Breast pump

Abstract

The utility model relates to a breast pump (2), which comprises a breast suction cover unit (6), a breast suction cover unit (7) and a breast pump unit (8), the breast suction cover unit is provided with a breast suction cover, and the breast suction cover is provided with a nipple channel (24) suitable for at least partially receiving the breast of a suckling period user; a milk container (8) providing a reservoir (30) for milk squeezed from the breast; and a housing (10) comprising a combination (40) that converts electrical energy into a driving force for generating a suction force for squeezing milk, a power source (36) for energizing the combination (40), and a controller (56) for controlling the combination (40). In order to improve the usability of the breast pump, the utility model provides a shell (10) with a modular structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a breast pump. Background Art

[0002] For example, the pump may include a breast shield unit having a breast shield with a nipple passage adapted to at least partially receive a breast of a nursing user. The breast pump also has a milk container providing a reservoir for milk expressed from the breast. Furthermore, the pump has a housing including an aggregate, a power source and a controller.

[0003] Such a pump is known, for example, from WO 2018 / 229 504 A1. This prior art provides information about an in-bra breast pump. In such a breast pump, a breast shield unit and a housing as well as a milk container are adapted to form an assembled unit that can be placed against the breast of a nursing user and can be accommodated in the user's bra (in-bra breast pump).

[0004] However, the present invention also relates to a breast pump in which a breast shield unit is typically provided together with a milk container as one unit of the breast pump, which unit is connected to the housing via at least one tube so that the suction generated in the housing can be transferred to the nipple channel in order to typically provide a circulating suction capacity suitable for expressing milk, see for example US 2015 / 314053 or US 2010217182 A1 (breast shield-type breast pump).

[0005] Over time, the ease of operating a breast pump becomes more and more important, as users have different needs and choose products that meet their needs. In particular, the housing of a breast pump is a relatively heavy and cumbersome component, so that measures need to be taken to improve its operation. Ease of operation may, for example, mean easy transportation.

[0006] Furthermore, and when the breast pump is no longer needed due to the increasing age of the obese newborn and its need for food other than breast milk, the user may store, sell or throw away the breast pump. In any case, the money spent on purchasing the breast pump is largely lost, and the environment may also suffer a great deal when the breast pump is discarded.

[0007] Furthermore, a user may desire to personalize their breast pump so that the gallon size of the breast pump meets the user's personal expectations and needs.

[0008] The present invention hopes to provide a solution that at least partially satisfies the above objectives. Utility Model Content

[0009] As a solution, the utility model provides a breast pump, which has a breast pump unit, which can be constructed as known in the prior art and can have a breast shield, which has a nipple channel suitable for at least partially receiving the breast of a breastfeeding user. In addition, a milk container can be provided, which is connected or can be connected to the breast shield unit, so that the milk expressed in the nipple channel can be transferred to a reservoir provided by the milk container to store the amount of expressed milk. The breast pump of the utility model has a housing, which includes and thus surrounds multiple components of the breast pump, such as an assembly, a power supply and a controller. The assembly converts electrical energy into a driving force, which will eventually generate suction in the nipple channel. The controller is suitable for controlling the assembly. The power supply is configured to energize the assembly and optionally the controller.

[0010] According to the invention, the housing has a modular configuration. According to one aspect of the solution, components housed in the housing, such as the assembly, power supply or controller, are modular. The controller may, for example, have a motherboard that allows other electrical or electronic components to be added and thereby electrically connected to the motherboard, which other electrical or electronic components will allow other control features in the process of controlling the breast pump. The controller may, for example, be adapted to additionally accommodate a Bluetooth connection device, which may not be present in the basic configuration of the controller.

[0011] The power source may, for example, provide a certain electrical capacity in a basic configuration, which may be enhanced as required by at least one other component such as a battery module or by different battery modules with different powers. The housing is prepared to mechanically receive and secure such additional and / or different battery modules and electrically connect such additional and / or different battery modules to the power supply path leading to the assembly. The modular assembly may, for example, allow non-destructive replacement of the assembly within the housing to, for example, provide an assembly with higher power without requiring changes to all other components within the housing and / or the entire housing.

