Abstract
The invention relates to a milking unit comprising a milk collection part and at least two milk tubes that are connected to the milk collection part. At least one end of the milk tube has an essentially spherical clamping body, the central point of the clamping body being offset in relation to the longitudinal axis (S) of the milk tube and/or the clamping body having a channel with a mouth. The longitudinal axis (S) penetrates a plane, on which the cross-sectional surface of the mouth lies at an angle that is not equal to 90°.
Claims
1. A milking unit comprising: a plurality of milk hoses, each milk hose having a first end section and a second end section, and a substantially spherical clamping element integrally joined to the first end section; a milk collecting component having a plurality of coupling elements, and each coupling element includes a clamping jaw shaped to mate with a corresponding clamping element of a milk hose; and a clamping unit releasably secured to the first end section of at least one milk hose to exert a force on the clamping element to set and secure an orientation of the at least one milk hose first end section at a fixed angle relative to a vertical plane and create an essentially fluid-tight connection between the milk hose clamping element and the milk collecting component coupling element.
2. The milking unit according to claim 1, wherein the first end section of at least one milk hose has an outer surface shaped to substantially correspond to a shape of a corresponding coupling element.
3. The milking unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one milk hose is oriented at an angle to the milk collecting component and is releasably connected to the milk collecting component in a predetermined orientation.
4. The milking unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one milk hose is selectively oriented relative to the milk collecting component.
5. The milking unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one milk hose is selectively oriented relative to the milk collecting component and releasably connected to the milk collecting component in the selected orientation.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a milking appliance,
(2) FIG. 2 shows in section an exemplary embodiment of a clamping connection,
(3) FIG. 3 shows in section the configuration of a clamping connection with a clamping unit,
(4) FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically the pivotability of milk tubes in one plane,
(5) FIG. 5 shows in perspective a first exemplary embodiment of a milk tube with a spherical clamping body,
(6) FIG. 6 shows the milk tube according to FIG. 5 in a front view,
(7) FIG. 7 shows the milk tube according to FIG. 6 in section,
(8) FIG. 8 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a milk tube in a perspective view,
(9) FIG. 9 shows the milk tube according to FIG. 8 in a front view,
(10) FIG. 10 shows the milk tube according to FIG. 9 in section,
(11) FIG. 11 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a milk tube in section,
(12) FIG. 12 shows the milk tube according to FIG. 11 with a clamping unit,
(13) FIG. 13 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a milk tube in a front view,
(14) FIG. 14 shows the milk tube according to FIG. 13 in a perspective view,
(15) FIG. 15 shows in a perspective view a milk collection piece with milk tubes,
(16) FIG. 16 shows an exemplary embodiment of the milk tube according to FIG. 15,
(17) FIG. 17 shows a clamping unit in a top view,
(18) FIG. 18 shows the clamping unit according to FIG. 17 in a perspective view,
(19) FIG. 19 shows the milk collection piece with milk tubes in a sectional view,
(20) FIG. 20 shows the milk collection piece with milk tubes according to FIG. 19 diagrammatically in a top view,
(21) FIG. 21 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a milk tube in a sectional view,
(22) FIG. 22 shows the milk tube with a clamping unit in a perspective view,
(23) FIG. 23 shows the milk tube according to FIG. 22 in section,
(24) FIG. 24 shows a clamping jaw in a top view,
(25) FIG. 25 shows the clamping jaw according to FIG. 24 in a perspective view from below,
(26) FIG. 26 shows the clamping jaw according to FIG. 24 in a perspective view from below,
(27) FIG. 27 shows a carrying body,
(28) FIG. 28 shows in a perspective view a further exemplary embodiment of a milk tube,
(29) FIG. 29 shows the milk tube according to FIG. 28 in a side view,
(30) FIG. 30 shows the milk tube according to FIG. 28 in section,
(31) FIG. 31 shows in a perspective view a further embodiment of a milk tube,
(32) FIG. 32 shows the milk tube according to FIG. 31 in a side view, and
(33) FIG. 33 shows a sectional view of the milk tube according to FIG. 31.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(34) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a milking appliance for the milking of cows. The milking appliance comprises milking cups 1 which have teat liners 2. Milk tubes 3 are connected to the milking cups. The opposite ends of the milk tubes 3 are connected to a milk collection piece, not illustrated, so as to be adjustable in relation to the milk collection piece. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the connection of the milk tubes 3 to the milk collection piece is a clamping connection.
