Breast pump

Abstract

The invention provides a breast pump. The breast pump comprises a main machine, a flange, a liquid storage device, a light-emitting assembly and a positioning detection assembly. The main machine is provided with a main control circuit, the flange is detachably assembled on the main machine, the light-emitting assembly comprises a first light source and a light beam shaping component, and the light beam shaping component is located in the optical axis direction of the first light source and used for conducting wavefront modulation on light beams emitted by the first light source to enable the light beams to form light spots with a central high-energy area and an edge weak-energy area on the surface of a positioned object. The area of the edge weak energy area changes along with the change of the distance between the positioned object and the first light source, so that dynamic positioning guide is provided, and the positioning detection assembly is arranged on the cover body and used for feeding back whether the positioned object is located in a preset positioning area to the main control circuit. According to the invention, through combination of the specially modulated dynamic light spot and the positioning detection assembly, visual and accurate wearing positioning assistance is provided for a user in a dark light environment, and the use convenience and efficiency are significantly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of breast pump technology, and more particularly to a breast pump. Background Technology

[0002] Existing breast pumps generally suffer from problems such as limited lighting and difficulty in positioning the pump when used at night or in low-light environments. During pumping, users need to maintain both hand support and visual judgment. Because the relative position of the pump and the nipple is not easy to observe, repeated adjustments are often required to find the right position. This not only affects the efficiency of pumping but also increases discomfort.

[0003] While existing products attempt to incorporate lighting strips on the outside of the breast pump or around the pump housing to provide auxiliary light at night, these lights are mostly diffused and lack a focused illumination range. This fails to accurately indicate the pump's position and can easily cause glare. Furthermore, the lighting and breast pump control systems are typically independent, requiring users to switch modes or adjust brightness separately, increasing the complexity of nighttime use.

[0004] On the other hand, traditional breast pumps lack visual feedback on the suction status. Even if some devices add infrared detection or sensing modules, their function is mostly focused on temperature control or safety protection, failing to provide intuitive positioning indicators. As a result, when the breast shield is not accurately aligned with the nipple, the device will still initiate the suction process, leading to a decreased user experience and even causing discomfort. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this application is to provide a breast pump that, by placing a first light source at the center of the housing and arranging a beam shaping structure along its optical axis, can perform wavefront modulation on the emitted light, causing the light spot to exhibit a distribution characteristic of high energy at the center and weak energy at the edges on the target surface. As the distance between the housing and the area being pumped changes, the diameter of the light spot changes accordingly, allowing the user to quickly align the pump without additional judgment based on changes in spot size and brightness. Simultaneously, a second peripheral light source provides soft and uniform ambient lighting, avoiding direct glare while maintaining sufficient visibility at night.

[0006] Furthermore, this system, in conjunction with the main control circuit and positioning detection components, can determine whether the positioning is correct through distance sensing, image recognition, or infrared array, and transmit feedback information to the control terminal or external devices, thereby achieving automatic calibration before breast pumping. Through this combination of optical assistance and intelligent feedback, this application effectively solves the problems of existing breast pumps, such as difficulty in accurate alignment at night, glaring lighting, and cumbersome operation, improving the safety and comfort of use.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a breast pump, comprising: The main unit is equipped with a main control circuit and has a receiving slot and mounting part; A flange, detachably installed in a receiving groove, the flange having a fluid passage and a mating portion and a beam emission port opposite to the fluid passage; The reservoir is detachably assembled to the bottom of the main unit and communicates with the end of the fluid channel opposite to the fitting part; The light-emitting component includes a first light source, a second light source, and a beam shaping component; The first light source is disposed on the mounting part and located outside the flange corresponding to the beam emission port. The first light source is electrically connected to the main control circuit and is configured to emit a beam of light in the direction of the central axis of the fluid channel via the beam emission port. The beam shaping component, disposed along the optical axis of the first light source, is used to perform wavefront modulation on the beam, thereby forming a light spot with a central high-energy region and an edge low-energy region on the surface of the object to be positioned. The area of ​​the edge low-energy region varies with the distance between the object to be positioned and the first light source; and The positioning detection component is disposed on the receiving groove and located outside the flange. It is electrically connected to the main control circuit and is used to determine whether the object to be positioned is within the positioning area based on the optical signal, and output a corresponding feedback signal.

[0008] In one embodiment, the flange includes a central longitudinal axis, and the optical axis of the first light source is coaxially arranged with the central longitudinal axis.

[0009] In one embodiment, the beam shaping component is positioned at a first distance in front of the emission port of the first light source, and the beam divergence angle modulated by the beam shaping component is a first angle.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first distance is set in conjunction with the first angle so that when the edge weak energy region shrinks to a first area threshold, the object to be positioned falls within the positioning area.

[0011] In one embodiment, the beam shaping component includes a first plano-convex cylindrical lens and a second plano-convex cylindrical lens arranged sequentially along the optical axis of the first light source. The cylindrical convex surface of the first plano-convex cylindrical lens is arranged along a first direction for shaping the beam in the first direction. The cylindrical convex surface of the second plano-convex cylindrical lens is arranged along a second direction for shaping the beam in the vertical direction. The first direction and the second direction are orthogonal.

