JP2001058005A - Milker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a milker which is capable of setting an always adequate negative pressure and executing milking by the negative sufficient for milking the breast without damaging the nipple. SOLUTION: The milker for milking the breast by the negative pressure has a milking part for being applied to the breast, negative pressure generating means 23, 25, 26, 32 and 33 for generating the negative pressure in the milking part and a negative pressure setting means 28 which sets the suction and sip pressure based on the negative pressure in correspondence to the growth stage of the infant to be milked.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a breast pump for extracting breast milk by negative pressure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a breast pump for expressing breast milk includes a hood portion that fits on the breast, a pump for generating a negative pressure in the hood portion, and a container for receiving the expressed milk. Have. Such a breast pump for breast milk is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-317448. In a conventional breast pump, a manually operable pump is detached from a hood portion and a container and housed and held in a drive unit, and a piston of the pump is driven by an electric piston using a motor or the like provided in the drive unit. , A negative pressure is generated in the hood portion and milk is squeezed out.

[0003]

However, in the conventional breast pump described above, the method of setting the negative pressure for squeezing out breast milk does not take into account the relationship with the growth stage of infants, and the following method is used. There's a problem. According to recent studies by the inventors, it has been confirmed that, in infants, the ability to suck out breast milk from the mother's nipple varies depending on the stage of growth and development. Such a force is called a "sucking force", and the pressure, that is, the negative pressure created in the oral cavity by the peristaltic movement in the mouth when the baby ingests breast milk, is called "sucking pressure". being called.

[0004] Such sucking power or sucking pressure is weak in newborns immediately after childbirth, and gradually increases with growth, thereby improving the ability to take in breast milk. Correspondingly, in the mother's breast milk, in accordance with the sucking pressure that changes according to the stage of growth of the infant,
Gradually, the ability to breastfeed properly improves. In other words, at the beginning of breastfeeding, if a strong sucking force acts on the nipple of the mother, it may feel pain or be damaged, but as the age of the infant progresses, the sucking force gradually increases. Therefore, the ability to breastfeed is improved.

Therefore, the conventional breast pump is not designed in consideration of the growth stage of the infant to be breast-fed by the user, and squeezes out the breast milk at a negative pressure different from the actual sucking pressure of the infant. It has a configuration. For this reason, the sucking pressure differs between the case where the user breastfeeds the infant and the case where the breast milk is squeezed with the breast pump, causing a problem.

For example, if the breast pump is operated at a negative pressure stronger than the sucking pressure of the infant at the time of the first childbirth when the mother is not breast-feeding, the nipple and the like of the mother are damaged more than necessary, and the breast-feeding is continued for a while. Difficulties, or the baby's age has passed and the sucking power has increased,
When I use a breast pump, I can't milk as expected. In this regard, even with a breast pump that can adjust the negative pressure, the intensity of the negative pressure is not something that the mother can objectively recognize, and it is necessary to correspond to the sucking pressure of the infant that is changing from time to time. It is extremely difficult to set the negative pressure by yourself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to always set an appropriate negative pressure and to milk the nipple without damaging the nipple and with a sufficient negative pressure to squeeze out breast milk. It is intended to provide a milking machine that can be used.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a breast pump for squeezing out mother's milk by negative pressure, wherein the breast pump is connected to the breast and a breast pump. Negative pressure generating means arranged to generate the negative pressure in the milking unit, and a negative pressure for setting a sucking pressure based on the negative pressure to a predetermined value corresponding to a growth stage of the infant to be breast-fed. This is achieved by a breast pump comprising setting means.

According to the configuration of the first aspect, the negative pressure can be determined according to the growth stage of the infant to be breast-fed, and milking can be performed with an appropriate negative pressure. In this case, the negative pressure uses a predetermined value according to the stage of growth of the infant. Thus, the user does not need to determine the negative pressure by himself, and sets the negative pressure setting means to an appropriate negative pressure in accordance with the growth stage of the infant. Therefore, the sucking pressure of the infant at the growth stage can be made to substantially match the negative pressure of the breast pump, and at each growth stage, the pressure is not strong enough to impose a burden on the mother, and the necessary negative pressure is sufficient. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately milk the required amount of breast milk for the infant in the growth stage.

The invention according to a second aspect is characterized in that, in the configuration of the first aspect, there is provided means for determining a suck timing in accordance with the suck pressure.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, not only the negative pressure but also the sucking timing can be determined according to the growth stage of the infant.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first or second aspect, the negative pressure setting means is configured to manually operate a dial-type switching means indicating a growth stage of the infant, thereby obtaining the sucking pressure. Is changed and set.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily set an appropriate negative pressure corresponding to the growth stage only by selecting the growth stage of the infant displayed on the dial-type switching means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of any one of the first to third aspects, the control section is connected to the negative pressure setting means, and corresponds to at least the negative pressure to be set. Storage means for storing data on the number of sucks performed, time control means for giving time information for the control section to obtain a suck timing for setting the number of sucks, and a set negative pressure and suck Based on timing,
And a driving unit for generating a negative pressure under the control of the control unit.