(35) There is the possibility that not all the milk tubes are connected to the milk collection piece by means of clamping connections. There is the possibility that different clamping connections are provided for the connection between the milk tubes and the milk collection piece. Furthermore, there is the possibility that only a predetermined number of the milk tubes are connected to the milk collection piece in an articulated manner. Thus, for example, two milk tubes may be connected to the milk collection piece in an articulated manner, while the other two milk tubes are connected rigidly to the milk collection piece.
(36) Moreover, the clamping connections between the milk tubes and the milk collection piece may be designed such that the pivotability of individual or a plurality of milk tubes in relation to one another is configured differently.
(37) In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the milk tubes 3 are designed in each case with a clamping connection. The clamping connection 5 has a first clamping jaw 6 and a second clamping jaw 8. The second clamping jaw 8 is formed on the milk collection piece, not illustrated. A correspondingly shaped spherical clamping body 7 engages into the clamping jaw 8. A clamping unit 4 is provided for detaining the joint. The first clamping jaws 6 are connected to the clamping unit 4. There is the possibility that a separate clamping unit 4 is provided for each clamping connection between a milk tube 3 and the milk collection piece. There is also the possibility, however, that some or all of the clamping connections are detained by means of one common clamping unit.
(38) A clamping connection between a milk tube 3 and a milk collection piece is illustrated diagrammatically and in section in FIG. 2. The connection has a clamping jaw 8 in which the spherical clamping body 7 is arranged. A spherical clamping body in the meaning of the invention may also be formed by a ball or a spherical element which is connected fluidically to the milk tube. The spherical clamping body may be a separate component which is connected positively and/or non-positively to the milk tube. However, a configuration is preferred in which the spherical clamping body is an integral constituent of the milk tube 3, as is clear from FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.
(39) By means of the clamping connection, the angle A can be set in a vertical plane. In light of the fact that the clamping connection has three degrees of freedom, this affords the possibility of achieving an exact orientation of the milk tube and therefore also of the milking cup.
(40) For detention and for fluid-tight connection between the milk tube 3 and the milk collection piece, not illustrated in FIG. 2, a force F.sub.p is exerted on the spherical clamping body 7.
(41) It is clear from the illustration according to FIG. 2 that the diameter of the spherical clamping body 7 is larger than the outside diameter of the milk tube. The diameter of the spherical clamping body preferably corresponds approximately to 1.2 to 3 times the outside diameter of the milk tube. It became apparent that it is particularly advantageous if the diameter of the spherical clamping body corresponds preferably to about 1.4 times the outside diameter of the milk tube. If the clamping body consists of a thermoplastic, the selected diameter of the clamping body may even be smaller than the diameter of the milk tube.
(42) The longitudinal axis of the milk tube 3 is designated by reference symbol S. Reference symbol M identifies the center of the spherical clamping body 7. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the center M of the spherical clamping body 7 lies on the longitudinal axis S, so that the milk tube has, at least in the region of the clamping connection, an essentially rotationally symmetrical design.
(43) FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a clamping connection between a milk tube 3 and a milk collection piece, not illustrated. The milk collection piece has a second clamping jaw 8 into which a spherical clamping body 7 engages. The spherical clamping body 7 is connected to the milk tube 3. It is clear from the illustration according to FIG. 3 that the center M of the spherical clamping body does not lie on the longitudinal axis S of the milk tube 3. This is displaced upward, that is to say away from the milk collection piece, not illustrated. The configuration of the clamping jaw is preferably such that this has as large an orifice as possible and as defined a small sealing surface as possible is present.
(44) The clamping jaw and the spherical clamping body are preferably designed fluidically such that the flow resistance is as low as possible. The clamping jaw may have corresponding guide surfaces by means of which the flowing milk experiences a preferential flow direction from the milk tube into the milk collection piece.
(45) The spherical clamping body and/or the clamping jaw may be provided with microstructures and/or macrostructures, by means of which the spherical clamping body and the clamping jaw can be pivoted in discrete steps in relation to one another. The microstructures and/or macrostructures may be formed by corresponding projections and recesses.
