Non-therapeutic operating method of a breast pump for pumping breast milk, method for adjusting a breast pump and breast pump

Description

1 / 30 “NON-THERAPEUTIC OPERATING METHOD OF A BREAST PUMP FOR PUMPING BREAST MILK, METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A BREAST PUMP AND BREAST PUMP”

[001] The invention relates to a method for operating a breast pump for pumping breast milk, wherein the breast pump is operated alternately in a vacuum phase and a subsequent venting phase, in which the vacuum phase at least one motor of the breast pump drives a vacuum unit of the breast pump to generate a vacuum between the mother's breast and a funnel of the breast pump against the mother's breast, and in which the venting phase the vacuum is reduced, in which at least one motor is operated at the beginning of the vacuum phase with a starting power and at the end of the vacuum phase with a final power.

[002] The invention also relates to a method of adjusting a breast pump with which the method of operating a breast pump is carried out.

[003] Finally, the invention relates to a breast pump for pumping breast milk, with a funnel to support against the mother's breast, a vacuum unit to generate a vacuum between the mother's breast and the breast shield against the mother's breast in a vacuum phase, at least one motor to operate the vacuum unit, a drive unit for at least one motor, and a venting device to reduce the vacuum in a venting phase after the vacuum phase, wherein a starting power from at least one motor is provided at the beginning of the vacuum phase and a final power from at least one motor is provided at the end of the vacuum phase.

[004] He is known for operating breast pumps for Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 7 / 44 2 / 30 pumping breast milk alternately in a vacuum phase and a subsequent venting phase. In the vacuum phase, a vacuum is generated between the mother's breast and a funnel against the mother's breast, for example, a breast pump funnel, the vacuum of which is reduced again in the venting phase. Breast pumps with a motor that drives a vacuum unit that generates the vacuum necessary for the pumping process are particularly convenient for a breastfeeding mother. However, the advantage of not having to perform the pumping process manually using a hand pump is offset by the disadvantage that the motor causes engine noise during operation.The volume of motor noise depends, in particular, on the motor speed, which is high in well-known breast pumps, especially at the beginning of a vacuum buildup, since at this point no significant vacuum has yet been built up between the mother's breast and the funnel, and the motor only needs to work against a very low load. The motor noise, which is comparatively high at the beginning of each vacuum phase, but also during the vacuum phase, can be perceived as disturbing by the mother using the breast pump.

[005] In the state of the art, there are known milk extraction pumps that initiate the vacuum phase with a reduced motor speed to avoid loud motor noise.

[006] EP 2 897 664 B1 refers to a breast pump system with a vacuum pump driven by an electric motor and a controller that drives the electric motor at a first speed when the vacuum pump is switched on and at a second, higher speed after a load on the motor has reached a predetermined value. The first and the Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 8 / 44 3 / 30 second speeds can be achieved by means of an initial voltage in the electric motor for the first speed and by means of a higher second voltage in the electric motor for the second speed. The transition profile from the first to the second voltage can be abrupt or the first voltage is increased gradually, in particular linearly, to the second voltage during a defined time interval, in which the motor accelerates uniformly.

[007] Publication EP 3 735 994 A1 refers to a breast pump consisting of a controller and a vacuum pump operated by an electric motor. The controller controls the electric motor in an extraction mode after a stimulation mode, in which each extraction cycle has a pumping period PP and a ventilation period AP. The controller controls the motor's supply voltage during the pumping period in five stages, where in two of the stages the electric motor's supply voltage is increased with different gradients. In this way, the electric motor accelerates rapidly. As the current in the electric motor is kept below a limit value, the service life of the electric motor is increased.

[008] However, known breast pumps have the disadvantage that the noise they produce can still be perceived as irritating.

[009] The object of the invention is to provide a method for operating a breast pump, a method for adjusting a breast pump, and to develop a breast pump of the type mentioned at the outset, which avoids or at least reduces the known disadvantages of the prior art. The methods and Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 9 / 44 4 / 30 The breast pump should ensure that the breast pump operates as quietly as possible, that is, quietly but reliably.

[0010] To this end, the invention provides a method for operating a breast pump as defined in claim 1, a method for adjusting a breast pump as defined in claim 8, and a breast pump for pumping breast milk as defined in claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] With respect to the method of operation of a breast pump, it is provided according to the invention that, in a low-noise operating mode, the motor power is incrementally increased from starting power to final power between successive defined time intervals, which extend jointly throughout the vacuum phase. According to the method, the breast pump is thus operated alternately in a vacuum phase and in a subsequent ventilation phase until the process of pumping breast milk is completed by the mother or by the breast pump itself. In the vacuum phase, at least one motor of the breast pump drives a vacuum unit of the breast pump to generate a vacuum between the mother's breast and the funnel in a state of use of the breast pump in which a funnel, for example, a breast pump funnel, rests on the mother's breast, in particular receiving a part of the mother's breast.In this context, vacuum is understood to be a pressure lower than the air pressure surrounding the breast pump. In the ventilation phase, the vacuum accumulated in the vacuum phase is reduced again, at least partially, so that at the end of the... Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, p. 10 / 44 5 / 30 Ventilation phase: The pressure between the funnel and the mother's breast corresponds substantially or approximately to the air pressure surrounding the breast pump, for example, a value between the surrounding air pressure and 30 mbar. For example, a vent valve that can be opened after the vacuum phase can be provided to reduce the vacuum. To build up vacuum, the motor (i.e., at least one motor) is powered electrically and is operated with a starting power at the beginning of the vacuum phase and a final power at the end of the vacuum phase. Between the beginning and the end of the vacuum phase, there is a transition of the motor power from the initial power to the final power.

