Milk collecting device and method for operating a milk collecting device

A measuring module for a milk collecting device of a milking installation, the measuring module comprising:

• a measuring apparatus to determine a filled quantity of milk in the milk collecting device;
• and the measuring apparatus comprises:
• a housing;
• a retaining device;
• at least one first electrode received in the retaining device;
• a second electrode spaced apart from said first electrode and received in the retaining device;
• and
• a measuring device for capturing at least one electrical parameter, the measuring device having a power supply 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 to determine a measure characteristic of the filled quantity of a liquid present in the milk collecting vessel.

A milking installation for milking animals comprising:

• a milk collecting device having:
• a milk collecting vessel having at least one inlet and at least one controllable outlet;
• a 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;
• and
• 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 a filled quantity of a liquid 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, the method comprising the steps of:

• conveying a liquid into the milk collecting vessel;
• applying an electrical parameter to a first electrode that is at least partially immersed in the liquid;
• capturing an electrical signal between the first electrode and a second electrode;
• and
• evaluating the signal with a measuring device located between the first electrode and the second electrode, having a power supply connected with two spaced-apart connection points on the first electrode such that the power supply is connected in parallel relative to the first electrode and connected with the second electrode via the measuring device;
• and
• deriving a characteristic measure of a filled quantity of a liquid present in the milk collecting vessel from the evaluation of the signal.