(46) It is clear from FIG. 3 that the clamping connection can be detained by means of a clamping unit. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the clamping unit 4 has a carrying body 24 provided with corresponding clamping jaws 6, although this is not necessary, but is still advantageous. In this case, via the clamping unit 4, a force is exerted on the spherical clamping body 7 and gives rise to a fluid-tight connection between the spherical clamping body 7 and the clamping jaw 8 on the milk collection piece. The clamping jaws 8 may be connected pivotably, preferably rotatably, to the carrying body 24, so that the clamping jaws can assume different positions, specifically independently of the position of the carrying body 24. Any manufacture-induced tolerances can thereby also be compensated.
(47) By the clamping unit 4 being released, individual or all connections can be freed, so that an adjustability of individual or all milk tubes with respect to one another and to the milk collection piece is achieved. FIG. 4 shows a top view of milk tubes 5 which are oriented differently from one another, so that an optimal setting for the animals to be milked is achieved. Reference symbols H1 and H2 designate angles about which the individual milk tubes can be deflected.
(48) FIGS. 5 to 7 show an embodiment of a milk tube 3. The milk tube 3 has at one end a spherical clamping body 7. The center of the spherical clamping body 7 does not lie on the longitudinal axis S of the milk tube, and therefore a greater overlap by a clamping unit which introduces the sealing force into the spherical clamping body 7 is achieved. Furthermore, it is clear from the illustration according to FIG. 7 that the outlet 9 in the spherical clamping body 7 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis S. What can be achieved thereby is that the diameter of the spherical clamping body can be reduced, while a sufficiently large overlap with the clamping jaw can be achieved.
(49) FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate yet a further exemplary embodiment of a milk tube. The milk tube 3 has a spherical clamping body 7. The spherical clamping body 7 has a region 10 which is of essentially cylindrical design. A groove 11 is provided within the region 10. The groove 11 ensures that at least the spherical clamping body 7 can be removed more easily from the mold. Furthermore, a recess 12 is provided, into which a correspondingly complementary part can be introduced, with the result that the milk tube can be secured in a defined position on the milk collection piece.
(50) A corresponding projection which is formed on the clamping jaw may also engage into the groove 11. If the projection engages into the groove, the milk tube can assume a predetermined defined position. If the clamping jaw is pivotable, preferably rotatable, the clamping jaw, together with the milk tube, is positioned via the clamping body. This ensures that the outlet orifice is always in a permissible position.
(51) FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a further exemplary embodiment of a milk tube according to the invention. The milk tube 3 has an essentially spherical clamping body 7. The clamping body 7 has a region 10. The region forms a surface area 34 which is of essentially elliptic design. The center of the spherical clamping body 7 is spaced apart upwardly from the longitudinal axis of the milk tube in terms of the illustration in FIG. 11. This leads to a markedly better overlap of the ball from above, the ball diameter being the same. This is especially desirable and advantageous for as large a latitude of movement as possible in the region of the sealing surface. Thus, a central introduction of force in the direction of the axis of symmetry of the clamping jaw on the milk collection piece, said clamping jaw serving as a second sealing surface, is ensured in a large number of positions. The elliptic shape affords the advantage that the clamping body becomes narrower laterally, this being better for the dimensioning of the clamping unit.
(52) At the same time, since the larger radius of the ellipse is directed upward, the supporting margin of the clamping body in the region of the highest load which occurs when a teat cup is connected to the milk tube and hangs down is larger in the region of engagement of the clamping jaw of the clamping unit than in the case of a simple cylindrical region 10. Thus, the risk of the clamping body slipping out from the clamping jaw under load is minimized. The milk tube may be produced in one piece with a teat liner.
(53) FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a further exemplary embodiment of a clamping connection between a milk tube and a milk collection piece. The milk collection piece is provided with a connection 13 which has a sealing seat 14. The milk tube 3 has a clamping body 15 which is of essentially cylindrical design. The longitudinal axis of the clamping body 15 runs essentially coaxially with respect to the axis of articulation G. The sealing seat 14 has a geometry adapted to the clamping body 15. It is clear from the illustration according to FIG. 11 or 12 that the longitudinal axis S of the milk tube 3 intersects the axis of articulation G at an angle A. By the milk tube 3 being pivoted about the axis of articulation G, the position of the milking cup can be varied.