[0012] The modular configuration can also be provided by a housing having at least two different housing parts, which can be connected to form the housing. One part of the entire housing is a power housing that accommodates the power supply. In addition, the breast pump of the utility model has a combination housing that accommodates the combination. Both the power housing and the combination housing have joints, which are suitable for electrically connecting the power housing and the combination housing.

[0013] This type of connection can be made by external wires that can be connected to corresponding joints provided on the outer surfaces of the power housing and the combination housing.

[0014] This design provides the possibility to customize the power housing on the one hand and the combination housing on the other hand. The user can customize the breast pump by combining power housings or combination housings of different designs. A single breast pump can, for example, have different power housings with different electrical capacities. Thus, in the event that the user is away for a longer period of time, the user can choose a power housing with a higher electrical capacity, while a lower electrical capacity and therefore lighter power housing can be combined with the combination housing if the electrical plug for charging the power housing is readily accessible. The power housing can also only transfer the energy provided by the housing plug to the combination housing and can accommodate a transformer for providing electrical energy suitable for operating the combination in the combination housing. In other words, one power housing may not necessarily accommodate a battery as a power source.

[0015] With the concept of the present invention, the user can also select a specific combination shell among different combination shells that provide different suction power levels or suction capacities. Thus, instead of complex controls for adapting the suction capacity provided by the breast pump to the specific needs of the user, which needs may change over time, the user can select a specific combination shell that provides a suction capacity that meets the actual needs of the user.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing further comprises a control housing accommodating the controller. The control housing has a control interface adapted to electrically connect the control housing to the power housing and / or the combination housing. This preferred embodiment provides the opportunity to individually select a control housing that meets the specific needs of the user. If, for example, the breast pump is used outdoors in a dusty or humid environment, the control housing will have to meet other needs compared to using the breast pump in a closed environment like a room in a hospital or a house. Thus, the user can also select the control housing and combine it with the selected power housing and combination housing to customize a corresponding breast pump that meets personal needs at a specific time or environment.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the utility model, the breast pump has a holder, which includes a first holder component and a second holder component. The first holder component and the second holder component are adapted to be releasably coupled to each other, thereby forming a holder. The holder can sealably surround at least two of the control housing, the power housing and the combined housing. In addition, the first holder component and the second holder component electrically connect at least two of the control housing, the power housing and the combined housing. This electrical connection can be provided by electrically connecting each of the housings to the first holder component and the second holder component, respectively, and these holder components are each electrically connected to each other. Additionally or alternatively, when physically coupled by coupling the first holder component and the second holder component, at least two of the control housing, the power housing and the combined housing are directly electrically coupled. In this case, the control housing, the power housing and / or the combined housing do not require paired physical coupling devices, which are adapted to releasably couple the respective housings to each other. Alternatively, the holder can provide a mechanical coupling of the control housing, the power housing and / or the combined housing.

[0018] According to another preferred embodiment, the holder includes a carrying aid. The carrying aid can be any rigid, deformable or flexible part, which can be used to hold and carry the holder together with the parts assembled by the holder. The carrying aid can be in the form of a belt or a closed loop so that the holder can be placed around the user's neck, arm or hips. In addition to this function, the carrying aid can provide an electrical connection or mechanical connection between the first holder part and the second holder part.

[0019] According to another preferred embodiment, and in order to releasably couple the first and second retainer components, these retainer components have a specified physical coupling means, which includes at least one of, for example, a magnetic enclosure, a threaded connection, a form-fitting connection. The form-fitting connection can be provided by a snap connection or a bayonet lock. Often, the retainer components are illustrated so that the physical coupling of the retainer components results in an electrical connection between at least two of the control housing, the power housing, and the combination housing. Power and / or control signals can be transmitted wirelessly between different modules, i.e., housings.

