JP2019013550A - Wearing article with sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a wearing article with a sensor in which a sheet is prevented from being shrunk when drying a conductive ink, and thereby a urine sensor using the conductive ink can be provided easily.SOLUTION: A urine sensor 20 includes a print base material 22 of a PET film, multiple print electrodes 21 applied to the print base material 22, a conducting wire part 23 for connecting the print electrodes 21, and a terminal part 24 with the conducting wire part 23 connected thereto. The urine sensor 20 is covered by a covering sheet 27 including a portion other than the print base material between the print electrode 21 and the conducting wire part 23, and a back sheet 11b and the print electrode 21 are stuck so as to face each other. The back sheet 11b is a liquid-impermeable electrically insulating base material, and the print base material 22 is an electrically insulating base material. The print electrode 21 and the conducting wire part 23 are covered by the back sheet 11b and the print base material 22, and a portion other than the print base material 22 forms a vent opening 25 for holding a ventilation function by a non-applied portion of pressure-sensitive adhesives.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a wearing article with a sensor, specifically, a wearing article with a sensor in which a urine sensor for detecting urination is attached to one of a plurality of sheets constituting the wearing article.

  In recent years, as an aging society progresses, for example, nursing a bedridden person in a hospital or a nursing facility is increasing. To care for bedridden caregivers, it is necessary to manage urination appropriately. In particular, if the cared person is unable to urinate on his own and is forced to wear worn articles with liquid absorbency such as diapers, the caregiver is monitored for urination and such wear It is necessary to more appropriately manage the exchange time of goods.

  As a method of managing the urination of a care recipient who is wearing a diaper or the like in a hospital or a nursing facility, generally, a caregiver such as a nurse is previously in advance at a rate of about 6 to 8 times a day. A method was adopted in which a patrol was performed at a set time, the presence or absence of urination of the cared person was confirmed, and diapers were exchanged as necessary. This is not an efficient management method. In addition, when the number of care recipients increases, the burden on the caregiver increases. On the other hand, for the cared person, for example, if urination is performed immediately after the patrol by the carer, if the diaper or the like is not changed until the next patrol, there is a problem that the cared person will be uncomfortable and unsanitary. is there.

  In such a wearing article such as a diaper worn by the care recipient, a plurality of sensor elements are attached, and the presence or absence of urination by the wearer is detected by these sensor elements. Developed a urine detection device that can measure the amount of urine absorbed and urine from the spread of urine absorbed by a wearable article that has liquid absorbency when urinating, informing caregivers via calls, etc. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Further, in the urination detection device of Patent Document 1, there is a high correlation between the output change amount by the capacitance sensor and the urine spreading area in the wearing article, and the urine spreading area and the urine absorption amount in the wearing article It is described that there is a high correlation between the two, and that it is possible to calculate the amount of urine per second (urine flow rate), but the verification results by these devices were made at the so-called laboratory level. is there. For this reason, when actually using the urination detection device of patent document 1 in a hospital, a nursing facility, etc., how to use a plurality of sensor elements on a wearing article such as a diaper worn by a wearer such as a care recipient It is necessary to consider whether it is practical to install in Under such a background, for example, by applying a conductive ink containing a conductive material to the surface of one of a plurality of sheets constituting a worn article, a sensor element with a plurality of electrode groups is provided. A worn article has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Moreover, as a urination detection means which detects the presence or absence of the urination by a wearer, the absorbent article of patent documents 3-5 other than the urination detection apparatus of patent document 1, and the wear article of patent document 2 are used. A technique for detecting urination by short-circuiting a plurality of sensor elements with urine has been developed.

JP 2013-39158 A JP2015-119784A International Publication No. 98/1227 International Publication No. 2009/001229 International Publication No. 2011/156862

  In the wearing article described in Patent Document 2, the spread of body fluid can be measured with high accuracy, but the sheet coated with the conductive ink is easily contracted by the heat when the conductive ink is dried. For this reason, it becomes difficult to manufacture a worn article. For this reason, the development of a wearing article provided with a urination sensor for detecting urination, which suppresses the contraction of the sheet when the conductive ink is dried, and makes it possible to manufacture the ink more easily. It is desired.

  Further, in the absorbent articles described in Patent Documents 3 to 5, unlike the case where the output change amount by the capacitance sensor is detected, it is not necessary to insulate a plurality of sensor elements. No consideration is given to breathability.

  The present invention effectively suppresses contraction of the sheet when the conductive ink is dried, suppresses variation in urination amount detection of the sensor sheet, and can easily provide a urination sensor using conductive ink. It aims at providing the wearing article with a sensor. Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearing article with a sensor that can detect the amount of urination with high accuracy without impairing air permeability.

  The present invention is a wearing article with a sensor in which a urine sensor for detecting urination is attached to an outer surface of one of a plurality of sheets constituting the worn article, the urine sensor being a resin film A printing substrate formed by the above, a plurality of printing electrodes forming a sensor element by a conductive ink applied to the surface of the printing substrate, a conductor portion connecting the plurality of printing electrodes, and the conductor portion And a portion other than the printing substrate where the printing substrate does not exist and is provided between the printed electrode and the conductive wire portion. The surface of the one sheet and the printed electrode face each other through the adhesive applied to the coating sheet. Affixed to The one sheet is a liquid-permeable electrically insulating base material, the printing base material is an electrically insulating base material, and the plurality of printed electrodes and the conductive wire portion are the one sheet and the above-described one. When the non-coated part is present on the pressure-sensitive adhesive-coated surface of the covering sheet, a part other than the printing base material forms a ventilation opening that retains a ventilation function by the non-coated part. The above object is achieved by providing a wearing article with a sensor.

  According to the wearing article with a sensor of the present invention, it is possible to easily provide a urination sensor using conductive ink that avoids contraction of the sheet when drying the conductive ink and suppresses variation in urination amount detection of the sensor sheet. Can do. Moreover, according to the wearing article with a sensor of this invention, the amount of urination can be detected with high precision, without impairing air permeability.

It is a schematic perspective view of the state which combined the urine picking pad which is a wearing article with a sensor concerning one desirable embodiment of the present invention with a disposable diaper. It is the back view which looked at the urine collection pad from the non-skin opposing surface side, and shows the urination sensor attached to the urine collection pad in a state where a part of the covering sheet covering the urine collection sensor is peeled off. The urine removing pad to which the urination sensor and the covering sheet are attached will be described. (A) is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view along AA in FIG. 2, and (b) is along BB in FIG. 2. It is an expanded schematic sectional view. It is a back view of a urine collecting pad and a covering sheet in which a urine sensor is arranged and installed, explaining a urination sensor disposed on the urine collecting pad and a covering sheet attached to cover the urine collecting sensor. . (A), (b) is an enlarged plan view which illustrates the form of a printing electrode. It is a block diagram of the data collection part which detects and collects an impedance change. (A)-(e) is a schematic plan view explaining the process in which a urination sensor is attached to a urine collection pad. The block diagram of the urination management apparatus which detects the presence or absence of a wearer's urination, or measures the amount of urination etc. based on the data transmitted from the data collection part of the wearing article with a sensor of preferable one Embodiment of this invention. It is. It is a back view which illustrates other forms of a urine picking pad. FIG. 10 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 9.

