A wearable breast pump

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wearable breast pump, which belongs to the technical field of maternal and infant products. The breast pump is composed of a main unit component and an integrated core component. What is unique is that an integrated functional component including a butterfly-shaped air bag, a one-way valve plate and a negative pressure channel groove is provided to form a negative pressure buffer air path. The negative pressure airflow in the breast shield flows horizontally, and the negative pressure squeezes the breast more evenly, which increases the comfort of the breastfeeder when using it. The negative pressure cavity is connected to the milk outlet by a long flat negative pressure channel groove. The direction of negative pressure acting on the human breast is from the breast pad to the milk outlet, and the thickness of the breast pad also gradually becomes thinner from both ends to the middle. Under the action of negative pressure, the thinner area in the middle of the breast pad will be more likely to deform, squeezing and massaging the human areola, which is consistent with the conditioned reflex arc of natural lactation of the human body, making electric breast pumping closer to natural lactation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of maternal and infant products, and in particular to a breast pump. Background Art

[0002] A breast pump is an essential tool for lactating women to express milk. Early electric breast pumps typically consisted of a main unit and an application unit connected by a flexible air tube. Due to the large number of components and the separate design of the main unit and application unit, these pumps are bulky and can only be used in fixed locations such as homes and nursing rooms, resulting in limited concealment and portability. With the current promotion of breastfeeding in China, the lactation period is increasing year by year, and more and more women are still breastfeeding after returning to the workplace. This creates an urgent need for a breast pump that is more discreet and suitable for use in public settings, allowing for the timely discharge of breast milk secretions. In recent years, wearable breast pumps suitable for working women have emerged.

[0003] CN 213964594 U discloses a “breast pump system” comprising a housing at least partially formed to fit inside a brassiere and a piezoelectric air pump, the piezoelectric air pump being fitted within the housing and forming part of a closed-loop system, the piezoelectric air pump driving a separate deformable diaphragm to generate negative air pressure, the diaphragm being detachably mounted on the breastshield.

[0004] The technical solution of the above-mentioned "breast pump system" has the following defects: (1) Since the structure of the wearable breast pump is very compact, the distance between the negative pressure source and the breast shield and the breast that is releasing milk is very short, and there is no negative pressure buffer air path, which can easily cause the negative pressure airflow direction in the breast shield to be asymmetric, thereby causing the negative pressure to squeeze the breast unevenly, making the breastfeeder feel uncomfortable when using it. (2) This system only makes the shell and the bottle container adaptable to the shape of the human breast, and is no different from the traditional electric breast pump in terms of technical features and mechanism. (3) The breast shield is made of hard plastic, and the breast is not very comfortable when wearing this system to express milk. (4) When separating the core assembly from the outer shell, the milk storage tank must be removed before the core assembly can be removed. During the process of removing the milk storage tank, the milk in the milk storage tank can easily overflow from the milk storage tank. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a wearable breast pump that, compared to existing technologies, incorporates a negative pressure buffer air path. The negative pressure airflow within the breast shield flows horizontally, providing a more balanced pressure on the breasts and enhancing comfort for the breastfeeder. The core assembly can be separated from the outer housing without first removing the milk storage tank, preventing milk from spilling. This simple and convenient structure, combined with a low overall cost, effectively addresses the numerous components, complex structure, and difficult assembly associated with existing wearable breast pumps.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention is: a wearable breast pump, comprising a main unit component and an integrated breast pump component, which are snap-fitted together; wherein the main unit component includes a control circuit, a battery, a negative pressure pump, and a housing; the integrated breast pump component includes a breast pad and a lotion container; uniquely, the integrated breast pump component also includes an airway support and an integrated functional component; wherein:

[0007] a. The air circuit support is trumpet-shaped and comprises: a negative pressure chamber located at the top of the air circuit support and a milk outlet located at the lower end of the air circuit support; a long flat negative pressure channel groove is connected between the negative pressure chamber and the milk outlet, and the negative pressure channel groove is a downwardly concave groove that connects the negative pressure chamber and the milk outlet.

[0008] b. The integrated functional component consists of three areas: the upper area is provided with a butterfly-shaped airbag for gas-liquid separation, the middle area is provided with a long flat negative pressure sealing strip, and the lower area is provided with a one-way valve; the integrated functional component is an integrated injection molding structure.

[0009] c. The integrated functional component is embedded in the air circuit support; wherein, the butterfly-shaped airbag of the integrated functional component is embedded in the negative pressure cavity at the top of the air circuit support, the negative pressure sealing strip of the integrated functional component wraps the negative pressure channel groove of the air circuit support, and the one-way valve of the integrated functional component is clamped below the milk outlet of the air circuit support.

[0010] The integrated functional component is provided with an upwardly raised strip protrusion along the negative pressure sealing strip from the butterfly airbag. The strip protrusion is embedded in the groove of the negative pressure channel groove of the air circuit support and is in close contact with the negative pressure channel groove.

[0011] The groove depth of the negative pressure channel groove of the air circuit support is less than the height of the strip-shaped protrusion of the integrated functional component.