[0020] As can be deduced from the above description, the breast pump of the present invention allows the power housing and the combination housing to be stored or moved or at least used separately. Thus, the operation is simplified. Furthermore, the usability of the breast pump is improved, because, for example, the power housing containing the power source, such as a battery, can be used independently of the breast pump and can be charged independently of the presence of other components of the breast pump. The separate housings in the form of the power housing, the combination housing and / or the control housing are less bulky. Furthermore, each of these housings is lighter than the entire housing including the power source, the combination and the controller known in the prior art.

[0021] The holder not only physically links the different component housings such as the power housing, the assembly housing and / or the control housing, but can also be used to electrically connect the power supply and the assembly and / or the controller housed in the separate component housings. The outer shell of each of the component housings or at least the individual component housings may be quite thin, thereby providing lower vibration or environmental protection for the components within the respective housings. As a compensation, the holder may surround the component housings, thereby providing an outer rigid shell around the housings. Such a rigid shell may be used in combination with the component housings to protect the component housings in the case of those components of the breast pump being used in harsh environments, while the protection and shielding caused by the power housing, the assembly housing and / or the control housing may be sufficient in another environment like a hospital or a residence, so that the holder may not be required for operating and using the breast pump.

[0022] Since the power housing, the combination housing and the control housing can be used individually or in combination with each other, the power housing can, for example, be provided with a USB or USB-C port for using the power housing to power a smartphone, a tablet or another power consumer, which energy can have a different quality than the energy provided by a conventional plug in a house. The power housing can also have a selector for selecting the quality of the power, in particular the output voltage. As described above, the power housing can accommodate a battery, which includes a rechargeable battery and / or an electric power transformer, which can be arranged in the form of a ballast. The combination housing can have a joint for providing a suction pressure and / or an overpressure, which is usually the result of the air being discharged by the pump during the process of providing the suction pressure.

[0023] Thus, the combined housing can be used as a pneumatic assist for pumping or suction for purposes other than expressing milk from the breast. A hose or conduit can be connected to a suction joint or a pressure joint on the outer surface of the combined housing. The combined housing can be combined, for example, with a massage cushion, such as a cervical massage cushion, which can provide a massage motion due to a specific pressure and suction capacity provided by the combined housing, which is usually controlled by a controller. The power housing can also be used as a power source for heating another component, which can be provided by a milk container or a milk bottle, so as to heat the expressed milk before feeding the newborn. The power housing can also be connected to a heating attachment, such as a strip, which may be shaped to surround the neck or another part of the body for comforting the neck or another part of the body. Such a heating attachment typically has a resistive heater and can be provided with a temperature sensor to limit the temperature to a comfortable level.

[0024] The power housing may also be provided with a display for the time, thereby providing a clock function. A button or icon may be provided on the outer side of the power housing for adjusting any component that can be connected to the power housing to energize the component. The power housing may also be provided with a flashlight to provide a flashlight function including an on / off switch for the light source.

[0025] According to one aspect of the utility model, the power housing can be used as a power source for any power consumption. The power housing can be used as or become an accessory, such as a mobile power source or a part of a clock, a flashlight, a pneumatic massager, a heater or a warmer, etc., and it is possible to add additional modules, such as adding a clock module connected to the power housing to form a clock accessory or adding a resistor module connected to the power housing to form a warmer. After terminating the use of the power housing to energize the combination of the breast pump, it is possible to form many accessories in whole or in part by the power housing. Alternatively, the power source, that is, the battery removed from the housing itself can be used as a power source for any electrical accessories. According to another preferred embodiment of the utility model, the power housing and the combination housing have a matching physical connection device and a matching joint. The matching physical connection device is suitable for releasably connecting the power housing and the combination housing. This means that the power housing can be directly connected to the combination housing by means of the matching physical connection device, and the combination housing can be directly connected to the power housing by means of the matching physical connection device. The matching joint is suitable for electrically connecting the power housing to the combination housing. This connection is usually a direct connection, wherein the joints on the two housings arranged in the housing are in direct electrical contact. In other words, the electrical contact will not be provided by additional devices, such as cables, extending between the corresponding joints. In such an embodiment, the above-mentioned retainer is unnecessary. In addition, the physical connection device and the joint can be arranged so that the physical connection between the two housings will also cause the joints between the corresponding housings to be connected to each other. In other words, the physical connection of the housings will inevitably lead to the electrical connection of the housings via the joints. This facilitates the connection of the entire housing by releasably connecting the power housing, the combination housing and / or the control housing.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises a control housing for accommodating the controller, the control housing having a physical connection device and a control joint. The physical connection device is suitable for releasably connecting the control housing to the power housing and / or the combination housing. The control joint is suitable for electrically connecting the control housing to the power housing and / or the combination housing. Therefore, the controller is arranged as a separate unit, which can be directly physically connected and electrically connected to the power housing and / or the combination housing. The controller may include a plurality of controller components or controller parts or controller submodules, which are accommodated in a separate housing and / or can be received in a module slot of a housing for accommodating at least one controller component. Such a module slot is used to receive a submodule housing, which accommodates another controller component or controller submodule, and the submodule housing will be mechanically connected to the housing when received in the module slot, and will be electrically connected to at least one controller component.

