CN117731863A

CN117731863A - Breast pump

Info

Publication number: CN117731863A
Application number: CN202311845035.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 谢广宝
Original assignee: Shenzhen Lute Jiacheng Supply Chain Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Lute Jiacheng Supply Chain Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-12-28
Filing date: 2023-12-28
Publication date: 2024-03-22

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of mother and infant products, and provides a breast pump, wherein an inflow path which enables milk to flow into a milk storage container from a breast pump cover is arranged between the breast pump cover and the milk storage container; the main machine assembly at least comprises a negative pressure assembly and a control assembly, wherein the negative pressure assembly is electrically connected with the control assembly, and the control assembly controls the negative pressure assembly to directly or indirectly apply negative pressure to the breast shield so as to promote milk in the breast to be sucked out; and the flow detection element is arranged on or near the inflow path, and is electrically connected with the control assembly to detect the milk flow and send the milk flow to the control assembly. According to the invention, the flow detection element is arranged on or near the inflow path of milk flowing into the milk storage container, so that the milk flow entering the milk storage container after the milk is sucked out from the breast can be measured, the accurate measurement of the milk flow is realized, the time and the working procedure of manual measurement are saved, the safety and the sanitation of the measurement process are ensured, and the experience of a user is improved.

Description

Breast pump

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of mother and infant products, in particular to a breast pump.

Background

Milk flow measurement is of great importance in medical, scientific and daily care. Knowing milk flow can help doctors evaluate the milk secretion of the mother, provide personalized feeding advice for the mother, and also help the mother to analyze and calculate more suitable milk pumping time.

At present, the traditional milk flow measuring method generally adopts a simple container scale to measure the flow of expressed milk, or adopts a timing method to measure the flow of expressed milk in unit time, or adopts a weighing method and other manual measuring means, however, the above methods are manually operated more fussy and are easily affected by human errors, so that the measuring result is not accurate enough, and is easily affected by pollution and sanitation problems, so that the experience feeling of a user is reduced.

Disclosure of Invention

Aiming at the defect that the prior art cannot remind of sucking milk, the invention aims to provide a breast pump with a flow detection element for measuring milk flow.

Based on the above, the invention provides the following technical scheme:

a breast pump capable of expressing and storing milk from a human breast, comprising:

a milk storage container for containing expressed milk;

the breast shield is attached to the breast of a human body;

an inflow path for milk to circulate is arranged between the breast shield and the milk storage container, so that milk can flow from the breast shield to the milk storage container;

the main machine assembly at least comprises a negative pressure assembly and a control assembly, wherein the negative pressure assembly is electrically connected with the control assembly, and the control assembly controls the negative pressure assembly to directly or indirectly apply negative pressure to the breast shield so as to promote milk in the breast to be sucked out;

and the flow detection element is arranged on or near the inflow path, and is electrically connected with the control assembly so as to detect the milk flow and send the milk flow to the control assembly.

In one embodiment, the inflow path comprises a check valve arranged between the breast shield and the milk container, and the flow detection element is arranged on the check valve and is used for detecting the flow of milk flowing through the check valve and then entering the milk container.

In one embodiment, the check valve includes a first valve portion and a second valve portion in communication with the first valve portion;

the first valve part is provided with a first opening communicated with the breast pumping channel and a second opening communicated with the second valve part;

wherein the first valve portion of the check valve is configured to collect a flow of milk from the milk suction channel through the first opening and to allow milk having a predetermined outflow characteristic to flow into the second valve portion through the second opening;

the flow rate detection element is provided between the first valve portion and the second valve portion, and is configured to detect a milk flow rate of a predetermined outflow characteristic.

In an embodiment, the first valve portion and the second valve portion are integrally formed, and the first valve portion and the second valve portion are combined to form an 8-shaped structure.

In an embodiment, the flow detection element comprises a gravity sensor provided in the second valve part for detecting a change in gravity of the second valve part to determine the milk flow.

In one embodiment, the flow detecting element includes a light emitter and a light receiver, and the light emitter and the light receiver are respectively disposed on two sides of the second valve portion near the second opening, for detecting a drop number of the milk passing through the predetermined outflow characteristic to determine the milk flow rate.

