Breast Pump Drive Unit Vibration Isolation via Component Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breast pumps often emit noise and vibrations, particularly in high and mid-frequency ranges, which can be uncomfortable for users and are not effectively addressed by existing noise-reducing solutions that require additional components or complex calculations.
Innovation Solution
A drive unit for a breast pump that incorporates a housing with internal components mechanically coupled via a suspension system, utilizing resilient elements like coil springs or plate springs to increase the mass and reduce noise and vibrations across discomforting frequency ranges, allowing for optimized damping and noise reduction without additional components or complex models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If noise-reducing arrangements are added to the breast pump, then noise and vibrations are reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple internal components (motor, drive mechanism, pump elements) into a single mechanically coupled unit that is suspended together as one assembly. This merging approach allows the entire component mass to function as a unified vibration-reducing system, eliminating the need for separate noise-reducing components for each individual part while still achieving effective vibration isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the existing mass of the internal components themselves as the vibration-reducing element. By suspending the components as a unified assembly, the components' own mass provides the inertia needed for vibration reduction, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional dedicated noise-reducing components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration isolation components are added to reduce noise, then noise reduction is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vibration isolation function into the existing structural assembly by suspending the internally coupled components as a unit. This approach eliminates the need for separate vibration isolation components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while achieving the desired noise reduction effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing mass and structural properties of the internal components to provide vibration isolation. By leveraging the components' own physical properties rather than adding specialized isolation elements, the patent avoids additional manufacturing costs while achieving effective noise reduction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If individual components are isolated to reduce vibrations, then vibration reduction is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple internal components into a single mechanically coupled unit that is suspended together. This unified suspension approach reduces device complexity compared to isolating each component individually, while still achieving effective vibration reduction through the collective mass and mechanical coupling of the components.
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 solution effectively reduces noise and vibrations in high and mid-frequency ranges, enhancing user comfort and the effectiveness of breast pump usage by increasing the mass of internal components, making the device more comfortable for both the user and the environment.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient element is a spring, preferably a coil spring or a plate spring
Implementation Method 2
the resiliently deformable member reduces the transfer of vibration caused by the motor or drive mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a drive unit (20) for a breast pump, comprising a housing (21), internal components (22) arranged in the housing (21), and a suspension (17), wherein the internal components (22) are mechanically coupled to each other to form a unit which is mechanically coupled to the housing (21) by way of the suspension (17).