Breast Pump Terminal Sealing Against Moisture and Milk Ingress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast pumps require boiling or steam disinfection, which can cause moisture or milk to enter the horn cover and main unit, leading to damage or short circuits at contact points.
Innovation Solution
The breast pump incorporates an annular sealing portion around the periphery of the first terminal assembly of the horn cover and the second terminal assembly of the main unit, creating a sealed environment that prevents liquid from entering the connection between the two assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the horn cover and main unit are assembled without additional sealing structures, then the device complexity is low, but liquid such as moisture or milk can enter the gap between the horn cover and main unit causing damage or short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an annular sealing portion made of flexible sealing material that wraps around the terminal assemblies. This flexible film structure creates an effective seal between the horn cover and main unit, preventing liquid ingress while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure. The sealing portion can deform to accommodate assembly variations, ensuring reliable sealing without complex rigid structures.
2Reliability
If the annular sealing portion is positioned closer to the main body, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the electrical contact between terminal assemblies may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict between sealing effectiveness and electrical contact alignment by utilizing the dimensional space around the terminal assemblies. The annular sealing portion is positioned circumferentially around the terminals rather than directly over them, creating a sealing barrier in the radial direction while leaving the axial electrical contact path clear. This dimensional arrangement allows both sealing and electrical connectivity to coexist without compromising either function.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a breast pump comprising a horn cover, a milk bin, and a controller. The horn cover includes a cover body, and a heating device and a first connector arranged on the cover body. The first connector is electrically connected to the heating device. The controller comprises a main body, and a second connector in electrical contact with the first connector. The breast pump further comprises a sealing ring, and the milk bin includes a partition wall that comprises an electrode through hole. The sealing ring seals around a periphery of the first connector and the second connector.