[0012] In order to operate the milk pump as quietly as possible, particularly at the lowest possible speed, it has a low-noise operating mode. In low-noise operating mode, the motor power is incrementally increased from starting power to final power between defined successive time intervals, which extend together throughout the vacuum phase. Thus, a plurality of successive time intervals, i.e., a first time interval and a plurality of subsequent time intervals, are defined, extending in a line throughout the vacuum phase. Between each two successive time intervals, the motor power is increased incrementally, i.e., in a stepped manner. The incremental increase can essentially be an abrupt increase.However, the description also covers small deviations from a completely abrupt increase in engine power; that is, engine power can increase continuously and rapidly. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 11 / 44 6 / 30 limited area between two successive time intervals, for example, during at most one third or one fifth, preferably during at most one tenth of the time interval. An abrupt, inexact increase in motor power may be, for example, a consequence of cheap components or, in general, a cheap design of the breast pump. In any case, by repeated incremental increase, the motor power is gradually adapted to the increasing momentary load caused by the vacuum buildup. This also keeps the motor speed within a suitable speed range and therefore limits the volume caused by the motor. At the beginning of the vacuum phase, i.e., when vacuum has not yet been generated, the motor is operated with a comparatively low starting power and low speed, which are sufficient to generate a low vacuum until the end of the first time interval.As a result, the motor power is increased to prevent the motor from stalling due to the increased vacuum, thus generating a slightly higher vacuum. However, the motor speed remains low due to the now increased load. This process continues until the motor power reaches its final power in the last time interval of the vacuum phase and the vacuum has been fully established. Even shortly before the end of the vacuum phase, the motor speed is still low due to the comparatively high final load. The motor power is thus increased sufficiently before each time interval to prevent the motor from stalling due to the increased load on the motor in that time interval. However, the motor power is only increased before each time interval in this way. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 12 / 44 7 / 30 that the motor can be operated at the lowest possible speed and therefore as quietly as possible. As the motor power is repeatedly increased throughout the vacuum phase, the motor speed and therefore the noise development throughout the vacuum phase are also kept low. The motor power can vary between incremental increases, i.e., during individual time intervals. In this case, an average motor power over a time interval is less than the average motor power over a subsequent time interval. This means that the average motor power is incrementally increased from starting power to final power between successive defined time intervals, which jointly extend throughout the vacuum phase. The duration of a time interval can be, for example, between 10 ns and 500 ms, preferably between 1 ms and 100 ms.

[0013] When this description refers to location and direction indications, such as top, bottom, front, back, or side, these indications should be understood in a position of use where the breast pump is positioned on the mother's breast from a vertical upper body. The term vertical means in the direction of gravity, from top to bottom, or vice versa. Obviously, the breast pump can also be used in other positions, in which case the location and direction information should be conveyed accordingly. Furthermore, the motor should be understood as at least one motor.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be foreseen that at least four, Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 13 / 44 8 / 30 preferably at least ten, successive defined time intervals, extending together throughout the vacuum phase. Thus, the motor power is incrementally increased at least three times, preferably at least nine times, in each case once between successive time intervals. Due to the frequent increase in motor power in correspondingly small power steps, the motor power can be adapted particularly precisely to the momentary load on the motor due to the gradually accumulating vacuum. Thus, the motor speed and the associated volume of the milk pump can also be kept as low as possible and have low fluctuations in the vacuum phase. It is particularly advantageous if the time intervals are equal.

[0015] The method can be carried out in a particularly simple and economical way if the motor power is increased by fixed amounts between time intervals by a controller for at least one motor. In this way, the motor speed can be maintained within a suitable speed range that allows for quiet operation of the breast pump. The breast pump is preferably configured with these fixed values ​​before use. Particularly preferably, the fixed amounts by which the motor power is increased according to this control method between time intervals during the vacuum phase are equal. Alternatively, an individual increase in motor power, i.e., an individual increase in power, can be assigned to each time interval if, due to special properties of the breast pump, unevenly large increases in power occur. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 14 / 44 9 / 30 allow for particularly quiet operation.

[0016] To further reduce noise generation during breast pump operation, it can be provided that an instantaneous speed of at least one motor is detected, compared to a predefined target speed, the particular target speed stored in the breast pump, and the motor power is increased by a control device for at least one motor between time intervals by a value that adjusts the instantaneous motor speed to the target speed. Preferably, the instantaneous motor speed is detected at each time interval and compared to a target speed, which may be the same or slightly different for the individual time intervals. The adjustment of the instantaneous motor speed to the target speed may include a slight deviation from the target speed, for example, to be able to produce the breast pump economically, provided that the deviation does not significantly influence the noise development.With this control method, the motor power can therefore be increased in steps of appropriate magnitude between successive defined time intervals in order to maintain the speed with increasing load due to vacuum buildup, in particular to keep it as constant as possible and at a low target value. The increment height, i.e., the height of the steps, is determined by the control device. Speed ​​fluctuations and associated volume fluctuations can therefore be largely avoided. The instantaneous speed can be measured, for example, with a light barrier, by means of... Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 15 / 44 10 / 30 an angle measurement at fixed time intervals, by electromagnetic induction or with a Hall sensor.

