Breast Pump Diaphragm Design for Baseline Vacuum and Cleanability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast pumps struggle to maintain a baseline vacuum to reduce discomfort and improve nipple positioning while ensuring easy cleaning and separation of milk-contaminated parts from the vacuum generation part, particularly in wearable designs.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump design incorporating a first diaphragm between a pressure delivery inlet and a cavity, a valve arrangement, and a second diaphragm to generate a baseline pressure, using the same pressure source for both milk expression and holding the breast shield, with a passive one-way valve for milk flow and separate diaphragm for easy cleaning, and adjustable threshold valves for maintaining baseline vacuum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex pressure regulator mechanism is used to maintain baseline vacuum, then the baseline vacuum can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses passive one-way valves that automatically maintain baseline vacuum without requiring active pressure regulation mechanisms. The valves self-regulate the vacuum level by allowing air to enter only when pressure drops below the baseline, eliminating the need for complex electronic pressure control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate diaphragm is introduced as an intermediary component between the vacuum source and the breast shield. This diaphragm isolates the vacuum generation system from the breast shield chamber, allowing baseline vacuum maintenance through simple valve control rather than complex pressure regulation.
2Ease of operation
If a baseline vacuum is maintained in the breast shield, then nipple discomfort is reduced and hands-free operation is improved, but the pressure difference between breast shield and container may prevent milk flow
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent pressure zones: the breast shield chamber maintained at baseline vacuum for comfort and holding, and the milk collection container at atmospheric pressure for easy milk flow. A one-way valve separates these zones, allowing independent pressure management in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
A one-way valve acts as an intermediary between the breast shield and milk collection container, allowing milk to flow from the breast shield to the container while preventing pressure equalization. This maintains the pressure differential needed for both comfortable operation and effective milk flow.
3Reliability
If the vacuum pump is separated from the milk collection system, then contamination of the pump is prevented, but the mechanism to maintain baseline vacuum becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump is completely separated from the milk collection system using a diaphragm barrier. The pump operates in a clean environment while the breast shield and milk container can be easily detached and cleaned without exposing the pump to contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
Passive one-way valves are used to maintain baseline vacuum in the separated system, eliminating the need for complex electronic pressure control mechanisms. The valves automatically regulate vacuum levels without requiring additional sensors or actuators in the contaminated zone.
4Ease of operation
If a wearable breast pump design is used, then portability and hands-free operation are improved, but the device complexity increases due to integration of motor, battery and container
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable pump is divided into separable components: a reusable motor unit with battery and a detachable breast shield/container assembly. This allows the complex integrated unit to be simplified into modular parts that can be independently cleaned and maintained, reducing overall system complexity.
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 provides a comfortable, hands-free operation with reduced nipple discomfort by maintaining a baseline vacuum, easy cleaning, and effective milk collection without contamination, adaptable to user activity levels.
Implementation Method 1
a first diaphragm between a pressure delivery inlet for connection to a pressure source and the cavity
Implementation Method 2
the valve arrangement and the second diaphragm are adapted to generate, from a pressure received at the pressure delivery inlet, a baseline pressure to be applied to the cavity
Implementation Method 3
a passive one-way valve for milk flow
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
:A breast pump is provided which comprises a milk expression system of a pressure source, a breast shield and a first diaphragm between a pressure delivery outlet of the pressure source and a cavity formed by the breast shield over the breast. A valve arrangement is provided, and a second diaphragm is between the outlet of the pressure source and the valve arrangement. The valve arrangement and second diaphragm are used to generate, from the pressure delivery outlet of the pressure source, a baseline pressure to be applied to the cavity, for example via the internal volume of a milk collection container. The breast shield is for receiving part of the breast and providing a seal to enable creation of an under-pressure.