Wearable Breast Pump Layout Without Bulky Air Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast pump devices are bulky, difficult to conceal, and require inflexible air lines or tubes that can cause malfunctions and obstruct airways, making them inconvenient for use in public settings.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump device with a primary machine portion worn on the breast and a secondary control portion worn on the neck or head, electrically coupled via a flexible communication channel, allowing remote operation and eliminating the need for bulky air lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a separate pump is provided with large size, then the pump can generate sufficient suction pressure, but the device becomes difficult to conceal and adds awkwardness to the user in public
Solution Approach 1:
The breast pump device is divided into two separate portions: a primary machine portion containing the pump and a secondary control portion. This segmentation allows the pump to be smaller while maintaining functionality, as the control electronics are separated into the secondary portion worn on the neck or head.
Solution Approach 2:
The control functionality is moved from the primary machine portion to the secondary control portion in a different spatial dimension (worn on neck or head rather than breast). This dimensional separation allows the primary pump unit to be more compact while the control interface is positioned elsewhere on the user's body.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an air line or tube is used to connect separate pump and other components, then the pump can be positioned separately, but the unpliant material and large diameters make it difficult to bend and store, and it can obstruct the airway when twisted or bent
Solution Approach 1:
The air line or tube connecting the separate pump to other components is removed from the system. Instead, a wireless communication channel is used to transmit control signals and data between the primary machine portion and secondary control portion, eliminating the physical obstruction caused by bulky tubing.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical connection via air line or tube is replaced with an electromagnetic communication system. The wireless communication channel substitutes the physical fluid pathway, allowing pump positioning flexibility without the reliability issues of twisted or bent tubing.
3Ease of operation
If the pump is provided separately from other components, then the device can be operated remotely, but the size of the pump makes it hard to be concealed
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a compact primary machine portion that can be concealed near the breast and a secondary control portion worn on the neck or head. This segmentation enables remote operation while maintaining concealability, as the control interface is positioned away from the primary pumping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The control portion is relocated to a different dimension on the user's body (neck or head area), allowing the primary pump to be positioned in a concealed location near the breast while the control interface is accessible but less noticeable, achieving both remote operation and concealability.
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 design enables convenient, discreet use of breast pumps, reducing the risk of malfunctions and allowing nursing mothers to express milk in various environments without drawing attention.
Implementation Method 1
a pump attached to the main housing and configured to generate a pressure to cause breast milk to be expressed by a user of the breast pump device
Implementation Method 2
The secondary control portion is electrically coupled to the primary machine portion
Data Source
AI summary
A breast pump device is disclosed. The breast pump device includes a primary machine portion, and a secondary control portion without any pump. The secondary control portion is provided separately from the primary machine portion. The primary machine portion further includes a main housing, a pump attached to the main housing and configured to generate a pressure to cause breast milk to be expressed by a user of the breast pump device, and a milk container coupled to the pump and configured to accommodate the breast milk. The secondary control portion is electrically coupled to the primary machine portion and configured to remotely operate the primary machine portion. The primary machine portion is configured to be worn on a breast of the user during operation. The secondary control portion is integrated into a wearable device configured to be worn on the neck or head of the user.