[0027] In a first variant, the combination housing is configured as a combination-pump housing, which comprises the combination and a pump, which is operatively connected to the combination to convert the drive force into a suction force. Thus, the combination-pump housing is a unit which can itself be used, for example, as a suction and / or overpressure pump unit for the above-mentioned purposes.

[0028] According to an alternative variation, a pump housing is provided, which accommodates a pump without accommodating a combination. The pump housing has a physical coupling device and a pump drive joint. The physical coupling device is suitable for releasably coupling the pump housing to the combination housing. In addition and in this variation, the combination housing has a combination drive joint. The pump drive joint and the combination drive joint are suitable for driving the pump and the combination in a driving manner to be connected for transmitting the driving force to the pump. The combination can, for example, have a piston that moves in a cyclic manner and thereby drives a membrane that defines, for example, a pump drive joint and encloses a pumping chamber that is arranged in the pump housing. The piston can also be sealed by a drive membrane to prevent water or dirt from entering the combination housing. The drive membrane can be fixed or placed against the piston and can provide a combination drive joint that mechanically acts on the pump drive joint provided by the membrane. Therefore, the driving force of the combination is transmitted to the pump.

[0029] In order to facilitate the physical connection between two of the housings, the coupling means preferably comprises at least one of a magnetic enclosure, a threaded connection, a form-fitting connection, in particular in the form of a snap connection or a bayonet lock.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, despite the fact that the housing is composed of different component housing units, the entire housing is smooth. To achieve this, the combined body housing, the control housing and / or the pump housing are configured to make the adjacent outer surfaces of the two housings coupled to each other flush.

[0031] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the power housing, the assembly housing, the control housing and / or the pump housing are provided with a poka-yoke device, thereby preventing any incorrect physical coupling and / or electrical connection between the two housings. Such a poka-yoke device provides a poka-yoke-functionality and ensures the proper connection of the designated housings, the paired physical coupling devices of these housings and their paired joints. An inexperienced user will anyway assemble the different component housings in a proper manner and as intended by the breast pump manufacturer.

[0032] Often, the control housing may include a microcontroller, memory and / or a Bluetooth interface arranged within the control housing.The controller is usually provided by a mainboard, ie a printed circuit board with surface mounted devices.

[0033] In order to reduce the number of physical connections and joints, the power housing is preferably sandwiched between the control housing and the combination housing or combination-pump housing.

[0034] For the same reasons, the combined body housing is preferably sandwiched between the pump housing and the power housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Other details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a breast pump;

[0037] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a milk container and a breast shield of a breast pump;

[0038] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention;

[0039] Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the housing in an unassembled state;

[0040] Figure 5 It is in assembled state Figure 4 A side perspective view of a housing;

[0041] Figure 6 is an illustration of a first illustrative embodiment of a housing;

[0042] Figure 7 is an illustration of a schematic embodiment of an array of mating physical coupling devices and engagement portions;

[0043] Figure 8 is an illustration of a second illustrative embodiment of a housing;

[0044] Fig. 9 is an illustration of a third exemplary embodiment of a housing; and

[0045] Fig.10 is a side perspective view of a component housing of another embodiment of the housing in an unassembled state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Figure 1 An embodiment of a breast pump 2 is illustrated, which has a milk expression unit 4, which comprises a breast shield unit 6 connected to a milk container. Figure 3 The housing 10 is generally designated by the reference numeral 8 , which is fluidically connected to the breastshield unit 6 via a flexible tube 12 .