In one embodiment, the flow sensing element comprises a capacitive sensor comprising at least one pair of electrode terminals;

and at least one pair of electrode terminals are respectively arranged at two sides of the second valve part, which are close to the second opening, and are used for detecting the change of current when milk with preset outflow characteristics passes through so as to determine the milk flow.

In an embodiment, the breast pump further comprises a diaphragm mounted to and in communication with the milk storage container;

the breast shield is provided with a breast pumping channel which is communicated with the milk storage container;

the flow detection element is arranged on the adjacent side of the diaphragm and is used for detecting the milk flow entering the milk storage container after flowing through one side of the diaphragm.

In an embodiment, the milk container is provided with a bracket cooperating with the membrane to fit the membrane on the milk container;

the support is provided with at least one installation position, and the flow detection element is installed at the installation position.

In one embodiment, the flow sensing element comprises a laser sensor;

the laser sensor is disposed between the bracket and the breast pump passage and is configured to determine milk flow by detecting the opening time of the check valve.

In an embodiment, the flow detection element comprises a capacitive sensor arranged between the milk reservoir and the milk suction channel, the capacitive sensor comprising at least one pair of electrode terminals;

and at least one pair of the electrode terminals are located on both sides of a path along which milk flows into the milk container, respectively, and are used to determine a flow rate of milk by detecting a change in current between the electrode terminals.

In one embodiment, the flow sensing element includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver;

the mounting positions comprise a first mounting position and a second mounting position which are respectively arranged at two sides of the bracket and are parallel to the first mounting position, and the first mounting position and the second mounting position are respectively arranged at two sides of a path for milk to flow into the milk storage container;

the light emitter is installed in the first installation position, and the light receiver is installed in the second installation position.

In one embodiment, at least a position of the diaphragm opposite to the flow rate detecting element is transparent.

In one embodiment, the host component communicates with an external terminal.

In an embodiment, the host component further comprises a display element, and the control component is electrically connected with the flow detection element and is used for feeding back and/or analyzing data fed back by the flow detection element so as to obtain milk flow data and feed the milk flow data back to the display element and/or the external terminal.

The beneficial effects of the invention are as follows: through locating the flow detection element on the inflow route that milk flowed into the milk storage container to can measure the milk and get into the milk flow of milk storage container after the breast is sucked out, realize the accurate measurement to the milk flow behind the flow detection element, save time and the process of manual measurement, and guaranteed the safety and the health of measuring process, promoted user's experience impression.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a breast pump of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the breast pump of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the breast pump of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the breast pump of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the breast pump of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the breast pump of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a breast pump of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the breast pump of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the breast pump of the present invention.

Reference numerals:

100. a breast pump; 110. a milk storage container; 11a, the interior of the milk storage container; 111. a host component; 112. a breast shield; 11b, a breast pump channel; 114. a check valve; 161. a first valve section; 162. a second valve section; 16a, a first opening; 16b, a second opening; 140. a gravity sensor; 141. a light emitter; 142. an optical receiver; 133. a capacitive sensor; 113. a diaphragm; 121. a bracket; 12a, mounting position; 132. a laser sensor; 14a, a first mounting location; 14b, a second mounting location; 115. a diaphragm cover; 151. a display element; 152. a control assembly; 153. and a negative pressure assembly.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings and examples, in order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more apparent. Examples of the embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar reference numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout or elements having like or similar functionality. The embodiments described below by referring to the drawings are illustrative only and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "length," "width," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, are merely for convenience in describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like, are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defining "a first" or "a second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more, unless explicitly defined otherwise.

In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless explicitly specified and limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly, and may be either fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected, for example; can be mechanically connected, electrically connected or can be communicated with each other; can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and can be communicated with the inside of two elements or the interaction relationship of the two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to the specific circumstances.

In the present invention, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, a first feature "above" or "below" a second feature may include both the first and second features being in direct contact, as well as the first and second features not being in direct contact but being in contact with each other through additional features therebetween. Moreover, a first feature being "above," "over" and "on" a second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "below" and "beneath" the second feature includes the first feature being directly under and obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is less level than the second feature.