[0012] In one embodiment, the breast pump further includes a second light source and a light-transmitting window. The second light source is disposed on the main unit around the outer peripheral edge of the flange, and the light emitted by the second light source is emitted outward through the light-transmitting window.

[0013] In one embodiment, the device further includes function buttons, which are electrically connected to the main control circuit; The main control circuit is configured to respond to different key operations of the function keys to perform different light source control functions.

[0014] In one embodiment, the button operation includes at least one of a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation; The first operation is used to control the opening and closing of the first light source; The second operation is used to control the opening and closing of the second light source; The third operation is used to simultaneously control the activation and deactivation of the first light source and the second light source.

[0015] In one embodiment, the positioning detection component includes at least one of a miniature infrared distance sensor array and an image acquisition device.

[0016] In one embodiment, the main control circuit responds to a control signal and is used to control the switching of the first light source and the second light source; The control signal also includes control signals received from external devices via the communication module; The main control circuit also responds to the feedback signal, generates and sends a prompt signal based on the feedback signal, to indicate whether the position of the object being located has fallen into the positioning area.

[0017] The technical solution of this application combines the aforementioned specially modulated dynamic light spot with a positioning detection component to form a complete closed loop for the breast pump system: "visual cues - real-time detection - feedback confirmation." The breast pump system first provides intuitive positioning guidance through the dynamic light spot; then, it utilizes the positioning detection component to monitor the correctness of the wearer's position in real time and sends a signal back to the main control circuit; finally, the main control circuit's judgment ensures the reliability of each positioning attempt. This closed-loop system provides users with accurate and efficient wearable positioning assistance in low-light environments, significantly improving operational convenience and overall usage efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a breast pump structure according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a breast pump according to another embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the main unit structure of a breast pump according to another embodiment of this application; Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a light-emitting component according to another embodiment of this application; Figure 4B This is a functional schematic diagram of a light-emitting component according to another embodiment of this application.

[0021] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0022] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Well-known modules, units, and their connections, links, communications, or operations are not shown or described in detail. Furthermore, the described features, architectures, or functions can be combined in any way in one or more embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that the various embodiments described below are only for illustration and not for limiting the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] On the one hand, existing breast pumps present a structural contradiction between lighting and positioning in nighttime or low-light environments. Sufficient brightness is needed to clearly see the relative position of the pump body and the nipple, while direct, strong light should be avoided to prevent glare or irritation to the breast skin. Current products often use LED beads or strips around the main unit or pump body, creating mostly uniform or diffused light fields that only provide broad ambient lighting and cannot form a light spot with clear directionality and shape on the breast surface. Users can only rely on approximate brightness to judge position, making it difficult to accurately observe the alignment of the pump body's central axis with the nipple. This leads to repeated adjustments, low suction efficiency, and a heavy operational burden as the user's hand must simultaneously support the milk bottle and control buttons.

[0025] On the other hand, the lighting system and negative pressure pumping system of existing breast pumps are mostly independent, with lighting existing only as an additional function. When using it at night, users need to first find the switch to turn on the light, then separately set the pumping mode and intensity, and may even need to repeatedly adjust the brightness or turn the light on and off midway. The operation steps are numerous and require visual coordination, which is not conducive to use in a semi-sleep state, with one hand, or while holding the baby. In addition, although traditional products may incorporate infrared sensors and temperature detection modules for safety protection and temperature control, these modules mainly work on the device status and do not provide users with intuitive and continuous visual feedback on "whether the suction is centered" or "whether the distance between the shield and the nipple is appropriate." As a result, even if users feel uncomfortable suction, it is difficult for them to quickly determine whether they need to reposition the pump by observing changes in light.

[0026] The improvement approach of this application is to unify the "illumination function" and "positioning indication function" through optical design, upgrading from "only providing brightness" to "providing visual positioning information." Specifically, a beam emitting unit (i.e., the first light source) is arranged on the central axis of the flange, and a beam shaping component is set in its optical axis direction. This makes the light spot projected onto the breast surface no longer a uniform surface light source, but has an energy distribution characteristic of "a high-brightness area in the center + a weak-brightness area at the periphery." When observing, the user can judge the planar position of the breast shield by the degree of overlap between the center of the light spot and the nipple position, and perceive the distance between the shield and the breast surface by the change in the width of the weak-brightness area at the periphery. When the edge area of ​​the light spot shrinks to a preset range, it can be considered that the shield has been placed in a suitable suction position, greatly reducing the process of repeated trial and error based on experience.

[0027] Meanwhile, in this application, the second light source is configured around the flange, and the main control circuit uniformly controls the working state of the light-emitting components: during the positioning stage, the beam emitting unit is turned on while the second light source provides ambient light at a lower brightness, ensuring that the light spot on the breast surface is clearly visible while avoiding glare caused by excessive overall brightness; when positioning is completed and the formal breast pumping stage begins, the central beam can be reduced or turned off as needed, leaving only the second light source to provide a soft night light, reducing interference to the user and the baby. Through this clearly defined dual-light-path design, this application addresses both the needs of "precise positioning" and "comfortable lighting" within the same structure.

