Breast pump

Abstract

This application discloses a breast pump, relating to the field of maternal and infant product technology. The breast pump includes: a breast shield, a milk storage container, a main unit, and at least two detection units with different detection principles. Each detection unit is used to detect milk volume parameters related to the milk volume in the storage container. By incorporating multiple detection units with different detection principles to detect parameters related to milk volume within the breast pump, the pump's milk volume can be calculated by comprehensively analyzing the milk volume-related parameters measured by these multiple detection units. This approach integrates the advantages of various detection units, compensating for errors caused by environmental interference or inherent limitations of single-type sensors, thereby improving the accuracy of milk volume detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of maternal and infant product technology, and in particular to a breast pump. Background Technology

[0002] Breast pumps are essential equipment in modern maternal and infant care, especially when breastfeeding is insufficient or the mother cannot breastfeed directly. They are used to extract and store breast milk to meet the infant's feeding needs. However, traditional breast pumps still have certain limitations in functionality, particularly in the accuracy of milk volume detection. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides a breast pump that integrates a multimodal detection unit to achieve real-time and accurate detection of milk volume.

[0004] This application discloses a breast pump, the breast pump comprising: A breast shield, the breast shield including a flange that conforms to the breast and a breast suction channel for receiving the nipple; A milk storage container for receiving and storing the milk collected by the breast pump shield, the milk storage container being connected to the breast pump shield; The main unit includes a negative pressure mechanism, which is used to directly or indirectly apply negative pressure to the breast pump shield to draw milk into the milk storage container; At least two detection units with different detection principles, each of which is used to detect milk quantity parameters related to the milk quantity in the milk storage container.

[0005] Optionally, the at least two detection units with different detection principles include at least two of the following: capacitive sensor, resistive sensor, pressure sensor, acoustic sensor, optical sensor, and imaging device.

[0006] Optionally, the milk storage parameters include one of the following: the milk level in the milk storage container, the milk weight in the milk storage container, and the milk flow rate of the breast pump.

[0007] Optionally, the at least two detection units with different detection principles include a first detection unit, which is disposed on the host or the milk storage container.

[0008] Optionally, the first detection unit is located on the host near the milk storage container.

[0009] Optionally, there may be multiple first detection units.

[0010] Optionally, the first detection unit is an optical sensor.

[0011] Optionally, at least two detection units with different detection principles include a second detection unit, which is disposed on the flange or the container wall of the milk storage container.

[0012] Optionally, the second detection unit is located on the back of the flange near the milk storage container.

[0013] Optionally, the second detection unit is a capacitive sensor.

[0014] Optionally, the at least two detection units with different detection principles include the image device, which is disposed on the host.

[0015] Optionally, the at least two detection units with different detection principles include the acoustic sensor, which includes a transmitter and a receiver, and the transmitter and receiver are disposed on both sides of the milk suction channel or on the opposite side of the milk storage container.

[0016] Optionally, the acoustic sensors are provided in multiple sets, and the multiple sets of acoustic sensors are arranged at intervals along the breastfeeding channel.

[0017] Optionally, the acoustic sensor is an ultrasonic sensor.

[0018] Optionally, the breast pump may further include a calibration unit for detecting the tilt angle of the breast pump.

[0019] Optionally, the calibration unit includes an inertial measurement unit.

[0020] Optionally, the calibration unit is located in the host or the milk storage container.

[0021] The breast pump provided in this application has at least the following technical effects: By incorporating multiple detection units with different detection principles into the breast pump to detect parameters related to milk storage volume, the pump can comprehensively calculate the milk pumping volume based on the milk storage volume parameters measured by these multiple detection units. This approach integrates the advantages of various detection units, compensates for errors caused by environmental interference or inherent limitations of single-type sensors, and thus improves the accuracy of milk volume detection. Attached Figure Description

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 A perspective structural diagram of an embodiment of the breast pump of this application; Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of various detection units provided in an embodiment of the breast pump of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the image device provided in an embodiment of the breast pump of this application; Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the position of an ultrasonic sensor provided in one embodiment of the breast pump of this application; Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the position of an ultrasonic sensor provided in another embodiment of the breast pump according to this application; Figure 6 Another positional schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the ultrasonic sensor provided in one embodiment of the breast pump of this application; Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the position of the inertial measurement unit provided in an embodiment of the breast pump of this application; In the diagram, 100 is the breast pump; 10 is the milk storage container; 101 is the outer wall of the milk storage container; 11 is the breast shield; 111 is the breast pump channel; 12 is the main unit; 13 is the TOF sensor; 14 is the capacitive sensor; 15 is the imaging device; 16 is the ultrasonic sensor; 161 is the ultrasonic sensor transmitter; 162 is the ultrasonic sensor receiver; 17 is the inertial measurement unit; 18 is the outer wall of the breast pump channel; and 19 is the one-way valve. Detailed Implementation

[0025] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0026] To better understand the technical solution of this application, a detailed description will be provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0027] Please see Figure 1-3 This application provides a breast pump. The breast pump 100 includes a breast shield 11, a milk storage container 10, and a main unit 12. The breast shield 11, the milk storage container 10, and the main unit 12 can be detachably assembled into a single structure or can be separate structures. This application does not limit whether it is a single structure or a separate structure.