[0017] The breast pump can be operated in a particularly simple manner if the operating voltage of at least one motor is increased to increase the motor power. Thus, in low-noise operating mode, the operating voltage applied to the motor can be increased incrementally, i.e., gradually, between successive defined time intervals, which extend together throughout the vacuum phase. For example, the operating voltage in each time interval can be a DC voltage that is increased from one time interval to the next.

[0018] It is particularly advantageous if at least one motor is driven by means of a pulse-width modulated voltage signal, in particular a rectified pulse-width modulated voltage signal, and the pulse duration of the pulse-width modulated voltage signal is increased to increase the motor power. In this way, the voltage applied to the motor, i.e., the voltage signal applied to the motor, can be easily and economically adjusted with a suitable high resolution, which is predetermined by the number of time intervals. If the voltage signal is pulse-width modulated and not rectified, the voltage signal is applied to the motor in each time interval substantially as a set of square wave signals with defined amplitude height and adjustable pulse width and voltage-free sections between them. The larger the pulse widths (and therefore the shorter the voltage-free sections), Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 16 / 44 11 / 30 more energy is supplied to the motor. If, on the other hand, the voltage signal is pulse-width modulated and also rectified, for example, by an electronic capacitor, the voltage signal is applied to the motor in each time interval essentially as a rectified AC voltage signal without voltage-free sections, but with a wavy amplitude profile. A rectified pulse-width modulated voltage signal has the advantage that the motor is somewhat more protected, since it is exposed to greater amplitude fluctuations in the opposite case of a non-rectified pulse-width modulated voltage signal. Before any rectification, the pulse-width modulated voltage signal may preferably comprise a frequency between 50 Hz and 200 kHz, particularly preferably between 10 kHz and 30 kHz, especially around 20 kHz.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the method, it can be foreseen that the breast pump is operated in low-noise operating mode or in an additional operating mode, in low-noise operating mode the vacuum phase is performed during a first time interval, at least one motor is operated with a starting power equal to a first starting value and at least one motor is operated with a final power equal to a first final value and, in the additional operating mode, the vacuum phase is performed during a second time interval, at least one motor is operated with a starting power equal to a second starting value and at least one motor is operated with a final power equal to a second final value, wherein the first final value is greater than the Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 17 / 44 12 / 30 first starting value, the first time interval is greater than the second time interval, the first initial value is less than the second initial value, and the first final value is less than or equal to the second final value. Thus, the vacuum phase extends over a longer period of time in low-noise operating mode than in the additional operating mode. Furthermore, since the motor power is lower in low-noise operating mode than in additional operating mode, the speed and therefore the motor volume can be kept lower than in additional operating mode, although at the end of the vacuum phase, a vacuum of substantially the same magnitude as in additional operating mode is generated. The breast pump therefore requires more time to pump breast milk in low-noise operating mode, but operates more quietly than in additional operating mode.The duration of the first time interval is preferably 1.3 to 2.5 times, in particular 2 times, the duration of the second time interval. For example, the first time interval lasts 2 seconds and the second time interval lasts 1 second. The first initial value can preferably be between 10% and 30% of the second initial value. The first final value can preferably be between 40% and 100% of the second final value. Preferably, the motor speed in low-noise operating mode can be in a range between 500 rpm and 1500 rpm, in particular between 700 rpm and 1300 rpm, while the motor speed in additional operating mode can be in a range between 1000 rpm and... Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 18 / 44 13 / 30 4000 rpm, in particular between 1400 rpm and 3600 rpm. Preferably, the breast pump is manually switched by the user between the low-noise operating mode and the additional operating mode. Similarly, the breast pump can automatically select its own low-noise operating mode in the presence of defined events, for example, depending on the time of day, to pump silently at night.

[0020] As mentioned at the beginning, the invention also relates to a method for adjusting a breast pump, whereby a method is implemented that provides that the motor power is increased by fixed values ​​between time intervals by a controller for at least one motor. With respect to the method for adjusting the breast pump, it is provided according to the invention that, in low-noise operating mode, the duration of the time intervals and the values ​​by which the motor power is gradually increased are defined in such a way and stored in the breast pump that the speed of at least one motor during the vacuum phase varies at most in a range of 0.3 to 1.7 times the value of the speed at the beginning of the vacuum phase. Preferably, the motor speed in low-noise operating mode may be in a range between 500 rpm and 1500 rpm, in particular between 700 rpm and 1300 rpm.Thus, the duration of the time intervals and the values ​​by which the motor power is incrementally increased are determined in advance, particularly at the factory, before the breast pump is used to pump breast milk, and the breast pump is configured accordingly. This allows it to operate on different types of breast milk. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 19 / 44 14 / 30 of breast pumps in the quietest possible way, the duration of the time intervals and the values ​​by which the motor power is incrementally increased are preferably determined individually for each breast pump design, for example, by series of tests. The values ​​are determined so that the speed can be kept low and vary only slightly, despite the increased load on the motor due to vacuum buildup. The motor speed fluctuation in the vacuum phase should be, at most, 0.3 to 1.7 times the speed value at the beginning of the vacuum phase. The values ​​thus determined before using the breast pump are stored in the breast pump. Note that the breast pump can optionally operate with several adjustable power classes in low-noise operating mode, where each power class can be associated with a starting power or a final power in low-noise operating mode.In the case of multiple power classes, a separate series of tests can be performed for each power class, and for each adjustable power class, the duration of the time intervals and the values ​​by which the motor power is incrementally increased can be stored in the breast pump.

