EP0041513A1

EP0041513A1 - Device for measuring temperature changes in animals

Info

Publication number: EP0041513A1
Application number: EP80902306A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ake Karlsson; Lennart Nilsson
Original assignee: ADIT INVENT AB
Current assignee: ADIT INVENT AB
Priority date: 1979-11-26
Filing date: 1980-11-26
Publication date: 1981-12-16
Also published as: WO1981001612A1

Abstract

Dispositif de mesure des changements de temperature chez les animaux tels que le betail. Un dispositif de detection (1) est concu sous la forme de deux moities de collecteurs en godet d'aspiration (7) avec une bague d'espacement filetee (10). La bague d'espacement (10) est pourvue de quatre detecteurs (8). Depuis la bague d'espacement (10), une ligne (2) d'alimentation de puissance (4) est connectee a l'unite centrale (3) qui est pourvue de cinq zones rectangulaires (11) pour la mesure de la temperature a un niveau predetermine, un instrument (12) indiquant les traillons qui ne donnent pas de lait, un instrument d'indication a affichage digital (13) indiquant les temperatures utiles et un bouton de remise a zero (14) pour activer le circuit. Du lait, dont la temperature doit etre mesuree, est introduit a partir d'un godet a traillon (6) selectionne et au travers de ce dernier vers la bague d'espacement (10) et le lait, dont la temperature a ete mesuree, s'ecoule du collecteur a godet d'aspiration (7) au travers d'un tuyau de transport (5) vers le systeme de tuyaux d'alimentation de puissance (4) se fait par des batteries interchangeables. L'objet est de fournir un dispositif de mesure des temperatures simple, precis et economique. Le dispositif de mesure de temperatures est fabrique sous forme d'unites compactes, robustes et s'adaptant facilement.Device for measuring temperature changes in animals such as cattle. A detection device (1) is designed as two halves of suction cup manifolds (7) with a threaded spacer ring (10). The spacer ring (10) is provided with four detectors (8). From the spacer ring (10), a power supply line (2) (4) is connected to the central unit (3) which is provided with five rectangular zones (11) for temperature measurement at a predetermined level, an instrument (12) indicating the tails that do not give milk, a digital display indication instrument (13) indicating the useful temperatures and a reset button (14) to activate the circuit. Milk, the temperature of which is to be measured, is introduced from a selected trellis cup (6) and through the latter to the spacer ring (10) and the milk, the temperature of which has been measured, flows from the suction cup manifold (7) through a transport pipe (5) to the power supply pipe system (4) is done by interchangeable batteries. The object is to provide a simple, precise and economical temperature measuring device. The temperature measuring device is manufactured as compact, sturdy and easily adaptable units.

Description

Device for measuring temperature changes in animals.

This invention is a device for measuring temperature changes in animals such as cattle, for example.

American Patent 3.022.766 describes a known method whereby a milking machine with a temperature indicating instrument creates a simple device. for detecting certain illnesses in milking animals by determining the temperature of the milk when it is removed from the udder of the animal.

The object of this invention is to achieve a simple, accurate and inexpensive arrangement in comparison with hitherto known techniques.

The arrangement according to the patent is characterised by the properties described in the enclosed patent claims.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, with references to the enclosed drawings, of which Figure 1 shows the arrangement in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 shows the sensing device or temperature measuring device with four sensors, and Figure 3 shows the central unit with the indicators.

In Figure 1, item 1 is a sensing device or temperature measurement device; 2 is a cable to the central unit; 3 is the central unit with indicators and power supply 4; 5 is a hose for transporting milk to pipework which is not shown; 6 is a teat-cup and 7 is the suction cup manifold. In addition, Figure 2 contains item 8 for sensors, 9 for milk frcm each teat and 10 for a spacer ring. Figure 3 shows the central unit 3, which shows the warning rectangles 11 which light up at predetermined intervals, the indicating instrument 12 for the teat which is not supplying milk, a digital indicating instrument 13, and a reset button 14 for connecting and zeroing the central unit 3.

The function of the device will now be described in greater detail.