  A wearing article 10 with a sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is a disposable diaper (diaper) in which a urine sensor 20 is attached to a urine collecting pad 11 which is an absorbent article having liquid absorbency, for example. Used in combination with (main body) 12. In the present embodiment, the urine collecting pad 11 is configured to include a vertically long absorbent body 11c (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, one sheet of the plurality of sheets constituting the wearing article with sensor 10 is the outer side of the urine collecting pad 11 opposite to the skin-facing surface side, which is the side that touches the wearer's skin. The back sheet 11b is disposed on the non-skin facing surface side, and the urine sensor 20 is attached to the outer surface thereof. The urination sensor 20 includes a sensor element formed by applying conductive ink to the printing substrate 22 and using a plurality of printing electrodes 21 (see FIGS. 2 and 3A). The urination sensor 20 can detect the spread of the urine absorbed by the urine collecting pad 11 based on the impedance change between the plurality of printed electrodes 21. In this embodiment, when the conductive electrode is applied to the printing base material 22 to form the print electrode 21, the back sheet 11b does not shrink due to drying of the applied conductive ink, and the conductive ink is used. Thus, the urination sensor 20 can be easily and efficiently provided on the urine collection pad 11.

  And the wearing article 10 with a sensor of this embodiment is a urine collecting in which the urination sensor 20 which detects urination is attached to the back sheet 11b as one sheet | seat of the some sheet | seat which comprises the wearing article 10, for example. An article in which the pad 11 and the disposable diaper 12 which is an outer are combined and integrated may be used. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the urination sensor 20 is, for example, a sensor using a printing base 22 formed of an electrically insulating polyethylene terephthalate film and a conductive ink applied to the surface of the printing base 22. A plurality of printed electrodes 21 forming an element, a conductor part 23 connecting the plurality of printed electrodes 21, and a terminal part 24 to which the conductor part 23 is connected are configured. As for the urine sensor 20, the printed electrode 21 is brought into close contact with the surface of the back sheet 11b of the urine collecting pad 11. The urination sensor 20 is provided with a portion other than the printing substrate 22 where the printing substrate 22 does not exist between the printing electrode 21 and the conductor portion 23, and includes a portion other than the printing substrate 22. 26 is covered with a coating sheet 27 applied, and the surface of the back sheet 11b and the printed electrode 21 are pasted to face each other via an adhesive 26 applied to the coating sheet 27. In the wearing article 10 with the sensor, the urine sensor 20 is covered with a covering sheet 27 made of a nonwoven fabric to which an adhesive 26 is applied (see FIGS. 2 and 4), and the printed electrode 21 and the conductor portion 23 are the back sheet 11b. It is affixed on the back surface sheet 11b through the adhesive 26 so as to face the surface of the sheet. The adhesive 26 is applied to the surface of the covering sheet 27 in, for example, a spiral application pattern (see FIGS. 2 and 4). On the surface of the covering sheet 27, a non-application portion 26a is formed between the adhesives 26 applied in a spiral shape. The back sheet 11 b and the printing base material 22 are liquid-insulating permeable electrically insulating base materials, and the printing electrode 21 and the conductor portion 23 are covered with the back sheet 11 b and the printing base material 22. Due to the presence of the non-applied portion 26a on the application surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive 26 of the covering sheet 27, a portion other than the printing base material 22 forms a ventilation opening 25 that retains a ventilation function by the non-applied portion 26a. For example, an auxiliary side sheet (not shown) for forming a three-dimensional gather (not shown) can be provided on the surface side of the urine collecting pad 11.

  In the present embodiment, the conductive ink is preferably an ink in which a metal powder such as silver powder is blended as a conductive substance, and the conductor portion 23 is applied to the surface of the printing substrate 22 in the same manner as the printing electrode 21. It consists of a printed conductive layer 28 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) made of conductive ink.

  In this embodiment, a diaper main body (disposable diaper) 12 used in combination with the urine removing pad 11 to which the urination sensor 20 is attached is a disposable diaper described in JP-A-2015-119784, as shown in FIG. It has the same configuration. In FIG. 1, a urine collecting pad 11 as an inner and a diaper main body (disposable diaper) 12 as an outer are combined. The diaper main body 12 includes a main body surface sheet 12a in which the urine absorbing pad 11 is mounted on the inner skin facing surface side, a main body back sheet 12b disposed on the most non-skin facing surface side, and both the sheets 12a and 12b. And a main body absorber 12c disposed between the two. Moreover, the leg part elastic body (not shown) for leg gather formation is distribute | arranged to the diaper main body 12 in the longitudinal direction Y on the outer side of the main body absorber 12c in the width direction X. Leg gathers 12d are formed by contraction of the body leg elastic members (not shown). An auxiliary side sheet (not shown) for forming a three-dimensional gather (not shown), for example, may be further provided on the surface side of the main body surface sheet 12a.

  The main body absorbent body 12c of the diaper main body 12 has a larger planar shape than, for example, the urine collecting pad 11 that is mounted on the skin facing surface (inner side) of the diaper main body 12, and Each of the both side edges and the left and right side edges of the back region B extends outward in the width direction X from the left and right side edges of the crotch region C. The left and right side edges of the crotch region C are curved in an arc shape inward in the width direction X, and the central portion in the longitudinal direction Y is constricted inward as a whole. The main body absorbent body 12c has an absorbent core formed by holding particles of a water-absorbing polymer in an aggregate of fibers such as pulp fibers, similarly to the absorbent body 11c of the urine absorbing pad 11 described later. It is formed in a state covered with a sheet.

  The main body surface sheet 12a and the main body back sheet 12b extend outward from both side edges along the longitudinal direction Y of the main body absorber 12c and both end edges along the width direction X, respectively. The main body surface sheet 12a and the main body back sheet 12b are joined to each other by an adhesive, heat fusion, or the like at the extending portion extending outward from the peripheral edge of the main body absorber 12c. The absorber 12c is provided in a sandwiched and fixed state.

