Split Rear Ring for Breast Pump Liner Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breast pumps require easy assembly and disassembly while ensuring comfort during use, and existing designs face challenges in facilitating the assembly of the breast interface due to the deformation needed for the flanged rear end of the liner to pass through the rear ring of the liner support frame.
Innovation Solution
A breast interface with a split rear ring construction, where the complementary circumferential rear ring portions are rearrangeable to increase the inner diameter temporarily during assembly, allowing the flanged rear end of the liner to pass through, and then automatically restoring to engage the tubular rear section, along with a liner support frame that includes resilient arms or detachable/hingeably connected parts for easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the rear ring is made as a single continuous structure, then the structural integrity is improved, but the assembly difficulty increases due to the need for significant deformation to pass the flanged rear end through
Solution Approach 1:
The rear ring is divided into two or more separate complementary portions that can be positioned around the flanged rear end of the liner. This segmentation eliminates the need for significant deformation during assembly, as the flanged end can simply be inserted between the separated portions which are then brought together to complete the ring structure, maintaining full structural integrity when assembled.
2Reliability
If the liner flanged rear end is made with a large outer diameter for secure engagement, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of assembly deteriorates due to the difficulty of passing through the rear ring
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the rear ring into separate portions, the patent enables the flanged rear end with its large outer diameter to be easily assembled. The flanged end can be positioned between the separated ring portions without requiring compression or deformation, and the portions are then brought together to form the complete ring, achieving both secure engagement and easy assembly.
3Ease of operation
If the rear ring portions are made detachable for easy disassembly and cleaning, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rear ring is designed as two or more separate complementary portions that can be easily detached and reassembled. This segmentation provides simple disassembly for cleaning purposes while adding minimal complexity to the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear ring portions are designed with flexibility to allow dynamic assembly and disassembly operations. The portions can be separated for cleaning and reconnected when needed, providing operational flexibility without requiring complex mechanisms.
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 simplifies the assembly process by reducing the force required for deformation and ensures a secure fit, enhancing user comfort and ease of use while maintaining the breast interface's structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
resilient arms or detachable/hingeably connected parts for easy assembly
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
Breast interface (70) for a breast pump (1), including: - a liner support frame (200) defining an interior liner support frame space (202) configured to receive at least part of a liner (100), said liner support frame including: - a front ring (204); - a split rear ring (206) including at least two complementary circumferential rear ring portions (206a, 206b) that are rearrangeable relative to each other to facilitate passage of a flanged rear end of a liner (100); and - a liner (100) including: - a rear section (170) including a tubular wall part that is configured to be fittingly enclosed by the rear ring (206) and that is provided with a first annular flange (172) with an outer diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the rear ring (206) of the liner support frame (200), and that, in an assembled condition of the breast interface, abuts the rear ring (206) on end.