[0028] In terms of control logic, the main control circuit of this application links the optical positioning process with the breast pumping control process, forming an overall process that runs through "positioning—adsorption—maintenance". Users only need to press a button or select a mode once to sequentially trigger lighting positioning, position confirmation, and breast pumping initiation, eliminating the need to operate the lighting and breast pumping systems separately, thus significantly simplifying the operation steps when using it at night. Through continuous changes in the light spot shape, users can make fine adjustments without frequently changing their posture, reducing pain or nipple friction caused by adsorption misalignment, and improving the comfort and safety of the breast pumping process.

[0029] In summary, the problems with existing technologies are concentrated in: the lack of indicative illumination light field, reliance on experience for positioning, the disconnect between illumination and breast pump control, and the lack of intuitive feedback on the suction status. This application, by introducing a beam with a specific energy distribution at the center of the flange and a secondary peripheral light source, coupled with unified control of the main control circuit, couples optical positioning, ambient lighting, and the breast pumping process, achieving overall optimization of the user experience of the breast pump in nighttime or low-light environments. The improvement is clearly reflected in two aspects: "redesign of the light field structure + integration of control logic".

[0030] Reference Figures 1 to 3 In one embodiment of this application, a breast pump is provided, the overall structure of which includes a main unit 20, a flange 30, a liquid reservoir 202, a light-emitting component 10, and a positioning detection component. The main unit 20 contains a main control circuit 201, and a liquid reservoir 202 and a mounting portion 204 for mounting related functional components are formed on the main unit 20. The main control circuit 201 is used to uniformly control the various functional components of the breast pump and process signals from the detection component.

[0031] The flange 30 is detachably installed within the receiving tank 203. The flange 30 connects the main unit 20 to the suction assembly and forms a through-flow fluid channel within it. This fluid channel transmits negative pressure and guides the flow of milk during the suction process. One end of the flange 30 has a fitting portion for contact with the object being positioned, while the other end connects to the reservoir. Simultaneously, a beam emission port 104 is formed on the flange 30. The beam emission port 104 is positioned opposite the fluid channel and along its central axis, providing an optical path for the beam to enter the housing.

[0032] It should be noted that the flange 30 is not limited to a single structural component. It can be an integrally formed structure or a combination of multiple functional components. As long as it can realize the connection between the cover and the host 20, the formation of the fluid channel, and the installation and alignment of optical or detection components, it should be considered to fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0033] It should be noted that, in the specific application scenario of this invention, the object to be positioned refers to the human body part that needs to be positioned during the use of the breast pump, mainly including the user's breast, especially the nipple located at the front of the breast, which needs to be in close contact with the breast pump cover and enter the central area of ​​the fluid channel. This invention uses visual assistance to position the object to ensure that the nipple is within a preset positioning area relative to the central axis of the fluid channel, thereby improving suction stability and user comfort. The reservoir is detachably mounted on the bottom of the main unit 20 and communicates with the end of the fluid channel away from the contact part, used to collect milk during the pumping process. The flange 30 and the reservoir are designed to maintain a stable negative pressure conduction path and milk flow path, avoiding interference with the relative positions of the optical and detection structures during disassembly and assembly.

[0034] The liquid reservoir 202 is located at the bottom of the main unit 20, and its internal dimensions match the external dimensions of the flange 30, allowing the flange 30 to be detachably installed in the receiving groove 203. Through the limiting effect of the receiving groove 203, after installation, the flange 30's fluid channel, fitting portion, and beam emission port maintain a preset relative position with the main unit 20 in space, thus providing a stable structural foundation for the subsequent adsorption process and optical positioning.

[0035] It should be noted that the receiving groove 203 is not limited to a recessed cavity structure. It can also be an installation space formed by multiple enclosing structures. As long as it can position, limit and support the flange 30, it should be considered to fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0036] A mounting portion 204 is further formed on the main unit 20 around or adjacent to the reservoir 202. The mounting portion 204 is used to support functional components that cooperate with the flange 30, and in particular, to mount the first light source and its associated beam shaping components. By placing the first light source on the mounting portion 204 and positioning it outside the flange 30 corresponding to the beam emission port, it can be ensured that the beam emitted by the first light source is aligned spatially with the beam emission port and the central axis of the fluid channel.

[0037] Furthermore, a flow channel 301 is formed inside the flange 30, which is used to guide the transmission of negative pressure and the flow of milk during the operation of the breast pump. The flow channel 301 extends along the axial direction of the flange 30, with one end facing the fitting part and communicating with the internal space of the flange 30, and the other end facing away from the fitting part and communicating with the liquid reservoir, thereby forming a continuous fluid path between the main unit 20 and the liquid reservoir.

[0038] It should be noted that the mounting part 204 can be a structural part integrally formed with the main body 20 housing, or it can be an independently set mounting bracket or mounting base. Its specific structural form can be adjusted according to the internal layout of the product, but its core function is to provide a stable mounting reference for the first light source to ensure the consistency and repeatability of the beam direction.

[0039] In this embodiment, the liquid reservoir 202 and the mounting part 204 are not set in isolation, but are designed in a coordinated manner through the overall structure of the host 20. This ensures that after the flange 30 is installed, the optical path relationship of the first light source emitting a light beam from the beam emission port toward the central axis of the fluid channel remains stable, thereby avoiding the impact of structural displacement during disassembly or use on the positioning accuracy.