[0021] If the motor power is increased by fixed values ​​between time intervals by a controller for at least one motor, it is also advantageous if, in low-noise operating mode, the duration of the time intervals and the values ​​by which the motor power is incrementally increased are defined by Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, p. 20 / 44 15 / 30 in such a way and stored in the breast pump that the final power is at least 50% greater than the starting power. In this way, the starting power can be correspondingly low and the motor can already be operated quietly at the beginning of the vacuum phase with low motor power and low speed.

[0022] As mentioned at the beginning, the invention also relates to a breast pump for pumping breast milk. With respect to the breast pump, it is provided according to the invention that a low-noise operating mode is provided, in which a progression of motor power extending from starting power to final power comprises incremental increases between successive defined time intervals, which extend jointly throughout the vacuum phase. The breast pump is composed of a funnel to support the mother's breast, a vacuum unit to generate a vacuum between the mother's breast and the funnel against the mother's breast during the vacuum phase, at least one motor to drive the vacuum unit, a drive unit for at least one motor, and a venting device to reduce the vacuum in a venting phase after the vacuum phase.To build up the vacuum, the motor comprises a starting power at the beginning of the vacuum phase and a final power at the end of the vacuum phase. To operate the breast pump as quietly as possible, the breast pump includes a low-noise operating mode, in which a progression of motor power extending from starting power to final power comprises incremental increases between defined successive time intervals. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 21 / 44 16 / 30 jointly throughout the vacuum phase. As described above in connection with the method, the progression of motor power with incremental increases allows for an incremental adaptation of the motor power to the increasing load on the motor, which is why the motor can be operated at low power, low speed, and therefore low noise at the beginning of the vacuum phase. Gradually, the motor power is increased to overcome the increasing load, while the speed fluctuates less due to the increasing motor load than if the motor were already operating at higher power at the beginning of the vacuum phase and were initially idling at high speed. Regarding the characteristics of the breast pump, reference is also made to the previous description of the methods, insofar as it is useful for understanding the breast pump and insofar as the characteristics of the breast pump can be derived from this description of the methods.Similarly, with regard to the characteristics of the methods, reference is also made to the description of the breast pump.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the breast pump, at least four, preferably at least ten, definite successive time intervals can be provided, which extend together throughout the vacuum phase. The progression of motor power therefore comprises at least three, preferably at least nine, incremental increases. In particular, the high number of at least ten successive time intervals makes it possible to operate the motor at low speed already at the beginning of the vacuum phase. The power levels, i.e., the increases, Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, p. 22 / 44 17 / 30 can experience a spontaneous or rapid and continuous increase. Furthermore, power levels can be substantially constant or fluctuate during individual time intervals.

[0024] For particularly economical production of the breast pump, it can be foreseen that the drive unit of at least one motor comprises a controller, designed to increase the motor power by fixed values ​​between time intervals. The fixed values ​​are preferably stored in a memory of the breast pump and have been determined before use by a user, in particular by the manufacturer itself. Preferably, the time extensions of the time intervals are also stored in a memory of the breast pump. The controller may include a processing unit, for example, a microprocessor.

[0025] In order to obtain a particularly low and precise speed from at least one motor with low fluctuations, it is preferable that the drive unit of at least one motor comprise a control device designed to detect a momentary speed of at least one motor in order to compare it with a predefined target speed, in particular stored in the milk pump, and to increase the motor power between time intervals by an amount that adjusts the momentary speed of the motor to the target speed. Preferably, the control device is configured to detect the momentary speed of the motor at each time interval, compare it with a target speed assigned to each time interval, and increase the motor power between time intervals. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 23 / 44 18 / 30 agreed. The control device may include a processing unit, for example, a microprocessor.

[0026] The motor power can be changed particularly easily if the drive unit of at least one motor comprises an operating voltage source for driving at least one motor, which operating voltage source is designed to incrementally increase the operating voltage of at least one motor to increase the motor power. The operating voltage source can also be configured to keep the motor operating voltage constant between increases.

[0027] The motor power can be economically adjusted in particularly small steps if the drive unit of at least one motor includes a power supply for a pulse-width modulated voltage signal, in particular a rectified pulse-width modulated voltage signal, the power supply of which is designed to incrementally increase the pulse duration of the pulse-width modulated voltage signal to increase the motor power. Thus, the motor can be powered with a pulse-width modulated voltage signal. To rectify, i.e., substantially smooth, the pulse-width modulated voltage signal, the power supply may include an electronic capacitor.

[0028] Furthermore, it can be foreseen that the breast pump can be switched between low-noise operating mode and an additional operating mode, in low-noise operating mode the vacuum phase extends for an initial period of time, the starting power of Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, p. 24 / 44 19 / 30 at least one motor comprises a first starting value and the final power of at least one motor comprises a first final value, and in the additional operating mode, the vacuum phase extends for a second time period, the starting power of at least one motor comprises a second starting value and the final power of at least one motor comprises a second final value, wherein the first final value is greater than the first initial value, the first time interval is greater than the second time interval, the first initial value is less than the second initial value and the first final value is less than or equal to the second final value.In low-noise operating mode, the breast pump requires more time to build up vacuum, for example, twice the time, and presumably more time to pump breast milk, but it operates at a lower speed and therefore at a lower volume due to lower power compared to the additional operating mode. The preferred numerical values ​​and ratios of the first and second time intervals, the first and second initial values, and the first and second final values ​​have already been indicated earlier in the method description. To switch between low-noise operating mode and additional operating mode by a user, the breast pump may include an input device, for example, a button, a switch, or a touchscreen.In another example, a computer application could be provided, for instance on a smartphone, to control the breast pump, specifically to switch between low-noise and high-noise operating modes. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 25 / 44 20 / 30 additional.