The most accurate and fastest information is obtained from the sensing device or temperature measuring instrument 1, if the temperature is measured independently at all four teats and the mean value is calculated and then indicated on the display, i.e. 11-13. At present, the temperature is measured when the milk enters the suction cup manfold 7 directly from each suction cup. This permits direct indication of the teat which is or is not supplying milk. The temperature drop which would result in inaccurate measurements if the measurements were carried out in the hose 5, which is affected by the air temperature, is eliminated by measuring the temperature as near to the suction cups as possible. The temperature in a barn can vary by up to 15°C, the variation outdoors being even greater. The suction cup manifold 7 is divided by a hinged joint. By inserting a spacer 10 with four sensors 8 between the two halves it is possible to measure the temperature without interfering with pipes or hoses.

A sturdy cable or line 2 leads from the spacer ring 10 to the central unit 3 and is secured to a vacuum hose. The cable or line 2 is impermeable to liquids, and is permanently fixed between the spacer ring 10 and the central unit 3. The central unit 3, with reading facility, must be compact and reliable, taking into consideration the moist environment in a barn. The environment also makes it impossible to arrange a mains power supply by cable, so that some type of battery must be installed in the central unit. The technique of utilising batteries requires the use of components and displays (11-13) which consume very little power and are compact so that the size of the central unit will be suitable. For financial reasons, a special circuit is therefore used which far surpasses an assembly of discrete components as regards low power consumption, reliability and compactness and which can be integrated into the display unit, which is read through a window in the central unit 3. It is advisable to fill the central unit with, for example, plastic compound after assembly, to prevent condensation and to protect the components from careless handling.

The most economical and reliable power supply 4 is obtained by using replaceable batteries located in a case, which is impervious to liquids, in the central unit 3.

in the central unit 3 shown in Figure 3, the following operations take place.

1. The temperature is measured roughly in five stages and is displayed in five rectangular areas 11, of which the first area is lit up at a predetermined level.

2. The digital indicating instrument 13, with three digits, shows the difference in temperature to 0.1°C over the entire range.

3. The four-digit symbol group of the display 12 indicates which teats are not giving milk, for which purpose the teat cups are marked with the same number. 4. The display units locks onto the highest temperature reached.

5. The device can still measure, even if milk is not received from one or more of the teats.

6. The display indicates inadequate battery power.

The circuit is activated by depressing a reset button 14. The circuit shuts itself off after a certain time if the temperature of the measurement body rises to a predetermined temperature.

For reasons of accuracy, measurement should not be carried out before the measuring body has been below a certain temperature, because the lack of heat in the suction cup manifold, 7, shall give incorrect values in a subsequent measurement.

The temperature measuring instrument is manufactured in compact, durable units of plastic and rubber which are easily fitted.

The invention is naturally not limited to this design but can, of course, be varied within the framework of the concept of the invention.

Claims

Patent claims

1. A device for measuring the temperature change in animals, such as cattle, characterised in that a sensing device or temperature measurement device (1) is built in the form of two suction cup manifold halves (7) with a threaded spacer ring (10) between them and to which spacer ring (10) is fitted with four sensors (3) and from the spacer ring (10) a line (2) for the supply of power (4) is connected to the central unit (3) which is provided with five rectangular areas (11) for temperature measurement to a predetermined level; instruπent (12) for indicating which teats are not supplying milk; a digital instrument (13) for relevant temperatures and a reset button (14) for activating the circuit, for which milk to be measured from a selected teat is introduced through a teat-cup (6) to the spacer ring (10) and the milk, the temperature of which has been measured, flows from the teat cup manifold (7) through a transport hose (5) to the pipework.

2. Arrangement in accordance with patent claim 1, characterised in that the line (2) is impermeable to liquids and permanently fixed between the spacer ring (10) and the central unit (3).

3. Arrangement in accordance with patent claim 1, characterised in that the power supply (4) is in the form of replaceable batteries of suitable type.

4. Arrangement in accordance with patent claim 1, characterised in that the instrument (12) is arranged in the form of a four-digit symbol group.