioning device, in particular the positioning arm, there is no mechanical connection, so that the sensor unit is movable independently of the positioning arm. Contrary to the disclosure of EP 0 630 564 A2, it is thus made possible to realize a greater capability of the sensor unit responding to possible movements of the animal. Since the positioning arm does not mechanically connect to the sensor unit, lesser masses are to be moved.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, it is proposed to adapt the sensor unit for pivoting movement about an axle. Preferably, the sensor unit is pivoted about a substantially horizontally extending axis which is defined by the axle. In this connection, the substantially horizontally extending axis is arranged preferably such that it is located at a distance spaced above the floor. With this arrangement, it is also accomplished that dirt-sensitive parts of this sensor arrangement are arranged outside of the reach of dirt. The fact that the axis extends horizontally and at a distance above the floor simplifies access of an animal to a milking compartment, since it is possible to swing the sensor arrangement upward out of the milking compartment, thereby reducing likewise the space requirement. In addition to a horizontally extending axis, the sensor unit may also be adapted for pivoting about a substantially vertically extending axis, thereby permitting further improvement in the accuracy of the coarse positioning of the animal within a milking compartment.
Preferably, the apparatus of the present invention is constructed with a sensor unit that comprises at least one substantially bar-shaped scanning element. Preferred, however, is an apparatus, wherein the sensor unit is formed by a U-shaped bracket. The U-shaped bracket ensures that the sensor unit can also be reliably brought into contact with a rear body part of the animal. The U-shaped bracket also permits transmitting in a relatively simple manner a deflection of the sensor unit about a substantially vertically extending axis.
According to a yet further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus, it is proposed to provide the bracket with legs, which connect to the axle. Preferably, the legs are constructed substantially parallel to each other. The spacing between the legs is smaller than an inside width of a milking compartment.
The measuring device preferably is an angle measuring instrument, which measures a deflection of the sensor unit about the pivoted axis. Preferably, the angle measuring device is a digitally operating angle measuring instrument, so that the digital signals of the angle measuring instrument can be supplied to the evaluation unit of the controller. In the evaluation unit, the relative position of the animal with respect to the reference position is determined on the basis of the measured deflection of the sensor unit.
The measuring device may also be a displacement measuring device, which measures a distance, by which the sensor unit is deflected from the reference position. The displacement measuring device may be, for example, an inductively operating displacement measuring device.
According to a yet further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus, it is proposed to provide the sensor arrangement with an actuation unit, which connects to the sensor unit in such a manner that the sensor unit lies against a rear body part of the animal with a predetermined force. The force is selected such that the animal does not negatively respond to the contact of the sensor unit. The sensor unit contacts the animal under the predetermined force even during a movement of the animal.
Preferably, the actuation unit is connected to the axle.
Hoppe Friedhelm
Kimm Kurt
Abbott Yvonne R.
Alston & Bird LLP
Jordan Charles T.
Westfalia Landtechnik GmbH
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