Breast Pump Vacuum Sensor Milk Volume Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast pumps require users to manually track and calculate milk volume, leading to inefficiencies and potential drops in milk supply due to lack of accurate monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump system equipped with a vacuum pressure sensor and control unit that calculates milk volume based on changes in vacuum pressure, providing automatic and precise monitoring without user effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual tracking and calculation of milk volume is used, then user effort and insecurity increase, but automation and measurement precision are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual tracking methods with an automated sensor-based system. A vacuum pressure sensor automatically measures changes in vacuum pressure within the closed system to calculate milk volume, eliminating the need for manual measurement and calculation by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The breast pump system performs self-monitoring of milk volume through the integrated vacuum pressure sensor and control unit. The system automatically tracks and calculates the volume of milk expressed without requiring user intervention, making the monitoring process self-service oriented.
2Reliability
If no monitoring system is used, then user effort is reduced, but milk supply stability and measurement precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the vacuum pump operation, processes sensor signals, calculates milk volume, and provides user feedback. This multi-functionality integrates the monitoring capability into the existing breast pump system without requiring a completely separate complex monitoring device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to the user about milk volume expressed during breastfeeding. This feedback mechanism helps users monitor milk supply stability and adjust breastfeeding practices accordingly, improving reliability of milk supply management.
3Measurement precision
If vacuum pressure sensor is used, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pressure sensor acts as an intermediary element that indirectly measures milk volume by detecting changes in vacuum pressure within the closed system. This indirect measurement approach provides precise milk volume data without requiring direct contact with the milk or complex measurement apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical volume measurement systems with a simpler electronic sensor-based approach. The vacuum pressure sensor combined with electronic calculation in the control unit provides precise measurement while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
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
Ensures constant milk volume monitoring, reducing user effort and insecurity, and allowing for timely adjustments to maintain milk supply, with enhanced accuracy through the use of a vacuum pressure sensor and flow sensor combination.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pressure sensor configured to determine volume changes in the system air volume in response to changes in vacuum pressure
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum unit connected to the expression kit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a breast pump (1) for extracting milk from a female breast comprising an expression kit (2), a container (5) connected to the expression kit (2), and a vacuum unit (6) connected to the expression kit (2), wherein the combined volumes of the expression kit (2), the container (5), the vacuum unit (6) and the connections thereof define a system air volume, and a vacuum pressure sensor for determining volume changes in the system air volume in response to changes in vacuum pressure.