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different structures of the invention. In order to simplify the present disclosure, components and arrangements of specific examples are described below. They are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the present invention may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples, which are for the purpose of brevity and clarity, and which do not themselves indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and/or arrangements discussed. In addition, the present invention provides examples of various specific processes and materials, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the application of other processes and/or the use of other materials.

At present, with the improvement of the living standard of people, more and more mothers pay more attention to the feeding problem of children, especially to the feeding problem of infants just born, and become one of the important topics of most mothers; thus, maternal and infant products are also increasingly being demanded by more mothers. However, in the current market environment, the design of the breast pump mainly focuses on providing the functions of sucking milk and temporarily storing the milk, but the function of measuring the milk flow sucked from the breast is not generally provided, so that the use condition of the breast pump is limited, and in some specific application situations, such as groups of office mothers, housewives, multi-child mothers and the like, the breast pump needs to determine the sucked milk flow, so as to evaluate the milk secretion situation of the mother, provide personalized feeding advice for the mother, and simultaneously facilitate analysis and measurement of the proper milk sucking time, so that the milk flow needs to be measured.

Based on this, this application makes further upgrading to relevant products such as breast pump, through locating the flow detection element on the inflow route that milk flowed into milk storage container to can measure the milk and get into milk storage container's milk flow after the breast is sucked out through flow detection element, realize the accurate measurement to milk flow, save time and the process of manual measurement, and guaranteed the safety and the health of measuring process, promoted user's experience impression.

An embodiment of the present application provides a breast pump that detects milk flow expressed from within a breast based on a gravity sensor.

A second embodiment of the present application provides a breast pump that detects milk flow expressed from within a breast based on a light emitter and a light receiver.

A third embodiment of the present application provides a breast pump that detects milk flow expressed from within a breast based on a capacitive sensor.

A fourth embodiment of the present application provides a breast pump that detects milk flow expressed from within a breast based on a laser sensor.

A fifth embodiment of the present application provides a second breast pump for detecting milk flow expressed from within a breast based on a capacitive sensor.

A sixth embodiment of the present application provides a second breast pump for detecting milk flow expressed from within a breast based on a light emitter and a light receiver.

By combining various embodiments and measuring the milk flow sucked from the breast according to the installation positions of different flow detection elements, the accurate measurement of the milk flow is realized, the time and the working procedures of manual measurement are saved, the safety and the sanitation of the measurement process are ensured, and the experience of a user is improved.

Embodiment one: referring to fig. 2 and 9, a breast pump 100 is provided in the present embodiment, which is capable of sucking and storing milk from a breast of a human body, and includes a milk storage container 110, a main body assembly 111 mounted on the milk storage container 110, a breast shield 112 and a diaphragm 113; wherein the milk storage container 110 is used for containing expressed milk, and an inflow path for milk circulation is arranged between the milk sucking shield 112 and the milk storage container 110, so that the milk can flow into the inner part 11a of the milk storage container 110 from the milk sucking shield 112; the breast pump 100 further comprises a flow detection element arranged on or near the inflow path of milk into the milk reservoir 110; the flow monitoring element of the present embodiment is disposed on the inflow path of the breast pump 100, and further, the breast pump shield 112 is detachably assembled on one side of the breast pump 110 to encapsulate the breast pump 110 and contact with the breast of the human body, and is communicated with the interior 11a of the breast pump 110 through the breast pump channel 11b disposed on the breast pump shield 112, so as to ensure that the breast pump 100 can effectively pump and transmit milk through the breast pump channel 11b, the diaphragm 113 is mounted on the breast pump 110 and is communicated with the interior 11a of the breast pump 110, and is communicated with the negative pressure assembly 153 in the host assembly 111 through the diaphragm 113 to form a negative pressure cavity in the diaphragm 113, so as to further pump the milk in the breast; further, the flow detecting element is electrically connected to the host component 111, and the host component 111 is connected to an external terminal, so as to detect the milk flow flowing through the flow detecting element and send the data of the milk flow to the host component 111, so that the host component 111 can timely transmit the milk flow information to the external terminal, and a user can timely learn the expressed milk flow.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the external terminal device may send a prompt message to the user, where the terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or a terminal device configured for the breast pump 100 alone, and the disclosure is not limited herein; the host assembly 111 further comprises a display element 151, a control assembly 152 and a negative pressure assembly 153, the negative pressure assembly 153 is electrically connected with the control assembly 152, the control assembly 152 controls the negative pressure assembly 153 to directly or indirectly apply negative pressure to the breast shield 112, the control assembly 152 is electrically connected with the flow detection element so as to promote milk in the breast to be sucked out, and the control assembly 152 analyzes data fed back by the flow detection element so as to obtain milk flow data and feed the milk flow data back to the display element 151; further, the diaphragm 113 communicates with the negative pressure assembly 153, and the control assembly 152 controls the negative pressure assembly 153 to operate so that negative pressure is generated in the diaphragm 113 to extract milk from the breast.

