JP2018068583A - Urine detection electrode, manufacturing method thereof, and urine detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a urine detection electrode capable of acquiring power generation output with improved detection function of urination and the number of times of urination, a manufacturing method thereof, and a urine detection device including the urine detection electrode.SOLUTION: A urine detection electrode (2) generating power with it in contact with urine and detecting urination, includes a sheet-like electrode body (4) composed of only carbon or a sheet-like electrode body (4) including carbon. Power output of the sheet-like electrode body represents a peak value for each urination, transitions from the peak value to a stable value as time advances, presents a step value increasing in a stepwise manner according to the number of urination, and represents one or both of the urination and the number of times of urination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a urine detection technique using a self-power generation function provided in an electrode in contact with urine.

  It is already known that the self-power generation function of an electrode is used for urination detection. Since this technique uses a power generation output generated by contact with urine, there is an advantage that external power feeding is unnecessary and that the structure is simple and efficient urine detection can be performed.

  Regarding this urine detection, it is known that urine is contacted between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and urine is detected by a generated current generated in the positive electrode and the negative electrode using urine as an electrolyte (Patent Document 1). As a self-power generation function, a liquid detection system including a power generation unit having a voltaic battery using a liquid as a catalyst in a detection unit that detects liquid leakage is known (Patent Document 2). In addition, it is known that a urine sensor detects the wetness of a diaper worn by a patient, and a signal transmitted from the urine sensor by wire or wireless is received and displayed in a management room (Patent Document 3).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-169205 JP 2013-94175 A JP 2004-041697 A

By the way, diapers worn by patients such as patients who need care are exchanged according to urination and the number of urinations. In diapers with high water retention, it is uneconomic to change diapers frequently, such as when the number of urinations and the amount of urination are small. However, even if the water retention capacity of diapers is high, if the amount of urination or the number of urinations increases, the amount of water retained in the diaper increases, and the management of such diaper exchange increases the burden on the caregiver in proportion to the number of patients. It will be.
If the self-power generation function of the urine electrode is used to determine the diaper replacement time, not only external power supply is unnecessary, but also the amount of urination and the number of urinations can be predicted by the power generation output. However, if the sensitivity and detection accuracy of urination detection are low, that is, if the resolution of the number of urinations in the power generation output is low, there is a problem that the time for changing diapers becomes ambiguous and the burden on caregivers and patients increases.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a urine detection electrode capable of obtaining a power generation output with enhanced urination and a function of detecting the number of urinations, and a method for manufacturing the urine detection electrode.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a urine detection device that uses the urine detection electrode described above to improve the detection accuracy of urination and the number of urinations.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the urine detection electrode of the present invention, a urine detection electrode that generates power in contact with urine and detects urination, including the sheet-like electrode body made of only carbon or the carbon. A sheet-like electrode body, and the power generation output of the sheet-like electrode body has a peak value for each urination, the peak value shifts to a stable value over time, and a step value that increases stepwise according to the number of urinations And represents one or both of urination and the number of urinations.
In the urine detection electrode, the sheet-like electrode body may have a thickness of 50 to 500 [μm].
In the urine detection electrode, the carbon may have a density of 0.3 to 1.0 [g / cc].
In the urine detection electrode, the carbon may have a specific surface area of 500 to 4000 [m ² / g].
In the urine detection electrode, the carbon may have an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 10 [μm].

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the method for producing a urine detection electrode of the present invention, activated carbon is subjected to steam activation, a binder dispersion and a conductive auxiliary material are mixed and kneaded with the activated carbon, And forming the kneaded body obtained in the step into a sheet-like electrode body by stretching.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the urine detection device of the present invention, a urine detection device that generates power in contact with urine and detects urination, the positive electrode using the urine detection electrode, A positive electrode that is spaced apart from the positive electrode, and the positive electrode generates electric power in contact with urine, and a power generation output representing urination is extracted from the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
The urine detection apparatus may further include an outer package and a holding member that is disposed on the outer package and holds urine, and urine may be brought into contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode through the holding member.
In the urine detection device, the outer package may be a diaper or a container for collecting urine.

According to the present invention, any of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) It is possible to obtain a power generation output having a step value that can specify urination or the number of urinations, and to increase the sensitivity of detection of urination or the number of urinations.
(2) The time for changing diapers can be specified according to the number of urinations from the power generation output, reducing the burden on caregivers and patients.