  The diaper main body 12 formed as described above has a shape in which the central portion in the longitudinal direction Y is constricted inward as a whole. The diaper main body 12 is a so-called unfolded diaper, and two pairs of fastening tapes 13 are provided on the left and right side edges of the dorsal region B, and are fastened to the outer surface (non-skin facing surface) of the ventral region A. A landing tape (not shown) for fixing the tape 13 is provided. The outer combined with the urine removing pad 11 as the inner may be a disposable diaper, cloth pants, rehabilitation pants or the like. Moreover, the wearing article 10 with a sensor may be a disposable diaper with a sensor (tape stop, rehabilitation pants) or the like in addition to the urine absorbing pad with a sensor sheet.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the urine removing pad 11 that is mounted on the skin facing surface (inside) of the diaper main body 12 includes a liquid-permeable surface sheet 11 a disposed on the skin facing surface side and a non-permeable surface sheet 11 a. It is configured to include a liquid-impermeable back sheet 11b disposed on the skin facing surface side and an absorbent body 11c disposed between these sheets 11a and 11b (FIGS. 3A and 3B). reference). The top sheet 11a, the back sheet 11b, and the absorbent body 11c of the urine absorbing pad 11 have a rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction Y of the wearing article 10 with the sensor. The top sheet 11a and the back sheet 11b are provided to extend outward from both side edge portions along the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent body 11c and both end edge portions along the width direction X, respectively, and the main body of the diaper main body 12 Similar to the partial absorber 12c, the central portion in the longitudinal direction Y has a shape that is bound inward. The top sheet 11a and the back sheet 11b are joined to each other by an adhesive, heat fusion, or the like, directly or via a side sheet or the like, at an extended portion extending outward from the periphery of the absorber 11c. The absorbent body 11c is sandwiched and fixed inside. As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the absorbent body 11c has an absorbent core 11d in which water-absorbing polymer particles are held in an aggregate of fibers such as pulp fibers. It is formed in a state of being covered with a wrap sheet 11e.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the urination sensor 20 for detecting urination is preferably provided on the back sheet 11b of the urine collecting pad 11 as one of the plurality of sheets constituting the wearing article 10. It is attached. In other words, in the present embodiment, the urination sensor 20 is formed with a plurality of sensor elements 20a by a plurality of print electrodes 21 made of conductive ink applied to the surface of the printing substrate 22, as will be described later. Specifically, as will be described later, the plurality of printed electrodes 21 are a plurality of positive electrodes 21a and a plurality of negative electrodes 21b, and a plurality of sensor elements 20a are composed of the plurality of positive electrodes 21a and the plurality of negative electrodes 21b. Is configured. The urination sensor 20 detects a change in impedance of each sensor element 20a using a sensor element 20a including a positive electrode 21a and a negative electrode 21b. Based on the detected impedance change, the wearing article with sensor 10 detects the presence or absence of urination by the wearer, or the amount of urine absorbed and urination from the spread of urine absorbed by the urine collection pad 11 during urination. The amount and the like can be measured or estimated.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of printed electrodes 21 are arranged at eight locations at intervals along the longitudinal direction Y of the urine collecting pad 11. The eight printed electrodes 21 (electrode arrays) arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction Y have a configuration in which positive electrodes 21a and negative electrodes 21b are alternately arranged at intervals. The positive electrode 21a and the negative electrode 21b that are adjacent in the direction Y constitute the sensor element 20a described above. In the present embodiment, eight print electrodes 21 (electrode rows) arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction Y are arranged in two rows at a predetermined interval in the width direction X, and 16 in total. The printed electrodes 21 are uniformly distributed in the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y. The two print electrodes 21 adjacent in the width direction X may be arranged in a relationship of a negative electrode with respect to the positive electrode and a positive electrode with respect to the negative electrode. On the other hand, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are arranged in a negative electrode relationship. Note that the number of the printed electrodes 21 to be arranged is preferably 6 to 12 in the longitudinal direction Y of the urine collecting pad 11.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the plurality of printed electrodes 21 are arranged in two rows along the longitudinal direction Y of the urine collecting pad 11, and eight in each electrode row, a total of 16 are arranged. (See FIG. 4). In the eight printed electrodes 21 arranged in each electrode row, four positive electrodes 21 a and negative electrodes 21 b that are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction Y are connected to each other by a conductor portion 23. Specifically, the four positive electrodes 21a of each electrode row are connected to a conductor portion 23a that is arranged to extend linearly along the longitudinal direction Y inside the width direction X (near the center line CL). In addition, one end portion of the conducting wire portion 23 a is connected to a terminal portion 24 a provided at an end portion in the longitudinal direction Y of the urine collecting pad 11. Further, the four negative electrodes 21b of each electrode row are connected to the conductor portions 23b1 that are arranged to extend linearly in the longitudinal direction Y on both sides along the longitudinal direction Y of the urine collecting pad 11. In addition, one end portion in the longitudinal direction Y of the conducting wire portion 23b1 is connected to one end portion of the conducting wire portion 23b2 arranged to extend linearly in the width direction X. The other end portion of the conducting wire portion 23b2 is connected to a terminal portion 24b provided at an end portion in the longitudinal direction Y of the urine collecting pad 11. The conducting wire portion 23a is configured to be disposed inside the urination sensor 20 (close to the center line CL) when the urination sensor 20 is viewed in plan. On the other hand, the lead wire portion 23b1 is configured to be disposed outside the plurality of positive electrodes 21a so as to surround the plurality of positive electrodes 21a in a plan view of the urine sensor 20. The plurality of negative electrodes 21b are grounded via the terminal portion 24b. By grounding the plurality of negative electrodes 21b arranged on the outside, the urination sensor 20 can reduce the intrusion of external noise and improve the measurement accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of printed electrodes 21 constituting the urination sensor 20 are formed in a planar shape by applying conductive ink to the surface of the printing substrate 22 as will be described later. Each printed electrode 21 has the same rectangular shape as shown in FIG. That is, the positive electrode 21a and the negative electrode 21b are formed in the same rectangular shape.

  4 and 5A, the Y direction of each print electrode 21 (positive electrode 21a and negative electrode 21b) with respect to the length L in the longitudinal direction Y of the printing substrate 22 (longitudinal direction of the urine removing pad 11). The ratio of the length L1 of (the same as Y) ((L1 / L) × 100) is preferably about 0.19 to 22%, and each ratio with respect to the length W in the width direction X of the printing base material 22 The ratio ((W1 / W) × 100) of the length W1 in the X direction (same as the width direction X of the urine removing pad 11 (see FIG. 4)) of the printed electrode 21 (positive electrode 21a and negative electrode 21b) is 3 It is preferable that it is about -93%. Specifically, the length L in the longitudinal direction Y of the printing substrate 22 is preferably about 380 to 532 mm, and the length in the Y direction of each printing electrode 21 (positive electrode 21a and negative electrode 21b). L1 is preferably about 1 to 100 mm. Moreover, it is preferable that the length W of the width direction X of the printing base material 22 is about 78-162 mm, and the length W1 of the X direction of each printing electrode 21 (positive electrode 21a and negative electrode 21b) is as follows. It is preferable that it is about 3-150 mm. The area of each printed electrode 21 (positive electrode 21a and negative electrode 21b) is preferably about 3 to 1500 mm 2.

  Furthermore, the ratio ((L2 / L) × 100) of the separation distance L2 (see FIG. 4) in the longitudinal direction Y between the positive electrode 21a and the negative electrode 21b with respect to the length L in the longitudinal direction Y of the printing substrate 22 is The width is preferably about 0.18 to 6.6%, and in the width direction X between the adjacent print electrodes 21 (each electrode row) in the width direction X with respect to the length W in the width direction X of the printing substrate 22. The ratio ((W2 / W) × 100) of the separation distance (predetermined interval described above) W2 (see FIG. 4) is preferably about 6 to 20%. Specifically, the separation distance L2 (see FIG. 4) in the longitudinal direction Y between the positive electrode 21a and the negative electrode 21b is preferably about 1 to 25 mm, and the printed electrode 21 ( The separation distance W2 (see FIG. 4) in the X direction of each column is preferably about 5 to 15 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the printed electrode 21 is formed by applying conductive ink on the surface of the printing base material 22 so as to have a non-coated portion, for example, in a lattice shape. It is possible to reduce the usage amount and reduce the cost. The shape, size, mutual arrangement position, and the like of the print electrode 21 are not limited to those of the present embodiment, and can be designed as appropriate.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the conductor part 23 (conductor part 23a, 23b1, 23b2) for connecting each electrode group by each four print electrodes 21 to the terminal part 24 (terminal part 24a, 24b) is printed. Similar to the electrode 21, it is formed by a printed conductive layer 28 made of conductive ink (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) applied to the surface of the printing substrate 22. The conductive wire portion 23 (conductive wire portions 23a, 23b1, 23b2) is formed by the printed conductive layer 28 made of conductive ink so that the printed electrode 21 is connected to the terminal portion 24 (terminal portions 24a, 24b). In addition, it is possible to easily provide the conductive wire portion 23 (conductive wire portions 23a, 23b1, 23b2) on the back sheet 11b of the urine collecting pad 11.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, metal snaps having conductivity are used for the terminal portions 24 (terminal portions 24a and 24b). As shown in FIG. 3B, the metal snap 24 is composed of a female hook 241 and a male hook 242, and between the female hook 241 and the male hook 242 in the thickness direction Z. The female hook 241 and the male hook 242 are fitted with the covering sheet 27, the conductive wire portion 23, and the printing base material 22 interposed therebetween. For the terminal portion 24 (terminal portions 24a and 24b), a metal connector, a fastener, a hook-and-loop fastener (such as Velcro (registered trademark)), a screw, a hook, a biting fastener, or the like may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the printed electrode 21 and the conductive wire portion 23 (printed conductive layer 28) constituting the urination sensor 20 are provided with a predetermined arrangement shape of conductive ink on the surface of the printing substrate 22 (see FIG. 6A). It is formed by applying so that.