According to the above, it is preferable that the inflow path includes a check valve 114 provided between the breast shield 112 and the milk container 110, the check valve 114 being provided on the breast shield 112, the milk suction passage 11b being in communication with the interior 11a of the milk container 110; a flow sensing element is provided on the check valve 114 for sensing the flow of milk passing through the check valve 114 and into the milk reservoir 110.

Specifically, the check valve 114 includes a first valve portion 161 and a second valve portion 162 that communicates with the first valve portion 161; the first valve portion 161 has a first opening 16a communicating with the breast pump passage 11b and a second opening 16b communicating with the second valve portion 162; wherein the first valve portion 161 of the check valve 114 is configured to collect a flow of milk through the first opening 16a and the milk suction channel 11b and to allow milk having a predetermined outflow characteristic to flow into the second valve portion 162 through the second opening 16b; the flow rate detecting element is provided between the first valve portion 161 and the second valve portion 162, and is used to detect the flow rate of milk of a predetermined outflow characteristic.

According to the above-mentioned aspects, a milk flow with a predetermined outflow characteristic is a milk flow with a stable flow and flow rate characteristic during outflow, such as a situation where a milk droplet of a certain weight is formed in a check valve during a unit time, which characteristic can be predicted and controlled. In order to achieve a milk flow with a predetermined outflow characteristic, it is necessary to measure and control the flow and velocity of the milk in real time and accurately using suitable equipment, such as check valves, one-way valves, etc., to better understand and control the outflow characteristic of the milk.

According to the above-described aspect, it is preferable that the first valve portion 161 and the second valve portion 162 are integrally formed, and the first valve portion 161 and the second valve portion 162 are combined and provided in an "8" -shaped structure. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the first valve portion 161 and the second valve portion 162 are provided in two conical structures and combined together, while in another embodiment, the first valve portion 161 and the second valve portion 162 are provided in two spherical structures and combined together, and are both in an 8-shaped structure, and the advantage of integral molding is that milk can be prevented from flowing out of the check valve 114, and the transmission effect and the sealing effect are better.

Specifically, the flow rate detecting element includes a gravity sensor 140, and the gravity sensor 140 is mounted on the second valve portion 162 and is configured to detect a gravity change of the second valve portion 162 to determine the milk flow rate. Specifically, the gravity sensor 140 may be installed at the bottom of the second valve part 162 where the outlet of the milk container 110 is communicated, and when a milk flow having a predetermined outflow characteristic is dropped from the first valve part 161 through the second opening 16b, the gravity sensor 140 senses a weight change of the second valve part 162, causing the gravity sensor 140 to deform and output an electric signal, and the weight change is fixed in a unit time due to the determination of the milk outflow characteristic, so that the number of weight changes of the second valve part 162 in a unit time may be measured by the gravity sensor 140 to output an electric signal for the same number of times, and the flow rate of actual milk may be measured by the number of times of output of the electric signal and/or the output frequency.

According to the above-described aspects, specifically, the internal structure of the gravity sensor 140 generally includes an elastic element, a damping element, a sensing element, and the like. When milk drops in the vicinity of the gravity sensor 140, its weight will be exerted on the elastic element, deforming it. The damping element is used to reduce the vibration of the elastic element to improve the stability of the measurement. The sensing element converts the deformation of the elastic element into an electric signal for output. The output electric signal is proportional to the weight of the milk, and since the flow of the milk dropped into the second valve portion 162 is the flow of the milk having a predetermined outflow characteristic, the flow rate of the milk can be measured by measuring the number of times the electric signal is generated.