A is a perspective view showing a urine detection electrode according to an embodiment, B is a sectional view showing a section of a sheet-like electrode body, and C is a sectional view showing a modification of the sheet-like electrode body. A is a diagram showing a urine power generation unit, B is a diagram showing an example of a urine power generation unit provided with a support member and a water absorption member, and C is a diagram for explaining the operation of the urine power generation unit. A is sectional drawing which shows the diaper which concerns on Example 2, B is a perspective view which shows the diaper before mounting | wearing. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a urine detection apparatus according to a third embodiment, B is a diagram illustrating power generation characteristics of a urine power generation unit, and C is a diagram illustrating normalized detection signals representing urination and the number of urinations. A is a diagram showing diaper wetting, B is a diagram showing a normalized detection signal representing the number of urinations, and C is a diagram for explaining a diaper replacement time. A is a diagram showing a urine power generation unit and a constant resistance load according to Example 4, and B and C are diagrams showing output characteristics.

[One embodiment]
FIG. 1A shows a urine power generation electrode according to one embodiment, and B and C show a cross section of a sheet-like electrode body. The configurations shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are examples, and the present invention is not limited to such configurations.

  This urine power generation electrode 2 is an example of a urine detection electrode. The urine power generation electrode 2 has a function of self-power generation in contact with urine, a function of holding (charging) charges generated by the power generation, and a function of taking out this as a power generation output. The urine power generation electrode 2 is provided with a sheet-like electrode body 4. The sheet-like electrode body 4 may be a carbon-only sheet or a sheet containing carbon. The sheet may be a plate having a thickness.

As an example, the sheet-like electrode body 4 has a rectangular cross section. If the length is L1, the width is W1, and the thickness is M1, the length L1 or the width W1 is L1 >> M1 with respect to the thickness M1. , W1 >> M1, and L1> W1 or L1 <W1. Such a sheet-like electrode body 4 has mechanical flexibility and flexibility, can be bent when worn, such as diapers, and widens the contact area with urine to generate power output. Is increased.
The sheet-like electrode body 4 may have a rectangular cross section as shown in FIG. 1B. However, as shown in FIG. 1C, the sheet-like electrode body 4 may have an elliptical cross section. Good. Moreover, the surface of the sheet-like electrode body 4 may be provided with an uneven surface to increase the contact area with urine, or the urine permeability may be increased.

<Sheet-shaped electrode body 4>
With respect to this sheet-like electrode body 4, the thickness M1, the density of carbon, the specific surface area or the average particle diameter are as follows.
M1: M1 = 50 to 500 [μm], preferably M1 = 100 to 400 [μm].
The density of carbon may be 0.3 to 1.0 [g / cc], preferably 0.4 to 0.7 [g / cc].
Specific surface area of carbon: 500 to 4000 [m ² / g], preferably 1000 to 2000 [m ² / g].
The average particle diameter of carbon may be 0.1 to 10 [μm], preferably 1 to 5 [μm].

<Carbon and its treatment>
The carbon used for the sheet-like electrode body 4 includes natural plant tissues such as palm, synthetic resin such as phenol, activated carbon derived from fossil fuels such as coal, coke and pitch, and mesoporous carbon. Can be mentioned. As this carbon, carbon subjected to a predetermined porous treatment can be used, and the carbon is not limited to activated carbon.

The sheet-like electrode body 4 is preferably subjected to a porous treatment such as an activation treatment or an opening treatment as a carbon treatment. For the activation treatment, a known activation treatment method such as a gas activation method or a drug activation method may be used.
The gas used in the gas activation method may be water vapor, air, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen chloride, oxygen, or a mixed gas thereof.
The chemicals used in the chemical activation method are alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; alkaline earth metal hydroxides such as calcium hydroxide; inorganics such as boric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid. Acids; or inorganic salts such as zinc chloride may be used.
In each activation treatment, heat treatment may be applied to carbon as necessary. The opening process is a porous process for forming a large number of pores in carbon, and other processes may be used for the porous process in addition to the activation process and the open process described above.