(54) The clamping body 15 is preferably designed to be at least partly elastic. By a clamping force F.sub.p being applied to a clamping unit 8, on the one hand, the clamping body 15 is detained in a predetermined position and, on the other hand, a fluid-tight connection is made between the clamping body and the connection 13. The connection 13 preferably has a peripheral collar 16, against which part of the surface area of the clamping body 15 can come to bear when the latter is acted upon by the clamping force F.sub.p, with the result that the fluid-tight connection between the clamping body 15 and the connection 13 can be improved even further. The clamping body 15 may be connected releasably to the milk tube. A configuration is preferred in which the clamping body and the milk tube are produced in one piece. In this case, the clamping body may be formed from a material other than that of the milk tube.
(55) The cylindrical configuration of the clamping body 15 constitutes a preferred embodiment of the clamping body. This is not absolutely necessary. The clamping body may also have a polygonal cross section. If appropriate, the connection 13 has a shape adapted to the polygonal cross section, so that an adjustability of the milk tube or a pivotability of the clamping body 15 about the axis of articulation G can take place in predetermined angle steps. The angle steps may all be identical or different.
(56) Yet a further embodiment of a milk tube 3 with a clamping body 15 is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. The milk tube 3 has a clamping body 15 of essentially disk-shaped design. To limit the pivot angle about the axis of articulation G, a stop 17 is provided which is pivotable between two stops, not illustrated, formed on the milk collection piece. To secure the milk tube, a clamping unit, not illustrated, may be provided, which is of essentially annular design, so that this clamping unit exerts a clamping force on the clamping body 15. Within the annularly designed clamping unit, corresponding clearances may be provided, through which the stop 17 extends. An angle setting can thereby be carried out in discrete steps. The clearances in the clamping unit of essentially annular design may be produced by being stamped out.
(57) FIG. 19 shows an exemplary embodiment of a milk collection piece 23 together with milk tubes 3. The milk tubes 3 are secured to the milk collection piece 23 via one common clamping unit 4. The milk tubes 3 are pivotable about corresponding axes of articulation G.
(58) It is clear particularly from FIG. 21 that the milk tube 3 has a curved segment 18. That end region of the milk tube 3 which is adjacent to the curved segment has a clamping body 19 which is brought to bear against the milk collection piece indirectly or directly. The clamping body 19 co-operates with the clamping unit 4, so that a fluid-tight connection is made between the milk tube 3 and the milk collection piece 23 when a sufficient clamping force is applied to the clamping body 19 via the clamping unit 4.
(59) The clamping body 19 may have at least one radially outward-directed projection which projects into a corresponding clearance in the clamping unit, the extent of the clearance being greater than the width of the projection, as seen in the circumferential direction, so that a pivotability of the milk tube is limited within a specific angular range.
(60) FIGS. 17 and 18 show an embodiment of a clamping unit 4. The clamping unit 4 has passages 20. A milk tube 3 extends through a passage 20. It is clear from the illustration according to FIG. 17 that, at the center of the clamping unit 4, a passage bore 21 is provided, by which a connecting means, not illustrated, can be connected to the milk collection piece.
(61) The pivotability of the milk tubes 3 is illustrated in FIG. 19 or 20. The milk tubes may be correspondingly oriented individually. Owing to the configuration of the clamping unit, a plurality of milk tubes can be oriented correspondingly even in one operation.
(62) The curved segment 18 of the milk tube 3 has a radius of curvature R. Different radii of curvature R may be provided. Thus, for example, a pair of milk tubes connecting milking cups for milking the front teats may have different radii of curvature from the milk tubes connecting milking cups for the rear teats.
(63) For an even further improvement in adjustability, the milk tube 3 may also have a plurality of curved segments, as is clear from FIG. 21.
(64) It is illustrated, further, in FIG. 21 that an end segment of the milk tube 3 is equipped with an adapter 22 which forms a clamping body.
(65) By virtue of the invention, essentially no forces or moments are introduced into the teats or into the udder bottom by the milking cups. The milking behavior of the animals is thereby influenced positively.
(66) Yet a further configuration of a clamping connection is illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23. The milk tube 3 has an asymmetrically designed clamping body 15. The clamping jaw surrounds the clamping body 15.
(67) At least one milk tube is formed from an elastic material. This may be, for example, silicone (LSR or HTV), liner or TPE. The milk tube may be produced in one piece, preferably in one part, with a teat liner.
