Breast Pump Milk Level Sensor via Transparent Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast pumps face challenges in accurately quantifying the amount of expressed milk due to limitations in sensor technology, including interference from electromagnetic waves and complexity in measurement methods.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump design featuring a sensor system with an emitter and receiver for electromagnetic waves, arranged to face transparent sections within the container, allowing for precise detection of milk levels by reflecting or transmitting waves, and supported by a printed circuit board for accurate measurement and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor means is placed above the milk surface to measure distance for fill level detection, then milk amount quantification is enabled, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to electromagnetic wave interference from gas volume containing milk vapor, air and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent section as an intermediary medium between the sensor means and the milk. This transparent section allows electromagnetic waves to pass through while providing a stable, controllable path for measurement. The transparent section acts as a mediator that enables accurate detection despite the presence of interfering gases and contaminants in the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sensor means from the gas volume above the milk and relocates it to face the transparent section. By taking out the sensor from the interfering environment and positioning it to measure through the transparent section, the harmful electromagnetic wave interference from gas volume is eliminated while maintaining measurement capability.
2Quantity of substance
If sensor means is used to detect first expressed milk at container bottom, then milk detection is enabled, but milk amount quantification capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-point detection at the container bottom to multi-level detection by positioning sensor means at different heights facing the transparent section. This dimensional change from one location to multiple levels enables continuous measurement of milk volume throughout the container, providing accurate quantification of milk amount.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the sensor means continuously monitors the milk level through the transparent section and provides real-time information to the controller. This feedback loop enables accurate tracking of milk volume changes during expression, allowing precise quantification of total milk amount collected.
3Measurement precision
If complex emitter and receiver arrangement is used to quantify milk amount, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the transparent section serve multiple functions: it acts as both a structural component of the container and as an optical window for sensor measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex measurement systems, simplifying the overall device while maintaining accurate milk amount detection capability.
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 design enables more accurate and precise milk volume measurement, allowing for timely detection of full containers and improved user experience through efficient milk expression and pumping control.
Implementation Method 1
The emitter and the receiver shall at least essentially face towards the same direction and/or be arranged in order to have the emitted electromagnetic waves be reflected by the milk at the transparent section, particularly in front of the sensor means, and detected by the receiver.
Implementation Method 2
a transparent section which is at least partially transparent to the electromagnetic waves and arranged to be in contact with the expressed milk
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a breast pump (1) built to accumulate milk (M) expressed from a breast of a lactating mother in a container (36), the breast pump (1) comprising: - a housing (2), - a sensor means (210) including an emitter (211) for an emission of electromagnetic waves and a receiver (212) for a reception of the electromagnetic waves, designed to provide a sensor signal for a detection of the milk (M), - a controller (200) for controlling a suction source (4) and adapted to receive the sensor signal, and - the container (36) adapted to contain a predetermined amount of the milk (M) and including a transparent section (360) which is at least partially transparent to the electromagnetic waves and arranged to be in contact with the milk (M), wherein one or more of the sensor means (210) is arranged to face in a direction towards at least one of the transparent section (360) at least essentially at a first fill level (L1) above a lowermost level (L0) of the container (36) in order to provide the sensor signal as a function of milk (M) being present in front of the sensor means (210) in the direction.