<Urine power generation unit>
The urine power generation unit 8 is an example of a urine power generation battery using urine, and includes an electrode pair including at least a sheet-like electrode body 4 as an anode and an electrode body 6 as a negative electrode, as shown in FIG. The urine power generation unit 8 has both a power generation function by contact of the sheet-like electrode body 4 with urine and a function of holding electric charges generated by power generation. That is, the urine power generation unit 8 constitutes a urine power generation battery using urine as a medium.
The electrode body 6 on the negative electrode side has a sheet shape like the sheet-like electrode body 4, and a metal foil such as aluminum, zinc, or copper may be used as the conductive material. By subjecting these metal foils to surface expansion treatment such as etching, the negative electrode can be reduced in size, which is preferable. If the length of the electrode body 6 is L2, the width is W2, and the thickness is M2, the length L2 or W2 is L2 >> M2 and W2 >> M2 with respect to the thickness M2, as with the sheet-like electrode body 4. L2> W2 or L2 <W2 may be sufficient.
In relation to the sheet-like electrode body 4, L1 = L2 may be used in order to maintain simultaneous contact with urine as a detection target, and W1> W2 and M1> from the current collecting ability of the electrode body 6 which is a conductor. What is necessary is just M2.

  In the urine power generation unit 8, the sheet-like electrode body 4 and the electrode body 6 are arranged in parallel with an insulation interval 10. If the width of the insulating interval 10 between the sheet-like electrode body 4 and the electrode body 6 is D, L1 (= L2)> D> W1 (> W2)> M1 (> M2) may be satisfied. As an example, M2 = 1.8 [mm] and D = 10 [mm] may be used.

The urine power generation unit 8 is installed on a support member 12 having insulating properties. In this example, the electrode pair including the sheet-like electrode body 4 and the electrode body 6 is maintained horizontally. The support member 12 may be formed of an insulating material that keeps the sheet-like electrode body 4 and the electrode body 6 horizontal, for example, and insulates between the sheet-like electrode body 4 and the electrode body 6.
As shown in FIG. 2B, a urine water absorbing member 14 is disposed on the upper side of the urine power generation unit 8 as an example of a holding member that holds urine. For the water absorbing member 14, for example, a water absorbing polymer may be used as a water absorbing material having a function of absorbing urine. The urine power generation unit 8 may include at least the sheet-like electrode body 4 and the electrode body 6, but may be knitted including the water absorbing member 14 and the support member 12.

  At the time of urination, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the water absorbing member 14 receives urine, the urine 16 is held by the water absorbing member 14, and the urine 16 reaches the sheet electrode body 4, as shown in C of FIG. The urine 16 bridges between the sheet electrode body 4 and the electrode body 6. When the sheet electrode body 4 comes into contact with the urine 16, a power generation state is exhibited by the power generation function of the sheet electrode body 4. In this power generation state, power generation is started at the timing of urination to generate electric charge, which converges transiently and holds the generated electric charge. Therefore, a power generation output generated by this power generation is obtained between the electrodes of the sheet-like electrode body 4 and the electrode body 6. That is, if the electrode body 6 having the sheet-like electrode body 4 as an anode and the negative electrode is grounded, a power generation output can be obtained with this ground potential as a reference potential. This power generation output may be, for example, a current output, a voltage output or power. This power generation output is generated for each urination, represents the urination and the number of urinations, and the urination and the number of urinations can be determined based on a step value appearing in the power generation output.

<Detection of urine and generation of power generation output>
According to the urine power generation unit 8, as will be apparent from Examples 4 to 8 described later, the power generation output io produces a peak value for each urination as shown in Example 4 (B in FIG. 6). From this peak value, it shifts to a stable value with the passage of time, exhibits a step value that increases stepwise according to the number of urinations, and urination and the number of urinations can be captured from this electrical change. In particular, since a stable electrical change can be obtained by using a sheet-like electrode made only of carbon or containing carbon as the anode of the urine power generation unit 8, it is possible to detect either or both of urination and the number of urinations. It is effective.

<Effect of one embodiment>
According to this embodiment, one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since a power generation output having a step value that can specify urination or urination frequency is obtained, the detection sensitivity of urination or urination frequency is increased.
(2) The urination and the number of urinations can be specified by the step value that appears in the power output.
(3) It is possible to specify the time for changing diapers according to the number of urinations from the power generation output, to facilitate time management such as changing diapers, and to contribute to reducing the burden on caregivers and patients.
(4) The urine power generation unit 8 has an extremely simple configuration including at least the sheet-like electrode body 4 and the electrode body 6.
(5) If electrode foil is used for the sheet-like electrode body 4 and the electrode body 6, the urine power generation unit 8 can be reduced in weight and size.