  Here, the printing substrate 22 is an electrically insulating resin film having physical properties that do not shrink when the applied conductive ink is dried, and preferably a polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of, for example, about 35 to 75 μm. Is formed. The printing substrate 22 has physical properties that do not shrink when the applied conductive ink is dried, and is preferably formed using a material having a melting point of 200 ° C. or higher, such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyimide, as an electrically insulating resin film. To do. The printing substrate may be hardly liquid permeable. “Liquid permeability” refers to the property that liquid such as water does not pass but gas such as water vapor passes.

  In addition, the conductive ink applied to the printing substrate 22 may be, for example, a mixture of a dispersant, a binder, a resin, a curing agent, or the like mixed with, for example, carbon powder as a conductive substance, or silver. What mix | blended metal powders, such as copper, can be used. In this embodiment, conductive ink in which silver powder is blended as a preferred metal powder is used.

  When the conductive ink is applied to the printing base material 22 and the conductive wire portion 23 is formed by the print electrode 21 or the printed conductive layer 28, the conductive ink may be printed (applied) only once. From the viewpoint of increasing the sensitivity for detecting urination, it may be formed by printing (applying) a plurality of times. The number of times of printing in an overlapping manner is preferably 1 to 10 times. As a method for applying conductive ink and printing, a known method such as inkjet printing, rotary printing, flexographic printing, screen printing, gravure printing, or the like can be employed.

In this embodiment, the printing base material 22 is lacking because substantially the entire region other than the printing electrode 21 and the conductor portion 23 is removed in a cutting step (see FIG. 6B) described later. This removed and chipped portion, specifically, the region between the positive electrode 21a and the negative electrode 21b forming the sensor element 20a, that is, other than the printed electrode 21 and the conductor portion 23 where the printing base material 22 is not present. The portion forms a ventilation opening 25 that retains a ventilation function as a ventilation region by a non-application portion 26a of the adhesive 26 described later (see FIG. 4). The polyethylene terephthalate film constituting the printing base material 22 does not have air permeability, but urine collecting is a liquid-impermeable sheet to which the urine sensor 20 is attached by the ventilation opening 25 formed by cutting the polyethylene terephthalate film. It is possible to suppress a decrease in air permeability of the back sheet 11b of the pad 11. In addition, after printing these on the printing base material 22 with the desired printing pattern, the printing electrode 21 and the conducting wire part 23 cut the part to which electroconductive ink is not applied, or the printing base material 22 by a resin film. After the conductive ink is printed in advance on the entire surface, the printing base material 22 on which the conductive ink is printed may be cut into a desired print pattern. Moreover, the ventilation opening 25 used as a ventilation area should just be substantially enclosed by the edge part, and the surrounding edge part does not need to be continuing.
Here, the ventilation opening 25 is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 25% or more, of the region surrounded by connecting the outer shapes of the printing base material 22. Further, the ventilation opening 25 exists between two electrodes (positive electrode 21a and negative electrode 21b) adjacent in the longitudinal direction Y constituting the urination sensor 20. Specifically, it is preferable from the viewpoint of maintaining the air permeability of the back sheet 11b that it is provided in a region substantially surrounded by the positive electrode 21a, the negative electrode 21b, and the conductor portions 23a, 23b1, 23b2.

  In this embodiment, the urination sensor 20 having the printed electrode 21 and the printed conductive layer 28 formed by applying conductive ink to the printing substrate 22 uses a covering sheet 27 made of a nonwoven fabric having air permeability to remove urine. Affixed to the surface of the back sheet 11b of the pad 11. The sheet with the covering sheet 27 attached to the urination sensor 20 penetrates the covering sheet 27 in a portion where the printing base material 22 does not exist, in other words, in a portion corresponding to a portion other than the printing base material 22 of the urination sensor 20. A breathable through hole (through passage) is formed. Such a through hole may be formed by a gap between fibers in the nonwoven fabric used for the covering sheet 27, and is necessary for attaching the urination sensor 20 to the surface of the back sheet 11 b of the urine collecting pad 11. A region other than the region may be cut and removed within an appropriate range, and the chipped portion may be formed. For pasting the covering sheet 27 on the non-skin-facing surface side (the side on which the covering sheet 27 is pasted) of the back sheet 11b in order to paste the covering sheet 27 on the back sheet 11b at the pasting position where the covering sheet 27 is pasted. Is preferably printed.

  The printed electrode 21 and the printed conductive layer 28 are printed using a covering sheet 27 in a state where they are adhered to the surface of the back sheet 11b of the urine absorbing pad 11 (the surface opposite to the skin facing surface). It is attached to the back sheet 11b together with the material 22. An adhesive 26 is applied to the cover sheet 27 on the surface in contact with the back sheet 11b. That is, the adhesive 26 is applied to the covering sheet 27 on the inner surface on the skin facing surface side. The pressure-sensitive adhesive 26 is applied to the back sheet 11b of the urine removing pad 11 outside the ventilation opening 25 formed at the portion lacking after the printing base material 22 is removed or the outer peripheral portion of the printing base material 22. The covering sheet 27 is attached so as to cover the urine sensor 20 in a state where the urine sensor 20 is sandwiched between the cover sheet 27 and the back sheet 11b. With the above configuration, the urination sensor 20 including the printing base material 22, the plurality of printing electrodes 21 made of conductive ink, the conductive wire portion 23 made of the printed conductive layer 28 made of conductive ink, and the terminal portion 24 is used to remove urine. In a state where the printed electrode 21 is in close contact with the surface of the back sheet 11 b of the pad 11, it is disposed along the back sheet 11 b of the urine collecting pad 11 so as to overlap the back sheet 11 b.

  In the present embodiment, as materials for the back sheet 11b, the top sheet 11a, and the absorbent body 11c of the urine absorbing pad 11, those conventionally used for absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, urine absorbing pads, sanitary napkins and the like are particularly limited. Can be used. As the back sheet 11b, for example, a liquid-impervious insulating sheet (such as a moisture-permeable resin film) used for absorbent articles, or a nonwoven fabric (for example, an air-through nonwoven fabric or a spunbond) produced by various manufacturing methods is used for the insulating sheet. A laminated sheet obtained by laminating a nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, a needle punch nonwoven fabric, or the like can be used. The liquid permeability is a property that does not allow liquid such as water to pass but allows gas such as water vapor to pass. As the topsheet 11a, for example, a hydrophilic and liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric or a three-dimensional aperture film can be used. As an absorptive core which constitutes absorber 11c, for example, an aggregate of fibers such as pulp fibers in which absorbent polymer particles are held can be used. As a core wrap sheet which constitutes absorber 11c, for example, A hydrophilic sheet such as a core wrap sheet made of a water-permeable thin paper (tissue paper) or a water-permeable nonwoven fabric can be used.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the thing of the material conventionally used for the wearing article can be used as a nonwoven fabric which comprises the coating sheet 27, Specifically, nonwoven fabrics, such as a spun bond, a spun lace, and an air through, are used. Can be used. In using spunbonded nonwoven fabric, the basis weight, from the viewpoint of workability or the like, not tear during processing, 5 g / m ² or more, more preferably 10 g / m ² or more, thickness and feel, cost In view of the above, 100 g / m ² or less is preferable, and 80 g / m ² or less is more preferable. That is, the basis weight of the spunbonded nonwoven fabric is preferably 5 g / m ² or more and 100 g / m ² or less, more preferably 10 g / m ² or more and 100 g / m ² or less, and more preferably 5 g / m ² or more and 80 g / m ² or less. 10 g / m ² or more and 80 g / m ² or less is most preferable. Further, the nonwoven fabric 27 constituting the covering sheet 27 has air permeability, and the air permeability is preferably 10 m / kPa · s or more, more preferably 20 m / kPa · s or more from the viewpoint of moisture permeability. From the viewpoint of adhesion, it is preferably 1500 m / kPa · s or less, and more preferably 800 m / kPa · s or less. That is, the air permeability of the nonwoven fabric 27 is preferably 10 m / kPa · s or more and 1500 m / kPa · s or less, more preferably 20 m / kPa · s or more and 1500 m / kPa · s or less, and more preferably 10 m / kPa · s or more and 800 m / kPa · s. s or less is more preferable, and 20 m / kPa · s or more and 800 m / kPa · s or less is most preferable. The air permeability is obtained as the reciprocal of the airflow resistance measured by AUTOMATIC AIR-PERMEABILITY TESTER KES-F8-AP1 (breathability tester) manufactured by Kato Tech. In the case of a material with low air permeability, it can also be determined from the measured value of the galley densometer.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the adhesive for skin and underwear can be preferably used as the adhesive 26 applied to the covering sheet 27. As the pressure-sensitive adhesive, for example, acrylic or rubber-based ones can be used, and preferably a rubber-based one can be used.

