Abstract:
A time-of-flight (TOF) camera system for a robot milking system includes a housing accommodating a light source, imaging optics, an image sensor, and electronics; a front part including a light transparent window disposed in front of the light source and the imaging optics; and fasteners. The housing has a front side and a back side, and the front part has a front side and a backside, the surface of the front side being flat and including a front surface of the light transparent window. The fasteners releasably mechanically fasten the front part to the housing with the back side of the front part and the front side of the housing facing each other. The fasteners are maneuverable from the back side of the housing to fasten the front part to, and release the front part from, the housing, thereby enabling the front part to be replaceable.
Abstract:
A gripping device for a robotic manipulation device that grips and attaches teat cups to an animal. The gripping device for each teat cup to be gripped and attached includes a holding member configured to releasably hold a teat cup, and a power member configured to move the holding member from a base position (p1) to a raised position (p2) in which the teat cup can be attached to a teat. The gripping device for each teat cup to be gripped and attached includes a movable cover portion movably arranged between a covering position, in which it covers the opening of the teat cup, and a non-covering position, in which the opening of the teat cup is exposed. When power member lifts the holding member from the base position to the raised position, the movable cover portion moves from the covering position to the non-covering position.
Abstract:
A method is provided for a milking system including a moving device, milking stalls each provided with teat cups, an automatic teat cup attachment system, and an automatic teat cup returning system configured to return the teat cups to default storage positions subsequent to the milking. Current positions of the teat cups are, for each of the milking stalls, sensed after the teat cup returning system withdraws the teat cups, but before the automatic teat cup attachment system fetches the teat cups. The sensed positions of the teat cups are, for each of the milking stalls, compared with the default storage positions to determine whether the sensed current positions of the teat cups deviate from the default storage positions by at least a specified distance, and an action is performed when the sensed positions deviate from the default storage positions by at least the specified distance.
Abstract:
A teat cup shell (2) includes a substantially tubular body having a center axis (4). A plane (6) extending along the center axis (4) defines a first shell portion (8) and a second shell portion (10) on opposite sides of the plane (6). The first shell portion (8) includes a magnetic material, and an outer surface (12) adapted to abut against at least one surface of an electromagnetic device. The first shell portion (8) and the second shell portion (10) differ from each other with respect to material composition and/or material thickness. The amount of magnetic material in the first shell portion (8) is higher than in the second shell portion (10). Further, a teat cup and an arrangement for automatically milking animals includes at least one robot arm (32) adapted to attach the teat cup (16) to a teat of an animal.
Abstract:
A milking parlor and a method includes a rotary platform, plurality of milking stalls arranged on the rotary platform, a common milk line conducting milk from several milking stalls to a common milk tank, a local milk receiver for each milking stall and a valve member controlling the milk flow from the local milk receiver to the common milk line. The valve members are controlled such that all milk of acceptable quality from the local milk receiver is discharged, via the common milk line, to the common milk tank before milk of unacceptable quality is discharged from the local milk receivers to the common milk line during a milking period in the milking parlor between two following washing processes of the common milk line.
Abstract:
A milking parlour and a method includes a rotary platform, plurality of milking stalls arranged on the rotary platform, a common milk line conducting milk from several milking stalls to a common milk tank, a local milk receiver for each milking stall and a valve member controlling the milk flow from the local milk receiver to the common milk line. The valve members are controlled such that all milk of acceptable quality from the local milk receiver is discharged, via the common milk line, to the common milk tank before milk of unacceptable quality is discharged from the local milk receivers to the common milk line during a milking period in the milking parlour between two following washing processes of the common milk line.