DRIVE UNIT FOR A BREAST PUMP AND BREAST PUMP

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drive unit (20) for a breast pump, comprising a housing (21), internal components (22) arranged in the housing (21), and a suspension (17), wherein the internal components (22) are mechanically coupled to each other to form a unit which is mechanically coupled to the housing (21) by way of the suspension (17).

Claims

1. Drive unit for a breast pump, comprising a housing, internal components arranged in the housing, and a suspension, comprises at least one resilient element mechanically coupling the unit of components to the housing; and wherein the internal components are mechanically coupled to each other to form a unit which is mechanically coupled to the housing, and wherein the resilient element is a spring, a coil spring or a plate spring, wherein the internal components are fixedly or removably arranged on a base structure, the base structure being mechanically coupled to the housing by wav of the suspension, wherein all internal components are mechanically coupled via the base structure.

2. (canceled)

3. Drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the internal components comprise at least a pressure unit, the pressure unit comprising a pump and a motor for driving the pump, a control unit, a user interface.

4. Drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the resilient element includes a damping element or an elastomeric element.

5. Drive unit according to claim 4, wherein the damping element is adjustable.

6. Drive unit according to claim 1, wherein two or more resilient elements are provided, the resilient elements being of the same or of different types.

7. Drive unit according to claim 6, wherein the two or more resilient elements are arranged to stabilize the internal components in the housing.

8. Drive unit according to claim 4, wherein the elastomeric element comprises silicone, polyurethane, natural or synthetic rubber, an elastomeric injection molded polymer or a combination thereof.

9. (canceled)

10. Drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the internal components are fixedly or removably coupled to each other.

11. Breast pump comprising a drive unit according to one of the claim 1, and an expression kit for positioning on a user's breast to express breast milk therefrom, wherein the expression kit comprises a funnel, a container and a pipe which is connected to the drive unit.

12. Breast pump according to claim 11, wherein the expression kit is fixedly or removably connected to the pressure unit.

13. Breast pump according to claim 11, wherein the expression kit is fixedly or removably connected to the housing of drive unit by way of a resilient flange with the flange being connected to the pressure unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. In the following drawings

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a breast pump with a drive unit suitable for implementation of the invention,

[0027] FIG. 2A shows a simplified schematic view of a drive unit of a breast pump according to the state of the art, and

[0028] FIG. 2B shows a simplified schematic view of a drive unit of a breast pump according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a breast pump 1 which is suitable for implementation of the inventive features. The breast pump 1 comprises an expression kit 2 with an expression kit housing 4. A funnel 3, a container 5 and a pipe 7 are connected to the expression kit housing 4. The funnel 3 is shaped to be placed on a user's breast to express breast milk therefrom. The breast milk is collected in the container 5 which can be connected to the expression kit housing 4 for example by screwing or by a bayonet fixing. A venting valve 9 can be provided in the expression kit housing 4 for venting the components during and after expression. The expression kit 2 is connected to a drive unit 20 via the pipe 7.

[0030] The drive unit 20 comprises a housing 21 which contains all internal components 22 necessary for operation of the breast pump 1. The components 22 comprise at least a pressure unit 6, a control unit 8 and a user interface 10. Other components might be present but are not explicitly referred to. In the following, “components 22” refers to the entity of components present in the housing 21.

[0031] The pressure unit 6 generally consists of a pump for generating a positive pressure or negative pressure, also called vacuum, in the expression kit 2 and a motor for driving the pump. The pressure unit 6 is connected to the housing 21 by way of a suspension 17 as will be described later in more detail. In the control unit 8 at least a processor 11 is provided for controlling the operation of the pressure unit 6. Furthermore, the control unit 8 may comprise for example a storage 12 which can be used to store operational parameters and measured values recorded in connection with the operation of the breast pump 1. The user interface 10 may comprise for example a display 13, a speaker 14, a vibrational unit 15 and one or more actuation elements 16. The components of the user interface 10 can be used to control the function and the operation of the breast pump 1 for example by way of controlling the pressure via the power of the pump and to give feedback to the user of the breast pump 1 for example by vibrational signals or by audio messages emitted by the speaker 14. Likewise, on the display 13 information about the operational state of the breast pump 1 or about the expressed milk volume in the container 5 can be displayed.

[0032] A general problem of such breast pumps 1 is the generation of noise and vibration when in use. The emissions might be annoying for the user. The main source for the emissions is the pressure unit 6 with the pump and the driving motor whose noise and vibrations are transferred to the housing 21 via mechanical coupling of the components. The emission is then transferred to the housing by way of structure-borne sound. High frequencies normally will be filtered out by noise-reducing features as described later on with reference to FIG. 2A. However, mid-range and low frequencies still pass to the housing 21 and will be perceived by the user.