(68) FIGS. 24 to 26 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a clamping jaw 8. The clamping jaw 8 has a reception space 25 which serves for receiving at least part of a clamping body. The reception space has a shape which is adapted to the shape of the clamping body. It is clear from the illustration in FIGS. 27 and 28 that the clamping jaw 8 has a projection 26 which, in the mounted state, engages into a corresponding recess which, for example, may take the form of a groove 11. The projection 26 is of essentially wedge-shaped design in the exemplary embodiment illustrated.
(69) The clamping jaw 8 has a perforation 27. The perforation 27 is designed such that it is adapted to the outer contour of a milk tube. In the mounted state, a milk tube extends through the perforation 27. The shape and configuration of the perforation 27 influence the position of the milk tube in relation to the milk collection piece. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the perforation 27 is of essentially C-shaped design. The milk tube can be led through the open side of the C-shaped perforation 27, so that the clamping body can engage into the reception space 25 of the clamping jaw 8. The mounting of the clamping jaw 8 together with the milk tube which has a clamping body is thereby simplified.
(70) The clamping jaw 8 can be connected to a carrying body by means of a releasable latching connection. The clamping jaw 8 has on its top side a depression 28 which delimits a connecting element 29. The connecting element 29 engages into a corresponding receptacle of a carrying body. The receptacle is designated by reference symbol 30 in FIG. 27 which illustrates the carrying body 29. It is clear from the illustration in FIGS. 24 and 26 that a latching element 32 is provided which co-operates with a correspondingly designed latching means 33 of the carrying body 31. The latching connection is designed releasably so that the carrying body 31 can be provided with differently formed clamping jaws 8.
(71) FIGS. 28 to 30 show a further exemplary embodiment of a milk tube 3. The milk tube 3 has a clamping body 7. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the clamping body 7 is of two-part design. It has an upper spherical cap part 35 and a lower spherical cap part 36. It is clear from the illustration particularly according to FIG. 31 that the diameter of the spherical cap part 35 is smaller than the diameter of the lower spherical cap part 36 so that a margin 41 is formed. The axes of the two cap parts 35, 36 lie on one common straight line. It can be seen from the illustration according to FIG. 31 that the parting plane between the two spherical cap parts 35, 36 or the margin 41 is inclined at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis S of the milk tube.
(72) It can be gathered, further, from the illustration according to FIG. 30 that the outlet 9 of the duct 42 lies in a plane which is penetrated by the longitudinal axis S of the milk tube at an angle different from 90°. The imaginary plane is illustrated by dashes in FIG. 30.
(73) Yet a further exemplary embodiment of a milk tube 3 may be gathered from FIGS. 31 to 33. The basic set-up of the milk tube 3, as illustrated in FIGS. 31 to 33, corresponds essentially to the set-up of the milk tube 3 according to FIGS. 28 to 30.
(74) The embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 31 to 33, differs from the exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 28 to 30, in that the milk tube has adjacently to the clamping body 7 radially outward-directed projections 38 which extend from the clamping body 7 over part of the length of the milk tube 3. Preferably two projections 38 are provided which are formed so as to be offset at 180° with respect to one another. The projections 38 essentially prevent a bending of the milk tube 3 in the region where the projections are located. The wall thickness in the region of the projections is greater than in the other region of the milk tube, with the result that the rigidity of the milk tube is further increased in this region. Other measures may also be expedient.
(75) It can be seen, further, from the illustration in FIGS. 31 to 33, that a notch 39 is provided adjacently to the lower spherical body 36. By means of this notch 39, possible deformations which may occur due to bending or pulling are restricted to the region of the notch. What is achieved by this notch is that a deformation is not introduced into the clamping body, this being advantageous particularly when the clamping body together with the milk tube is formed integrally from one material. By the avoidance of deformation introduced into the clamping body, this also prevents the sealing surfaces of the clamping body 7 from being deformed, and therefore increased leak tightness is achieved.
(76) It is clear from FIGS. 31 and 33 that a clearance 40 is provided in the clamping body 7 in the region of the outlet 9. The clearance 40 ensures that, for example during a flushing operation, and depending on the position of the milk tube in relation to the milk collection piece, no cleaning fluid is left behind in the milk collection piece, but, instead, would flow back into the milk tube. The clearance 40 ensures that cleaning fluid can flow into the milk tube irrespective of the position of the clamping body in relation to a milk collection piece.
