JPH0335886B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing milking characteristics of dairy cows in dairy cow management, and a milking characteristics diagnosing device directly used in the method.

[Background technology and its problems]

When milking a dairy cow using a milking machine, management of milking characteristics (including milking amount characteristics and milking time characteristics) is important from the viewpoint of cow body protection, milking efficiency, etc.

Generally, the milking amount is controlled using a so-called milk meter, and the milking time is also controlled by a separate worker who measures the necessary time from the start of milking using a stopwatch, etc. The end of milking is indicated by an indicator or the like by a milking end control device disclosed in, et al.

However, with this type of control method, the milking amount and milking time are managed separately, so it may not be possible to accurately monitor the flow of milk if, for example, it takes a long time from the start of milking to the flow of milk due to temporary factors. It was not possible to control the process, and it was not possible to accurately check the empty squeezing time, etc. Furthermore, since it is not possible to accurately diagnose the overall milking characteristics of individual dairy cows, it has not been possible to adequately address issues such as safety management of dairy cows, renewal of dairy cows, and milking efficiency.

[Means for solving problems]

The object of the present invention is to provide a novel method and apparatus for diagnosing milking characteristics of dairy cows, which solves the problems existing in the background art described above.

First, the method for diagnosing milking characteristics of dairy cows according to the present invention detects the flow rate of milk during milking, and detects the initial time when the flow rate exceeds a predetermined flow rate from the start of milking and/or the time when the flow rate falls below a predetermined flow rate near the end of milking. The characteristics of dairy cows, such as milking time characteristics, are diagnosed based on the final time of milking.

Moreover, such a method for diagnosing milking characteristics can be carried out by the following milking characteristics diagnosing device 1. The device 1 uses a flow rate detection means 2 for detecting the flow rate of milk, and compares an actual flow rate value D1 obtained from the flow rate detection means 2 with a reference flow rate value D2 set in advance. (or) a flow rate value comparison means 3 that detects a measurement point when the flow rate becomes equal to or less than the reference flow rate value D2;
It is characterized by being equipped with a timer 4 that measures the elapsed time between each measurement point including the milking start point, and a display means 5 that displays this elapsed time.

[Effect]

Next, the operation of the present invention will be explained.

First, the method of the present invention detects the flow rate of milk during milking and grasps the flow rate. Then, the milking characteristics of the cow are diagnosed based on the initial time when the flow rate reaches a predetermined flow rate, which is a stable state, and the final time when the flow rate drops below a predetermined flow rate, which breaks the stable state. For example, if the initial time is short, , or when the time from the initial time to the final time is short, the cow is diagnosed as a good cow.

Therefore, the device 1 of the present invention detects the flow rate of milk by the flow rate detection means 2 to obtain an actual flow rate value D1,
The measured flow rate value D1 and the reference flow rate value D2 are compared by the flow rate value comparison means 3. Then, the measurement point at which the measured flow rate D1 becomes equal to or higher than and/or lower than the reference flow rate D2, which is a stable state, is detected, and the timer 4 activated from the milking start point is used to detect the next point from the milking start point. Measure the elapsed time to the measurement point, the elapsed time from the measurement point to the next measurement point,
The display means 5 visually displays these elapsed times to the outside. Note that this elapsed time is the actual milking time, and thereby the milking time characteristics of each dairy cow can be accurately grasped.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block circuit diagram of the milking characteristics diagnostic device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the functions of the device, Fig. 3 is a time chart of each element, and Fig. 4 is a diagram of the milking characteristics diagnostic device according to the present invention. Fig. 5 is an external perspective view of a milking machine equipped with the milking characteristic diagnosing device, and Fig. 6 is an external front view of the milking characteristic diagnosing device. FIG. 7 is a front view of a display section showing another embodiment of the same device.

First, the configuration of the milking characteristics diagnostic device 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

10 is a control circuit. An operation circuit 11 is connected to the control circuit 10. A start switch 12, a stop switch 13, a mode changeover switch 14, and a power switch 15 are connected to the operation circuit 11, and the status of each switch is inputted to the control circuit 10 through the operation circuit 11.

