Foolproof Valve Assembly for Breast Milk Collector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breast pump systems face challenges in preventing milk backflow into the vacuum pump, which can lead to contamination and damage, especially when the milk collection device is tipped over, due to the difficulty in cleaning and sanitizing narrow suction tubes.
Innovation Solution
The breast pump system incorporates a vacuum breaker concept that isolates subatmospheric air flow from milk flow using a design without conventional baffles, featuring a milk collection device with a funnel-shaped breast receiver, a domed outer shell, a fluid exchanger, and a unidirectional valve, ensuring that milk does not backflow into the suction tube by maintaining separate air and milk flow paths even when the device is tipped over.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional baffle design is used to prevent milk backflow, then milk backflow prevention is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of cleaning increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the conventional baffle component entirely and replaces it with a foolproof valve assembly that integrates directly into the suction tube. This extraction of the problematic baffle element simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining backflow prevention functionality through the valve mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The foolproof valve acts as an intermediary component between the suction tube and the milk collection device. It mediates the flow of air and milk, allowing subatmospheric pressure to be applied while preventing milk from entering the suction tube, thus resolving the contradiction between backflow prevention and device simplicity.
2Reliability
If a conventional baffle design is used to prevent milk backflow, then milk backflow prevention is improved, but ease of cleaning decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the conventional baffle and replacing it with a valve assembly that has fewer crevices and dead zones, the patent significantly improves cleanability. The valve design allows for more effective sanitization compared to the complex baffle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The foolproof valve assembly is designed to facilitate self-cleaning or easier manual cleaning through its simplified structure. The valve's design minimizes areas where milk can stagnate, making the device easier to maintain and sanitize between uses.
3Ease of operation
If the milk collection device is tipped over, then ease of operation increases, but milk backflow into the suction tube occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The foolproof valve is pre-configured to prevent backflow in any orientation of the device. The valve mechanism is designed to close automatically when milk pressure opposes the intended flow direction, regardless of whether the device is upright or tipped over, thus providing preliminary protection against backflow in all positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly incorporates dynamic elements that respond to pressure changes and orientation changes. The valve can adjust its position based on the pressure differential created by different device orientations, maintaining backflow prevention functionality whether the device is upright or tipped over.
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 effectively prevents milk backflow, ensuring easier cleaning and sanitization, reducing the risk of contamination and damage to the vacuum pump, while maintaining efficient milk collection and storage.
Implementation Method 1
a unidirectional valve, ensuring that milk does not backflow into the suction tube by maintaining separate air and milk flow paths
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum pump provides cyclical periods of positive and negative pressure to the milk collection device. During periods of negative pressure (subatmospheric pressure), vacuum delivered to the device withdraws a small discrete volume of milk from the breast
Implementation Method 3
During each period of positive pressure, lightly pressurized air relaxes the breast momentarily and at the same time forces the charge of milk from the charging chamber to a larger milk storage chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A breast pump system includes a duckbill-style check valve that intermittently releases breast milk from a charging chamber to a storage chamber. Various examples of rotational interlocks ensure that the valve is properly installed to avoid interference between the valve's discharge end and the inner surface of an outer shell that contains the valve. In some examples, the outer shell includes a concavity or other feature configured to accommodate multiple rotational positions of the valve.