[0015]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and therefore, various technically preferable limitations are added. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description. It is not limited to these forms unless otherwise stated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a breast pump 1 of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are a sectional side view and a sectional back view of a main part thereof. This milking machine 1
The hood includes a hood unit 10 for squeezing breast milk, a driving unit 20 as a driving source for squeezing breast milk, and a storage unit 40 for storing the squeezed breast milk. This breast pump has a hood section 1
The drive unit 20 is connected and arranged above the hood unit 10, and the storage unit 40 is connected and arranged below the hood unit 10.

First, the hood section 10 will be described. The hood portion 10 includes a trumpet-shaped portion 11, a tubular portion 12 integrally formed with the trumpet-shaped portion 11, and a tubular portion 1.
2 and a lid 13 integrally formed, and further connected to a milking outlet 121 provided at a connection portion between the cylindrical portion 12 and the lid 13 and a bottle-shaped storage portion 40. The temporary storage unit 14 is provided so as to cover the tube 122 extending to the side.

The trumpet-like portion 11 is shaped to surround the breast and the nipple, and the trumpet-like portion 11 and the tubular portion 12
A breast milk passage 111 following the milking port 121 is defined. Negative pressure setting means 2 described in detail later
8 is provided, and a tube 12 is provided at the rear end of the cylindrical portion 12.
2 and connected to the drive unit 20 side.
3 is integrally formed. The female thread 131 of the lid 13 is
It is detachably engaged with a male screw 402 formed around a neck 401 of the bottle-shaped storage section 40.

A horn portion 11 of the hood portion 10;
The tubular portion 12 and the lid 13 are preferably formed of a transparent material, and are made of, for example, polycarbonate (P).
C), polypropylene (PP), acrylic, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer resin) or the like. The temporary storage unit 14 is preferably formed of an opaque material.
It is formed of S, PP, PC, or the like.

Next, the drive section 20 will be described. The drive unit 20 includes a first cover 21 and a second cover 22. The first cover 21 is detachably attached to the second cover 22. Then, by removing the first cover 21, the power supply 23 can be replaced. The first cover 21 and the second cover 22 are preferably formed of an opaque material, for example, the above-described ABS, PP, PC, or the like.

In the first cover 21 and the second cover 22, a power source 23 such as a battery, driving means 24 and 25 such as a servomotor connected to the power source 23, and these driving means 24 and 25 are provided. And a control board 26 for driving and controlling the opening and closing valve 143 of the temporary storage unit 14
Opening / closing means 30 for opening and closing, and a suction / exhaust pipe 31 which can be connected to a tube 123 provided at the rear end of the tubular portion 12 and connects the inside and the outside of the flared portion 11 and the tubular portion 12, A suction / exhaust means 32 such as a suction pump connected in the middle of the trachea 31 and connected to the drive means 25
And a negative pressure opening 3 provided in the middle of the intake / exhaust pipe 31.
It has a built-in opening / closing means 33 for opening and closing 12a, and a switch 34 arranged between the power source 23, the driving means 24, 25 and the control board 26.

The power source 23 includes, for example, two AA batteries, and is detachably disposed in the first cover 21. When the user turns on the switch 34, a direct current is supplied from the power supply 23 to the driving units 24 and 25 and the control board 26.

A power supply 23, a driving means 24, a control board 26,
The first opening / closing unit 30, the switch 34, and the temporary storage unit 14 transfer the temporarily stored breast milk to the storage unit 40.
A power source 23, a driving unit 24, a control board 26, and a switch 34 constitute a storage unit, and a driving unit of the first storage unit.

As shown in FIG. 4, the temporary storage section 14 includes a tube 141 connected to the tube 122 and a tube 141 having a diameter smaller than that of the tube 141.
And a plate-like on-off valve 143 for opening and closing the opening of the tube 142. The on-off valve 143 is attached near the tube 142 in the form of a lever, and is inserted into a pin 145 slidably attached near the tube 142 and the restoring force of a spring member 144 attached to one end of the on-off valve 143. The opening of the tube 142 is closed by the restoring force of the compression spring 146, and the tube 14 is closed by the pressing force of the pin 145.
The second opening is opened. Tube 141
The tube 142 constitutes a container for temporarily storing breast milk, and the opening / closing valve 143, the spring member 144, and the pin 145 constitute an opening / closing opening.

