Animal husbandry – Milkers – Methods of milking
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-03
2001-06-12
Price, Thomas (Department: 3643)
Animal husbandry
Milkers
Methods of milking
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244215
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns an animal milking device. A example of a known milking device is disclosed in EP 0323875.
In the known device, the position of one of the teats is detected by a sensor system
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with sensors
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whereafter positioning means bring the teatcups one after the other under the respective teats and attach the teatcups around the teats. The disadvantage of the known device is that it is sometimes unclear in the control system which of the front teats has been detected by the sensor system. Another disadvantage is that the detected teat can be brought outside the most sensitive part of the detection field when a teatcup is brought under a teat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention aims to remove these disadvantages and thereto the sensor system comprises sensors for generating a detection field in at least two positions viewed breadthwise. By bringing the detection field in two breadth positions the front teats will be irradiated from at least two directions so that additional position-information is generated and the position of both front teats can be determined. Also one of the front teats can remain in the most sensitive part of the detection field during moving of the positioning means breadthwise when a teatcup is positioned under a teat.
In accordance with an embodiment the sensors are movable breadthwise relative to the positioning means. By making the sensors movable relative to the positioning means the detection field is moved in an easy way and simple sensors can be used. Also the movement can then be quick, so that the position of the cow and the teats is only little changed.
The invention also comprises a method in accordance with the preliminary part of claim
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. This method is known from the earlier mentioned document. The disadvantage of the known method is that it is not always clear from which front teats the position is determined by the sensors. In accordance with the invention for determining the position of a front teat the detection field is generated in at least two positions viewed breadthwise relative to the front teats. By moving the detection field the sensors can generate additional position information, so that the position of a front teat can be determined more accurately.
Also the invention comprises a method in accordance with the preliminary part of claim
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. This method is known from the earlier mentioned document. In the known method during attaching of the teatcups the movements of the cow are followed by means of sensors. This is done by following the movements of one of the front teats, after this front teat has been brought in the detection field. During the positioning of a teatcup under a teat which is not followed by the sensors the position of the teat that has been followed will change in regard to the positioning means and also in regard to the detection field. This causes the teat to move outside the most sensitive part of the detection field which results in a deteriorated measuring signal, which is a disadvantage. In accordance with the invention, during the attachment the detection field is moved breadthwise relative to the positioning means so that one of the two front teats remains in the more sensitive part of the detection field. This prevents the earlier mentioned disadvantage.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5524572 (1996-06-01), Dessing et al.
patent: 5909716 (1999-06-01), Van Der Lely et al.
patent: 5934220 (1999-08-01), Hall et al.
patent: 4113700 (1992-10-01), None
patent: 0300582 (1989-01-01), None
patent: 0323875 (1989-07-01), None
patent: 9400220 (1995-09-01), None
Price Thomas
Prolion B.V.
Webb Ziesenheim & Logsdon Orkin & Hanson, P.C.
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