Manual Breast Pump Toggle Mechanism for Lower Hand Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breast pumps often require continuous maximum effort from the user, leading to increased muscle load on the hand and forearm, which can be tiring and uncomfortable.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump with a link mechanism that supports the handle in a movable manner, incorporating a toggle mechanism to reduce the operation force required when the handle is moved to its maximum position, and a rotatable handle design to facilitate easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the handle is continuously held near or at the maximum pivotal position to maintain negative pressure, then the milk extraction function is improved, but the muscle load on the hand and forearm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a toggle mechanism that dynamically changes the mechanical advantage during handle movement. As the handle moves toward the maximum pivotal position, the link mechanism automatically adjusts the force multiplication ratio, reducing the operation force required at the maximum position while maintaining effective negative pressure generation during the extraction phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism changes the mechanical parameters of force transmission based on the handle's position. By varying the angle between link members, the system optimizes the force multiplication effect at different stages of handle movement, reducing peak muscle load while maintaining extraction efficiency.
2Stress or pressure
If the operation force is maximized at the maximum pivotal position, then the negative pressure generation is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to high muscle load
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle mechanism dynamically adjusts the force required at different positions of handle movement. The mechanical advantage changes as the link mechanism angles vary, making the handle easier to operate at the maximum position while still generating sufficient negative pressure through the diaphragm.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's input force and the diaphragm compression. It transforms the force application characteristics, reducing the peak force required from the user while maintaining the necessary pressure generation in the inner passage.
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
Reduces muscle load on the user's hand and forearm by minimizing the force needed to operate the handle, allowing for comfortable and efficient milk extraction.
Implementation Method 1
a diaphragm configured to generate negative pressure in the inner passage
Implementation Method 2
The link mechanism is configured to apply an operation force to the handle that becomes maximal during handle movement when the handle is moved in an operation direction that changes the pressure from the normal state to the negative state
Data Source
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AI summary
This milking machine comprises: a body provided with a hood attachment part having attached thereto a hood having a milking port and being fitted to a breast, a bottle attachment part to which a bottle for storing milk therein is attached, and an internal passage which extends between the hood attachment part and the bottle attachment part; a diaphragm which is configured to generate negative pressure within the internal passage; a handle which reciprocates by manual operation and which is configured to displace the diaphragm in a lifting direction so as to change the internal passage from a normal pressure state to a negative pressure state; and a link mechanism which is configured to support the handle in such a manner as to be able to make reciprocal motion with respect to the body. The link mechanism is configured to act on the handle so as to cause a maximum operating force to be exerted on the handle while the handle is being moved, when the handle is moved in an operating direction so as to cause a change from the normal pressure state to the negative pressure state.