[0028] The breast shield 11 is used to cover and conform to the breast. The breast shield 11 includes a flared flange for conforming to the breast and a breast suction channel for accommodating the nipple. The breast suction channel has a milk outlet, through which milk can flow into the milk storage container 10.

[0029] The milk storage container 10 is used to receive and store the milk collected by the breast pump shield 11, and the milk storage container 10 is in liquid communication with the breast pump shield 11.

[0030] Optionally, the milk storage container may take the form of a milk cap, a milk bowl, a milk bottle, etc. That is, the milk storage container may be cylindrical, non-cylindrical, etc., and the milk storage container may be regular or irregular. This application does not impose any restrictions.

[0031] The main unit 12 is also equipped with a negative pressure mechanism, which can directly or indirectly apply negative pressure to the breast pump shield to draw breast milk into the milk storage container. Directly applying negative pressure to the breast pump channel involves the negative pressure mechanism directly connecting to the breast pump channel through an air tube to generate negative pressure and draw milk into the milk storage container. Indirectly applying negative pressure to the breast pump channel involves the negative pressure mechanism first transmitting negative pressure to a deformable gas-liquid separation component, such as a diaphragm or air bladder, and then indirectly applying negative pressure to the breast pump channel through the vibration or deformation of the diaphragm or air bladder to draw milk into the milk storage container.

[0032] Negative pressure mechanisms include, but are not limited to, air pumps, piezoelectric pumps, diaphragm pumps, hydraulic pumps, and mechanical pumps; this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0033] Optionally, the main unit 12 may also include one or more of the following components: a power supply module, a negative pressure air circuit, a control circuit board, and a solenoid valve.

[0034] In this application, in order to allow the milk collected from the breast shield to flow into the milk storage container, the breast pump of this application also includes a milk flow path, which includes at least a portion of the milk flow path from the breast pump channel into the milk storage container.

[0035] The breast pump also includes at least two detection units with different detection principles, each of which is used to detect milk storage parameters related to the milk storage container.

[0036] In some implementations, at least two detection units with different detection principles may include, but are not limited to, any two or more combinations of capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, pressure sensors, acoustic sensors, optical sensors, and imaging devices.

[0037] The detection principles of various detection units are as follows: Capacitive sensors: These can be implemented using electrodes. For example, several pairs of capacitive electrodes can be vertically arranged on the outer wall of a breast pump bottle, and the liquid level can be measured by measuring the change in capacitance between the electrodes to reflect the degree of liquid coverage.

[0038] Resistive sensors: These can be implemented using multi-stage probes. For example, multiple probes can be arranged vertically inside a bottle, and the fact that the conductivity of milk is much higher than that of air can be utilized to capture changes in conductivity, reflecting the degree of liquid coverage, thereby obtaining liquid level measurements.

[0039] Pressure sensor: Usually located at the bottom of the bottle or in the milk flow path, it calculates the milk flow rate or milk weight of the breast pump by detecting changes in liquid static pressure or the total weight of the system.

[0040] Acoustic sensors: These sensors detect sound by utilizing the propagation characteristics of sound in a medium. They measure the distance to the liquid surface based on the time difference between sound emission and reception, thus determining the liquid level.

[0041] Optical sensor: By emitting light pulses towards the liquid surface and receiving the reflected signals, the round-trip time of the light pulses is calculated, thereby obtaining the distance from the sensor to the liquid surface and converting it into liquid level height.

[0042] Image device: By capturing an image of the milk surface in the milk storage container and using an edge detection algorithm to identify the liquid surface boundary, the liquid level height can be calculated.

[0043] In some implementations, the milk storage parameters include, but are not limited to, one of the following: the milk level in the milk storage container, the milk weight in the milk storage container, and the milk flow rate of the breast pump.