[0029] If the maximum speed of at least one motor in low-noise operating mode is between 20% and 70%, preferably between 25% and 50%, of the maximum speed of the motor in additional operating mode, at least one motor of the milk pump can be operated particularly quietly.

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below based on preferred, non-limiting exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings show:

[0031] Fig. 1A shows a simplified representation of an incremental increase in the motor power of a breast pump in a low-noise operating mode according to the method of the invention;

[0032] Fig. 1B shows a simplified representation of an incremental increase in the operating voltage of the milk pump in low-noise operating mode;

[0033] Fig. 1C shows a simplified representation of a speed, i.e., rotational speed, of the breast pump, in low-noise operating mode;

[0034] Fig. 1D shows a simplified representation of the power of the milk pump motor, in an additional operating mode;

[0035] Fig. 1E shows a simplified representation of an operating voltage of the breast pump, in the additional operating mode;

[0036] Fig. 1F shows a simplified representation of a breast pump speed in the additional operating mode; Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 26 / 44 21 / 30

[0037] Fig. 2A shows a pulse-width modulated voltage signal and a rectified pulse-width modulated voltage signal with which the motor can be driven, with a shorter pulse duration;

[0038] Fig. 2B shows a pulse-width modulated voltage signal and a rectified pulse-width modulated voltage signal with which the motor can be driven, with a longer pulse duration; [003 9] Fig. 3 shows an example of a flatter incremental increase in engine power; and

[0040] Fig. 4 shows a simplified block diagram of the breast pump according to the invention.

[0041] It should be noted that the individual numbers are not necessarily shown to scale. Furthermore, parts of the method or of the breast pump that are recognizable in other figures may be omitted in individual values, provided that the omitted parts are not essential to the description of the individual values.

[0042] Fig. 1A shows an exemplary progress of a motor power P, represented as a function of time t, of a breast pump 1 in a low-noise operating mode in which the breast pump 1 is operated in a method of operating the breast pump 1 to pump breast milk. The progress clearly shows that the breast pump 1 is operated alternately in a vacuum phase PHU and a subsequent ventilation phase PHB. In the vacuum phase PHU, at least one motor 2 of the breast pump 1 drives a vacuum unit 3 of the breast pump 1 to generate a vacuum between the mother's breast (not shown) and a funnel 4, which may be a funnel, of the breast pump 1, which the pump extracts. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 27 / 44 22 / 30 milk 4 supports against the mother's breast, see also Fig. 4. In contrast, in the ventilation phase PHB, the vacuum is at least mostly, for example, completely, reduced again. Breast milk is pumped by the alternating operation of the breast pump 1 in the vacuum phase PHU and in the ventilation phase PHB. To accumulate vacuum between the mother's breast and the funnel 4, the motor 2 is operated with an initial power PS at the beginning of the vacuum phase PHU and with a final power PE at the end of the vacuum phase PHU. If, contrary to the method according to the invention, the motor 2 were operated with a high starting power PS which is approximately the same as the final power PE, the motor 2 would be operated with a correspondingly high initial speed, since vacuum has not yet been accumulated that could exert a load on the motor 2. Consequently, the noise development of the motor 2 would also be high.Only gradually would the speed of motor N, and therefore the volume emanating from motor 2, decrease due to the increase in vacuum. It should be noted that the description in the figure is for the case of a single motor 2. If the milk pump 1 comprises a plurality of motors 2, these can be considered as a single motor 2.

[0043] In order to operate the breast pump 1, in particular the motor 2, as quietly as possible, the breast pump 1 is operated in a low-noise operating mode. As clearly shown in Fig. 1A, in low-noise operating mode, the motor power P is repeatedly increased incrementally, i.e., gradually, from the initial power PS to the final power PE between successive defined time intervals TI, Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, p. 28 / 44 23 / 30 which extend together throughout the vacuum phase PHU. This power increment, or power step, is designated PL in Fig. 1A. Thus, motor 2 starts with low power P, therefore low speed N and low volume. During the transition from initial power PS to final power PE, the motor power P increases, but the accumulated vacuum also becomes stronger, which is why the speed N and volume of motor 2 remain low.

[0044] In the example according to Fig. 1A, only two vacuum phases PHU and one ventilation phase PHB are shown. Obviously, the method for operating a breast pump 1 to pump breast milk may have substantially more than two vacuum phases PHU. In the example shown, the vacuum phase PHU has been divided into ten, in particular equally large, time intervals TI1 to TI10. Thus, the motor power P is incrementally increased nine times from the initial power PS to the final power PE. The vacuum phase PHU extends, for example, for more than 2 seconds and the ventilation phase PHB extends, for example, for more than 0.2 seconds. According to this example, the motor power P is increased every 0.2 seconds during the vacuum phase PHU. In other examples, the vacuum phase PHU may extend between 0.7 seconds and 3 seconds and the ventilation phase PHB may extend between 0.1 seconds and 0.5 seconds.Furthermore, according to examples not shown, the vacuum phase PHU can be divided into fewer than ten, for example, 4 or 5, TI time intervals, or into more than ten, for example, 20, 50, or 100, TI time intervals. The TI time intervals can also have different sizes. For the sake of... Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, p. 29 / 44 24 / 30 clarity, only individual time intervals (TI) are provided with a reference number in Figures 1B to 1F.