The opening / closing means 30 includes a driving shaft 2 of the driving means 24.
41, a cam receiving member 302 whose operation in one direction is regulated by the cam 301, and the cam receiving member 302 is fixed, and the operation of the cam receiving member 302 causes the pin 145 of the temporary storage section 14 to move. And a compression spring 304 that pushes up the pin 303.

A power supply 23, a driving means 25, a control board 26,
The suction / exhaust pipe 31, the suction / exhaust means 32, the opening / closing means 33, and the switch 34 constitute negative pressure generating means for generating a negative pressure inside the flared portion 11 and the cylindrical portion 12.
Power supply 23, drive means 25, control board 26, and switch 3
4 constitutes a driving means of the negative pressure generating means.

As shown in an exploded perspective view of FIG. 5, the intake / exhaust pipe 31 includes a plate 311 provided with an air passage, a plate 312 bonded to the plate 311,
Tubes 313, 3 fixed on this plate 312
14. The first air passage 311a and the third air passage 311c having a groove shape are formed on the surface of the plate 311.
And a circular second air passage 311b are provided, and the air passages 311a, 311b, 311c are connected to each other inside the plate 311. Plate 312
Has a first through hole 312a, a second through hole 312b, and a third through hole 312c corresponding to the first air passage 311a, the second air passage 311b, and the third air passage 311c, respectively.
Is provided. The tube 313 has an L shape, one end of which is connected to the tube 123 and the other end of which is closed. An opening is provided in the L-shaped bent portion, and this opening is connected to the first through hole 312a.
Further, a negative pressure release port 313a is provided on the peripheral side surface on the way to the closed other end. One end of the tube 314 is connected to the third through hole 311c, and the other end is open.

As shown in an exploded perspective view of FIG. 5, the intake / exhaust means 32 has a drive means 25 fixed thereto and its drive shaft 2
Plate 321 from which the projection 51 is protruded;
And a suction pump 322 connected to the fifth drive shaft 251. The plate 321 is integrally formed at right angles to the plate 311. The suction pump 322 is
A diaphragm 322a, a flange 322b, a boss 322c, a sleeve 322d, and an intake valve 322e.
And an exhaust valve 322f and an eccentric member 322g.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the diaphragm 3
The 22a and the flange portion 322b define a pump chamber 322h. An intake valve 322e is provided on the flange portion 322b.
And an exhaust valve 322f. The upper surface of the exhaust valve 322f is formed at a position lower than the upper surface of the flange portion 322b. On the other hand, the upper surface of the intake valve 322e
It is formed so as to be flush with the upper surface of the flange portion 322b. The lower surface of the exhaust valve 322f has a flange portion 322b.
Is formed so as to be flush with the lower surface of. On the other hand, the lower surface of the intake valve 322e is formed at a position lower than the lower surface of the flange portion 322b. The boss 322c is
The diaphragm 322a is formed integrally with a central portion of the diaphragm 322a. The sleeve 322d is attached to the boss 322c.

The suction pump 322 includes a plate 311
And the plate 312. That is, the flange portion 322 b is connected to the second air passage 31 of the plate 311.
1b, the intake valve 322e and the exhaust valve 3
22f is the first air passage 311a of the plate 311 and the third air passage 311a.
After being disposed so as to be located in the air passage 311c, the diaphragm 322a is connected to the second air passage 31 of the plate 311.
1b. Eccentric member 322g
Is connected to the drive shaft 251 of the drive means 25, and the eccentric part 322h of the eccentric member 322g is rotatably inserted into the sleeve 322d.

As shown in an exploded perspective view of FIG. 8, the opening / closing means 33 includes a ring-shaped member 331a and a disk-shaped member 331.
b to form a truncated cone, the eccentric member 32
2g is inserted inside, and a drive shaft 251 penetrating the eccentric member 322g is inserted through the center hole of the disc-shaped member 331b, and a pressing portion 331 is equally disposed between the pressing portion 331 and the eccentric member 322g. In the example, the weight 332 is arranged evenly), and the pressing part 331 opens and closes the negative pressure opening 313 a of the tube 313.
And

The weight 332 has two legs made of a spring material, and one leg 332a is fixed to the outer periphery of a disk-shaped member 331b constituting the pressing portion 331, and the other leg 332a is
2b is fixed to the outer periphery of the flange 322i at one end of the eccentric member 322g. The negative pressure release port opening / closing part 333 is a plate 3 integrally formed at right angles to the plate 312.
In this form, it is fixed on. When one end of the negative pressure release port opening / closing section 333 is pressed by the pressing force of the pressing section 331, the other end of the negative pressure release port opening / closing section 333 is connected to the negative pressure release port 31.
3a, when one end of the negative pressure release port opening / closing section 333 is released from the pressing force of the pressing section 331, the other end of the negative pressure release port opening / closing section 333 is restored by the restoring force of the compression spring 333a fixed to this end. Open the negative pressure release port 313a.

