AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR APPLYING DISINFECTANT TO THE TEATS OF DAIRY LIVESTOCK

摘要

In certain embodiments, a system for applying disinfectant to the teats of a dairy livestock includes a carriage mounted on a track, the carriage operable to translate laterally along the track. The system further includes a robotic arm including a first member pivotally attached to the carriage such that the first member may rotate about a point of attachment to the carriage, a second member pivotally attached to the first member such that the second member may rotate about a point of attachment to the first member, and a spray tool member pivotally attached to the second member such that the spray tool member may rotate about a point of attachment to the second member. The robotic arm further includes a spray tool attached to the spray tool member. The system further includes a controller operable to cause at least a portion of the robotic arm to extend between the hind legs of a dairy livestock such that the spray tool is located at a spray position from which the spray tool may discharge an amount of disinfectant to the teats of the dairy livestock.

主权项

1. A method for applying disinfectant to the teats of a dairy livestock, comprising:
receiving a trigger signal indicating that a stall of a rotary milking platform housing a dairy livestock is located adjacent to a track, the track having a carriage carrying a robotic arm mounted thereto; communicating a first signal to a first actuator coupled to the track and the carriage, the first signal causing operation of the first actuator such that the carriage moves along the track in relation to the rotary milking platform; communicating one or more additional signals to one or more actuators of the robotic arm, the one or more additional signals causing operation of the one or more actuators of the robotic arm such that at least a portion of the robotic arm extends between the hind legs of a dairy livestock.