[0045] In Fig. 1A, the power progression is illustrated in a simplified manner, as the incremental increase in motor power P occurs abruptly and the motor power P is constant during the individual time intervals TI. Within the scope of the invention, however, the incremental increase in motor power P between successive defined time intervals TI can also occur continuously, so that the rising edge of the power steps PL is not perpendicular to the time axis, but at an angle of less than 90° to the time axis. Similarly, the motor power P can vary during each time interval TI. [004 6] FIG. 3 shows an example of an incremental increase in motor power P in an enlarged illustration. Starting from the starting power PS at the beginning of the first time interval TI1, the motor power P decreases slightly by a difference value DP due to vacuum buildup. At the boundary between the first time interval TI1 and the second time interval TI2, the motor power P is increased incrementally, where the increase does not occur abruptly but continuously over a time period TB, for example, in the range of 1 to 10% of a time interval TI. As a result, the motor power P decreases slightly again, etc. The difference value DP is less than the power step PL (i.e., less than the incremental increase in power) between successive time intervals TI. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, pp. 30 / 44 25 / 30

[0047] Fig. 1B shows that in the vacuum phase PHU of the low-noise operating mode, an operating voltage U of motor 2 applied to motor 2 is incrementally increased for the incremental increase of motor power P.

[0048] Fig. 1C shows a simplified representation of a rotational speed N of the breast pump 1, in low-noise operating mode. The speed N is shown as constant in the vacuum phase PHU. This can be achieved by detecting an instantaneous speed N of motor 2, comparing it with a predefined target speed Ntarget, in particular stored in the breast pump 1, and increasing the motor power P by a control device 5 for motor 2 between time intervals TI by a value that adjusts the instantaneous speed of the motor N to the target speed Ntarget. If, on the other hand, the motor power P is increased in fixed values ​​(the power steps PL) between time intervals TI by a controller 6 for motor 2, the motor rotation N may fluctuate slightly.

[0049] Figures 2A and 2B show examples of a pulse-width modulated voltage signal UPW and, in a simplified way, dashed lines representing a rectified pulse-width modulated voltage signal UPWG, which can be used to drive motor 2. The voltage signal shown in Fig. 2A, for example, for the time interval TI2, has a smaller pulse width PW than the voltage signal shown in Fig. 2B, for example, for the time interval TI8. Thus, the motor power P is also lower in the time interval TI2 than in the time interval TI8. It can be seen, therefore, that the pulse duration PW of the signal Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, page 31 / 44 26 / 30 pulse width modulated voltage is increased to increase the power of motor P. According to the example illustrated in figures 2A and 2B, the pulse width modulated voltage signal has a frequency of 20 kHz.

[0050] Fig. 1D shows an exemplary progress of a motor power P, represented as a function of time t, of a breast pump 1 in an additional operating mode in which the breast pump 1 can be operated in a method of operating the breast pump 1 to pump breast milk. While in the low-noise operating mode illustrated in Figs. 1A to 1C, the vacuum phase PHU is performed during a first time interval TUG, the motor 2 is operated with a starting power PS equal to a first starting value SW1 and the motor 2 is operated with a final power PE equal to a first final value EW1, in the additional operating mode illustrated in Figs. 1D to 1F, the vacuum phase PHU is performed during a second time interval TUW, the motor 2 is operated with a starting power PS equal to a second starting value SW2 and the motor 2 is operated with a final power PE equal to a second final value EW2.The first final value EW1 is greater than the first initial value SW1, the first time interval TUG is greater than the second time interval TUW, the first initial value SW1 is less than the second initial value SW2, and the first final value EW1 is slightly less than the second final value EW2 in the example shown. For example, the first time interval TUG is 2 seconds, the second time interval TUW is 1 second, the first initial value SW1 is 0.56 W, the first final value EW1 is 1.14 W, the second initial value SW2 is 1.5 W, the second final value EW2 is 1.8 W, the motor speed. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, pages 32 / 44 27 / 30 In low-noise operating mode, the N motor speed is 780 rpm to 1200 rpm, the N motor speed in the additional operating mode is 1400 rpm to 3600 rpm, and / or the generated vacuum is 150 mbar in both low-noise and additional operating modes.

[0051] In the additional exemplary operating mode, motor 2 is supplied with a constant voltage U in the vacuum phase PHU, cf. Fig. 1E, which is why the speed N at the beginning of the vacuum phase PHU is higher than in the low noise operating mode and decreases more and more due to the increase in load due to the developing vacuum, cf. Fig. 1F.