As shown in the sectional side view of FIG. 9A, the front view of FIG. 9B and the exploded perspective view of FIG. 10, the negative pressure setting means 28 is provided on the end face side of the substantially cylindrical body 281. An air passage 281b communicates with the opened concave portion 281a.
A bearing hole 281c is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the concave portion 281a, and an arc-shaped communication groove 281d communicating with the air passage 281b and extending in the circumferential direction is provided outside the bearing hole 281c. A projection 281e for positioning is provided in a portion where is interrupted. A plurality of notches 281f cut in a V-shape are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction inside the opening end of the concave portion 281a, and the knob 282 is prevented from coming off outside the opening end. Is formed.

In the recess 281a, a nozzle plate 283,
The passage body 284 and the rotating member 285 are sequentially stored from the bottom side. The nozzle plate 283 is made of a circular thin plate, and has a center hole 28 having the same diameter as the bearing hole 281c at the center thereof.
3a is provided, and a protrusion 281 is provided on the outside thereof.
A through hole 283b through which e passes and a plurality of nozzle holes 283c having different diameters and arranged concentrically so as to communicate with the communication groove 281d are provided. Passage body 284
Has a disk shape, and has a center hole 283a in the center of one surface.
A shaft 284a that fits into the bearing hole 281c is formed so as to protrude therethrough, and a protrusion 284b is formed to protrude at a position corresponding to the through hole 283b and the nozzle hole 283c on the other surface. The protrusion 284b includes the protrusion 28
A ventilation hole 284c into which 1e can be inserted is penetrated, and rotation of the passage body 284 is prevented by the inserted projection 281e. The open end of the ventilation hole 284c can be closed by the back surface of the rotating member 285.

The rotating member 285 includes a disk portion 285a that fits loosely into the concave portion 281a, a prism portion 285b that is erected at the center of the upper surface of the disk portion 285a, and a disk portion 285a.
And an arm portion 285c which stands upright on the upper surface periphery and has an upper end portion curved in an arc shape. Arm part 285c
Is provided with a notch projection 285d protruding outward. On the lower surface of the disk portion 285a, a passage body 284 is provided.
A plurality of fan-shaped cutout passages 285e that can communicate with only one of the plurality of ventilation holes 284c are provided.
The knob 282 has an inner cylindrical portion 282a and an outer cylindrical portion 282b provided so as to be concentric with each other. At the center of the inner cylindrical portion 282a, there is provided a prismatic hole 282c in which the prismatic portion 285b of the rotating member 285 fits, whereby the knob 282 and the rotating member 285 are integrated in the rotating direction. The claw portion 28 engaged with the flange 281g for preventing the detachment from the body 281 is provided inside the outer cylindrical portion 282b.
2d is provided.

Here, when the knob 282 is rotated, the rotating member 285 also rotates in the same direction, so that the cutout passage 285d provided on the back surface of the rotating member 285 is rotationally displaced in the circumferential direction, and the ventilation hole of the passage body 284 is formed. 284c. The ventilation hole 284c of the passage body 284 is connected to the ventilation passage 28 through nozzle holes 283c of different diameters provided in the nozzle plate 283.
1b, the outside air according to the diameter of the nozzle hole 283c flows into the ventilation path 281b. Therefore,
By selecting the nozzle hole 283c and adjusting the amount of air flowing into the ventilation path 281b, the magnitude of the negative pressure in the cylindrical portion 12 of the hood portion 10 can be changed and set.

When the knob 282 is rotated, the notch protrusion 2 provided at the tip of the arm portion 285c of the rotating member 285
85d is a notch 281 provided in the concave portion 281a of the body 281 against the pressing force of the elasticity of the arm portion 285c.
f, a change in resistance during the movement can provide a sense of moderation when rotating the knob 282, and the notch 281f allows the rotating member 2 to rotate.
85 positions can be performed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9B, a scale 286 is formed on the surface of the knob 282 in accordance with the growth stage of the infant. In this embodiment, the scale 286 uses, for example, a symbol indicating the growth stage of the infant by the elapsed period after childbirth. For example, four symbols of 5D (about 6 days after birth), 1M (about 1 month after birth), 3M (about 3 months after birth), and A (automatic) at equal angular intervals (about 90 degrees) in the circumferential direction of the knob 282. Is represented. Then, the user rotates the knob 282 to adjust the position of the corresponding symbol from these scales 286 according to the growth period of the infant to be breast-feeding and the scale with the scale 287 on the main body side, thereby increasing the magnitude of the negative pressure. Is selected and set.