[0040] The light-emitting component 10 includes a first light source 101, a second light source 103, and a beam shaping component 102. The first light source 101 is mounted on the mounting portion 204 of the main unit 20 and is located on the flange 30, corresponding to the outer side of the beam emission port 104. The first light source 101 is electrically connected to the main control circuit 201, and under the control of the main control circuit 201, emits a beam of light towards the object being positioned via the beam emission port 104 along the central axis of the fluid channel.

[0041] It should be noted that the first light source 101 can be a light-emitting diode, a laser diode, or other light source capable of forming a directional beam, and its specific type does not constitute a limitation on the present invention.

[0042] The beam shaping component 102 is disposed along the optical axis 105 of the first light source 101 and is used to perform wavefront modulation on the beam emitted by the first light source 101, so that the modulated beam forms a light spot structure with a central high-energy region and an edge low-energy region on the surface of the object to be positioned. As the distance between the object to be positioned and the first light source 101 changes, the area of ​​the edge low-energy region changes accordingly, thereby providing the user with intuitive distance or position cues.

[0043] It should be noted that the beam shaping component 102 may include, but is not limited to, diffractive optical elements, aspherical lenses, Fresnel structures, or composite optical components. Its function is to change the energy distribution of the beam, rather than limiting the specific optical implementation method.

[0044] The positioning detection component is mounted on the liquid reservoir 202, located outside the flange 30, and electrically connected to the main control circuit 201. The positioning detection component is used to acquire optical signals related to the object being positioned and to determine whether the object is within a preset positioning area based on these signals. When the detection result meets the positioning conditions, the positioning detection component outputs a corresponding feedback signal to the main control circuit 201.

[0045] It should be noted that the "optical signal" in the positioning detection component may include information on the change of light spot formed by the first light source 101, information on the change of reflected light intensity, or image feature information, and the specific signal form can be selected according to the actual application requirements.

[0046] The main control circuit 201 determines whether the current adsorption state meets the positioning requirements based on the feedback signal, and can execute corresponding control logic accordingly, such as outputting a prompt signal or allowing the milk pumping function to start. Through the above structural design, the breast pump can intuitively locate the object being positioned in low light or nighttime environments by detecting changes in the light spot and feedback, thereby improving the accuracy of adsorption positioning and user comfort.

[0047] The beam shaping component 102 is disposed in the direction of the optical axis 105 of the first light source 101 and is used to perform wavefront modulation on the beam, thereby forming a light spot with a central high-energy region and an edge low-energy region on the surface of the object to be positioned, wherein the area of ​​the edge low-energy region varies with the distance between the object to be positioned and the first light source 101.

[0048] Optionally, the beam shaping component 102 includes a first plano-convex cylindrical lens and a second plano-convex cylindrical lens arranged sequentially along the optical axis 105. The cylindrical convex surface of the first plano-convex cylindrical lens is arranged in the horizontal direction to shape the beam in the horizontal direction; the cylindrical convex surface of the second plano-convex cylindrical lens is arranged in the vertical direction to shape the beam in the vertical direction. By adjusting the focal length and beam waist position in the two orthogonal directions respectively, the beam spot, which may originally be elliptical or asymmetrically distributed, can be shaped into an approximately circular beam spot at a specific working distance (i.e., the plane where the object is located).

[0049] For example, both the first and second plano-convex cylindrical lenses have a convex focal length of 50 mm, and the placement interval between them is 10 mm. With this configuration, at a working distance of 30 mm, the spot diameter is approximately 8 mm, with the central 50% region containing 80% of the energy, and the energy attenuation in the edge region being smooth. It should be noted that the lens focal length is not limited to 50 mm; it can be selected within the range of 20 mm to 200 mm depending on the divergence characteristics of the light source and the target spot size requirements. The spacing between the two lenses can be adjusted within the range of 0.5 to 2 times the focal length of a single lens. This spacing is one of the key parameters for controlling the final spot circularity, energy distribution profile, and the range of the weak energy region at the edges.

[0050] The beam shaping component 102 provided by this invention is integrated into a breast pump. The shaped beam is projected onto the surface of the user's breast, forming a circular spot with a bright center and gradually darkening edges. Because the outline of this spot is substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the nipple area, the user can easily see whether their nipple is centered in the contact area. Therefore, when using the breast pump to express milk, the user can easily and readily determine that their nipple is correctly positioned, thus enabling effective and comfortable milk expression.

[0051] For example, to improve overall visual comfort, this application provides a second light source 103 around the flange 30. The second light source 103 creates soft ambient lighting, allowing the user to clearly observe the surrounding environment during positioning, without interfering with the positioning light spot formed by the first light source 101. It should be noted that the second light source 103 can take the form of a ring light strip, a diffused light strip, or a low-brightness LED panel, etc., and its main function is to supplement lighting and provide a comfortable visual environment.

[0052] In practical use, the light spot generated by the first light source 101 and the beam shaping component 102 is used to indicate the positioning direction and distance, while the second light source 103 provides auxiliary illumination, enabling users to accurately observe the positioning results at night or in low-light environments. This application achieves effective separation of positioning and illumination functions through a dual-light source structure, making the positioning light spot highly identifiable.