[0052] If the breast pump 1 comprises a controller 6 for the motor 2, the breast pump 1 is configured before use by setting the duration of the time intervals TI and the values ​​by which the motor power P is incrementally increased in low-noise operating mode and storing them in the breast pump 1 so that a motor speed N during the vacuum phase PHU fluctuates at most within a range of 0.3 to 1.7 times the value of the speed N at the beginning of the vacuum phase PHU. In particular, the breast pump 1 can be configured before use in such a way that, in low-noise operating mode, the motor speed N of 2 remains as constant as possible from one time interval TI to the next time interval TI, in particular, that in low-noise operating mode, the motor speed N of 2 does not change by more than 20%, preferably not by more than 10%, and particularly, preferably not by more than 5% of a time interval. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, pp. 33 / 44 28 / 30 TI for the next time interval TI. Furthermore, the breast pump 1 can be configured so that the duration of the time intervals TI and the values ​​by which the motor power P is incrementally increased in low-noise operating mode are defined and stored in the breast pump 1 in such a way that the final power PE is at least 50% greater than the initial power PS.

[0053] Fig. 4 shows a simplified block diagram of the breast pump 1 according to the invention. The breast pump 1 comprises a funnel 4 for support against the mother's breast, a vacuum unit 3 connected to the funnel 4 to generate a vacuum between the mother's breast and the funnel 4 against the mother's breast in a vacuum phase PHU, a motor 2 connected to the vacuum unit 3, in particular an electric motor, to operate the vacuum unit 3, a drive unit 7 for the motor 2 connected to the motor 2 and a venting device 8 connected to the vacuum unit 3 to reduce the vacuum in a venting phase PHB after the vacuum phase PHU. The drive unit 7 comprises a controller 6 for the motor 2 and / or a control device 5 for the motor 2.Furthermore, the drive unit 7 comprises an operating voltage source 9 connected to the controller 6 or control device 5 and / or a power supply 10, connected to or contained within the controller 6 or control device 5, for a pulse-width modulated voltage signal UPW, in particular a rectified pulse-width modulated voltage signal UPWG. To generate a rectified pulse-width modulated voltage signal UPWG, a. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, pages 34 / 44 The 29 / 30 drive unit 7 may comprise an electronic capacitor 11 connected to the power supply 10. The controller 6 or the control device 5 may control the motor 2, in particular the operating voltage source 9 or the power supply 10, so that, in low-noise operating mode, there is a progression of the motor power P extending from the starting power PS to the final power PE between defined successive time intervals TI, which together extend throughout the vacuum phase PHU, with incremental increases. The breast pump 1 may also comprise a memory 12 in which the number 13 of successive time intervals TI of the vacuum phase PHU is stored, the number 13 of which is specified during the adjustment of the breast pump 1.Furthermore, the height 14 of the steps specified during the adjustment of the breast pump 1 can be stored in memory 12, whereby the motor power P is increased by the controller 6 between time intervals TI. Additionally, the target speed Ntarget for the control device 5, which is set during the adjustment of the breast pump 1, can be stored in memory 12. To detect the instantaneous speed N of the motor 2, the drive unit 7 can be equipped with a tachometer 15. The instantaneous speed N can be compared with the predetermined target speed Ntarget, and the motor power P can be increased by the control device 5 between time intervals TI by a value that adjusts the instantaneous speed of the motor N to the target speed Ntarget. To switch between low-noise operating mode and operating mode. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, pp. 35 / 44 30 / 30 additionally, the breast pump 1 may include an input device 16, for example, a button, a switch, a touch screen or a computer application on a smartphone. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, pages 36 / 44

Claims

1 / 7 CLAIMS 1. Non-therapeutic operating method of a breast pump for pumping breast milk, wherein the breast pump (1) is alternately driven in a vacuum phase (PHU) and in a subsequent ventilation phase (PHB), wherein in the vacuum phase (PHU) at least one motor (2) of the breast pump (1) drives a vacuum unit (3) of the breast pump (1) to generate a vacuum between the mother's breast and a funnel (4) of the breast pump (1), the funnel (4) resting on the mother's breast, and in whose ventilation phase (PHB) the vacuum is reduced, wherein at least one motor (2) is driven at the beginning of the vacuum phase (PHU) with a starting power (PS) and at the end of the vacuum phase (PHU) with a final power (PE), characterized in that, in a low-noise operating mode,The engine power (P) is gradually increased from starting power (PS) to final power (PE) over at least four successive defined time intervals (TI) that jointly extend throughout the vacuum phase (PHU).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least ten successive defined time intervals (TI) are provided, which jointly extend throughout the vacuum phase (PHU).

3. Method, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the motor power (P) is increased by a controller (6) for at least one motor (2) by fixed values ​​between time intervals (TI).

4. Method, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a momentary speed (N) of at least one motor (2) is detected, compared with a predefined target speed (Ntarget), and the motor power (P) is increased by a control device (5) for at least one motor (2) between time intervals (TI) by a value that adjusts the momentary speed of the motor (N) to the target speed (Ntarget).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the predefined target speed (Ntarget) is stored in the breast pump (1).

6. Method, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an operating voltage (U) of at least one motor (2) is increased to increase the motor power (P).

7. Method, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one motor (2) is driven by means of a pulse width modulated (UPW) voltage signal and the pulse duration (PW) of the pulse width modulated (UPW) voltage signal is increased to increase the motor power (P).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that a rectified pulse-width modulated (UPWG) voltage signal is used as a pulse-width modulated (UPW) voltage signal.

