Electric Breast Milk Pump Active Pressure Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric breast milk pumps face issues with milk aspiration due to insufficient pressure compensation during short cycles or high milk flows, leading to clogging and reduced suction efficiency, particularly in small pumps with limited venting lines and valves.

Innovation Solution

The electric breast milk pump actively pumps air into the connection channel and suction cup during pressure phases to quickly equalize pressure with the surroundings, ensuring the outlet valve opens and milk flows efficiently into the reservoir, while also optimizing energy usage by switching the motor on and off as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pump operates with passive venting through a small venting line and valve, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pressure compensation is insufficient during short cycles or high milk flows, causing milk to accumulate and clog the pump

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of milk cloggingVSAvoidventing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the passive mechanical venting system with an active electronic control system that monitors pressure and activates the motor to pump air into the connection channel when needed, ensuring reliable pressure compensation and preventing milk clogging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces pressure sensors as intermediary devices that detect pressure conditions in the connection channel and trigger appropriate responses (motor activation or passive venting), bridging the gap between simple mechanical components and complex control functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the pump runs continuously to maintain pressure compensation, then milk flow efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases and motor wear accelerates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilk flow efficiencyVSAvoidmotor energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic motor operation where the motor is activated only during pressure phases when pressure compensation is needed, and remains inactive during suction phases, creating an efficient on-off cycling pattern that maintains productivity while reducing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pressure sensors to provide feedback about the pressure conditions in the connection channel, allowing the control system to make intelligent decisions about when to activate the motor, thereby optimizing energy usage based on actual system needs rather than continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the venting phase duration is extended to allow complete pressure equalization, then milk can flow freely into the reservoir, but the pumping cycle time increases, reducing overall productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilk flow顺畅度VSAvoidpumping cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by actively pumping air into the connection channel during the pressure phase before the venting phase begins, pre-equalizing the pressure so that the subsequent venting phase requires less time to complete, thereby reducing overall cycle time while ensuring smooth milk flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution prevents milk from accumulating and clogging the pump, ensuring efficient milk flow and reducing motor wear by minimizing energy consumption and extending the pump's operational life.

Implementation Method 1

An underpressure is applied to the suction cup in order to withdraw the milk from the mother's breast

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

A floater body is disposed in the floater valve chamber, which floats up as soon as an excessive amount of milk is accumulated in the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 3

The electric breast milk pump actively pumps air into the connection channel and suction cup during pressure phases to quickly equalize pressure with the surroundings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8734386B2Electric breast milk pump

Publication Date: 2014.05.27 MAPA GMBH

AI summary

A breast milk pump having an electric motor, a pump driven by the motor, a suction cup, an electrically activated first three-way valve in a suction line, an electrically activated second three-way valve in a pressure line, an electronic control system, which sets the electric motor into an operating mode or an idle mode depending on an activation of a switch; in the operating mode, it operates the electric motor and the electrically activated first and second three-way valves in cycles, which comprise a suction phase, in which the electric motor is switched on, the inlet of the pump is connected to the suction cup via the first three-way valve and a floater valve, the pump outlet is connected via the second three-way valve.