As an example of a method for producing the urine power generation electrode 2, the production of the sheet-like electrode body 4 includes selection and weighing of the sheet-like electrode body material (step 1), mixing and kneading treatment (step 2), and molding treatment (step 3). It is.
[1] Selection and measurement of sheet-like electrode body material (Step 1)
In Step 1, activated carbon for an electric double layer capacitor activated with water vapor is selected as the sheet electrode body material. For example, about 50 [mg] of activated carbon is measured as a measurement of the sheet electrode body material.

[2] Mixing and kneading process (step 2)
The activated carbon obtained in Step 1 is mixed with, for example, a tetratetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) dispersion as about 10 [mg] binder and about 10 [mg] ketjen black as a conductive auxiliary material.
If the mixture containing activated carbon is kneaded using, for example, a mortar, a kneaded body having viscosity is generated.

[3] Molding process (step 3)
If the kneaded body obtained in step 2 is sandwiched between, for example, biaxial rollers as forming means and fed out while being pressurized by roller rotation, the kneaded body can be stretched into a sheet and molded. Thereby, the sheet-like electrode body 4 as an activated carbon sheet can be produced | generated.

<Effect of Example 1>
According to the first embodiment, any of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The sheet-like electrode body 4 with high power generation performance can be formed.
(2) Since a kneaded body obtained by kneading a mixture containing activated carbon using a mortar has an appropriate viscosity, it can be easily formed into a sheet-like electrode body 4, and a uniform sheet-like electrode body can be formed. It can be manufactured and the characteristics can be made uniform and uniform.
(3) The sheet-like electrode body 4 can be reduced in weight or formed in a desired thickness.

FIG. 3 shows a diaper according to the second embodiment. A shows a diaper cross section when worn on the body, and B shows a diaper before wearing.
The diaper 18 includes a flexible exterior member 22 that can be attached to a curved portion of the body 20, and the urine power generation unit 8 described above is installed. Corresponding to the shape of the body 20, the exterior member 22 may be formed of a waterproof material for preventing leakage of urine with a curved shape, for example. In the urine power generation unit 8, the sheet-like electrode body 4 and the electrode body 6 are arranged in the horizontal direction, and are attached so as to receive urination toward the front-rear direction of the body 20. In this example, the water-absorbing member 14 is curved in a concave shape on the body 20 side with respect to the urine power generation unit 8.

  A space 26 is provided between the covering member 24 and the exterior member 22, and the urine power generation unit 8 is disposed in the space 26. The covering member 24 may be formed of a water absorbent material including water absorbent paper, cotton-like pulp, and a polymer absorbent material. The side part of the covering member 24 is provided with a three-dimensional gather portion 28 that prevents urine leakage. Each three-dimensional gather portion 28 may be formed of a waterproof material in the same manner as the exterior member 22. What is necessary is just to hold | maintain the body 20 with the holding tape 30 etc. in the edge part of the exterior member 22. FIG. And the diaper 18 is provided with the external connection terminal of the urine electric power generation part 8, and what is necessary is just to perform electrical connection with the urine detection apparatus 32 (A of FIG. 4) mentioned later, for example.

<Effect of Example 2>
According to the second embodiment, any of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The diaper 18 provided with the urine power generation unit 8 including the sheet-like electrode body 4 having high power generation performance can be configured.
(2) Since the urine power generation unit 8 is installed in a stable state on the exterior member 22 and includes the water absorbing member 14 on the upper surface thereof, it is possible to improve the function of detecting urination and the number of urinations and generate a stable power generation output. it can.
(3) The sheet-like electrode body 4 and the electrode body 6 constituting the urine power generation unit 8 are extremely light and compact, and the ratio of the sheet-like electrode body 4 and the electrode body 6 to the diaper 18 is small. There is no loss of wearing feeling.

FIG. 4A illustrates the urine detection device 32 according to the third embodiment. The urine detection device 32 includes a urine power generation unit 8, a capacitor 34, an intermittent power supply unit 36, and a wireless transmission unit 38.
The urine power generation unit 8 uses a sheet-like electrode body 4 as a positive electrode and an electrode body 6 as a negative electrode, and the electrode body 6 is grounded. A charging capacitor 34 is connected in parallel to the urine power generation unit 8, and a capacitance CL [mF] of the capacitor 34, that is, an output load capacitance (OLC) set on the output side of the urine power generation unit 8. ) [MF].