Further, 16 is a flow rate detection circuit, and this circuit 1
6 is connected to a pair of electrodes 17a and 17b. Each electrode 17a, 17b is attached to the milking line and the electrical resistance value of milk is measured by passing a current between the two electrodes.
The means disclosed in the publication can be used. The flow rate detection circuit 16 and each electrode 17a, 17b constitute the flow rate detection means 2. Note that since the electrical resistance value of milk changes inversely to the flow rate of milk as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the flow rate detection circuit 16
From there, the measured flow rate value D1 corresponding to the flow rate is supplied to the flow rate value comparison circuit 18. On the other hand, a preset reference flow rate value D2 is provided to the flow rate value comparison circuit 18 from the control circuit 10, and the two flowmeters D1 and D2 are compared in the same circuit 18. Note that the reference flow rate value D2 is a value at which the flow rate becomes stable, so to speak.
As is clear from FIG. 3B, it is desirable to set the electrical resistance to around 200 [cc/min], at which the electrical resistance value becomes approximately constant. In addition, the flow rate detection circuit 16 also detects the actual measured flow rate D.
1 reaches the reference flow rate value D2, the electrical resistance value is measured at regular intervals, and the smallest resistance value among the measurement results is stored as the specific resistance value. On the other hand, the standard resistance value is set to the control means 10, for example.
is stored and compared with the above-mentioned specific resistance value. If there is a deviation, the reference flow rate value D2 is corrected by calculating the coefficient. Note that if the specific resistance value is larger than a preset value for abnormality detection, an alarm is issued as an abnormal cow.

On the other hand, numeral 4 is a timer to which a timing signal for starting operation and a clear (reset) signal are supplied from the control circuit 10, and a timing signal for the measurement point is supplied from the flow rate value comparison circuit 18. The measured elapsed time is given to the control circuit 10 and stored, and is also displayed on the display 20 via the display output circuit 19. Display 2
0 includes a time value display unit 21 that digitally displays the elapsed time using, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or a fluorescent display tube, and a plurality of light emitting diodes 22 that integrate and display the time when the flow rate is below a predetermined amount at the end of milking, which will be described later. It consists of an integrated time display section 23 that is arranged in parallel and displayed in an analog manner. Note that 24 is an audio output circuit, and 25 is a speaker, which emits an alarm sound at a necessary time, which will be described later.

Next, the functions of the device 1 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

First, by turning on the start switch 12, milking starts. At the same time, timer 4 is reset and starts operating from "0" (step (100)). Then, as time passes, milk increases and flows out, as shown in FIG. 3B. Due to this outflow, the electrical resistance value of the milk decreases as shown in FIG. 3C. Then, when the measured flow rate value D1 corresponding to this resistance value becomes equal to or higher than the preset reference flow rate value D2, the time t1 when the flow rate value D2 is reached is measured, and the elapsed time T1 from the start of milking is stored ( Step (101), (102)). In addition, milk outflow gradually increases, passes its peak, and begins to decrease.
Then, as described above, when the flow rate becomes equal to or less than the reference flow rate value D2, the time t2 when the flow rate value D2 is reached is measured, and the elapsed time T2 from t1 is stored (steps (103), (104)). . Also, time t2
At the same time, an end timer (built in the timer 4) is activated, and this end timer is activated to integrate the time only when the measured flow rate value D1 is less than or equal to the reference flow rate value D2. In other words, depending on the characteristics of the dairy cow, there are cases where the milk flows out again and the flow rate increases, but in this case, as shown in Figure 3B, it exceeds the standard flow rate D2 again, and then decreases to the standard flow rate. Draw a curve that is less than or equal to D2. For this reason, the end timer is shown in Figure 3A.
As shown in the figure, only the times Ta and Tb are activated when the measured flow rate value D1 is less than the reference flow rate value D2, and the cumulative time Ta+
Tb=Tm is displayed on the cumulative time display section 23. Then, a preset amount of time (=Tm) (for example, 30
(seconds), the completion rate timer times up, measures the time t3 at that point, and stores the elapsed time T3 from the time t2 (steps (105) and (106)). The audio output circuit 24 functions, for example, to emit an advance warning sound after the time Ta has elapsed, and to emit a termination warning sound after the time has elapsed. Further, since the timing of the time-up can be confirmed on the display section 23, the milking operation is stopped by pressing the stop switch 13. This stop time t4 is measured, and the elapsed time T4 from the time t3 is stored (steps (107) and (108)),
At the same time, time T1 is displayed on the display section 23 (step (109)). This elapsed time T4 becomes the empty squeezing time. In addition, when removing the cut liner of the milking machine from the breast, there are usually manual and automatic methods, and in the case of automatic removal, the above-mentioned elapsed time T4 may not exist. Meanwhile, turn on the power switch 15.
By switching the mode changeover switch 14 without turning it off, the times T2 to T4 can be displayed on the time value display section 21, and the total time can also be displayed if necessary (steps (110), (111), (112)). ).