  In the present embodiment, a well-known application pattern such as a spiral shape, a summit shape, an omega shape, a curtain shape, or a stripe shape can be adopted as the application pattern in which the non-application portion 26a of the adhesive 26 is present. In this embodiment, it is preferable to use a coating pattern by spiral spraying from the viewpoints of ensuring air permeability and adhesiveness for fixing the printing substrate to the wearing article. Even if the pressure-sensitive adhesive 26 is not air permeable because the pressure-sensitive adhesive 26 is applied to the covering sheet 27 with a coating pattern in which the non-coated portion 26a exists in the ventilation opening 25, the printing substrate The ventilation opening 25 of 22 is ventilated through at least the non-application portion 26a, thereby suppressing a decrease in the air permeability of the back sheet 11b of the urine collecting pad 11 to which the urine sensor 20 is attached.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the urine collection pad 11 applies a voltage that periodically changes with time to the plurality of positive electrodes 21 a and the plurality of negative electrodes 21 b (the plurality of sensor elements 20 a) of the urination sensor 20. In other words, it includes a data collection unit 30 that collects a change in impedance by applying a voltage having an AC component. In this embodiment, the data collection unit 30 collects a change in impedance by applying a rectangular wave voltage having a predetermined frequency.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the data collection unit 30 includes an impedance detection unit 31 that detects an impedance change, a data logger 32 that stores impedance change data detected by the impedance detection unit 31, and a timer 33 that outputs time data. And an acceleration sensor 34 for detecting the displacement of the posture of the wearer.

  The impedance detection unit 31 applies a rectangular wave voltage of about 300 to 1500 KHz in a range of 0 to 5 V to the entire circuit of the plurality of sensor elements 20 a of the urination sensor 20 attached to the urine collection pad 11. The change in impedance of the sensor element 20a is detected. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the impedance detection unit 31 detects an impedance change of the whole of the plurality of sensor elements 20a using an oscillator 31a that oscillates a predetermined frequency signal and the frequency signal from the oscillator 31a. And an impedance change voltage conversion unit 31c that converts the impedance change detected by the impedance change detection circuit 31b into voltage change data.

  The impedance change detection circuit 31b is realized, for example, by configuring a bridge circuit with the impedance Zx of the sensor element 20a of the urination sensor 20 and impedance elements Z1 to Z3 whose impedances are known. In the impedance detection unit 31, a predetermined frequency signal (for example, a rectangular wave of 600 kHz at 0 to 1.8 V) is applied to the input end of the impedance change detection circuit 31b using the oscillator 31a. Then, the impedance change voltage conversion unit 31c detects a differential voltage between the divided voltage by the impedance elements Z1 and Z2 and the divided voltage by the impedance Zx of the impedance element Z3 and the sensor element 20a, and according to the magnitude of the impedance Zx The voltage data of the measured voltage value is output to the data logger 32.

  The acceleration sensor 34 is preferably a triaxial acceleration sensor, and a data collection unit 30 for acceleration in the X axis direction, the Y axis direction, and the Z axis direction due to the displacement of the posture of the wearer wearing the sensor-equipped wearing article 10. The voltage data corresponding to the inclination of each is detected and output to the data logger 32 together with the time data output from the timer 33.

  The voltage data output to the data logger 32 (voltage data corresponding to the magnitude of the impedance Zx and voltage data corresponding to the inclination of the data collecting unit 30) is output every unit time together with the time data output from the timer 33. And preferably stored. The unit time to be output is preferably 0.1 to 60 seconds, and more preferably 0.1 to 10 seconds.

  The data logger 32 is a device that stores data acquired from the impedance detection unit 31 and the acceleration sensor 34. When the data logger 32 detects the presence or absence of the urination of the wearer or measures the amount of urination or the like in response to a request from the urine management device 40 described later or when it is detected that it is connected to the urine management device 40 The stored data is transmitted to the urination management device 40 wirelessly or by wire. In the present embodiment, the data logger 32 includes voltage data of a voltage value corresponding to the magnitude of the impedance Zx, and the inclination of the data collection unit 30 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction due to the displacement of the wearer's posture. Voltage data corresponding to the time data is transmitted to the urination management device 40 together with the respective time data.

  In addition, the data collection unit 30 has a power source (battery in this embodiment) for generating a voltage to be applied to the printing electrode 21 (the positive electrode 21a and the negative electrode 21b). As shown in FIG. 4, the data collection unit 30 is attached to the urination sensor 20 so as to cover the terminal units 24a and 24b. In this embodiment, the data collection unit 30 is connected to the positive electrode via the terminal unit 24a. A voltage is applied to 21a. The data collection unit 30 is provided with two hooks (not shown) that can be engaged with the terminal units 24a and 24b, so that the position of the data collection unit 30 with respect to the urination sensor 20 is fixed. Yes. Fixing the position of the data collection unit 30 with respect to the urination sensor 20 facilitates posture detection by the acceleration sensor 34.

  The urine collection pad 11 to which the urination sensor 20 and the data collection unit 30 having the above-described configuration are attached can be easily and efficiently formed according to the following manufacturing steps shown in FIGS. . That is, in order to form the urine collecting pad 11 to which the urination sensor 20 is attached, first, in the ink application process, the conductive ink is applied to the surface of the printing substrate 22 with the 16 printing electrodes 21 and each printing electrode. 21 and a plurality of printed conductive layers 28 connecting the terminal portions 24a and 24b are applied so as to have a predetermined arrangement and shape (see FIG. 7A). When the applied conductive ink is dried, in the cutting step, preferably the entire print base material 22 or preferably the conductive ink in the region other than the applied print electrode 21 and the print conductive layer 28 in the print base material 22 is preferably formed. The ventilation opening 25 is formed by cutting and removing at least a part of the printing substrate 22 of the uncoated portion (see FIG. 7B).

  Next, the portion that has not been removed is inverted so that the applied printing electrode 21 and the printed conductive layer 28 are disposed on the lower side and the printing substrate 22 is disposed on the upper side (see FIG. 7C). As the covering sheet attaching step, the covering sheet 27 is attached so as to cover the printing substrate 22 provided with the printing electrode 21 and the printing conductive layer 28 via the adhesive 26 applied to the covering sheet 27. Subsequently, the urination sensor 20 is formed by attaching the terminal portion 24a of the positive electrode 21a and the terminal portion 24b of the negative electrode 21b to a predetermined position connected to the conductor portion 23 by the printed conductive layer 28 (FIG. 7 (d). )reference). After that, the covering sheet 27 is pasted on the back sheet 11b of the urine collecting pad 11 through the applied adhesive 26 in the portion extending outside the urination sensor 20 and the portion of the ventilation opening 25 of the printing substrate 22. Thus, the urination sensor 20 covered with the covering sheet 27 is attached to the urine collecting pad 11 together with the covering sheet 27 (see FIG. 7E). At this time, the covering sheet 27 is attached to the back sheet 11b easily and accurately by attaching the covering sheet 27 in accordance with a print (not shown) indicating the attaching position of the covering sheet 27 provided on the back sheet 11b. be able to. And the data collection part 30 is fixed to the terminal part 24a of the positive electrode 21a, and the terminal part 24b of the negative electrode 21b. As a result, the urination sensor 20 is attached to the urine collection pad 11 so as to be sandwiched between the cover sheet 27 and the back sheet 11b. That is, the urine absorbing pad 11 in a state where the plurality of positive electrodes 21a and the negative electrodes 21b (the plurality of sensor elements 20a) are covered with the back sheet 11b which is an insulating sheet and the printing substrate 22 which is an insulating substrate (insulating film). Is formed.

