Bra-Fit Breast Pump with Protrusion Sensor for Milk Level Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast pumps are inefficient in quantifying the actual amount of milk in the milk container due to inadequate sensor technology, with previous solutions being affected by electromagnetic waves from milk vapor, air, and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump designed to fit inside a bra, featuring a housing, suction source, breast shield, and a sensor system with an emitter and receiver for electromagnetic waves, including a transparent section with a protrusion to enhance milk detection accuracy, allowing for precise measurement of milk levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic waves are used to detect milk level through the gas volume above the milk, then milk detection is enabled, but the measurement is adversely affected by electromagnetic waves travelling through gas containing milk vapor, air and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protrusion as an intermediary element that extends into the gas volume above the milk. This protrusion serves as a mediator between the sensor means and the milk surface, allowing electromagnetic wave detection to occur at a location less affected by vapor and contamination interference while still accurately indicating milk level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct contact mechanical sensing with electromagnetic wave-based sensing. Instead of using a physical probe that would contact the milk directly (which could be contaminated), the system uses electromagnetic waves that can detect milk level through the gas volume, substituting a mechanical measurement system with a non-contact electromagnetic field-based system.
2Reliability
If a sensor means is placed at the bottom of the milk container to detect first milk, then first milk detection is enabled, but the sensor cannot quantify the actual amount of milk in the container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-point detection approach (sensor at bottom detecting only presence/absence) to a multi-level detection approach by adding multiple transparent sections at different heights. This dimensional expansion allows the system to measure not just whether milk is present, but also the quantity by detecting which levels are filled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the milk container into multiple segments or levels using several transparent sections positioned at different heights. Each transparent section acts as an independent detection zone, allowing the sensor means to quantify milk amount by determining which segments are filled, thereby segmenting the measurement into discrete quantifiable units.
3Measurement precision
If multiple transparent sections are used for milk quantification, then redundant and precise quantification is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sensor means multi-functional by enabling it to perform multiple detection tasks through the different transparent sections. The same sensor can detect first milk arrival, measure current milk level, determine container fullness, and quantify total milk amount by analyzing signals from multiple transparent sections, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each function.
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 breast pump provides accurate and redundant milk quantification, enabling detection of the first fill level and fullness, ensuring proper assembly and efficient milk expression, with reduced power consumption and improved user feedback.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor means including an emitter for an emission of electromagnetic waves and a receiver for a reception of the electromagnetic waves
Implementation Method 2
The transparent section has a protrusion arranged to be in front of and to face away from the corresponding sensor means in order to be wetted by the milk and in order to reflect and/or refract the electromagnetic waves from the emitter
Implementation Method 3
The protrusion makes it possible to locate the surface of the milk more precise in the vicinity of the sensor means, especially since the cone has a very small height that is affected by the milk being present or absent. The protrusion may enable that the electromagnetic waves can be reflected to the sensor means in case the milk container is empty
Implementation Method 4
when the protrusion is in contact with the milk... are refracted and/or reflected in a direction away from the receiver
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a breast pump (1) shaped at least in part to fit inside a bra and built to accumulate milk (M) expressed from a breast of a lactating mother in a milk container (36), the breast pump (1) comprising - a housing (2), - a suction source (4), - a breast shield element (24) with a nipple tunnel (28) adapted to receive a nipple, - 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 the suction source (4) and adapted to receive the sensor signal, and - milk (M), wherein the transparent section (360) has a protrusion (362) arranged to be in front of and to face away from the corresponding sensor means (210) in order to be wetted by the milk (M) and in order to reflect and/or refract the electromagnetic waves from the emitter (211).