Embodiment two: referring to fig. 3 and 9, the flow rate detecting element includes a light emitter 141 and a light receiver 142, and the light emitter 141 and the light receiver 142 are respectively disposed on two sides of the second valve portion 162 near the second opening 16b, for detecting the number of drops of milk passing through with a predetermined outflow characteristic, so as to determine the actual flow rate of the milk.

Specifically, the light emitter 141 may be installed at one side of the second valve part 162 near the second opening 16b, the light receiver 142 may be installed at the other opposite side of the second valve part 162 near the second opening 16b, and the light emitter 141 and the light receiver 142 may be made to correspond to each other. When milk flows out, the milk blocks or changes the propagation path of the light emitted by the light emitter 141, so that the light signal received by the light receiver 142 is changed; since the milk flow dropped into the second valve portion 162 is a milk flow having a predetermined outflow characteristic, the actual milk flow can be measured by measuring the number of times the optical signal received by the optical receiver 142 is generated.

According to the above-described scheme, the specific principle of measuring the flow rate of milk by the light emitter 141 and the light receiver 142 is to measure the flow rate of milk by using the reflection and absorption characteristics of light. When milk flows out, light emitted by the light emitter 141 irradiates the milk, a part of the light is absorbed by the milk, and a part of the light is reflected. The reflected light is irradiated onto the light receiver 142, received by the light receiver 142 and converted into an electric signal, the magnitude of which is proportional to the flow rate of the milk, and since the milk flow dropped into the second valve portion 162 is the milk flow having the predetermined outflow characteristic, the flow rate of the actual milk can be measured by measuring the number of times the electric signal is generated.

In a word, the method for measuring the milk flow through the light emitter and the light receiver has the advantages of non-contact, no damage and the like, can be widely applied to the fields of mother and infant products, daily nursing and the like, and has the advantages of sanitation, environmental protection and safety.

Embodiment III: referring to fig. 4 and 9, specifically, the flow rate detecting element includes a capacitance sensor 133, and the capacitance sensor 133 includes at least one pair of electrode terminals; and at least one pair of electrode terminals are provided on both sides of the second valve portion 162 near the second opening 16b for detecting a change in current when milk of a predetermined outflow characteristic passes therethrough to determine the milk flow rate.

Specifically, the principle of measuring the milk flow rate by the capacitance sensor 133 is to detect the milk flow rate based on the change of capacitance, and the capacitance sensor 133 is generally composed of two electrode terminals, one of which may be mounted on one side of the second valve portion 162 near the second opening 16b, and the other electrode terminal may be mounted on the other opposite side of the second valve portion 162 near the second opening 16b, and when milk flows out, the milk becomes a medium between the two electrode terminals, and a capacitor is formed, resulting in a change in capacitance value between the electrode terminals, which can be detected by the capacitance sensor 133 and converted into an electrical signal for output.

Specifically, when milk flows between the two electrode terminals of the capacitance sensor 133, electrolyte ions in the milk form an electric field between the electrodes, resulting in a change in capacitance value. This change is proportional to the flow rate of milk, and since the flow of milk dropped into the second valve portion 162 is a flow of milk having a predetermined outflow characteristic, the flow rate of actual milk can be measured by measuring the change in capacitance value.

In order to improve the accuracy and reliability of the measurement, some measures may be taken, such as in some other embodiments, measuring with multiple pairs of electrode terminals and averaging the signals to reduce errors; or a high frequency circuit is used to reduce the effect of electromagnetic interference, and will not be described in detail herein.