[0053] In summary, this embodiment constructs an optical structure for visual-assisted positioning by setting a first light source 101 and its beam shaping component 102 at the center of the flange 30 and setting a second light source 103 on the periphery. This structure can provide an intuitive and adjustable light spot indication effect under low light conditions, allowing users to quickly obtain positioning feedback without repeated attempts, thereby improving the convenience and accuracy of the usage process.

[0054] For example, in one embodiment, a beam emission port 104 is provided at the center of the flange 30. The beam emission port 104 is aligned with the central axis of the enclosure and is used to define the light emission direction of the first light source 101, so that the beam can propagate stably along the central axis of the enclosure. The first light source 101 is fixedly installed inside the beam emission port 104, and maintains a coaxial relationship with the central axis of the enclosure through structural fit, thereby ensuring that the propagation path of the beam in space does not deviate.

[0055] It should be noted that the "beam emission port 104" in this application is not limited to a circular or straight hole. It can be designed as a conical hole, a square hole, or an opening with a light guiding structure, depending on the shape of the housing. Its main function is to define the starting direction of the beam, improve the axial consistency of the beam, and enable the subsequent beam shaping component 102 to achieve beam modulation under stable incident conditions. In addition, the first light source 101 and the emission port are fixedly installed, which can be achieved by means of a snap-fit ​​structure, threaded fixing, adhesive bonding, or modular slots. As long as the position of the light source can be kept stable during use, it falls within the protection scope of this application.

[0056] For example, the beam shaping component 102 is disposed in front of the emission port of the first light source 101 and maintains a preset first distance from the first light source 101. This first distance is used to adjust the spot size, optical path distribution, or phase structure of the beam before it enters the beam shaping component 102, so that the beam shaping component 102 can operate under optimal incident conditions.

[0057] It should be noted that the "first distance" in this application can be set based on factors such as the type of light source, beam divergence characteristics, and optical parameters of the beam shaping component 102. For example, for point light sources or highly directional LEDs, the beam shaping component 102 can be arranged at a shorter distance to ensure that the central light energy is fully focused; while for light sources with a large scattering angle, the distance can be appropriately increased to allow the beam to form a more uniform light field distribution before incident. This application does not limit the specific value of this distance, as long as an effective shaping effect can be achieved.

[0058] At this distance, the beam shaping component 102 modulates the beam emitted from the first light source 101, giving the shaped beam a predetermined divergence angle, which corresponds to a first angle. The shaped beam exhibits an energy distribution pattern with a central high-brightness area and a peripheral low-brightness area on the surface of the object being positioned, and the edge of the light spot can be scaled as the distance between the device and the object being positioned changes, thereby realizing the positioning prompt function.

[0059] It should be noted that the "divergence angle" in this application refers to the angle at which the beam diffuses outward from the central axis after modulation by the beam shaping component 102. This angle can be achieved in various forms, such as a curved lens structure, a diffraction grating pattern, a microlens array, or a wavefront control element, and the specific implementation method is not limited. The size of the first angle can be set according to the positioning distance, the usage scenario, and the spot recognition requirements, and is usually in the range of several degrees to tens of degrees.

[0060] Furthermore, the first distance and the first angle are set in accordance with a preset optical relationship, so that when the weak energy region at the edge of the light spot formed by the beam shaping component 102 shrinks to the first area threshold, it can be determined that the object being positioned has entered the positioning area.

[0061] In this embodiment, by adjusting the first distance between the beam shaping component 102 and the first light source 101, the shape of the light spot illuminating the surface of the object to be positioned exhibits a clear edge contraction characteristic as the distance changes. As the flange 30 gradually approaches the object to be positioned, the shape of the central high-brightness area of ​​the light spot remains basically stable, while the area of ​​the peripheral low-brightness area gradually decreases. When this low-energy area shrinks to a preset area threshold, it can be considered that the distance between the device and the object to be positioned has fallen into the optimal fitting range, thereby indicating that positioning is complete.

[0062] It should be noted that the "first area threshold" in this application is not a fixed value, but rather an area range determined comprehensively based on factors such as the clarity of the light spot recognition, the reflectivity of the material of the object being located, the usage context, and the power of the light source. By presetting this threshold, the system can use changes in the edge of the light spot as a distance determination condition, allowing users to obtain clear positioning prompts when observing changes in the light spot.

[0063] Furthermore, the first angle determines the degree of beam divergence in space, thereby affecting the diffusion rate and shrinkage trend of the weak-energy region at the edge of the beam spot. By setting the first angle in conjunction with the first distance, the weak-energy region exhibits a significant shrinkage effect when approaching the object being positioned, thus creating a visually observable change. It should be noted that this coordination relationship can be determined through optical simulation, experimental calibration, or beam shaping parameter tables; this application does not limit the specific calculation method.

[0064] In practical use, when aligning the central high-energy area with the object being positioned, the user only needs to observe the size of the edge area of ​​the light spot to determine the positional relationship between the device and the object. When the weak-energy area shrinks to the first area threshold, the device can be considered to be in the correct positioning area, thus avoiding the inconvenience of repeated attempts and making the positioning process more intuitive and accurate.