As shown in FIG. 9A,
For example, the conductive means 2 extending to the control board 26 described above is provided on a side surface of the body 281 facing the main body scale 287.
And a plurality of contacts near its upper end (not shown). On the other hand, at the position of each of the scales 286 of the knob 282, for example, a conductive means 289 formed of a conductive metal or the like and having a different shape or the like for each of the scales 286 is formed. In the position, terminals of different combinations among the plurality of contacts are electrically connected. Thus, the selection result of the scale 286 is transmitted to the control board 26.

The storage section 40 has a bottle shape as a whole, and is externally engaged with the female thread 131 of the lid 13 in a detachable manner.
2 and an opening 403, and a neck 4
01 and a container 404 for storing mother's milk. The bottom of the container 404 has a relatively large area in order to keep the breast pump 1 stable. The storage section 40 is preferably formed of a transparent material, for example, the above-described PC, PP, polyethylene, or the like. The mechanical configuration of the breast pump 1 is as follows.
It is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the power supply 23 such as a battery may be arranged on the side of the storage unit 40. By doing so, the stability of the breast pump 1 can be increased. Also, the power source 23 is an AC
A home commercial power supply may be used via an adapter.

FIG. 11 shows a negative pressure / timing control means 26.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of a zero. The negative pressure / timing control means 260 determines the suck timing corresponding to the negative pressure set by the negative pressure setting means 28 and controls the driving of the driving means 24 and 25, for example. The power supply 23 is connected to the control unit 2 in the control board 26.
61, a drive current is supplied to each unit in the control board 26, and power is supplied via the control unit 261 or directly to the drive units 24, 25, respectively.

The control unit 261 is constituted by, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer, and performs processing necessary for operation control for the milking machine 1 to perform a milking operation. The control unit 261 further includes a memory 26
2 and the time counting means 263 are connected, and the negative pressure setting means 28 is connected, so that the selection result of the scale 286 is inputted by the signal S1.
Note that the control unit 261 is not limited to the CPU, and may be configured by a sequence circuit or other means having equivalent functions. In addition, all or a part of each configuration of the negative pressure / timing control means 260 may be configured by software as long as it has a function equivalent thereto.

The memory 262 is a storage means, for example, a RAM (random access memory) serving as a work area necessary for the control unit 261 or a ROM (read only memory) storing data necessary for a control process in advance. have. In particular, data corresponding to the data shown in FIG. 12B is stored in the memory 262 in advance. That is, according to the study of the present inventors, the sucking pressure of infants,
It has been found that the number of sucks (sucking action per unit time) varies depending on the stage of growth of the infant.

Immediately after childbirth, the infant has just started nursing, has a weak sucking power on the mother's nipple, and consumes a small amount of breast milk in one lactation. Also, at this time, the mother is not accustomed to breastfeeding, and if sucked by a strong sucking pressure, the nipple and the like are damaged. For this reason, when milking a mother who is not ready, it is necessary to set an appropriate negative pressure also in the breast pump 1 so as not to damage the nipple of the mother more than necessary.

Therefore, in order to appropriately set the negative pressure of the breast pump 1, in the present embodiment, the negative pressure to be set in advance is determined based on data as shown in FIG.
This data is created by examining the sucking pressure and sucking timing of breast milk in each growth stage after a predetermined period of time from the birth of an actual infant.
And in the breast pump 1, the knob 2 explained in FIG.
The negative pressure set by the negative pressure setting means 28 is determined in advance so as to correspond to the scale 286 at 82 so that the negative pressure substantially coincides with the data of FIG. In addition, the number of sucks per unit time is made to substantially match the data in FIG. 12B in accordance with the selection result of the scale 286.

Therefore, memory 262 is
In this case, when the result of the selection of the scale 286 from the negative pressure setting unit 28 is transmitted to the control unit 261, the control unit 261 stores the data in the memory 262. With reference to the stored data, the number of sucking times data corresponding to the data is read out.

The timer 263 has a predetermined oscillating circuit and a timer, and measures the time for determining the timing in accordance with the data on the number of sucks supported by the controller 261.

Then, the control unit 261 controls each driving unit 2
In response to the predetermined timing acquired from the timing unit 263, the driving of the driving units 24 and 25 is controlled for the opening and closing unit 30 and the temporary storage unit 14 constituting the first storage unit, and the negative pressure generation The intake / exhaust means 32 and the opening / closing means 33 constituting the means are operated.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 12A, the mutual operation timing of the driving means 24 and 25 is such that the driving means 25 is turned on at time t1, turned off at time t2, and turned on at time t3. When the cycle of performing the driving is repeated, the driving unit 24 is set to be turned off when the driving unit 25 is on, and set to be on when the driving unit 25 is off. As described above, the time of one cycle is set by the control unit 261 so as to be the necessary number of times of sucking corresponding to the data of FIG. 12B. Given.