[0044] Depending on the type of detection unit and its installation location, the obtained milk storage parameters and their detection principles will also differ. For example: If optical sensors, capacitive sensors or resistive sensors are used, the liquid level in the milk storage container is usually measured directly. The system can further convert the liquid volume into milk volume by combining the cross-sectional shape information of the milk storage container. If a pressure sensor is used, the volume of milk is usually calculated based on a preset algorithm by detecting the static pressure of the milk or the total weight of the container. If an imaging device is used, the position of the liquid surface can be identified by acquiring images of the liquid surface and using visual algorithms, and then converted into liquid surface height or volume after calibration. If an acoustic sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) is used, its detection mechanism is closely related to its installation location: When an ultrasonic sensor is installed in the milk suction channel, the milk flow rate is usually calculated by detecting the milk flow speed and time through the milk suction channel, and then the milk volume, i.e. the amount of milk suctioned, is calculated by combining the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel.

[0045] When an ultrasonic sensor is placed in a milk storage container, the liquid level is usually determined by measuring the distance between the liquid surface and the sensor based on the time difference between transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals.

[0046] In some implementations, at least two detection units with different detection principles include a first detection unit and a second detection unit.

[0047] In some implementations, the first detection unit may be an optical sensor, such as a ToF (Time-of-Flight) sensor or an infrared photoelectric sensor. The optical sensor may be located in the host unit.

[0048] Taking a ToF sensor as an example, the ToF sensor 13 can be set on the host 12. There can be multiple ToF sensors 13, and multiple ToF sensors 13 can be symmetrically arranged on the host 12 to improve measurement accuracy.

[0049] Furthermore, the ToF sensor 13 is positioned on the host unit near the milk storage container.

[0050] In some implementations, the milk storage container can be made of a high-transmittance plastic material to increase the accuracy of the ToF sensor measurements. In other embodiments, the optical sensor may also be disposed in the milk storage container. This application does not limit the installation location of the first detection unit.

[0051] In some implementations, the second detection unit may be a capacitive sensor. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the capacitive sensor 14 can be disposed on the side wall of the milk storage container 10.

[0052] In other embodiments, the capacitive sensor may also be located on the back of the flange near the milk storage container.

[0053] In addition to the types mentioned above, the first and second detection units may also employ other detection units based on different principles, such as resistive sensors, pressure sensors, or acoustic sensors.

[0054] In some implementations, such as Figure 3 As shown, the detection unit can be an image device 15, which can be installed on the host 12. Alternatively, the image device can be installed at other suitable locations for acquiring images of the liquid surface. This application does not impose any limitations.

[0055] In some implementations, the detection unit may employ an acoustic sensor, which includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter and receiver may be positioned on opposite sides of the milk expression channel or the milk storage container to detect liquid level or flow rate via acoustic signals. Multiple sets of acoustic sensors may be provided.

[0056] In some implementations, the acoustic sensor may be an ultrasonic sensor.

[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, the ultrasonic sensor 16 can be installed on the outer wall 101 of the milk storage container at least in a position aligned with the one-way valve 19. That is, the ultrasonic sensor 16 detects the flow rate of milk passing through the one-way valve 19 in a non-contact manner, ensuring the safety and hygiene of the milk. The ultrasonic sensor 113 can also be detachably installed on the outer wall 101 of the milk storage container.

[0058] The ultrasonic sensor transmitter 161 is a piezoelectric ultrasonic sensor assembly, which includes a piezoelectric ceramic substrate that vibrates to generate ultrasonic waves and electrodes that apply current to the piezoelectric ceramic substrate to cause it to vibrate. The ultrasonic sensor receiver 162 is used to receive ultrasonic waves reflected from the transmitter and returned after encountering an obstacle, so as to convert the ultrasonic waves into electrical signals. In this application, the ultrasonic sensor is not limited to the structure described above.

[0059] In other implementations, such as Figure 5-6 As shown, the ultrasonic sensor 16 can be installed on the outer wall 18 of the breast pumping channel, and the ultrasonic sensor transmitter 161 and the ultrasonic sensor receiver 162 are located on both sides of the breast pumping channel 111, respectively. When multiple sets of ultrasonic sensors 16 are provided, the multiple sets of ultrasonic sensors 16 are arranged along the outer wall 18 of the breast pumping channel.

[0060] When there is no milk in the milk suction channel, the ultrasound cannot penetrate the tube, and the ultrasound sensor receiver receives no signal. During milk ejection, milk flows into the milk suction channel and passes through the ultrasound detection area. The ultrasound can penetrate the milk suction channel, and the ultrasound receiver receives the signal from the transmitter. The presence of milk is determined by identifying the received signal. In practice, multiple ultrasound sensors can be integrated, and a more accurate milk flow rate can be obtained based on the received signal information from multiple ultrasound sensors and the spacing between them.