[0065] Optionally, refer to Figure 4A and Figure 4B Another embodiment of this application provides the functional principle of a beam shaping component 102. The beam emitted by the first light source 101 is not directly projected onto the surface of the object to be positioned, but is first modulated by the beam shaping component 102 disposed in front of it. This component can employ diffractive optical elements, microstructure refractive arrays, or other wavefront control units. Its function is to change the spatial energy distribution of the beam, giving the beam a shape suitable for positioning requirements. It should be noted that a diffractive optical element (DOE) is a type of optical device based on micro / nano structures for beam diffraction and distribution shaping. It can precisely control the divergence angle, brightness distribution, and spatial shape of the beam without changing the light source itself.

[0066] The beam shaping component 102 restructures the wavefront of the beam during propagation, resulting in a shaped beam spot with high brightness in the central area and a weaker, lower brightness distribution in the outer region. Since this outer weak-energy region exhibits significant changes in both brightness and area with distance, this application utilizes the size variation of this region to assist in positioning. As the flange 30 approaches the object being positioned, the outer ring of the weak-energy region projected onto the surface shows a clear shrinking trend; conversely, as the device moves away from the object, the weak-energy region expands. Because this change is highly predictable, once the weak-energy region shrinks to a preset area threshold, it can be determined that the enclosure has reached the target positioning range.

[0067] The shaped beam maintains a specific divergence angle in space, determined by the microstructure of the beam shaping component 102. It should be noted that defining the divergence angle is crucial for this application because the size of the outer ring of the beam spot is directly related to the divergence angle, and the stability of the divergence angle ensures that the weak-energy region exhibits a continuous and predictable variation pattern at different distances. After leaving the beam shaping component 102, the beam propagates at a fixed angle along the central axis of the cover, ultimately forming a composite beam spot on the surface of the object being positioned, consisting of a bright central area and a soft, weak-energy region. The bright central area provides an intuitive illumination reference, while the variation in the area of ​​the weak-energy region serves as a "distance indicator," allowing the user to determine whether the cover is correctly aligned with the nipple region by observing the beam spot shape.

[0068] In practical use, when the device is still at a relatively far distance, the area of ​​the light spot projected onto the skin surface is large, with a noticeable area of ​​weak light on the outer edge. As the breast pump housing moves closer to the nipple, the weak light area on the outer edge gradually shrinks until it reaches the set area threshold, at which point it can be determined that the housing has been positioned at the optimal suction point. The entire positioning process does not require the user to repeatedly adjust the angle; visual alignment before suction can be completed simply by observing the changes in the light spot, significantly reducing the difficulty of positioning traditional breast pumps in low-light environments.

[0069] Optionally, the breast pump may further include a main control circuit 201 for unified control of the first light source 101 and the second light source 103 located around the outer casing. The main control circuit 201 typically includes a processor, a power management module, and several drive units. It adjusts the brightness, activation sequence, and operating mode of the light source through an internally set control strategy to achieve coordinated operation between the visual positioning function and the ambient lighting function.

[0070] It should be noted that the main control circuit 201 is not merely a simple power supply device; its core function is to output different driving signals to the light source according to different stages of use. For example, when the device is in the adsorption and positioning stage, the main control circuit 201 prioritizes driving the first light source 101 located at the center of the cover, causing it to project a positioning light spot modulated by the beam shaping component 102, so that the user can judge the relative distance between the cover and the nipple. In this stage, the second light source 103 is usually kept at low brightness or temporarily turned off to avoid interfering with the visibility of the positioning light spot.

[0071] When the user completes positioning and is ready to start the breast pumping process, the main control circuit 201 will detect the positioning completion status (e.g., triggered by the user's button, device posture change, or suction seal detection). Then, it will gradually reduce the brightness of the first light source 101 and increase the brightness of the second light source 103 to make the ambient lighting during the breast pumping process softer and more uniform, so as to provide users with low-brightness lighting that is not dazzling at night.

[0072] It should be noted that the "second light source 103" is an optical component used to provide ambient light. The light it emits has diffuse characteristics, which can reduce local glare or reflected light, allowing users to have a visually comfortable experience in low-light environments. This application distinguishes it from the first light source 101 and controls them separately through the main control circuit 201, so that the central positioning light and the peripheral ambient light perform different functions at different stages, thereby reducing the complexity of mode switching for users during operation.

[0073] In some embodiments, the main control circuit 201 can preset multiple lighting modes, including an automatic night positioning mode, a soft light mode for the breast pumping stage, and an energy-saving standby mode. It achieves automatic switching through brightness adjustment and on / off strategies for the two types of light sources, enabling users to smoothly complete the entire process of suction, positioning, and breast pumping even in dark environments.

[0074] Through the coordinated design of the main control circuit 201 and the light source, this application not only achieves light spot-assisted positioning, but also constructs a continuous light experience from positioning to breast pumping, reducing the user's operational burden and improving convenience and comfort at night or in low-light environments.

[0075] Optionally, the breast pump can also be equipped with a positioning detection component for determining the positioning status. This component is installed inside or on the outer wall of the flange 30 and is electrically connected to the main control circuit 201. When the device is close to the user's skin and gradually approaches the nipple, the positioning detection component can sense the relative distance between the object being positioned and the shield in real time, or assist in judging the light spot structure, and then send the corresponding distance information or positioning status as a feedback signal to the main control circuit 201. After receiving the feedback, the main control circuit 201 can automatically adjust the working state of the first light source 101 or the soft light strip according to the feedback result. For example, after detecting that the device has entered the optimal positioning area, it can reduce the positioning light intensity or switch to the soft light illumination mode for the breast pumping stage, thereby making the overall user experience more natural and consistent.