The breast pump 1 of the present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation of expressing breast milk by the above-described breast pump 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13 and the operation states of FIGS. 14 to 17. This will be described with reference to the drawings. The arrow M
A shows the flow of breast milk. Prior to use, the user, such as a mother, turns the knob 282 of the negative pressure setting means 28 so that the scale 28 adapted to the growth stage of the infant to be breast-feeded is used.
Select 6. In this case, the scale 5D is from immediately after birth to less than about one month of age after birth, the scale 1M is from about one month to less than three months of age, the scale 3M is after three months of age, and the scale A is in the auto mode. , A negative pressure set in the breast pump 1 in advance.

Next, when the user presses the trumpet-shaped portion 11 against the breast to turn on the switch 34 (STP
1) The driving means 2 from the driving source 23 via the control unit 26
5, the drive shaft 251 and the eccentric member 322g rotate (STP2). As a result, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 15, the operation in which the diaphragm 322a is pushed or pulled by the sleeve 322d and the boss 322c is repeated (STP3).

At substantially the same time, the weight 3 together with the pressing portion 333
32 rotates and the centrifugal force causes the weight 332 to project outward as shown in FIG. Then, the foot 332b fixed to the flange portion 322i bends at the same position, but the foot 332a fixed to the disc-shaped member 331b.
Pushes down the disk-shaped member 331b, that is, the pressing portion 331, along the drive shaft 251 (STP4). The disc-shaped member 331b pushes down one end of the negative pressure release port opening / closing section 333, and the other end of the negative pressure release port opening / closing section 333 connects to the negative pressure release port 3
13a is closed (STP5).

Thereafter, when the diaphragm 322a is pulled by the sleeve 322d and the boss portion 322c, the intake valve 322e is opened and the exhaust valve 322f is closed, so that the air inside the trumpet-shaped portion 11 and the cylindrical portion 12 flows from the tube 313. After passing through the first through hole 312a, the intake valve 322e
From the pump chamber 322h through the first air passage 311a and the second air passage 311b. Then, the diaphragm 322a is connected to the sleeve 322d and the boss 322c.
, The intake valve 322e is closed and the exhaust valve 322f is opened, so that the air in the pump chamber 322h passes through the second air passage 311b and the third air passage 311c and passes through the exhaust valve 32
The gas is exhausted from the tube 314 to the outside through the third through hole 312c from 2f (STP6).

By repeating this intake / exhaust operation, a small amount of air flows from the negative pressure setting means 28 into the tubular portion 12, so that the knob 282 selects the inside of the trumpet-shaped portion 11 and the tubular portion 12. A negative pressure substantially corresponding to the negative pressure shown in FIG. 12 (b) can be generated and milking can be performed in accordance with the scale indicated (STP7, 8). The breast milk squeezed from the breast flows through the breast milk passage 111 toward the milk outlet 123 (STP9). The breast milk that has passed through the breast milk passage 111 flows down from the milk outlet 123 and is stored in the temporary storage unit 14 (STP10).

The control unit 261 determines whether or not a predetermined time, that is, a time from time t1 to time t2 shown in FIG. 12A has elapsed (STP11). Returns to STP8 and repeats the above operation. Here, the time from t1 to t3 shown in FIG. 12 (a) corresponds to one milking operation, and as described above, is adapted to each sucking number data of FIG. 12 (b). The control unit 26 sets the times t1, t2, and t3 based on the timing information from the timing means 263. That is, the time of each of t1, t2, and t3 is set to a different time for each scale according to the selected scale of the knob 282 so as to conform to each sucking number data of FIG. Then, if the time from time t1 to time t2 has elapsed, the control unit 261 sends the drive unit 2
Then, the supply of electric power to 5 is stopped, and the rotation of the drive shaft 251 and the eccentric member 322g is stopped (STP12). As a result, the operation in which the diaphragm 322a is pushed or pulled by the sleeve 322d and the boss 322c also stops (STP13).

At substantially the same time, the weight 3 together with the pressing portion 331
The rotation of 32 also stops, and the weight 332 returns to the original state due to the restoring force of the foot 332b fixed to the flange portion 322i as shown in FIG. 14 (STP14). Then, the foot 332a fixed to the disc-shaped member 331b pushes up the disc-shaped member 331b, that is, the pressing portion 331, along the drive shaft 251. Then, one end of the negative pressure release port opening / closing section 333 is pushed up by the restoring force of the compression spring 333a,
The other end of the negative pressure release port opening / closing section 333 opens the negative pressure release port 313a (STP15). The control unit 261 determines whether or not a predetermined time, that is, a time from time t2 to time t3 shown in FIG. 12 has elapsed (STP16). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the control unit 261 returns to STP15 and performs the above-described operation. repeat.

