Resilient Motorized Head for Breast Pump Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motorized breast pumps generate high levels of noise and vibration, disrupting the natural ambiance needed for efficient milk expression and making it difficult for women to use them discreetly outside the home.

Innovation Solution

A motorized head for a breast pump featuring a resiliently deformable member that connects the motor mounting portion to the body mounting portion, reducing vibration transfer and incorporating a sinuous form with raised portions to minimize contact area and enhance acoustic damping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a motor and drive mechanism are used to automate breast pump operation, then pumping efficiency and productivity are improved, but noise level and vibration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepumping efficiencyVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A resiliently deformable member is introduced as an intermediary element between the motor mounting portion and the body mounting portion. This mediator absorbs and dampens vibrations generated by the motor and drive mechanism, preventing them from being transmitted to the breast pump body and reducing noise levels while maintaining pumping efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The resiliently deformable member changes the mechanical parameters of the connection between mounting portions by introducing elasticity and compliance. This parameter change allows the system to maintain the benefits of motorized automation while reducing harmful vibrations and noise through the deformable connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a motor and drive mechanism are used to automate breast pump operation, then pumping efficiency and productivity are improved, but vibration transfer to the breast pump body increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepumping efficiencyVSAvoidvibration transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The resiliently deformable member serves as a vibration-isolating intermediary between the motor mounting portion and the body mounting portion. It absorbs and dampens vibrations, preventing their direct transmission to the breast pump body and maintaining operational stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By introducing the resiliently deformable member, the mechanical connection parameters are changed to include vibration-damping properties. This allows the motorized system to operate efficiently while the deformable member absorbs and dissipates vibrations before they reach the pump body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional motorised breast pumps are used, then milk expression can be achieved, but the natural ambiance is disrupted and comfort is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemilk expressionVSAvoiduser comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The resiliently deformable member acts as a mediator that isolates the user from the mechanical vibrations and noise generated by the motorized pump. This allows the pump to maintain its milk expression functionality while creating a more comfortable and natural ambiance for the user

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution significantly reduces noise and vibration, allowing for more comfortable and discreet use of breast pumps, facilitating the 'let-down' reflex and enabling milk expression outside the home.

Implementation Method 1

a resiliently deformable member connecting the body mounting portion and the motor mounting portion such that the resiliently deformable member reduces the transfer of vibration caused by the motor or drive mechanism to a body of a breast pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a resiliently deformable member connecting the body mounting portion and the motor mounting portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2376138B1A motorized head for a breast pump
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP2376138B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2376138B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2376138B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A motorised head (3) for a breast pump comprising a motor unit (35) including a motor and a drive mechanism (22) for driving a pump, a body mounting portion which is fixedly mountable to a body of a breast pump, a motor mounting portion (39) on which the motor and drive mechanism (22) are disposed, and a resiliently deformable member (49) connecting the body mounting portion and the motor mounting portion such that the resiliently deformable member reduces the transfer of vibration caused by the motor or drive mechanism to a breast pump body to which the body mounting portion is mounted.