Embodiment four: referring to fig. 1, 5 and 8, preferably, the milk container 110 is provided with a bracket 121 that cooperates with the diaphragm 113 to allow the diaphragm 113 to be mounted on the milk container 110; because the membrane 113 is a layer of film positioned in the milk storage container 110, the membrane is mainly used for isolating milk and air and preventing the milk from being polluted, the membrane 113 is made of elastic or flexible materials, and the membrane 113 can be supported by the support 121, so that the stability of the membrane 113 after being arranged in the support 121 is stronger, the milk is prevented from overflowing, and the milk can be ensured to smoothly flow into the interior 11a of the milk storage container 110 after being sucked out of the breast; further, when the negative pressure assembly 153 is started by the main machine assembly 111 to pump milk, the diaphragm 113 receives a certain pressure due to negative pressure; further, the support 121 is arranged on one side of the milk storage container 110 and is integrally formed with the side wall of the milk storage container 110, so that the stability of the support 121 is higher, the support effect is better, the membrane 113 is supported by the support 121, the membrane 113 is ensured not to shift or turn over, and the stability and the correct position of the membrane 113 are ensured.

According to the above-mentioned scheme, further, at least one mounting position 12a is provided on the bracket 121, the flow detection element is mounted on the mounting position 12a, and the mounting position 12a on the bracket 121 is generally used for mounting the flow detection element for detecting the milk flow, and by mounting the flow detection element on the mounting position 12a of the bracket 121, accurate measurement and monitoring of the milk flow can be achieved. It can be appreciated that by designing the mounting location 12a on the bracket 121, the mounting location 12a is more stable, ensuring that the flow sensing element can be stably mounted in place without displacement or loosening due to external force or movement; in contrast, the diaphragm 113 itself is relatively flexible and does not provide sufficient stability to support the mounting of the flow sensing element; second, the flow rate detecting element mounted on the bracket 121 can more accurately measure the flow rate of milk. Due to the stability and immobility of the bracket 121, the flow detection element is able to more closely sense the flow of milk, thereby obtaining more accurate data; in addition, the mounting location 12a is designed on the bracket 121 to facilitate cleaning and maintenance operations for the user, and the bracket 121 is generally made of durable materials, and can be subjected to cleaning by cleaning agents and water without affecting the performance of the flow detection element; in contrast, the diaphragm 113 itself may be more fragile and require more careful handling.

According to the above-described aspect, the flow rate detecting element is preferably configured to detect the flow rate of milk sucked from the milk sucking channel 11b through one side of the diaphragm 113 and send the data of the flow rate of milk to the host unit 111, so that the user can learn the data of the flow rate of milk in time.

Preferably, the breast pump 100 further comprises a diaphragm cover 115, the diaphragm cover 115 being detachably mounted to the milk container 110 and being located at one side of the diaphragm 113; this configuration has the advantage that the septum cap 115 may be easily removed to allow the user to clean and sterilize the septum. Thus, residues, bacteria and other pollutants can be effectively removed, and the sanitation and safety of the milk storage container 110 are ensured; secondly, the user can conveniently detach the diaphragm 113 and replace a new diaphragm 113, facilitate subsequent maintenance, and facilitate installation of the flow detection element during the production and processing of the breast pump 100; further, in the present embodiment, the diaphragm 113 is disposed at a distance from the diaphragm cover 115 and from the breast pump passage 11 b; thereby make things convenient for follow-up flow detection element's installation through the design interval, make flow detection element possess suitable position to be convenient for flow detection element measures the flow of milk.

Preferably, the flow sensing element includes an optical transmitter 141 and an optical receiver 142; the mounting positions 12a include a first mounting position 14a and a second mounting position 14b which are respectively arranged at two sides of the bracket 121, the first mounting position 14a is flush with the second mounting position 14b, the light emitter 141 is arranged at the first mounting position 14a, and the light receiver 142 is arranged at the second mounting position 14b.

According to the above-mentioned scheme, specifically, in this embodiment, the first mounting position 14a and the second mounting position 14b are respectively located at two sides of the bracket 121, the first mounting position 14a is located on the side wall of the bracket 121 far away from the milk sucking channel 11b, the second mounting position 14b is located on the side wall of the bracket 121 near the milk sucking channel 11b, and the light emitter 141 is disposed opposite to the light receiver 142 disposed on the second mounting position 14b on the first mounting position 14a, in the actual milk sucking process, after milk is sucked out from the breast, the milk flows into the breast pump 100 through the check valve 114 at the port of the milk sucking channel 11b, at this time, the milk flows toward the milk storing container 110 along with the sucking pressure, and needs to pass through the light emitter 141 and the light receiver 142 and then enter the milk storing container interior 11a from the milk inlet of the milk storing container 110, so that the light emitted by the light emitter 141 can contact with the milk flow.