In STP11, if a predetermined time has elapsed, the control section 261 supplies power from the drive source 23 to the drive means 24, and the drive shaft 241 and the cam 3
01 is rotated (STP17). Then, as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG.
2 and the pin 303 are pushed down, and the pin 303 pushes down the pin 145. And the pin 145
The on-off valve 143 is opened, and the mother milk stored in the tube 142 is dropped into the bottle-shaped storage part 40 (STP18). Further, when the cam 301 rotates and comes off the cam receiving member 302, the pin 303 is pushed up by the restoring force of the compression spring 304, and the pin 303 and the pin 145 are moved.
Are released, the restoring force of the compression spring 146 causes the pin 145
Is pushed up. Then, the on-off valve 143 is closed by the restoring force of the spring member 144 (STP19).

The control unit 261 determines whether or not a predetermined time, that is, a time from time t2 to time t3 shown in FIG. 12 has elapsed (STP20). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to STP18. The above operation is repeated. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 261 stops the supply of power from the driving source 23 to the driving unit 24,
The rotation of the drive shaft 241 and the cam 301 is stopped (ST
P21). The above operations from STP12 to STP16 and the operations from STP17 to STP21 are processed in parallel.

Then, the user determines whether or not to stop milking, and if milking is to be continued, the STP is left as it is.
2 and the above operation is repeated. On the other hand, when the milking is stopped, the switch 34 is turned off and the process ends (ST).
P22).

FIGS. 18 to 20 show examples of suction pressure and suction timing in the breast pump 1 of this embodiment. That is, FIG. 18 shows a case where the scale of the knob 282 is adjusted to 5D, and FIG. 19 shows a case where the scale of the knob 282 is adjusted to 1M.
FIG. 20 shows a case where the scale is adjusted to 3M. Thus, in the breast pump 1 of the present embodiment, the suction pressure can be determined according to the growth stage of the infant to be breast-feeding,
Milk can be milked at an appropriate negative pressure. The suction pressure of the breast pump 1 uses a value determined in advance according to the growth stage of the infant as shown in FIG. Thus, the user does not need to determine the negative pressure by himself, and turns the knob 282 to set the negative pressure and the number of sucks only by selecting the scale according to the growth stage of the infant. be able to.

Therefore, when the scale 5D is selected, since the negative pressure is relatively weak, the sucking pressure and sucking frequency of the infant at this time can be reduced without damaging the nipple of the mother who is not breastfeeding. A corresponding milking can be performed. In addition, when the scale 1M is selected, milking can be carried out with a negative pressure and the number of sucking times that are almost suitable for an infant of 1 month of age, and milking corresponding to the required amount of the infant, which has become more and more nursing due to growth. It can be done without difficulty. In addition, when the scale 3M is selected, milking can be rapidly performed with a strong negative pressure due to a stronger negative pressure and an increased number of sucks, corresponding to the growing infant, and sufficient milk pressure can be obtained. The amount of breast milk can be squeezed quickly.

In FIG. 20, a teat adapter 50 is further added to the embodiment of the breast pump shown in FIG. The nipple adapter 50 is a member for preventing the breast from being sucked and feeling painful during the suction operation of the hood portion 10. As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the nipple adapter 50 has a receiving portion 5 for receiving a breast.
1 and a portion 52. The receiving portion 51 has a trumpet shape, and the small diameter portion 53 of the receiving portion 51 is connected to the portion 52. Portion 52 is cylindrical and has a passage for breast milk. The receiving portion 51 and the portion 52 position the nipple adapter 50 by contacting the inner wall of the hood portion 10. The receiving portion 51 has a plurality of protrusions 5.
4 are formed. The breast is pressed against these projections 54 by the suction operation in the hood portion 10 and stimulates or massages with the abdomen of the fingers (furling operation).
Such effects can be obtained. Then, by the synergistic effect of the action of the nipple adapter 50 and the above-described absorption of the pulsation during milking, it approaches the state of stimulating or massaging more realistically with the abdomen of the finger or the action of sucking the breast milk of the baby. be able to.