  When the urine collecting pad 11 to which the urination sensor 20 is attached is formed, the urine collecting pad 11 is mounted on the skin facing surface (inside) of the diaper main body 12 as described above. In addition, the diaper main body 12 may be underwear such as other absorbent articles, briefs, shorts, girdles, paper pants, rehabilitation pants, in addition to disposable diapers.

  In FIG. 8, the presence or absence of urination of the wearer wearing the wearing article with sensor 10 is detected based on data transmitted from the data collection unit 30 of the wearing article with sensor 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A block diagram of the urination management device 40 that measures the amount of urination and the like is shown. The urination management device 40 collects voltage data of a voltage value corresponding to the magnitude of the impedance Zx transmitted from the data collection unit 30, and data collection in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction due to the displacement of the wearer's posture. Based on the voltage data corresponding to the inclination of the unit 30, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of urination of the wearer and to measure the amount of urination and the like.

  The urination management apparatus 40 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a computer and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the data acquisition unit 41, the posture determination unit 42, and the urine output An estimation unit 43 is included.

  The data acquisition unit 41 can be logically connected to the data collection unit 30 of the wearing article with sensor 10 by wire or wirelessly. When the data acquisition unit 41 is logically connected to the data collection unit 30, data of the data collection unit 30 is obtained. Data output from the logger 32 is received. In the present embodiment, the data acquisition unit 41 includes voltage data of a voltage value corresponding to the magnitude of the impedance Zx output from the data collection unit 30, and the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis due to the displacement of the wearer's posture. The voltage data corresponding to the inclination of the data collection unit 30 in the axial direction is received.

  The posture determination unit 42 is data relating to the wearer's posture by the acceleration sensor 34 received by the data acquisition unit 41 (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis by displacement of the posture of the data collection unit 30 worn on the wearer's body). From the voltage data corresponding to the inclination of the direction), it is determined whether the wearer is in any of the postures such as prone, face-up, face-up, and sitting.

  The urination amount estimation unit 43 includes data relating to impedance changes (voltage data of a voltage value corresponding to the magnitude of the impedance Zx) output by each sensor element 20a of the urination sensor 20 input to the data acquisition unit 41 and the posture determination unit 42. The amount of urination is estimated from the posture of the wearer determined by. In this embodiment, the urine output estimating unit 43 detects the spread of urine based on the voltage data of the voltage value corresponding to the magnitude of the impedance Zx output from each sensor element 20a, and the spread of urine and the wearer's The amount of urination is estimated from the posture. Specifically, the urine output estimating unit 43 stores in advance the voltage value of each sensor element 20a in a state where there is no urine, and determines that there is urination when the voltage drops below the state where there is no urine. Then, the spread of urine is determined based on the amount of change in data corresponding to the impedance change when it is determined that urination has occurred. Furthermore, the urine output estimation unit 43 selects a urine output calculation formula corresponding to the posture of the wearer determined by the posture determination unit 42 from the determined spread and a plurality of urine output calculation formulas stored in the RAM in advance. Estimate the urination volume at the time of measurement using the corresponding urine volume calculation formula. In this way, the urination management device 40 can estimate the amount of urination of the wearer wearing the wearing article 10 with the sensor.

  Note that the urination amount estimation in the urination amount estimation unit 43 is performed in a stepwise manner, for example, by using a relative amount such as small or large with respect to the total absorption capacity of the wearing article with sensor 10 instead of the numerical value of the urination amount. It may be output.

  And according to the wearing article 10 with a sensor of this embodiment, the conductive ink was dried by adopting the structure which prints the printing electrode 21 etc. on the printing base material 22 formed with a resin film, and attaches it to a back surface sheet. In this case, it is possible to effectively suppress the contraction of the sheet and to easily provide the urination sensor 20 using conductive ink.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, the urination sensor 20 includes a plurality of printing electrodes 21 (which form the sensor element 20a by the printing base material 22 made of a resin film and the conductive ink applied to the surface of the printing base material 22. A positive electrode 21a and a negative electrode 21b), a conductor part 23 (23a, 23b) connecting the plurality of print electrodes 21, and a terminal part 24 (24a, 24b) to which the conductor part 23 is connected. Has been. The conductive ink is not directly applied to one sheet among a plurality of sheets constituting the wearing article 10 such as the back sheet 11b of the urine picking pad 11, but is applied to the printing substrate 22. The printing electrode 21 is formed. And the formed printing electrode 21 is provided in the wearing article 10 by affixing on the back surface sheet 11b with the printing base material 22, for example. The printing base material 22 made of a resin film such as a polyethylene terephthalate film to which the conductive ink is applied preferably has physical properties that do not shrink when the applied conductive ink is dried. By attaching the printed electrode 21 to the back sheet 11b via the conductive ink, the urine sensor 20 using the conductive ink can be easily and efficiently manufactured in accordance with the above-described manufacturing process without causing the sheet to contract when the conductive ink is dried. It can be provided on the wearing article 10.

  Moreover, the printing base material 22 which consists of resin films, such as a polyethylene terephthalate film with which electroconductive ink is apply | coated, is equipped with the physical property which is hard to extend | stretch compared with a nonwoven fabric. Therefore, by providing a plurality of printing electrodes 21 on the printing substrate 22 and using them for the urination sensor 20, for example, the separation distance L2 (FIG. 4) between the positive electrode 21a and the negative electrode 21b is kept constant. Therefore, stable impedance change can be detected.

  Moreover, according to the wearing article 10 with a sensor of this embodiment, the printing electrode 21 grade | etc., Is printed on the printing base material 22 formed with a resin film, and it attaches to the back surface sheet 11b, A rectangular wave of predetermined frequency is set to this printing electrode 21. By adopting the configuration in which the change in impedance is detected by applying the voltage, the amount of urination can be detected with higher accuracy than when urination is detected by short-circuiting the printed electrode 21, for example.

That is, according to this embodiment, the printing base material 22 made of a resin film such as a polyethylene terephthalate film to which conductive ink is applied has an electrical insulating property. Therefore, the printed electrode 21 can be in an insulated state by sandwiching the printed electrode 21 between the electrically insulated printing substrate 22 and the electrically insulated back sheet 11b. By making the printed electrode 21 in an insulated state, it becomes possible to detect a change in the capacitance between the electrodes, unlike, for example, an electrode (sensor) that detects urination by directly contacting urine. As a result, a change in impedance between the electrodes can be detected. In particular, by applying a voltage that periodically changes with time and detecting high-frequency impedance, it is possible to detect impedance changes with high accuracy and to detect urine output with high accuracy.
And since the back sheet 11b is liquid-impermeable and the sensor is disposed on the outer front side thereof, the sensor is covered when viewed from the skin side. As a result, the direct current insulation state is maintained, so that the change in capacitance can be detected with higher accuracy, and from this point also, the detection of urine output with high accuracy is maintained.