9. Method, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the breast pump (1) is operated in low-noise operating mode or in an additional operating mode, in low-noise operating mode the vacuum phase (PHU) is performed during a first time interval (TUG), at least one motor (2) is operated with a starting power (PS) equal to a first starting value (SW1), and at least one motor (2) Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, p.38 / 44 3 / 7 is operated with a final power (PE) equal to a first final value (EW1), and in the additional operating mode the vacuum phase (PHU) is executed during a second time interval (TUW), at least one motor (2) is operated with a starting power (PS) equal to a second starting value (SW2), and at least one motor (2) is operated with a final power (PE) equal to a second final value (EW2), wherein the first final value (EW1) is greater than the first starting value (SW1), the first time interval (TUG) is greater than the second time interval (TUW), the first starting value (SW1) is less than the second starting value (SW2), and the first final value (EP1) is less than or equal to the second final value (EP2).

10. Method for adjusting a breast pump with which the method according to claim 3 is performed, characterized in that, in low noise operating mode, the duration of the time intervals (TI) and the values ​​by which the motor power (P) is incrementally increased are defined in such a way and stored in the breast pump (1) that a speed (N) of at least one motor (2) during the vacuum phase (PHU) varies at most within a range of 0.3 to 1.7 times the value of the speed (N) at the beginning of the vacuum phase (PHU).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that, in low-noise operating mode, the duration of the time intervals (TI) and the values ​​by which the motor power (P) is incrementally increased are defined and stored in the milk pump (1) in such a way that the final power (PE) is at least 50% greater than the starting power (PS). Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, p. 39 / 44 4 / 7 12. Breast pump, for pumping breast milk with a funnel (4) to support against the mother's breast, a vacuum unit (3) to generate a vacuum between the mother's breast and the funnel (4) against the mother's breast in vacuum phase (PHU), at least one motor (2) to operate the vacuum unit (3), a drive unit (7) for at least one motor (2) and a venting device (8) to reduce the vacuum in a venting phase (PHB) after the vacuum phase (PHU), wherein a starting power (PS) of at least one motor (2) is provided at the beginning of the vacuum phase (PHU) and a final power (PE) of at least one motor (2) at the end of the vacuum phase (PHU), wherein a low-noise operating mode is provided, characterized in that, in the low-noise operating mode, a progression of motor power (P) extending from starting power (PS) to final power (PE) comprises incremental increases between at least four intervals of defined successive times (TI),which extend together throughout the vacuum phase (PHU).

13. Breast pump, according to claim 12, characterized in that at least ten successive definite time intervals (TI) are provided, which jointly extend throughout the vacuum phase (PHU).

14. Milk extraction pump, according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the drive unit (7) for at least one motor (2) comprises a controller (6), designed to increase the motor power (P) by specified values ​​between time intervals (TI).

15. Breast pump, according to claim 12 or Petition 870250091466, dated 10 / 07 / 2025, page 40 / 44 5 / 7 13, characterized in that the drive unit (7) for at least one motor (2) comprises a control device (5), which is designed to detect a momentary speed (N) of at least one motor (2), to compare it with a predefined target speed (Ntarget) and to increase the motor power (P) between time intervals (TI) by an amount that adjusts the momentary speed of the motor (N) to the target speed (Ntarget).

16. Breast pump, according to claim 15, characterized in that the predefined target speed (Ntarget) is stored in the breast pump (1).

17. Milk extraction pump, according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the drive unit (7) for at least one motor (2) comprises an operating voltage source (9) for driving at least one motor (2), which operating voltage source (9) is designed to incrementally increase the operating voltage (U) of at least one motor (2) to increase the motor power (P).

18. Milk extraction pump, according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the drive unit (7) for at least one motor (2) comprises a power supply (10) for a pulse width modulated voltage signal (UPW), which power supply (10) is designed to incrementally increase the pulse duration (PW) of the pulse width modulated voltage signal (UPW) to increase the motor power (P).

19. Breast pump, according to claim 18, characterized in that the power supply (10) Petition 870250091466, dated 10 / 07 / 2025, page 41 / 44 6 / 7 for the pulse width modulated (UPW) voltage signal is a power supply (10) for a rectified pulse width modulated (UPWG) voltage signal.

20. Breast pump, according to any one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the breast pump (1) is switchable between low-noise operating mode and an additional operating mode, in low-noise operating mode the vacuum phase (PHU) extends over a first time interval (TUG), the starting power (PS) of at least one motor (2) comprises a first starting value (SW1) and the final power (PE) of at least one motor (2) comprises a first final value (EW1) and, in the additional operating mode, the vacuum phase (PHU) extends over a second time interval (TUW), the starting power (PS) of at least one motor (2) comprises a second starting value (SW2) and the final power (PE) of at least one motor (2) comprises a second final value (EW2), wherein the first final value (EW1) is greater than the first initial value (SW1), the first time interval (TUG) is greater than the second time interval (TUW),The first initial value (SW1) is less than the second initial value (SW2), and the first final value (EW1) is less than or equal to the second final value (EW2).

21. Breast pump according to claim 20, characterized in that a maximum speed (N) of at least one motor (2) in low-noise operating mode is between 20% and 70% of a maximum speed (N) of at least one motor (2) in additional operating mode. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, pp. 42 / 44 7 / 7 22. Breast pump, according to claim 21, characterized in that a maximum speed (N) of at least one motor (2) in low-noise operating mode is between 25% and 50% of a maximum speed (N) of at least one motor (2) in additional operating mode. Petition 870250091466, dated 07 / 10 / 2025, pp. 43 / 44

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