[0076] It should be noted that the positioning detection component in this application does not necessarily have to employ a single sensing method. Depending on different design requirements and product cost considerations, the component can include any one of the following: a miniature infrared distance sensor array, an image acquisition device, or a millimeter-wave distance sensor. The miniature infrared distance sensor array can determine the distance to the skin surface by detecting changes in reflected light intensity. It is small in size, low in power consumption, and highly sensitive, making it suitable for installations within limited space inside the enclosure. The millimeter-wave distance sensor determines distance by emitting millimeter waves and receiving their reflected signals. It has strong penetration capabilities and high resistance to environmental interference, making it ideal for determining small-scale distances to the skin surface. As for the image acquisition device, it can combine the light spot pattern formed by the first light source 101 with a visual algorithm to directly identify changes in the area of ​​weak-energy regions, thereby determining the positioning status. Since each of the three sensing methods has its advantages, this application allows for the selection of any one according to actual needs, ensuring both accuracy requirements and design flexibility.

[0077] The positioning detection component includes an infrared distance sensor and a miniature camera. The infrared distance sensor determines whether the flange 30 is in effective contact with the breast, and the miniature camera captures the contact between the flange 30 and the breast. Specifically, the infrared distance sensor obtains the distance between the flange 30 and the breast to determine whether they are in contact; that is, it checks if the distance is less than a preset threshold. For example, if the distance is less than 5mm (the flange 30 is typically 5mm thick), it is considered to be in contact. When the host 20 determines that the flange 30 is in contact with the breast, the host 20 controls the miniature camera to capture the fit between the breast and the flange 30, and further determines whether the breast is fitted in the middle area of ​​the flange 30's contact portion.

[0078] In some embodiments, the breast pump of this application is further configured with a communication module. The communication module can establish a communication connection with external devices via wireless or wired means, including but not limited to establishing data interaction relationships with mobile applications, the smart breast pump host 20, and cloud recording systems. It should be noted that the communication module in this application can use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, or other short-range wireless communication methods to transmit positioning status, usage records, light source working mode, and relevant parameters during the breast pumping process to the accompanying device in real time. Users can view positioning guidance and breast pumping status prompts through external devices, and can even receive intelligent adjustment commands from the mobile application, enabling closed-loop control of the light source mode, breast pumping rhythm, and positioning prompts.

[0079] Furthermore, in addition to providing light source drive, the main control circuit 201 also plays a role in coordinating and controlling the entire positioning process. During actual operation, the main control circuit 201 responds to control signals from different sources according to its internally set control strategy, and switches the first light source 101 and the second light source 103 on and off at appropriate times. For example, when the user is preparing for suction positioning, the main control circuit 201 will typically automatically turn on the first light source 101, allowing it to form a positioning light spot through the beam shaping component 102. After positioning is completed and the suction stage begins, the main control circuit 201 will reduce the brightness of the first light source 101 or turn it off, while simultaneously increasing the brightness of the second light source 103 (i.e., the soft light strip), making the ambient lighting softer without interfering with the user's visual comfort.

[0080] Optionally, the breast pump may further include a function button 40, which is directly electrically connected to the main control circuit 201 and is used to send operation commands to the main control circuit 201 at different operating stages of the device. The function button 40 is typically located on the outside of the housing or in a position easily accessible to the user, allowing the user to switch the light source mode by simple pressing during breast pumping and positioning, without needing to access a complex interface or use external devices for control.

[0081] In practical use, function button 40 is not used for a single action, but rather transmits different control requests to the main control circuit 201 through different pressing actions. It should be noted that "button operation" in this invention is an abstract expression of user action, which can be a short press, a long press, continuous rapid pressing, or a double-click, etc. The main control circuit 201 can identify the operation type based on the timing changes of the button triggers. To give the claims greater scope, this invention does not limit the time threshold or specific action method corresponding to different operation methods, ensuring compatibility and scalability.

[0082] When the main control circuit 201 receives different operations from the function key 40, it executes the corresponding light source control function according to the pre-set logic. For example, when the user performs the first operation, the main control circuit 201 will only control the opening and closing of the first light source 101, so that the positioning light spot is projected on the central axis of the breast shield for accurate determination of the nipple position. This operation is usually used in the initial positioning stage of the device, allowing the user to judge whether the breast shield is in the optimal position by the change of the light spot.

[0083] In another scenario, when the main control circuit 201 detects that the user is performing a second operation, it will control the activation and deactivation of the second light source 103. The second light source 103 typically employs a soft light strip structure, providing uniform and comfortable ambient lighting during the breast pumping stage. Therefore, this operation is more often used in the routine breast pumping process after positioning is complete, ensuring that the user receives necessary lighting at night without being disturbed by the positioning light.

