Breast Pump Actuator for Hygienic Pressure Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast pumps face challenges in maintaining hygiene due to the difficulty in cleaning the pumping mechanism, which is prone to unhygienic situations because milk is drawn into the mechanism under negative pressure, and require separate pumps for generating positive pressure for massaging, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump design featuring a first and second pressure chamber with an actuator that generates an inverse pressure differential, using a piston element system with seals to create a fluid seal, allowing for both positive and negative pressure generation with a single pump unit, and an inflatable insert for massaging, improving hygiene and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If negative pressure is generated at the breast to encourage milk expression, then milk extraction is improved, but milk is drawn into the pumping mechanism leading to unhygienic situations
Solution Approach 1:
The breast pump is divided into two separate pressure chambers: a first pressure chamber that generates negative pressure for milk expression, and a second pressure chamber that generates positive pressure for massaging. This segmentation prevents milk from being drawn into the pumping mechanism while maintaining effective milk extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
An actuator with piston elements serves as an intermediary mechanism that transfers pressure between the two chambers. The actuator enables the first chamber to generate negative pressure for extraction while the second chamber generates positive pressure for massaging, preventing direct contamination of the pumping mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate pump is provided to generate positive pressure for massaging, then breast massage function is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Two pump functions (negative pressure generation for extraction and positive pressure generation for massaging) are merged into a single pump unit. The pump unit operates alternately to create negative pressure in the first chamber and positive pressure in the second chamber, eliminating the need for separate pump mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump unit operates in periodic cycles, alternately generating negative pressure in the first chamber for milk expression and positive pressure in the second chamber for breast massaging. This periodic action enables both functions using one pump mechanism.
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
The design enables cyclical negative pressure for milk expression while maintaining hygiene by preventing milk from entering the pump mechanism and allows for effective massaging without the need for a separate positive pressure pump, enhancing user comfort and milk extraction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the actuator is movable to generate an inverse pressure differential in the second chamber when a pressure differential is generated in the first pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
the first and second piston elements may each comprise a seal extending from an outer rim of each piston element to an inner surface of the compartment to form a fluid seal
Data Source
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AI summary
In a breast pump, milk expressed from a user's nipple may be drawn into the pumping mechanism used to create a vacuum. This can lead to unhygienic situations because pumping mechanisms are difficult or impossible to clean by a user. The present invention relates to a breast pump comprising first and second pressure chambers (22,23) and an actuator (20) disposed to fluidly divide the two chambers (22,23). The actuator (20) is movable to generate an inverse pressure differential in the second chamber (23) when a pressure differential is generated in the first pressure chamber (22), or a pressure differential is released from the first pressure chamber (22). Furthermore, the actuator (20) comprises a first piston element (30) and a second piston element (32), and wherein the first pressure chamber (22) is disposed between the first piston element (30) and the second piston element (32).