Hands-Free Breast Pump Fixation via Bra Structure Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hands-free breast pumps face issues such as increased volume and cost due to the need for a bra-shaped structure or adhesive materials, and some designs have weak attachment to the breast or require manual handling of the milk vessel, limiting their usability and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A hands-free breast pump design featuring a funnel-shaped adsorption unit with a suction tank and storage vessel positioned in a horizontal or inclined configuration, using a suction chamber with a connection pipe and backflow prevention unit to stabilize the device on a bra, allowing for secure and hands-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bra-shaped structure or adhesive materials are used to fix the adsorption unit to the breast, then the adsorption unit can be stably fixed, but the volume and manufacturing cost of the breast pump increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bra-shaped structure and adhesive materials from the breast pump design. Instead, it utilizes the existing bra structure as the fixation mechanism, extracting only the necessary fixation function from the breast pump itself and relying on the bra's inherent structure to provide stable attachment to the breast.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the bra serve multiple functions: it acts as both the clothing item and the fixation mechanism for the breast pump. The bra's elastic bands and structure are utilized to securely hold the adsorption unit in place, eliminating the need for dedicated fixation components within the pump itself.
2Ease of operation
If a hole is punched in the bra to allow the adsorption unit to come into contact with the breast, then the adsorption unit can be positioned correctly, but the bra structure is damaged and requires special breast pump-only bras
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the requirement to modify the bra structure by removing the hole-punching feature. The adsorption unit is designed to contact the breast through the existing openings and structure of regular bras without requiring any alterations to the bra itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The breast pump system is segmented into separate functional components: the adsorption unit that contacts the breast, the collection container that receives milk, and the bra that provides fixation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the adsorption unit being small and flexible enough to work through regular bra structures.
3Ease of operation
If the breast milk vessel is located at the outside of the bra, then the vessel can be easily accessed, but as the quantity of breast milk pumped increases, the vessel becomes inclined forwardly requiring manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the collection container with the breast pump assembly, creating an integrated unit where the container is positioned to receive and store breast milk while maintaining proper orientation. The container is designed to be held in place by the bra structure and the pump assembly, preventing forward inclination even as milk volume increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention repositions the collection container in a three-dimensional arrangement that utilizes vertical space rather than horizontal extension. By positioning the container to hang or rest in a vertical orientation relative to the breast and bra structure, the design prevents forward inclination and maintains stability without requiring manual support.
4Ease of operation
If conventional hands-free breast pumps are used, then hands-free operation is achieved, but additional fixing devices or adhesive materials are required increasing manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the bra serve multiple functions: it acts as both the clothing item and the fixation mechanism for the breast pump. The bra's elastic bands and structure are utilized to securely hold the adsorption unit in place, eliminating the need for dedicated fixation components within the pump itself and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the fixation devices and adhesive materials from the breast pump design, extracting only the essential pumping function. The fixation role is transferred to the bra structure, which already exists in the user's wardrobe and provides sufficient attachment capability without requiring additional 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 design enables stable fixation to the breast, allowing for efficient and convenient breast pumping without manual handling, improving usability and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for additional fixing devices or adhesive materials.
Implementation Method 1
a suction chamber (12) having an extension part (121) insertingly coupled to the rear portion of the suction tank (112)
Data Source
AI summary
A hands-free breast pump comprises a funnel-shaped adsorption unit having an adsorption surface and a suction tank; a suction chamber having an extension part, the extension part having a connection pipe and a second suction hole formed on the lower portion of the inner peripheral surface, and a first coupling part extended downwardly from the extension part and having a third suction hole formed on the lower portion of the inner peripheral surface thereof; and a storage vessel coupled to the first coupling part in the horizontal direction with the adsorption surface to store the breast milk discharged from the backflow prevention unit therein.