[0047] To this end, the breast pump unit 4 has a plug connector 14 which communicates with the cavity of the tube 12 and with a fluid working chamber 16 which is partially defined by an outer housing 18 of the breast pump unit 4 and a membrane 20 which sits on the outer edge of a pumping chamber 22 of the breast shield unit 6 which is in fluid communication with a nipple passage 24 which is adapted to at least partially receive a breast of a nursing user and which is fluidly connected to the milk container 8 via a valve 26. The nipple passage 24 is part of a breast shield 28. The outer housing 18 surrounds a reservoir 30 which is partially defined by the wall of the breast shield unit 6.

[0048] like Figure 4 As further illustrated in FIG. 1 , the housing 10 includes different housing components. Figure 4 In the embodiment of the invention, the housing 10 is formed by a combination-pump housing 32 and a power housing 34. The power housing 34 accommodates a power source 36 in the form of a battery 38. The combination-pump housing 32 surrounds a combination 40 in the form of a motor 42, which is mechanically coupled to a pump 44, schematically illustrated as a piston 46 reciprocating in a cylinder 48. The cylinder 48 is provided with a valve (not shown) to direct the suction flow towards a suction joint 50 on the outer surface provided by the combination-pump housing 32, which can be connected to the pipe 12.

[0049] The power housing 34 is shown as having a power interface 52 that is electrically connected to the battery 38 and is adapted to interface with a designated interface of the combination-pump housing 32 (at Figure 4 ) are electrically connected to form electrical contact between the motor 42 and the battery 38.

[0050] exist Figure 5 4 , reference numeral 54 designates a user interface of a controller 56 which is received within the combination-pump housing 32 for controlling the operation of the combination 40. Thus, the combination-pump housing 32 also serves as a control housing.

[0051] In this embodiment, the combination-pump housing 32 has a physical combination-power coupling device 58 in the form of a snap finger 60 that cooperates with a mating power-combination coupling device 62 in the form of a snap receiver 64 provided by the power housing 34. The snap receiver 64 is adapted to receive the snap finger 60 to physically couple the combination-pump housing 32 to the power housing 34, thereby forming an electrical contact between the power joint 52 and the designated joint.

[0052] The combination-pump housing 32 is provided with a carrying aid 66 in the form of a shoelace, which is fastened at its free end to form a loop 68 and allows the user's hand to extend through the loop 68 to securely hold the housing 10 consisting of the combination-pump housing 32 and the power housing 34 with the aid of the carrying aid 66.

[0053] Figure 6 Another embodiment is illustrated, which couples the power housing 34 with the combination-pump housing 32 by means of magnets 72, 74 having different N / S poles. Each of the housings 32, 34 has a magnet 72 designated as an N pole and a magnet 74 designated as an S pole. Therefore, the housings 32, 34 can only be coupled in a predetermined manner. The coupling of the housings 34, 34 is error-proof. Therefore, the arrangement of the magnets 72, 74 as described above provides a foolproof device 76 that prevents incorrect physical coupling of the two housings 32, 34.

[0054] exist Figure 6 In the figure, the power joint 52 has a contact pin exposed on a protrusion of the power housing 34, which can be pre-tensioned outward by a spring to connect to a designated contact surface of the combination-power joint 78, which is exposed in a recess on the outer surface of the combination-pump housing 32.

[0055] Figure 6 and Figure 7 The arrangement of the various magnets 72 , 74 and the contact elements of the two engagement parts 52 , 78 is schematically shown and is denoted overall by the reference numeral 80 .