By the way, the relationship between the milking time and the milking amount is as shown in FIG. 4. For example, in the case of a high-quality cow, the milk starts to rise early as shown in P1, and milking is completed early. In the case of an average good quality dairy cow, it becomes P2, and in the case of a dairy cow of not very good quality, it becomes P3, and the lower the quality of the cow, the slower it starts and the slower it completes. Therefore, by comparing the times T1 and T2, as well as T3 and T4, with preset time values for quality determination, the milking characteristics of the dairy cow can be diagnosed.

Further, such a milking characteristic diagnostic device 1 is installed in a milking machine 50 shown in FIG. In the figure, 51 is a mirter pipe, and 52 is a vacuum pipe. The milk pipe 51 is connected to the milk claw 5 via the control device 53.
4, and four teat cut liners 55 to be attached to the breast are connected to the milk claw 54 and the vacuum pipe 52. On the other hand, the milking characteristic diagnostic device 1 is built into the control device 53, and
Display unit 20, speaker 25, start switch 1
An automatic start switch 12a, a manual start switch 12b, a stop switch 13, and a mode changeover switch 14 and a power switch 15 (not shown), which form two parts, are mounted on the front panel 53 of the control device 53.
Place it in a. This display panel 53a is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the accumulated time display section 23 in the display 20 is arranged near the time value display section 21 and has an inclined section from the bottom to the top, and has a predetermined horizontal section at the bottom and top. In addition to taking into consideration visual visibility, we also take into account the ease of diagnosis. Note that the arrangement shape of the accumulated time display section 23 is not limited to this embodiment, and can be arbitrarily implemented, and for example, a shape as shown in FIG. 7 is also suitable. Further, the accumulated time display section 23 may display the first half and the second half in different colors if necessary.

Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
Each circuit may be an electric circuit or may be a software processing using a microcomputer or the like. In addition, the detailed structure, shape, arrangement, numerical values, etc. can be changed as desired without departing from the gist of the present invention.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the method and device for diagnosing milking characteristics of a dairy cow according to the present invention, the flow rate of milk during milking is detected and the time at a predetermined flow rate is measured to diagnose the milking characteristics of the dairy cow. It is possible to perform accurate and comprehensive diagnosis regarding the milking characteristics of cows, which allows for appropriate renewal of cows, and
It is possible to improve the efficiency of milking work by checking the empty milking time, and to protect dairy cows by reducing unnecessary empty milking time. Further, by using this device, the diagnosis can be easily performed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1: Block circuit diagram of the milking characteristics diagnostic device according to the present invention, Fig. 2: Flowchart showing the functions of the device, Fig. 3: Timing chart of each element, Fig. 4: Fig. 4 according to the present invention. Fig. 5 is a time vs. milking amount characteristic diagram for explaining the milking characteristic diagnosis method: an external perspective view of a milking machine equipped with the milking characteristic diagnosis device
Figure 6: External front view of the milking characteristics diagnostic device, Figure 7
Figure: A front view of a display section showing another embodiment of the same device. In the drawings, 1: milking characteristic diagnostic device, 2: flow rate detection means, 3: flow rate value comparison means, 4: timer,
5: Display means, D1: Actual flow rate value, D2: Reference flow rate value.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Detecting the flow rate of milk during milking, based on the initial time from the start of milking when the flow rate reaches a predetermined flow rate or higher, and/or the final time when the flow rate drops below a predetermined flow rate near the end of milking. A method for diagnosing milking characteristics of a dairy cow, which comprises diagnosing the milking characteristics of a dairy cow. 2 A flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of milk compares the measured flow rate value obtained from the flow rate detection means with a preset reference flow value, and determines whether the measured flow rate value is greater than or equal to the reference flow value and/or less than the reference flow value. a timer that measures the elapsed time between each measurement point including the milking start point;
An apparatus for diagnosing milking characteristics of a dairy cow, comprising display means for displaying the elapsed time. 3. The milking characteristic diagnostic device for dairy cows according to claim 2, wherein the display means includes a storage means for storing elapsed time.