[0012] The thickness of the breast pad gradually changes radially from the front and rear ends to the middle part, and the thickness becomes thinner.

[0013] The host assembly is provided with an infrared detection device for detecting the emulsion volume in real time and a three-axis micro-mechanical digital accelerometer for posture detection for dynamic detection of emulsion during the breast pumping process, so as to realize the control and alarm of the emulsion level.

[0014] Beneficial Effects: The wearable breast pump described in the present invention has the following features: 1. The most significant difference between this invention and the prior art is the provision of a negative pressure buffer air path, namely an integrated functional component. This integrated functional component integrates a butterfly-shaped airbag, a negative pressure channel groove, and a one-way valve. This significant advantage is that, because a long, flat negative pressure channel groove connects the negative pressure chamber to the milk outlet, the air path is intentionally lengthened, while also lowering the milk outlet to a nearly horizontal position with the outlet of the breast pad. Consequently, the negative pressure airflow within the breast shield flows horizontally, applying more even pressure to the breasts and enhancing comfort for the breastfeeder.

[0015] In addition, the design of this integrated functional component also reduces the volume of the movement components, reduces the number of parts and their injection molds, and further simplifies the assembly process in the production process.

[0016] 2. In the "breast pump system" disclosed in CN 213964594 U, the milk storage box is not sealed to the core assembly. Furthermore, when separating the core assembly from the outer shell assembly, the milk storage box must be removed before the core assembly can be retrieved, which can easily lead to milk in the milk container spilling out of the milk storage tank. However, when the integrated core assembly and outer shell assembly of the present invention are separated, the milk container remains sealed to the three-way milk outlet of the integrated core assembly. This fundamentally prevents the milk in the milk container from coming into contact with air during the separation process, eliminating the risk of milk spillage.

[0017] 3. The breast-receiving portion of the present invention features a unique structure: the thickness of the breast pad gradually decreases radially from the front and rear ends toward the middle. The inner breast pad, which contacts the breast, is made of a soft, flexible material, while the outer support is made of a rigid plastic. When worn by a nursing mother, the soft pad contacts the breast, providing enhanced comfort. Furthermore, when negative pressure is applied, the pad automatically contracts due to the large pressure difference between the inside and outside of the pad. When the negative pressure is released, the pad automatically returns to its original shape. This allows the pad to adhere to and massage the areola, effectively massaging it and promoting lactation. Furthermore, during this process, the outer support provides rigid support, preventing the cup edge from tilting and guiding the inner pad's sides toward the middle. Furthermore, in the prior art, the connection between the pad and the transition chamber of the three-way pump is typically located on the central axis of the inner pad. This results in a certain amount of residual milk remaining in the pad after negative pressure transfers milk to the milk storage bottle. In order to overcome the above-mentioned defects, the eccentric connection port for docking the breast pad with the bracket of the present invention is located at the lower end of the central axis of the inner breast pad, so that the position of the milk outflow outlet is at the lowest point of the entire inner breast pad, so that no residual milk will be retained on the breast pad when normal pressure is restored.

[0018] 4. Because the wearable breast pump is fixed to the breastfeeder's chest, the stability of the milk container will be directly affected by the breastfeeder's movement or while expressing milk. Therefore, the main unit is also equipped with an infrared detection device for real-time monitoring of milk volume and a three-axis micro-mechanical digital accelerometer for dynamic monitoring of milk flow and posture detection during the expression process, thereby achieving milk level control and alarm.

[0019] In summary, the breast pumping principle of the present invention applies human body simulation, and the negative pressure path and the method of stimulating lactation on the breast of a nursing woman are consistent with those when a baby sucks breast milk. The negative pressure chamber is connected to the milk outlet by a long, flat negative pressure channel groove. The negative pressure acts on the human breast from the breast pad to the milk outlet, and the thickness of the breast pad gradually becomes thinner from both ends to the middle. Under the action of negative pressure, the thinner area in the middle of the breast pad will be more likely to deform, squeezing and massaging the human areola, which is consistent with the conditioned reflex arc of natural lactation of the human body, making electric breast pumping closer to natural lactation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the integrated functional component of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 It is a front view of the integrated functional component of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a right side view of the integrated functional component of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the gas path support of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the cross section of the wearable breast pump of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the negative pressure airflow direction in the breast pad of the present invention.

[0027] Figure symbols: 1-main unit assembly; 2-integrated functional assembly; 21-one-way valve; 22-negative pressure sealing strip; 23-butterfly airbag; 3-straight-through connector; 4-milk container; 5-air path support; 51-negative pressure chamber; 52-negative pressure channel groove; 53-milk outlet; 6-breast pad; 7-eccentric connection port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention are further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] A wearable breast pump comprises a main unit component 1 and an integrated breast pump component, which are snap-fitted together. The main unit component 1 includes a control circuit, a battery, a negative pressure pump, and a housing. The integrated breast pump component includes a breast pad 6 and a lotion container 4. Uniquely, the integrated breast pump component also includes an airway support 5 and an integrated functional component 2.