[0056] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of another housing 10 is shown, which includes various housing components. Reference numeral 82 identifies a control housing, which includes a controller 56 including a PCB 84, a microcontroller 86, a memory 88 and a Bluetooth connection device 90.

[0057] The battery 38 is accommodated in the power housing 34, and the power housing 34 is interposed between the control housing 82 and the combination housing 92 including the combination 40. The combination housing 92 is interposed between the pump housing 94 and the power housing 34.

[0058] exist Figure 8 In the embodiment, reference numeral 96 identifies the physical control and power coupling means of the control housing 82. Reference numeral 98 identifies the physical power and control coupling means of the power housing 34. These coupling means 96, 98 are arranged to be releasable and physically couple the control housing 82 with the power housing 34.

[0059] Electrical contact between the controller 56 and the battery 38 is provided between a control and power interface 100 provided on an outer surface of the control housing 82 and a power and control interface 102 provided on an outer surface of the power housing 34. These interfaces 100, 102 may also provide a conductive path for control signals from the controller 56 through the power housing 34 in the event that the controller 56 is to be connected to electrical or electronic components in one of the other housings 92 or 94, as the case may be.

[0060] exist Figure 8 In the embodiment of the present invention, reference numeral 104 identifies the physical power and combination coupling means of the power housing 34. Reference numeral 106 identifies the physical combination and power coupling means of the combination housing 92. These coupling means 104, 106 are arranged to be releasable and physically couple the combination housing 92 with the power housing 34.

[0061] The electrical contact between the power source 36 and the assembly 40 is provided between a power-to-assembly interface 108 provided on the outer surface of the power housing 34 and an assembly-to-power interface 110 provided on the outer surface of the assembly housing 92. In the event that the controller 56 is to be connected to electrical or electronic components in the assembly housing 92, these interfaces 108, 110 may also provide a conductive path for control signals from the controller 56 through the power housing 34 and into the assembly housing 92, as the case may be.

[0062] exist Figure 8 In the embodiment, reference numeral 112 indicates the physical combination-pump coupling means of the combination housing 92. Reference numeral 114 identifies the physical pump-combination coupling means of the pump housing 94. These coupling means 112, 114 are arranged to be releasable and physically couple the combination housing 92 to the pump housing 94.

[0063] exist Figure 8In and between the combination housing 92 and the pump housing 94, the combination housing 92 is shown as having a combination drive interface 116 in the form of a combination membrane 118, which is sealingly connected to the combination housing 92 and mechanically connected to the piston 46, and thus when the combination 40 is operated, the driving force of the combination 40 applies a reciprocating motion to the combination membrane 118. Opposite to the combination housing 92, the pump housing 94 is provided with a pump drive interface 120 in the form of a drive membrane 122. The drive membrane 122 seals the pumping chamber 124. The drive membrane 122 is mechanically connected to the combination membrane 118. Therefore, the reciprocating motion of the combination membrane 118 will also apply a reciprocating motion on the drive membrane 122, which will reduce and expand the volume of the pumping chamber 124. The suction valve 126 and the pressure valve 128 direct the flow out of the pumping chamber 122 and into the pumping chamber, the valves 126, 128 communicating with a suction junction 50 or a pressure junction 130, both junctions 50, 130 being provided on the outer surface of the pump housing 94. These junctions 50, 130 can be used to attach a tube to the housing 10 for driving a breast pump with suction pressure or overpressure or for inflating or deflating another component such as a cushion, in particular a massage cushion, which must be cyclically inflated and deflated in order to provide a massage effect.

[0064] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 An embodiment of a retainer 132 is illustrated, the retainer 132 being composed of a first retainer component 134 in the form of a first housing shell element 136 and a second retainer component 138 in the form of a second housing shell element 140. The housing shell elements 136, 140 are configured to circumferentially surround the combination - pump housing 32 and power housing 34. Each of the retainer components 134, 138 has a designated physical component and component coupling means 140, 142 in the form of magnets 72, 74 for coupling the retainer components 134, 138.