  Moreover, according to the wearing article 10 with a sensor of this embodiment, since the printing base material 22 employ | adopted the structure which has the ventilation | gas_flowing opening part 25, the printed electrode 21 is made into an insulation state, for example, the electrostatic capacitance of between electrodes is sufficient. Even when a change is detected, the amount of urination can be detected with high accuracy without impairing the air permeability.

  That is, according to this embodiment, the printing base material 22 is lacking because substantially the entire region other than the printing electrode 21 and the conductor portion 23 is removed, and the urination sensor 20 includes the printing base material 22. The portion that is removed by removing the portion, that is, the region between the positive electrode 21a and the negative electrode 21b forming the sensor element 20a forms the ventilation opening 25. Therefore, even when the printing base material 22 made of a resin film such as a polyethylene terephthalate film is used, the air permeability of the back sheet 11b of the urine collecting pad 11 to which the urination sensor 20 is attached is provided by these ventilation openings 25. The decrease can be suppressed.

  The urine sensor 20 is attached to the back sheet 11b of the urine removing pad 11 integrally with the urine removing pad 11 together with the covering sheet 27 via an adhesive 26 applied to the covering sheet 27. Therefore, it is difficult to reuse the urination sensor 20 repeatedly, it is possible to prevent bacterial infection due to reuse, and it can be used hygienically.

  FIG. 9 illustrates another form of the urine collecting pad of the wearing article with a sensor. The urine collection pad 11 ′ of the wearing article 10 ′ with sensor shown in FIG. 9 has substantially the same configuration as the urine collection pad 11 of the above embodiment, and also on a sheet in which the covering sheet 27 is pasted on the urine sensor 20. The urine-absorbing pad includes a printed electrode 21 ′ (positive electrode 21a ′, negative electrode 21b ′), the printed electrode 21 ′, the printed base material 22 ′, and a covering sheet (not shown) arranged in an overlapping manner. A through-hole 29 penetrating in the thickness direction of 11 ′ is formed. In the urine collection pad 11 ′, a portion of the printing electrode 21 ′ excluding the plurality of through holes 29 functions as the printing electrode 21 ′.

As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of through-holes 29 formed in the printed electrode 21 ′ are formed for each printed electrode 21 ′, and about 1 to 8 are formed for each printed electrode 21 ′. Preferably it is formed. In the present embodiment, five through holes 29 are formed for each printed electrode 21 ′. Further, the ratio of the total area of the plurality of through holes 29 to the area of each print electrode 21 ′ is preferably about 2 to 74%, and the ratio of the area of each through hole 29 to the area of each print electrode 21 ′ is 2 to 2%. About 9.2% is preferable. In the present embodiment, the plurality of through holes 29 are formed in a substantially circular shape, and the diameter of each through hole 29 is preferably about 2 to 4 mm, and the area of each through hole 29 is preferably about 12 to 29 m ² .

  Further, also in the urine collecting pad 11 ′ of the wearing article 10 ′ with the sensor shown in FIG. 9, the conductive wire portion 23 is composed of a printed conductive layer 28 made of conductive ink applied to the surface of the printing base material 22 ′. .

  In the urine collecting pad 11 ′ of the wearing article 10 ′ with the sensor, in addition to the ventilation opening 25, these through holes 29 also function as a ventilation region, so that the printing electrode 21 ′, the printing substrate 22 ′, and the printing conductive layer are formed. It is possible to compensate for the decrease in air permeability due to the provision of 28, and to improve the air permeability of the urine collecting pad 11 ′ more effectively.

  Further, in the urine collecting pad 11 ′ of the wearing article 10 ′ with sensor shown in FIG. 9, the number of terminal portions 24a ′ connected to the positive electrode 21a ′ and the number of terminal portions 24b ′ connected to the negative electrode 21b ′ are different. Are arranged differently. That is, in the urine collection pad 11 ′ shown in FIG. 9, at the end portion in the longitudinal direction Y, for example, the terminal portion 24a ′ of one positive electrode 21a ′ and the terminal portion 24b ′ of two negative electrodes 21b ′. And are provided. In the urine collection pad 11 ′, the data collection unit 30 includes three terminal portions 24a ′ of one positive electrode 21a ′ and three terminal portions 24b ′ of two negative electrodes 21b ′. A hook (not shown) is attached. Since the number of terminal portions 24a ′ connected to the positive electrode 21a ′ is different from the number of terminal portions 24b ′ connected to the negative electrode 21b ′, and the arrangement thereof is asymmetrical, the terminal portions 24a ′ and 24b It becomes possible to make the direction of the measuring instrument (the above-described data collection unit 30) attached to the urine collecting pad 11 'through a constant.

  Even if the number of the terminal portions 24a ′ connected to the positive electrode 21a ′ and the number of the terminal portions 24b ′ connected to the negative electrode 21b ′ are the same, the arrangement is not rotationally symmetric. The same effect can be obtained by changing the shapes of the terminal portions 24a ′ and 24b ′ of the negative electrode 21b ′.

  In the urine removing pad 11 ′ of the wearing article 10 ′ with the sensor, the back sheet 11b ′, which is a single sheet, is a laminated sheet in which a nonwoven fabric is laminated on a film, and the surface facing the printed electrode 21 is a nonwoven fabric of a laminated sheet. . In the urine collecting pad 11 ′ of the wearing article 10 ′ with the sensor shown in FIG. 9, as shown in FIG. 10, the back sheet 11b ′ is liquid permeation used for the back sheet of a conventional absorbent article (for example, a disposable diaper). The sheet 50 is formed of a laminated sheet of the non-woven sheet 51 and the non-woven sheet 51. That is, in the urine absorbing pad 11 ′, the nonwoven fabric sheet 51 is interposed between the liquid-impermeable sheet 50 and the printing base material 22 ′. In the urine absorbing pad 11 ′, the printing base material 22 ′ is adhered to the back sheet 11 b by adhering the covering sheet 27 to which the printing base material 22 ′ is attached to the nonwoven fabric sheet 51. The nonwoven fabric sheet 51 is, for example, coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive on a spiral so as to have air permeability, and is bonded to the liquid hardly permeable sheet 50.

  By adhering the covering sheet 27 to the nonwoven fabric sheet 51 with a peelable adhesive force, for example, after using the wearing article 10 with the sensor, the printing substrate 22 ′ can be peeled from the nonwoven fabric sheet 51 via the covering sheet 27. The metal portions of the terminal portions 24a ′ and 24b ′ attached to the printing base material 22 ′ can be separated and discarded.

  Further, by interposing the nonwoven fabric sheet 51 between the liquid poorly permeable sheet 50 and the printing base material 22 ′, a gap due to the nonwoven fabric sheet 51 is formed between the liquid poorly permeable sheet 50 and the printing base material 22 ′. Therefore, it can reduce that the liquid permeability sheet 50 and the printing base material 22 'do not contact | adhere directly, but the moisture permeability of the liquid difficulty permeability sheet 50 falls. Furthermore, the back sheet 11b ′ formed of the laminated sheet of the liquid poorly permeable sheet 50 and the nonwoven fabric sheet 51 is less shrunk under a high temperature environment, and the shrinkage difference from the printing substrate 22 ′ is reduced. The floating of the printed electrode 21 due to the shrinkage of the back sheet 11b ′ under a high temperature environment is reduced, and stable impedance change can be detected even under a high temperature environment.

In the urine collecting pad 11 ′ of the wearing article 10 ′ with the sensor shown in FIG. 9, a nonwoven fabric constituting the nonwoven fabric sheet 51 can be made of a material conventionally used for wearing articles. Specifically, Nonwoven fabrics such as spunbond, spunlace, and air-through can be used. In using spunbonded nonwoven fabric, the basis weight, the finished quality standpoint, preferably 8 g / ^{m 2} or more, more preferably 10 g / ^{m 2} or more, from the viewpoint of air permeability, 30 g / ^{m 2} or less Is preferably 20 g / m ² or less.