  At the time of urination, the power generation output by the sheet-like electrode body 4 is applied from the urine power generation unit 8 to the capacitor 34 and the capacitor 34 is charged. The power generation output from the capacitor 34 is applied to the intermittent power supply unit 36, and the intermittent power supply unit 36 generates a normalized detection signal (Normalized sensing signal: Nss) representing urination, and the normalized detection signal Nss is generated by the urine power generation unit 8. This is an intermittent signal having an interval according to the level of the power generation output. According to the normalized detection signal Nss, since the interval varies depending on the level of the power generation output, urination and the number of urinations can be specified from the interval. The normalization detection signal Nss is provided from the intermittent power supply unit 36 to the wireless transmission unit 38, subjected to modulation processing and the like by the wireless transmission unit 38, and then transmitted from the antenna 40 to the reception side as a wireless signal. On the receiving side, urination and the number of urinations can be recognized from the received signal. The normalization detection signal Nss may be generated on the receiving side.

<Charging characteristics of capacitor 34>
FIG. 4B shows a battery output voltage (Battery output voltage: Bov [V]) of the capacitor 34 related to urination detection of the urine power generation unit 8.
When the capacitance CL of the capacitor 34 is 10 [mF] and the unit volume of urine (Uvu) is Uvu = 80 [cm ³ ], when the urine is discharged, the output of the urine power generation unit 8 causes the capacitor 34 to As shown in FIG. 4B, a battery output voltage Bov [V] is generated. This Bov [V] increases exponentially with the passage of time t triggered by urination and reaches a constant voltage.

<Normalized detection signal for urination detection>
C of FIG. 4 has shown the normalized detection signal (Normalized sensing signal: Nss) which concerns on the urine detection of the urine detection apparatus 32. FIG.
Assuming that the unit amount Uvu of each urination is Uvu = 80 [cm ³ ] and the urination interval is t> 300 [s], the intermittent power supply unit 36 has a normalized detection signal Nss as shown in FIG. Is generated. In the first (I) urination, an intermittent signal with an interval t1 occurs, and after the second (II) urination, the signal transitions to an intermittent signal with an interval t2 (<t1). By this transition of the signal interval, urination and the number of urinations can be recognized.

<Diameter 18 wetting transition, detection and diaper change time>
FIG. 5A shows the unit urine volume and the diaper wetting transition.
For the urine unit amounts Uvu = 40 [cm ³ ], 80 [cm ³ ], 120 [cm ³ ], the total amount of urine added to the diaper 18 (Total amount of urine added to diaper: Taud [cm ³ ]) ) = 240 [cm ³ ], the number of urinations reaches 6 times when Uvu = 40 [cm ³ ]: 3 times when Uvu = 80 [cm ³ ]: 3 times when Uvu = 120 [cm ³ ]: 2 times.
As a result, there is a difference in the wetness of the diaper 18 depending on the total addition amount Taud of urine and the urination interval. In the case where the total amount of urine Taud = 240 [cm ³ ] is reached, if the urination interval is short even if the unit amount Uvu of one urine is small, the wetness of the diaper tends to increase gradually. Even if the unit amount Uvu of one urine is large, if the interval between urinations is long, the diaper will tend to be wet.

<Identification of urination volume and urination frequency>
FIG. 5B shows a normalized detection signal Nss that represents the amount of urination and the number of urinations.
Urine unit amount Uvu = 40 [cm ³ ]:
As shown in B1 of FIG. 5B, when there is a second urination (II) after a lapse of time t = 3500 [s] from the first (I) urination, the first (I) During the period from urination to the second (II) urination, Nss = 0, and from the second (II) urination, Nss = continuous state.

Urine unit amount Uvu = 80 [cm ³ ]:
As shown in B2 of FIG. 5B, when the second (II) urination occurs after 300 [s] from the first (I) urination, the normalized detection signal Nss is There is a wide interval between the urination of (I) and the second (II) urination, and a narrow interval after the second (II) urination.