[0065] In the bottom of the first housing shell 136 of the first retainer member 134, there is a recess 142, which is suitable for receiving the protrusion 144 of the power housing 34. In the bottom of the second housing shell 140 of the second retainer member 138, there is provided a protrusion 146 suitable for being received in the recess 148 of the combination-pump housing 32. The protrusions 144, 146 are each suitable for fitting into the designated recess 142, 148. Since the geometric configuration of each protrusion 144, 146 and the designated recess 142, 148 is different, this geometric configuration provides error-proof installation of the housing 32, 34 in the housing shell 136, 140, respectively. The magnets 72, 74 provided in each of the housing shells 136, 140 and each of the housings 32, 34 allow each of the housings 32, 34 to be retained in the housing shells 136, 140 before the housing shells 136, 140 are coupled. After the housing shells 136, 140 are coupled, the housings 32, 34 are surrounded by the holder 132. In addition and due to this physical coupling, the housing 32 is electrically connected to the second housing shell 140 via the designated and paired contact elements 80, and the combination - the pump housing 32 is electrically connected to the first housing shell 136. Magnets 72, 74 or other or additional couplings such as mechanical couplings can ensure a stable connection for transferring energy via the contact elements 80.

[0066] Electrical connection between the electrical or electronic components within the housings 32 , 34 is achieved through an electrical connector cable 150 , which is coupled to each of the first and second holder components 134 , 138 , and which may also provide the function of carrying the auxiliary device 66 .

[0067] Fig.10 yes Figure 8 The second housing shell securing member 40 is shown as having a USB interface 152 which can be used to load a battery (in Fig.10 A corresponding USB connection 152 can also be used to power another component which is not a component of the breast pump 2 .

[0068] The corresponding USB joint 152 is also arranged Figure 4 On the outer side of the power housing 34.

[0069] Reference numerals:

[0070] 2Breast pump

[0071] 4 Pumping units

[0072] 6 Breast shield unit

[0073] 8 milk container

[0074] 10 Shell

[0075] 12 Flexible tube

[0076] 14 plug connector

[0077] 16 Fluid Studio

[0078] 18 External housing

[0079] 20 films

[0080] 22 Pumping chamber

[0081] 24 Nipple Channel

[0082] 26 valves

[0083] 28 Bra

[0084] 30 Storage

[0085] 32 assembly - pump housing

[0086] 34 Power Shell

[0087] 36 Power Supply

[0088] 38 batteries

[0089] 40 combinations

[0090] 42 Motor

[0091] 44 Pumps

[0092] 46 piston

[0093] 48 cylinders

[0094] 50 Suction joint

[0095] 52 Power joint

[0096] 54 User Interface

[0097] 56 Controller

[0098] 58 assembly and power connection device

[0099] 60 snap-on finger

[0100] 62 Power and assembly connection devices

[0101] 64 buckle receiving portion

[0102] 66 Carrying auxiliary devices

[0103] 68 rings

[0104] 72N pole magnet

[0105] 74S pole magnet

[0106] 76 Error proofing device

[0107] 78 assembly-electrical joint

[0108] 80 contact elements

[0109] 82 control housing

[0110] 84PCB

[0111] 86 microcontroller

[0112] 88 Memory

[0113] 90 Bluetooth Connectors

[0114] 92 combination shell

[0115] 94 pump housing

[0116] 96 Control and power connection devices

[0117] 98 Power and control connection devices

[0118] 100 Control and power connection

[0119] 102 Power and control joint

[0120] 104 Power and assembly connection devices

[0121] 106 assembly and power connection device

[0122] 108 Power and assembly joint

[0123] 110 assembly and electric power joint

[0124] 112 assembly-pump connection device

[0125] 114 Pump-Assembly Connector

[0126] 116 assembly drive joint

[0127] 118 combination membrane

[0128] 120 Pump drive joint

[0129] 122 drive membrane

[0130] 124 Pumping room

[0131] 126 Suction valve

[0132] 128 Pressure Valve

[0133] 130 pressure joint

[0134] 132 retainer

[0135] 134 first retainer component

[0136] 136 first housing shell element

[0137] 138 second retainer component

[0138] 140 second housing shell element

[0139] 142 recess

[0140] 144 protrusion

[0141] 146 Protrusion

[0142] 148 concavity

[0143] 150 Cable

[0144] 152USB connector.