[0084] Furthermore, the present invention can also be configured with a third operation to simultaneously control the activation and deactivation of the first light source 101 and the second light source 103 in certain scenarios. For example, in situations where dual light sources need to operate simultaneously, such as when a user wants to observe the positioning light spot first while maintaining soft lighting to facilitate observation of the surrounding area, the third operation can simultaneously activate both light sources. Alternatively, when no light source is needed, the third operation can also be configured to deactivate all light sources, and the main control circuit 201 will automatically perform the corresponding switching based on the current state.

[0085] It should be noted that the control signals in this application not only originate from the internal operation buttons or state switching of the device, but can also be sent by external devices through the communication module. For example, users can adjust the device through a mobile application. External devices can directly send commands for switching light source modes, adjusting brightness, or even controlling the adsorption rhythm to the communication module. Upon receiving these signals, the communication module forwards them to the main control circuit 201, causing the main control circuit 201 to execute the corresponding operations. In this way, the device can achieve remote control and intelligent adjustment, making the user experience more flexible.

[0086] Optionally, in addition to responding to control signals from external devices, the main control circuit 201 will also respond in real time to feedback signals from the positioning detection component. When the distance between the device and the object being positioned changes, the positioning detection component continuously generates data reflecting the positioning status, such as whether the weak energy zone has reached an area threshold, or whether the distance fed back by the infrared or millimeter-wave sensor has entered a preset range. After receiving this feedback, the main control circuit 201 compares it with preset positioning conditions to determine whether it is currently within the ideal positioning area. If the detection result indicates that the cover is not yet aligned with the nipple area, the main control circuit 201 will generate a prompt signal, such as by flashing a soft light strip, emitting a slight vibration, or displaying a positioning prompt in conjunction with an external device, thereby reminding the user to continue adjusting the position. Conversely, if the cover is detected to have entered the positioning area, the prompt signal may change to continuous light, short vibration, or a confirmation prompt from the application, allowing the user to quickly know that the positioning was successful.

[0087] It should be noted that the "prompt signal" in this application is not limited to a specific form. It can be an optical, tactile, or acoustic prompt, or it can be sent to a mobile phone or external device via a communication module to present the location status in a graphical interface. This application allows for flexible selection of prompt methods based on actual product usage habits and target user characteristics, making the location process more intuitive, safe, and easy to judge at night or in low-light environments.

[0088] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and do not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A breast pump, characterized in that, include: The main unit is equipped with a main control circuit and has a receiving slot and mounting part; A flange, detachably installed in a receiving groove, the flange having a fluid passage and a mating portion and a beam emission port opposite to the fluid passage; The reservoir is detachably assembled to the bottom of the main unit and communicates with the end of the fluid channel opposite to the fitting part; The light-emitting component includes a first light source and a beam shaping component; The first light source is disposed on the mounting part and located outside the flange corresponding to the beam emission port. The first light source is electrically connected to the main control circuit and is configured to emit a beam of light in the direction of the central axis of the fluid channel via the beam emission port. The beam shaping component is disposed in the optical axis direction of the first light source and is used to perform wavefront modulation on the beam to form a light spot with a central high-energy region and an edge low-energy region on the surface of the object to be positioned. The area of ​​the edge low-energy region varies with the distance between the object to be positioned and the first light source. as well as The positioning detection component is disposed on the receiving groove and located outside the flange. It is electrically connected to the main control circuit and is used to determine whether the object to be positioned is within the positioning area based on the optical signal, and output a corresponding feedback signal.

2. The breast pump as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The flange includes a central longitudinal axis, and the optical axis of the first light source is coaxially arranged with the central longitudinal axis.

3. The breast pump as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The beam shaping component is positioned at a first distance in front of the emission port of the first light source, and the beam divergence angle modulated by the beam shaping component is a first angle.

4. The breast pump as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first distance and the first angle are set in combination so that when the edge weak energy zone is reduced to a first area threshold, the object to be positioned falls within the positioning area.

5. The breast pump as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The beam shaping component includes a first plano-convex cylindrical lens and a second plano-convex cylindrical lens arranged sequentially along the optical axis of the first light source. The cylindrical convex surface of the first plano-convex cylindrical lens is arranged along a first direction for shaping the beam in the first direction. The cylindrical convex surface of the second plano-convex cylindrical lens is arranged along a second direction for shaping the beam in the vertical direction. The first direction and the second direction are orthogonal.

6. The breast pump as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The breast pump also includes a second light source and a light-transmitting window. The second light source is disposed on the main unit around the outer peripheral edge of the flange, and the light emitted by the second light source is emitted outward through the light-transmitting window.

7. The breast pump as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The device also includes function buttons, which are electrically connected to the main control circuit. The main control circuit is configured to respond to different key operations of the function keys to perform different light source control functions.

8. The breast pump as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The button operation includes at least one of the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation; The first operation is used to control the opening and closing of the first light source; The second operation is used to control the opening and closing of the second light source; The third operation is used to simultaneously control the activation and deactivation of the first light source and the second light source.

9. The breast pump as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning detection component includes at least one of a miniature infrared distance sensor array and an image acquisition device.

10. The breast pump as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The main control circuit responds to the control signal and is used to control the switching of the first light source and the second light source. The control signal also includes control signals received from external devices via the communication module; The main control circuit also responds to the feedback signal, generates and sends a prompt signal based on the feedback signal, to indicate whether the position of the object being located has fallen into the positioning area.

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