First, a conduit may be added at the port of the breast pump passage 11b, wherein one end of the conduit communicates with the opening of the check valve 114 and the other end communicates with the light emitter 141 and the light receiver 142; next, the present embodiment designs a measurement scheme for receiving the flow of milk flowing out of the milk sucking passage 11b through the pipe and measuring the flow of milk having a predetermined outflow characteristic, that is, measuring the flow of milk having a predetermined outflow characteristic by the light emitter 141 and the light receiver 142, that is: by using an optical flowmeter, the principle is to measure optical characteristics such as scattering, absorption, or doppler effect of light by using particles or micro-bubbles in a fluid, thereby obtaining the flow rate of the fluid.

As previously described, in this case, the light emitter 141 would emit a light beam to milk in the milk conduit, and the light receiver 142 would then detect this light beam. As milk flows through the beam, a portion of the beam is blocked from directing toward the receiver, thereby weakening the beam received by the receiver. The time when the measured milk flow is blocked by the light receiver 142 and the intensity of the light beam is weakened is fed back to the control component 152, and the control component 152 analyzes the measured milk flow through an algorithm and a preset program to calculate the milk flow.

Alternatively, the tube may be replaced with a funnel or other container, which may be adapted according to the specific structure of the milk storage container 110 of the breast pump 100, without limitation.

Fifth embodiment: referring to fig. 1, 6 and 8, the present embodiment further provides an embodiment for measuring milk flow, preferably, the flow detection element includes a laser sensor 132; a laser sensor 132 is provided between the diaphragm cap 115 and the breast pump passage 11b, and the laser sensor 132 is disposed in alignment with at least the opening of the check valve 114 to detect the opening time of the check valve 114.

According to the above-described aspects, specifically, the laser sensor 132 is provided on the side of the holder 121 near the diaphragm cover 115 and on the mounting position 12a such that the direction of the laser sensor 132 is aligned with the opening of the check valve 114, and the laser sensor 132 in this embodiment is provided as a laser sensor; it will be appreciated that by setting the opening of the check valve 114 such that the opening of the check valve 114 is provided as a one-way valve structure and the opening angle is provided such that the opening angle of the check valve 114 is fixed when sucking milk, the flow rate of milk when the opening is opened per unit time can be quantified.

As described above, in this case, when milk flows into the breast pump 100 from the breast pump channel 11b, the opening of the check valve 114 is opened, and at this time, the light of the laser sensor is irradiated onto the closing cover of the opening of the check valve 114 when the opening of the check valve 114 is initially closed, and changed to light irradiated onto the sucked milk flow, the change process changes the reflection intensity of the light reflected back to the laser sensor, the length of time the light intensity signal is weakened by the laser sensor is fed back to the control unit 152, and the control unit 152 performs analysis by an algorithm and a preset program, so that the flow rate of milk can be calculated.

Example six: referring to fig. 1, 7 and 8, the present embodiment further provides an embodiment for measuring milk flow, preferably, the flow detecting element includes a capacitance sensor 133 disposed between the milk storage container 110 and the milk sucking channel 11b, and the capacitance sensor 133 includes a pair of electrode terminals; and a pair of electrode terminals are respectively located at both sides of the breast pump passage 11b such that milk sucked from the breast pump passage 11b flows through the electrode terminals.

According to the above-described aspects, specifically, the capacitance sensor 133 is provided on the sidewall of the milk container 110 at both sides of the breast pump passage 11b, and the capacitance sensor 133 includes a pair of electrode terminals respectively provided at both sides of the breast pump passage 11 b; it will be appreciated that in this embodiment, the capacitance sensor 133 is an electrode sensor, by arranging two electrode terminals as electrode plates with opposite directions, so that during actual milk sucking, milk flows into the breast pump 100 through the opening of the check valve 114 after being sucked out from the breast, at this time, milk flows toward the milk storage container 110 along with suction pressure, and needs to pass through the two electrode terminals and then enter the milk storage container interior 11a from the milk inlet of the milk storage container 110, so that current between the two electrode terminals can contact with milk flow, thereby increasing impedance between the electrode terminals, decreasing current, feeding back the decreased current length of time to the control assembly 152 through the electrode terminals, and analyzing the control assembly 152 through an algorithm and a preset program, so that the flow rate of milk can be calculated.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments, it is understood that the positions of the diaphragm 113 opposite to at least the light emitter 141 and the light receiver 142 and the laser sensor 132 are transparent, so that the light of the light emitter 141 in the first embodiment and the laser sensor in the second embodiment can be irradiated through the diaphragm 113 to realize measurement of the milk flow.