  The wearing article 10 ′ with a sensor shown in FIG. 9 can be easily and efficiently formed according to a manufacturing process substantially similar to the above-described wearing article 10 shown in FIGS. That is, first, in the ink application step, the conductive ink is applied over the entire surface of the printing substrate 22 '. When the applied conductive ink is dried, an unnecessary portion of the printing base material 22 ′ coated with the conductive ink is cut so as to have a predetermined shape including the printed electrode 21 ′ and the printed conductive layer 28 in the cutting process. And remove. Specifically, unnecessary portions are punched out and cut so that a predetermined shape including the printing electrode 21 ′ and the printing conductive layer 28 is formed on the printing base material 22 ′ coated with the conductive ink over the entire surface. By punching and cutting unnecessary portions of the printed electrode 21 ′ into a predetermined shape, the flexibility of the printed substrate 22 ′ to which the printed electrode 21 ′ is applied is improved, and the feeling of use can be improved. . In addition, since the conductive ink is applied to the entire surface of the printing substrate 22 ′ and cut, alignment with the applied conductive ink becomes unnecessary, and thus, for example, mass production in a short time becomes possible. Efficiency can be improved.

  Next, after inverting the portion of the predetermined shape that has not been removed so that the applied printing electrode 21 ′ and the printed conductive layer 28 ′ are disposed on the lower side and the printing substrate 22 ′ is disposed on the upper side, As the covering sheet attaching step, the covering sheet 27 is attached so as to cover the printing substrate 22 ′ provided with the printing electrode 21 ′ and the printing conductive layer 28 through the adhesive applied to the covering sheet 27. As a result, a portion that becomes the ventilation opening 25 is formed in a portion excluding the printing electrode 21 ′ and the printing conductive layer 28. Thereafter, a plurality of through-holes 29 are formed through the printed electrodes 21 ′, the printed base material 22 ′, and the covering sheet 27 that are arranged to overlap each other in the thickness direction. By forming the plurality of through-holes 29, the plurality of through-holes 29 also function as a ventilation region, and the air permeability is lowered due to the provision of the printing electrode 21 ′, the printing base material 22 ′, and the printing conductive layer 28. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the air permeability of the urine collecting pad 11 ′.

  Subsequently, the urination sensor 20 ′ is formed by attaching the terminal portions 24 a ′ and 24 b ′ of the positive electrode 21 a and the negative electrode 21 b to the conductive wire portion 23 ′ and the printed electrode 21 ′ by the printed conductive layer 28 ′. Thereafter, the covering sheet 27 is attached to the non-woven sheet 51 of the back sheet 11 b ′ through the applied adhesive 26 in the portion extending to the outside of the urination sensor 20 and the portion serving as the ventilation opening 25 region. Accordingly, the plurality of positive electrodes 21a ′ and the negative electrodes 21b ′ are covered with the back sheet 11b that is an insulating sheet and the printing base material 22 that is an insulating base material (insulating film), and the ventilation opening 25 and the plurality of through holes are covered. A urine collecting pad 11 ′ to which a urination sensor 20 ′ having 29 is attached is formed.

  By using the sensor-equipped wearing article 10 ′ having the urine removing pad 11 ′ formed as described above, the urine management device 40 was used in the same manner as the sensor-equipped wearing article 10 to which the urine removing pad 11 was attached. It can be used to measure the amount of urination of the wearer.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, one sheet to which the urination sensor is attached does not necessarily need to be the back sheet of the urine collecting pad, and may be other sheets constituting the wearing article suitable for detecting urination by the wearer. good. The conductive wire portion connecting the printed electrode to the terminal portion is not necessarily a printed conductive portion made of conductive ink, and may be made of other members such as conductive yarn. The wearing article to which the urine sensor is attached includes an absorbent article such as a urine absorbing pad alone, or a combination of an absorbent article such as a urine removing pad used as an inner and a disposable diaper as an outer. The wearing article of the present invention may be an absorbent article used alone, specifically, a disposable diaper (tape-fixed type, pants type)) or the like. It is also within the scope of the present invention to use an absorbent article that can be used alone as an inner. Further, the outer to be combined when the absorbent article is used as the inner may be underwear such as briefs, shorts, girdle, paper pants, rehabilitation pants.

10, 10 'Wearing article 11, 11' Urine collecting pad (absorbent body)
11a Top sheet 11b, 11b 'Back sheet 11c Absorber 11d Absorbent core 11e Core wrap sheet 12 Diaper body (disposable diaper)
12a Main body surface sheet 12b Main body rear sheet 12c Main body absorber 12d Leg gather 13 Fastening tape 20 Urine sensor 20a Sensor elements 21, 21 ', Print electrodes 21a, 21a' Positive electrodes 21b, 21b 'Negative electrodes 22, 22' Printing base material 23, 23 'Conducting wire parts 24, 24a, 24b Terminal part 25 Ventilation opening part 26 Adhesive agent 26a Non-application part 27 Coating sheet (nonwoven fabric)
28, 28 'Printed conductive layer 29 Through-hole 30 Data collection unit 31 Impedance detection unit 32 Data logger 33 Timer 34 Acceleration sensor 40 Urination management device 41 Data acquisition unit 42 Posture determination unit 43 Urination amount estimation unit 50 Liquid poorly permeable sheet 51 Nonwoven sheet

Claims (10)

A worn article with a sensor in which a urination sensor for detecting urination is attached to the outer surface of one of a plurality of sheets constituting the worn article,
The urination sensor connects a printing substrate formed of a resin film, a plurality of printing electrodes forming a sensor element with a conductive ink applied to the surface of the printing substrate, and the plurality of printing electrodes. In addition to the conductive wire portion and the terminal portion to which the conductive wire portion is connected, a portion other than the printed base material is provided between the printed electrode and the conductive wire portion. Including a portion other than the printing substrate, and is covered with a covering sheet in which an adhesive is applied to the nonwoven fabric, and the surface of the one sheet and the above-mentioned through the adhesive applied to the covering sheet It is pasted so that the printed electrodes face each other,
The one sheet is an electrically insulating base material that is hardly permeable to liquid, and the printing base material is an electrically insulating base material,
The plurality of printed electrodes and the conductor portion are covered with the one sheet and the printing base material,
The wearing article with a sensor by which the non-application part exists in the adhesive application surface of the said coating sheet, and parts other than the said printing base material form the ventilation opening part which hold | maintains a ventilation function by this non-application part.   The wearing article with a sensor according to claim 1, wherein a through-hole penetrating the covering sheet is formed in a portion where the printing base material does not exist in the sheet in which the covering sheet is attached to the urination sensor.   The sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a sheet in which the covering sheet is attached to the urination sensor is formed with a through-hole penetrating the printed electrode, the printing substrate, and the covering sheet. Attached article.   The wearing article with a sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one sheet is a back sheet of a urine collecting pad.   5. The wearing article with a sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one sheet is a laminated sheet in which a nonwoven fabric is laminated on a film, and a surface facing the printed electrode is a nonwoven fabric of the laminated sheet.   The wearing article with a sensor according to claim 1, wherein the resin film forming the printing substrate is a polyethylene terephthalate film.   The wearing article with a sensor according to claim 1, wherein the conductive ink is an ink in which metal powder is blended as a conductive substance.   The said adhesive is applied so that the said non-application part may exist in the said nonwoven fabric, The spiral, summit form, omega form, curtain form, or stripe form application pattern is formed. The wearing article with a sensor of any one of -7.   The wearing article with a sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the conductive wire portion is formed of a printed conductive layer made of conductive ink applied to a surface of the printing base material.   The wearing article with a sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the number of the terminal portions connected to the positive electrode is different from the number of the terminal portions connected to the negative electrode.