[0061] In the above scheme, when calculating milk volume based on the fusion of multiple detection units, the confidence level of the detection results output by each detection unit within a preset time period can be calculated, and the confidence level can be used as a weighting coefficient to perform a weighted average fusion of the milk storage parameters obtained from different detection units, thereby effectively improving the accuracy and robustness of the milk volume calculation results.

[0062] In some implementations, the breast pump may also include a calibration unit for detecting the tilt angle of the breast pump.

[0063] In some embodiments, the breast pump 100 may further include a calibration unit for detecting the tilt state of the breast pump and compensating for milk storage parameters. The calibration unit may include an inertial measurement unit 17. The inertial measurement unit typically integrates an accelerometer and a gyroscope for real-time detection of the device's angle, acceleration, and orientation changes in three-dimensional space.

[0064] like Figure 7 As shown, the inertial measurement unit 17 can be mounted on the main board inside the main unit 12, a location that helps to sense the overall movement and tilt of the breast pump. In other embodiments, to more directly monitor the attitude of the milk storage container, the inertial measurement unit can also be mounted on the milk storage container itself.

[0065] Furthermore, the location of the calibration unit is not limited to the two locations mentioned above. Depending on the actual structural design and accuracy requirements, it can also be integrated into the flange or other key parts. Any location that can effectively reflect the spatial orientation of the breast pump as a whole or key components falls within the protection scope of this application.

[0066] The calibration unit can communicate with the processing unit. Its workflow includes: continuously acquiring raw data such as the breast pump's tilt angle and acceleration; calculating the real-time tilt angle using sensor fusion algorithms (such as complementary filtering and Kalman filtering); and performing geometric compensation on the milk volume parameters acquired by multiple detection units based on this angle information and known container geometry parameters, ultimately outputting a more accurate milk volume value. This design is particularly suitable for scenarios where the device tilts due to the mother's movement or posture change during breast pumping, effectively overcoming the measurement errors caused by liquid surface sloshing and container tilt to a single liquid level sensor.

[0067] In summary, this utility model provides a breast pump that integrates the advantages of various detection units with different detection principles to detect parameters related to milk volume. This compensates for the errors caused by environmental interference or inherent limitations of a single type of sensor, thereby improving the accuracy of milk volume detection.

[0068] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A breast pump, characterized in that, include: A breast shield, the breast shield including a flange that conforms to the breast and a breast suction channel for receiving the nipple; A milk storage container for receiving and storing the milk collected by the breast pump shield, the milk storage container being connected to the breast pump shield; The main unit includes a negative pressure mechanism, which is used to directly or indirectly apply negative pressure to the breast pump shield to draw milk into the milk storage container; At least two detection units with different detection principles, each of which is used to detect milk quantity parameters related to the milk quantity in the milk storage container.

2. The breast pump as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The at least two detection units with different detection principles include at least two of the following: capacitive sensor, resistive sensor, pressure sensor, acoustic sensor, optical sensor, and imaging device.

3. The breast pump as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The milk storage capacity parameter includes one of the following: the milk level in the milk storage container, the milk weight in the milk storage container, and the milk flow rate of the breast pump.

4. The breast pump as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The at least two detection units with different detection principles include a first detection unit, which is disposed on the host or the milk storage container.

5. The breast pump as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first detection unit is located on the host computer near the milk storage container.

6. The breast pump as described in claim 4, characterized in that, There are multiple first detection units.

7. The breast pump as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Multiple first detection units are symmetrically arranged on the host or the milk storage container.

8. The breast pump as described in any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that, The first detection unit is an optical sensor.

9. The breast pump as described in claim 2, characterized in that, At least two detection units with different detection principles include a second detection unit, which is disposed on the flange or the container wall of the milk storage container.

10. The breast pump as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The second detection unit is located on the back of the flange near the milk storage container.

11. The breast pump as described in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The second detection unit is a capacitive sensor.

12. The breast pump as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The at least two detection units with different detection principles include the image device, which is disposed on the host.

13. The breast pump as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The at least two detection units with different detection principles include the acoustic sensor, which includes a transmitter and a receiver, and the transmitter and receiver are disposed on both sides of the milk suction channel or on the opposite side of the milk storage container.

14. The breast pump as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The acoustic sensors are provided in multiple sets, and the multiple sets of acoustic sensors are arranged at intervals along the breast pumping channel.

15. The breast pump as described in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The acoustic sensor is an ultrasonic sensor.

16. The breast pump as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The breast pump also includes a calibration unit for detecting the tilt angle of the breast pump.

17. The breast pump as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The calibration unit includes an inertial measurement unit.

18. The breast pump as described in claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The calibration unit is located on the host or the milk storage container.

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