In the above-described first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth embodiments, the optical transmitter 141, the optical receiver 142, the laser sensor 132, the capacitance sensor 133, and the gravity sensor 140; whichever method is employed, appropriate signal processing and data processing techniques are required by the control component 152 of the host component 111 to extract the accurate electrical signal. In addition, appropriate adjustments and optimizations are required depending on the particular breast pump 100 design and milk characteristics.

According to the above-described embodiments, it is understood that the flow rate detecting element is for detecting the flow rate of the milk flowing in the inflow path, the flow rate detecting unit may be provided in the inflow path, or outside the inflow path, or embedded in the corresponding solid inner wall of the inflow path, or any position between the above positions, which may be referred to as on or near the inflow path, and thus the above-described embodiments may be understood as all having the flow rate monitoring element provided on or near the inflow path; it should be noted that when an optical sensor is used, the corresponding inflow path structure portion is provided to be transparent to facilitate light transmission, and when a capacitive sensor is used, this type of restriction is not imposed.

It should be noted that these methods are only some of the options that may be implemented, and the user may also take other sensors to effect the measurement of milk flow depending on the design of the breast pump 100, the characteristics of the milk, and the accuracy and range of measurement desired, without limitation.

Finally, it should be noted that: other embodiments of the present application will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the application following, in general, the principles of the application and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the application pertains. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the application being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A breast pump capable of expressing and storing milk from a human breast, comprising:

a milk storage container for containing expressed milk;

the breast shield is attached to the breast of a human body;

2. The breast pump of claim 1, wherein said inflow path comprises a check valve disposed between said breast shield and said milk reservoir, said flow sensing element being disposed on said check valve for sensing the flow of milk into said milk reservoir after passing through said check valve.

3. The breast pump of claim 2, wherein the check valve comprises a first valve portion and a second valve portion in communication with the first valve portion;

4. The breast pump of claim 2, wherein the first valve portion and the second valve portion are integrally formed and are configured in an "8" configuration.

5. A breast pump according to claim 3, wherein said flow sensing element comprises a gravity sensor provided to said second valve portion for sensing a change in gravity of said second valve portion to determine said milk flow.

6. A breast pump according to claim 3, wherein said flow sensing element comprises a light emitter and a light receiver, and said light emitter and said light receiver are disposed on opposite sides of said second valve portion adjacent said second opening for sensing the number of drops of milk passing by a predetermined outflow characteristic to determine milk flow.

7. A breast pump according to claim 3, wherein said flow sensing element comprises a capacitive sensor comprising at least one pair of electrode terminals;

8. The breast pump of claim 1, further comprising a diaphragm mounted to and in communication with the milk storage container;

9. The breast pump of claim 8, wherein the milk reservoir is provided with a bracket that cooperates with the diaphragm to mount the diaphragm to the milk reservoir;

10. The breast pump of claim 9, wherein the flow sensing element comprises a laser sensor;

11. The breast pump of claim 8, wherein said flow sensing element comprises a capacitive sensor disposed between said milk reservoir and said breast pump channel, said capacitive sensor comprising at least one pair of electrode terminals;

12. The breast pump of claim 9, wherein said flow sensing element comprises a light emitter and a light receiver;

13. The breast pump of claim 8, wherein at least a location of the diaphragm opposite the flow sensing element is transparent.

14. The breast pump of claim 1, wherein the host assembly is in communication with an external terminal.

15. The breast pump of claim 14, wherein the host assembly further comprises a display element, wherein the control assembly is electrically connected to the flow sensing element and feeds back and/or analyzes data fed back by the flow sensing element to derive milk flow data and feed it back to the display element and/or the external terminal.