Milk Collecting Device and Method for Operating a Milk Collecting Device

An exchangeable measuring module for a milk collecting device of a milking installation with a measuring apparatus to determine the filled quantity in a milk collecting device wherein the measuring apparatus comprises a housing with a retaining device ( ), at which at least one first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from said first electrode is received, wherein a power supply electrically connected with both electrodes and a measuring device for capturing at least one electrical parameter is provided, wherein the power supply is connected with two spaced-apart connection points of the first electrode such that it is connected in parallel relative to the first electrode, and connected with the second electrode via the measuring device to determine a measure characteristic of the filled quantity of a liquid present in the milk collecting vessel.

The measuring module according to claim 19 wherein the first electrode is configured as a hollow rod and is contacted at its lower end wherein the associated line is guided upwardly in the interior of the hollow rod.

A milking installation for milking animals having a milk collecting device with a milk collecting vessel having at least one inlet and at least one controllable outlet and having a measuring apparatus, said measuring apparatus comprising at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode spaced apart from said first electrode, and a power supply electrically connected with both electrodes, and a measuring device for capturing at least one electrical parameter, wherein the power supply is connected with two spaced-apart connection points of the first electrode such that it is connected in parallel relative to the first electrode, and connected with the second electrode via the measuring device to determine a measure characteristic of the filled quantity of a liquid present in the milk collecting vessel.

A method for controlling the operation of a milk collecting device having a measuring device and a milk collecting vessel into which a liquid, in particular milk or a cleaning liquid is conveyed, wherein by means of a power supply an electrical parameter is applied to a first electrode immersed in the liquid at least in part and an electrical signal is captured between the first and a second electrode and is evaluated by means of a measuring device located between the first and the second electrode, characterized in that the power supply is connected with two spaced-apart connection points of the first electrode such that it is connected in parallel relative to the first electrode and connected with the second electrode via the measuring device wherein a characteristic measure of the filled quantity of a liquid present in the milk collecting vessel is derived.