Claims

1. A breast pump (2), the breast pump (2) comprising a housing (10), the housing (10) comprising: An assembly (40) that converts electrical energy into driving force for generating suction force for expressing milk; A power source (36), the power source (36) being used to energize the assembly (40); and a controller (56) for controlling the combination (40), wherein the housing (10) has a modular configuration.

2. The breast pump (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The housing (10) comprises a power housing (34) accommodating the power source (36) and a combination housing accommodating the combination (40), wherein the power housing (34) and the combination housing each have a joint portion, wherein the joint portion is suitable for electrically connecting the power housing (34) and the combination housing.

3. The breast pump according to claim 2, characterized in that The housing (10) includes a control housing (82) accommodating the controller (56), wherein the control housing (82) has a control interface for electrically connecting the controller (56) to the power source (36) and / or the combination (40).

4. The breast pump according to claim 3, characterized in that The breast pump has a holder, which includes a first holder part (134) and a second holder part (138), wherein the first holder part (134) and the second holder part (138) are adapted to be releasably coupled to each other, thereby physically connecting at least two of the control housing (82), the power housing (34) and the combined housing, and electrically connecting at least two of the control housing (82), the power housing (34) and the combined housing.

5. The breast pump according to claim 4, characterized in that The holder or the housing (10) comprises a carrying aid (66).

6. The breast pump according to claim 4, characterized in that The first retainer part (134) and the second retainer part (138) have matching physical coupling means, which include at least one of a magnetic enclosure, a threaded connection, a form-fitting connection, in particular a snap connection or a bayonet lock.

7. The breast pump according to claim 4, characterized in that The first retainer member (134) and the second retainer member (138) are configured such that physical coupling of the first retainer member (134) and the second retainer member (138) will also electrically connect at least two of the control housing (82), the power housing (34) and the combination housing.

8. The breast pump according to claim 2, characterized in that The power housing (34) and the combination housing (92) have matching physical connection devices and matching joints, wherein the matching physical connection devices are suitable for releasably connecting the power housing (34) and the combination housing (92), and wherein the matching joints are suitable for electrically connecting the power housing (34) to the combination housing (92).

9. The breast pump according to claim 8, characterized in that The housing (10) includes a control housing (82) accommodating the controller (56), wherein the control housing (82) has a physical connection device and a control joint, wherein the physical connection device of the control housing (82) is suitable for releasably connecting the control housing (82) to the power housing (34) and / or the combination housing (92), and wherein the control joint is suitable for electrically connecting the controller (56) to the power source (36) and / or the combination (40).

10. The breast pump according to claim 9, characterized in that The combination housing is configured as a combination-pump housing (32), which includes the combination (40) and a pump (44), wherein the pump (44) is operably connected to the combination (40) to convert the driving force into suction force.

11. The breast pump according to claim 9, characterized in that The breast pump comprises a pump housing (94) which accommodates a pump (44), the pump housing (94) having physical coupling means and a pump drive engagement portion (120), wherein the physical coupling means of the pump housing (94) is adapted to releasably couple the pump housing (94) to the combination housing (92), and wherein the combination housing (92) has a combination drive engagement portion (116), wherein the pump drive engagement portion (120) and the combination drive engagement portion (116) are adapted to drivingly couple the pump (44) and the combination (40) to transmit the driving force to the pump.

12. A breast pump according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that The physical coupling means and the joint are configured such that physical coupling of the shells will also couple the joint between the shells.

13. The breast pump according to claim 10, characterized in that The control housing (82) or the combined pump housing (32) is provided with a user interface (54).

14. A breast pump according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterised in that The power housing (34) is provided with a USB interface (152) for loading and unloading the power source.

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