Urine unit amount Uvu = 120 [cm ³ ]:
As shown in B3 of FIG. 5B, when the second (II) urination occurs after the time t> 300 [s] from the first (I) urination, the normalized detection signal Nss is The interval from the first urination to the second urination is wider than that in the case of Uvu = 80 [cm ³ ], and after the second urination, the interval is narrower.

<Identification of diaper changing time>
C of FIG. 5 has shown the diaper exchange time (Time to change diaper: Tcd) by the amount of urination and the frequency | count of urination.
When urination occurs when the urine unit amount Uvu = 40 [cm ³ ] and the time interval = 1 hour [hr], the total urine addition amount Taud is I: Taud = 40 [cm ³ ], II: Taud = 80 [cm ³ ], III: Taud = 120 [cm ³ ], and IV: Taud = 160 [cm ³ ]. If the time point at which Taud = 160 [cm ³ ] is reached is the diaper replacement time Tcd, the diaper replacement time Tcd has arrived in 3 hours. The diaper replacement time Tcd can be recognized by a normalized detection signal Nss representing Taud = 160 [cm ³ ].

<Effect of Example 3>
According to the third embodiment, any of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The amount of urination accumulated in the diaper 18 can be extracted as the normalized detection signal Nss.
(2) It is possible to specify the wetting of the diaper 18 and the replacement time thereof according to the signal state of the normalized detection signal Nss, that is, the signal interval.
(3) The normalization detection signal Nss can be captured at a location away from the use position of the diaper 18 by, for example, wireless or wired, and the exchange time of the diaper 18 is comprehensively grasped in units of individual and plural diapers 18. can do.
(4) As a result, the management burden of changing diapers for patients, caregivers, etc. can be reduced, and as a result, a hygienic care environment and efficient care can be realized.

  FIG. 6A illustrates the urine power generation unit 8 according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the load resistance 42 is connected in parallel to the urine power generation unit 8, and the output characteristics of the urine power generation unit 8 are measured in a state where a constant resistance load is connected to the urine power generation unit 8.

<Measurement conditions of Example 4>
Positive electrode: activated carbon electrode, positive electrode width W1: 10 [mm], positive electrode length L1: 320 [mm], thickness M1: 100, 140, 400 [μm]
Negative electrode: aluminum foil for EDLC (Electric Double-Layer Capacitor), negative electrode width W2: 1.8 [mm], negative electrode length L2: 320 [mm] = L1
Distance D between positive electrode and negative electrode: 10 [mm]
Resistance value RL of the load resistor 42: 10 [kΩ]
Electrolyte: 0.9% physiological saline

<Measurement method>
Using the measurement circuit shown in FIG. 6A, the electrolytic solution injected into the diaper 18 once every hour was 40 [cm ³ ], and the total addition amount was 240 [cm ³ ] after 6 injections. . Thereby, the power generation current (Battery-generated current: Bgc [μA]) output from the urine power generation unit 8 was measured.

<Measurement result 1>
FIG. 6B shows measurement result 1 of the generated current Bgc [μA].
Thickness M1: 140 [μm] of sheet-like electrode body 4 = generated current Bgc (characteristic B1) indicated by a solid line:
A peak value that rises sharply occurs in the first (I) injection, and decreases sharply exponentially from this peak value to a stable value. In the second (II) injection one hour later, the peak value is sharp. Rising to a peak value. This peak value is slightly lower than the first (I) peak value. It decreases exponentially from this peak value and shifts to a stable value higher than the first (I) injection. After 1 hour has elapsed from this stable value, a peak value is generated in the third (III) injection, and the peak value is higher than that in the second (II) injection. A level change occurs at each of the fourth (IV), fifth (V), and sixth (VI) injections, and increases to a higher stable value than the previous injection. Each stable value is a step value that increases in accordance with the number of urinations, and the degree of current change tends to decrease in proportion to the number of urinations.

Thickness M1: 400 [μm] of sheet-like electrode body 4 = generated current Bgc (characteristic B2) indicated by a broken line:
Steep rise at the first injection (I), decrease exponentially and shift to a stable value, rise from this stable value at the second (II) injection, decrease exponentially to a stable value From this stable value, it rises sharply in the third (III) injection, and shifts to the stable value at the rising value.