[0033] Turning now to FIG. 2A, a drive unit 20 for a breast pump 1 according to the state of the art is briefly described. To eliminate noise and vibrations emitted by the pressure unit 6, it is known to arrange the pressure unit 6 on a suspension 17 which decouples the noise-generating components from the housing 21. By way of this, the higher frequencies above the so-called natural frequency will be filtered out. The natural frequency is defined by

[00001]${\omega }_e=\sqrt{\frac{c}{m}}$

wherein c is the stiffness of the suspension 17 and m is the mass of the suspended components. While high frequencies above the natural frequency will be filtered out, all low and mid-range frequencies will be passed to the housing 21.

[0034] In FIG. 2B an embodiment of the invention is shown in a similar illustration as in FIG. 2A.

[0035] In contrast to the drive unit 20 according to the state of the art, the drive unit 20 in FIG. 2B is designed to eliminate not only high frequencies but also mid-range frequencies of the noise-generating components. To achieve this, not only the pressure unit 6, but also the control unit 8 and the user interface 10 and possible other components present in the housing 21 are arranged on the suspension 17. By way of this, the total mass of the decoupled components 22 is higher as in FIG. 2A. The natural frequency now is:

[00002]${\omega }_e=\sqrt{\frac{c}{M}}$

with c being the stiffness of the suspension 17 and M being the mass of the suspended components 22. Comparing the two formulas it is apparent that if M is larger than m, not only high frequencies but also mid-range frequencies will be filtered out. Only low-frequency noise will now be passed to the housing 21. Low frequency noise and vibrations normally are not perceived as disturbing. Thus, the convenience of the user of the breast pump 1 can be improved.

[0036] The suspension 17 can be designed in different ways to meet the demands of respective application in the breast pump 1. Normally, the suspension 17 will comprise at least one resilient element which connects the components 22 to the housing 21. The resilient element can be a spring, for example a coil spring or a plate spring, a damping element, a vibration absorber, or an elastomeric element. The damping element can be adjustable to tune the frequencies which are eliminated from the frequency spectrum. If an elastomeric element is used, the element may comprise materials like silicone, polyurethane, natural or synthetic rubber, an elastomeric injection molded polymer (TPE) or other applicable resilient materials.

[0037] It is possible to suspend the components 22 on one resilient element only, but it is also possible to use more than one resilient element for better reliability. In case that more than one resilient element is used, all elements can be of the same type or of different types. It is for example possible to combine a spring with a number of elastomeric elements. Further combinations can provide springs with damping elements.

[0038] The internal components 22 can be either mounted fixedly or removably on a base structure 23. The base structure 23 can be for example a flat element on which the components 22 can be grouped together and fastened. The weight of the base structure 23 can contribute to the total mass M. A fixed connection has the advantage that vibrations cannot disintegrate the unit. On the other hand, a removable arrangement of the components 22 on the base structure 23 allows easy change of components 22 which are out of function.

[0039] Besides, the internal components 22 can be fixedly or removably connected to each other. By way of this, the unit can be stabilized and is more resistant to the vibrations of the pressure unit 6. If the components 22 are grouped and reliably fixed to each other, the base structure 23 can be omitted and the components 22 suspended directly by the suspension 17. A coupling between the components 22 can be any suitable means like gluing, welding, connecting by straps etc. Stabilizing elements can be present to avoid disintegration of the unit during handling. Handling of the drive unit 20 will most probably include some tilting and shaking, and an occasional drop of the breast pump 1 or its components could also occur. Stabilizing elements can be for example further resilient elements which thus administrate a double function of decoupling and stabilizing.

[0040] The expression kit 2 of the breast pump 1 is connected to the drive unit 20. The connection can be permanent or removable. Due to the fact that the vibrations of the pressure unit 6 can proceed to the expression kit 2 via the pipe 7, the expression kit 2 can be connected to the housing 21 of the drive unit 20 by way of a resilient flange. The flange then can be connected to the pressure unit 6, thus decoupling the expression kit 2 from the vibrations and noise of the pressure unit 6. If the pipe 7 is resilient itself, the expression kit 2 can also be coupled directly to the pressure unit 6, as schematically shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0041] The breast pump 1 can be operated by connection to an external power supply system by way of an electrical line 24. Care should then be taken not to couple the internal components 22 by way of the electrical line 24 to the housing 21. This could be prevented by a duct in the housing 21. Alternatively, the breast pump 1 can be operated by batteries.

[0042] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0043] In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0044] A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

[0045] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.