Before or after using the above-described breast pump, it is necessary to boil and sterilize the breast pump for sterilization.
Therefore, the hood section 10, the drive section 20, and the storage section 40 of the breast pump can be disassembled as shown in FIG.
That is, the drive unit 20 placed on the top of the hood unit 10
Since the tube 123 and the tube 313 provided in the cylindrical portion 12 are connected via the O-ring, the hood 10 can be removed and the drive unit 20 can be removed by holding it down. In addition, since the female screw 131 of the lid 13 and the male screw 402 of the neck 401 are fitted and connected to the storage unit 40 disposed below the hood unit 10, the storage unit 40 can be turned while suppressing the hood unit 10. Can be removed. If the drive unit 20 is made waterproof, the drive unit 20 can also be boiled and disinfected.
The hood unit 10 and the drive unit 20 can be integrated.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, if the storage unit 40 of the breast pump described above is provided with a handle 61 located on the opposite side of the hood unit 10 or a handle 62 located on both sides of the hood unit 10 as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, for example. , Easier handling during milking,
In addition, the stability of the breast pump can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the negative pressure is selected according to the growth stage of the infant by operating the dial-type negative pressure setting means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The number of times may be set automatically. For example, in FIG. 11, a plurality of timers are built in the time counting means 263, and the switch 34 is started from the start of using the breast pump 1.
Is turned on, the operation is continued, and the growth stage of the infant is continuously timed, and the time information is provided to the control unit 261. The memory 262 holds the data shown in FIG. 12 (b) as table data, and the control unit 261 refers to the table data based on the timing information, and controls the negative pressure control unit 28 and the driving unit 24, 25 may be controlled according to the table data. In this way, after starting using the breast pump 1 (for example,
After the switch 34 is turned on), it is possible to use the infant to be breast-fed with the negative pressure and the number of sucks (suck timing) always set optimally in accordance with the growth stage. Furthermore, the negative pressure setting means 28 may have more negative pressure setting stages (scales and the like) than in the above embodiment.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, an appropriate negative pressure is always set, and milking can be performed without damaging the nipple and with a sufficient negative pressure to squeeze out breast milk. A breast pump can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing one embodiment of a breast pump according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a first view showing a sectional side surface of a main part of the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a second view showing a sectional side surface of a main part of the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a detailed example of a first storage section of the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a first perspective view showing a detailed example of negative pressure generating means of the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a first diagram showing a detailed example of a main part of the negative pressure generating means shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a second diagram showing a detailed example of a main part of the negative pressure generating means shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a detailed example of a negative pressure generating means of the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

9 shows a configuration example of negative pressure setting means of the breast pump shown in FIG. 1, (a) is a cross-sectional side view, and (b) is a schematic front view.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the negative pressure setting means shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of negative pressure / timing control means of the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating the negative pressure / timing control shown in FIG. 11, wherein FIG. 12A is a timing chart and FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram of control use data.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a first sectional side view showing an operation example of the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a second sectional side view showing an operation example of the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a third sectional side view showing an operation example of the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a fourth sectional side view showing an operation example of the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a view showing an example of a suction pressure curve in the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of a suction pressure curve in the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a suction pressure curve in the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the present invention including a teat adapter.

FIG. 22 is a front view of a teat adapter.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line AA of the nipple adapter in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a rear view of the teat adapter.

FIG. 25 is an exploded plan view of the breast pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 26 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the breast pump of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a plan view showing still another embodiment of the breast pump of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Hood part 11 Trump-shaped part 12 Cylindrical part 13 Lid 14 Temporary storage part 20 Drive part 21 1st cover 22 2nd cover 23 Power supply 24 Driving means 25 Driving means 26 Control board 28 Negative pressure setting means 30 Opening / closing means 31 intake / exhaust pipe 32 intake / exhaust means 33 opening / closing means 34 switch 40 storage part 261 control part 262 storage means 263 timekeeping means

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoichi Nakata 5-Terminal 1, Kanda Toyama-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 4C077 AA09 AA22 BB10 CC09 DD01 DD19 JJ07 KK25

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A breast pump for squeezing out mother's milk by a negative pressure, comprising: a milking part for applying to a breast; A breast pump comprising negative pressure setting means for setting a sucking pressure based on the negative pressure to a predetermined value in accordance with a growth stage of the infant to be breast-feeded. 2. The breast pump according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining a suck timing in accordance with the suck pressure. 3. The suction pressure setting device according to claim 1, wherein the negative pressure setting means changes and sets the sucking pressure by manually operating a dial-type switching means displaying a growth stage of the infant. The breast pump according to claim 1 or 2. 4. A control unit to which the negative pressure setting unit is connected, a storage unit connected to the control unit and storing at least data on the number of sucks corresponding to a negative pressure to be set, and the control unit A timer for giving time information for obtaining a suck timing for setting the number of sucks; and a negative pressure for generating a negative pressure under the control of the control unit based on the set negative pressure and the suck timing. The breast pump according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a driving unit.