  Although there is a difference in the magnitude of the current value of each characteristic B1 and B2 and the degree of change, a peak value is generated for each urination in units of a fixed time, and the peak value shifts to a stable value as time elapses. A step value that increases stepwise according to the number of times is exhibited, and urination and the number of urinations can be recognized using the step value and the peak value.

<Measurement result 2>
C in FIG. 6 shows measurement result 2 of the generated current Bgc [μA].
Thickness M1: 140 [μm] of sheet-like electrode body 4 = generated current Bgc (characteristic C1) indicated by a solid line:
As with measurement result 1, the first rise (I) steeply rises, decreases exponentially and shifts to a stable value, and from this stable value the second (II) injection rises steeply, the exponential function Decreases to a stable value, rises sharply from the stable value at the third injection (III), decreases exponentially to a stable value, and again at the fourth injection (IV). There is a tendency to rise and decrease to a stable value. Each stable value is a step value that increases in accordance with the number of urinations, and the degree of current change tends to decrease in proportion to the number of urinations.

Thickness M1: 100 [μm] of sheet-like electrode body = generated current Bgc (characteristic C2) indicated by a broken line:
Although there is a slight difference between the characteristic C1 and the current level, the tendency is similar to that of the characteristic C1.

  There is a slight difference in the magnitudes of the current values of the characteristics C1 and C2, and a peak value is generated for each urination in units of a fixed time, and the peak value shifts to a stable value as time elapses. Accordingly, a step value that increases stepwise is exhibited, and urination and the number of urinations can be recognized using the step value and the peak value.

[Other Embodiments]
(1) Although the diaper was illustrated in the said embodiment and Example, it may be a container and a water retention member which can make urine contact a urine electric power generation part, and is not limited to a diaper.
(2) In the urine detection apparatus according to the third embodiment, the normalized detection signal is transmitted wirelessly, but may be transmitted by wire.
(3) In the above embodiment, capacitors and load resistors are used, and capacitance values and resistance values are exemplified as examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these values, and the capacitors may be other charging elements. An active element such as a transistor may be used for the capacitor and the load resistor.

As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. The present invention is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the embodiments for carrying out the invention. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is equipped with a urine detection electrode having a power generation function mediated by urine, and can determine the number of urination and urination from the power generation output by obtaining a power generation output representing the number of urination and urination without external power feeding. can do.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Urine power generation electrode 4 Sheet-like electrode body 6 Electrode body 8 Urine power generation part 10 Insulation interval 12 Support member 14 Water absorption member 16 Urine 18 Diaper 20 Body 22 Exterior member 24 Cover member 26 Space part 28 Three-dimensional gather part 30 Holding tape 32 Urine detection Device 34 Capacitor 36 Intermittent power supply unit 38 Wireless transmission unit 40 Antenna 42 Load resistance

Claims (9)

A urine detection electrode that generates electricity in contact with urine and detects urination,
A sheet-like electrode body made of only carbon or a sheet-like electrode body containing the carbon,
The power generation output of the sheet-like electrode body generates a peak value for each urination, transitions from the peak value to a stable value as time elapses, and exhibits a step value that increases stepwise according to the number of urinations. A urine detection electrode characterized by representing one or both of the above.
The urine detection electrode according to claim 1, wherein the sheet-like electrode body has a thickness of 50 to 500 [μm].
The urine detection electrode according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carbon has a density of 0.3 to 1.0 [g / cc].
The urine detection electrode according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the carbon has a specific surface area of 500 to 4000 [m ² / g].
The urine detection electrode according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the carbon has an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 10 [µm].
The method for producing a urine detection electrode according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the activated carbon is subjected to water vapor activation, and the activated carbon is mixed with a binder dispersion and a conductive auxiliary material and kneaded. When,
Forming the kneaded body obtained in the step into a sheet-like electrode body by stretching;
A method for producing a urine detection electrode, comprising:
A urine detection device that generates electricity in contact with urine and detects urine,
A positive electrode using the urine detection electrode according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A negative electrode disposed apart from the positive electrode;
A urine detection device, wherein the positive electrode generates power in contact with urine and takes out a power generation output representing urination from the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
Furthermore, an exterior body,
A holding member that is disposed on the exterior body and holds urine;
The urine detecting device according to claim 7, wherein urine is brought into contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode through the holding member.
The urine detecting device according to claim 8, wherein the outer package is a diaper or a container for collecting urine.

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