[0030] a. The air circuit support 5 is trumpet-shaped and includes: a negative pressure chamber 51 located at the top of the air circuit support 5, and a milk outlet 53 located at the lower end of the air circuit support 5; a long, flat negative pressure channel groove 52 is connected between the negative pressure chamber 51 and the milk outlet 53. The negative pressure channel groove 52 is a downwardly concave groove that connects the negative pressure chamber 51 and the milk outlet 53.

[0031] b. The integrated functional component 2 consists of three areas: the upper area is provided with a butterfly-shaped airbag 23 for gas-liquid separation, the middle area is provided with a long flat negative pressure sealing strip 22, and the lower area is provided with a one-way valve 21; the integrated functional component 2 is an integrated injection molding structure.

[0032] c. The integrated functional component 2 is embedded in the air circuit support 5; wherein, the butterfly airbag 23 of the integrated functional component 2 is embedded in the negative pressure cavity 51 at the top of the air circuit support 5, the negative pressure sealing strip 22 of the integrated functional component 2 wraps the negative pressure channel groove 52 of the air circuit support 5, and the one-way valve 21 of the integrated functional component 2 is clamped below the milk outlet 53 of the air circuit support 5.

[0033] The integrated functional component 2 is provided with an upwardly raised strip protrusion from the butterfly airbag 23 along the negative pressure sealing strip 22 . The strip protrusion is embedded in the groove of the negative pressure channel groove 52 of the air circuit support 5 and is in close contact with the negative pressure channel groove 52 .

[0034] The depth of the negative pressure channel groove 52 of the air circuit support 5 is less than the height of the strip-shaped protrusion of the integrated functional component 2 .

[0035] The thickness of the breast pad 6 gradually changes radially from the front and rear ends to the middle part, and the thickness gradually becomes thinner.

[0036] The host assembly 1 is provided with an infrared detection device for detecting the emulsion volume in real time and a three-axis micro-mechanical digital accelerometer for posture detection for dynamic detection of emulsion during the breast pumping process, so as to realize the control and alarm of the emulsion level.

[0037] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the negative pressure airflow within this breast pad. The arrows in the figure indicate the direction of the negative pressure airflow. Because a long, flat negative pressure channel 52 connects the negative pressure chamber 51 to the milk outlet 53, the milk outlet 53 is significantly lowered, remaining nearly horizontal with the breast pad's outlet. Consequently, the negative pressure airflow within the breast shield flows horizontally, applying a more balanced pressure to the breasts and enhancing comfort for the breastfeeder.

Claims

1. A wearable breast pump, comprising a main unit component (1) and an integrated breast pump component, which are snap-fitted together; wherein: The host assembly (1) includes: a control circuit, a battery, a negative pressure pump and a housing; the integrated breast pump assembly includes: a breast pad (6) and a lotion container (4); it is characterized in that the integrated breast pump assembly also includes an air path support (5) and an integrated functional assembly (2); wherein: a. The air path support (5) is trumpet-shaped and comprises: a negative pressure chamber (51) located at the top of the air path support (5), and a milk outlet (53) located at the lower end of the air path support (5); a long flat negative pressure channel groove (52) is connected between the negative pressure chamber (51) and the milk outlet (53), and the negative pressure channel groove (52) is a downwardly concave groove that connects the negative pressure chamber (51) and the milk outlet (53); b. The integrated functional component (2) is composed of three regions: the upper region is provided with a butterfly-shaped airbag (23) for gas-liquid separation, the middle region is provided with a long flat negative pressure sealing strip (22), and the lower region is provided with a one-way valve (21); the integrated functional component (2) is an integrated injection molding structure; c. The integrated functional component (2) is embedded in the air circuit support (5); wherein the butterfly-shaped airbag (23) of the integrated functional component (2) is embedded in the negative pressure cavity (51) at the top of the air circuit support (5), the negative pressure sealing strip (22) of the integrated functional component (2) wraps the negative pressure channel groove (52) of the air circuit support (5), and the one-way valve (21) of the integrated functional component (2) is clamped below the milk outlet (53) of the air circuit support (5).

2. A wearable breast pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The integrated functional component (2) is provided with an upwardly raised strip-shaped protrusion from the butterfly airbag (23) along the negative pressure sealing strip (22), and the strip-shaped protrusion is embedded in the groove of the negative pressure channel groove (52) of the air path support (5) and is in close contact with the negative pressure channel groove (52).

3. A wearable breast pump according to claim 2, characterized in that: The groove depth of the negative pressure channel groove (52) of the air path support (5) is less than the height of the strip-shaped protrusion of the integrated functional component (2).

4. The wearable breast pump according to claim 1, wherein: The thickness of the breast pad (6) gradually changes radially from the front and rear ends to the middle part, and the thickness gradually becomes thinner.

5. A wearable breast pump according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The host component (1) is provided with an infrared detection device for detecting the emulsion volume in real time and a three-axis micro-mechanical digital accelerometer for posture detection for dynamic detection of the emulsion during the breast pumping process, so as to realize the control and alarm of the emulsion level.

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