Pump Arrangement with Bypass for Vacuum Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breast pump devices require compactness and reduced energy consumption, as they are often used portably, and existing designs are inefficient in utilizing vacuum cycles, leading to unnecessary energy loss and larger pump sizes.
Innovation Solution
A pump arrangement with two expression kits that allows for direct air connection between them, enabling underpressure reuse and reducing the need for multiple pumps, with switching mechanisms to control air flow and pressure distribution, allowing one smaller pump to create the necessary vacuum cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pump is used for both expression kits, then device complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to provide simultaneous vacuum to both kits
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operates in periodic cycles, alternating between serving the first expression kit and the second expression kit. During each cycle, the pump provides vacuum to one kit while the other kit maintains vacuum through the bypass connection, enabling effective simultaneous operation of both kits with a single pump
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass connection acts as an intermediary element that allows vacuum pressure to be transferred between the two expression kits. This mediator enables the pump to serve one kit while the other kit maintains vacuum through pressure equalization via the bypass, effectively providing simultaneous vacuum capability
2Ease of operation
If vacuum is released to environment after each cycle, then expression kits are prepared for next cycle, but energy is lost and pump size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the vacuum energy to the environment, the system recovers it by transferring the vacuum pressure from one expression kit to the other through the bypass connection. This recovery mechanism eliminates energy waste and reduces the workload on the pump
Solution Approach 2:
The expression kits serve each other by transferring vacuum pressure through the bypass connection. When one kit releases vacuum, the other kit receives it, enabling the system to prepare for the next cycle without external energy input, thus reducing pump energy consumption
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 reduces energy consumption, allows for a smaller and cheaper pump, and extends battery life by reusing energy between expression kits, achieving sharper pressure profiles and more efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pump configured to create the pressure profile in the expression kits
Implementation Method 2
by generating a pressure cycle, particularly a vacuum cycle... a simulation of a feeding action is obtained
Data Source
AI summary
In a pump arrangement (6) for use with a double breast pump device, a first air conduit (65) and a second air conduit (66) have a function in connecting respective expression kits (2, 3) to the pump arrangement (6). Each of the air conduits (65, 66) N is connectable to and disconnectable from a suction side and a discharge side, respectively, of a pump (61) that is included in the pump arrangement (6). Further, the air conduits (65, 66) are connectable to and disconnectable from each other directly through an intermediate switching mechanism (70) arranged between the air conduits (65, 66) at a bypass position with respect to the pump (61), so that it is possible to directly transfer vacuum between the air conduits (65, 66) and to thereby support the functioning of the pump (61) which may be relatively small for that reason.