JP3136438B2 - Wetness detection sensor and diaper wetness notification device using the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wetness detection sensor applied to a diaper to be applied to an infant or an elderly person, and a diaper using the same.
The present invention relates to a wetness notification device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Diapers are usually used for infants,
Also, the use of diapers by elderly people has recently increased. Diapers wetted by excretion are unpleasant if left as it is, and also cause odor and rough skin,
Ideally, it should be replaced as soon as it gets wet. However, when a mother takes care of her child, she changes the diaper after watching the situation, so it is rare that she stays wet.
Since diapers are often changed at regular intervals, it is often not possible to adapt to the excretion time that varies among individuals, and it is possible to leave several times of wetting. Leaving it in a wet state for a long time is not preferable for health and hygiene.

[0003] Therefore, various devices have been devised which electrically detect when the diaper gets wet and notify the self or others. As one of them, the Japanese Utility Model Showa 60-181311
Some are described in the specification of the issue. This extends one end of the moisture-impermeable backsheet to cover the water-absorbing layer,
A metal layer is adhered and formed so as to be sandwiched from both sides of this extended portion.A capacitor is formed with the back sheet sandwiching the water absorbing layer and the metal layer, and the capacitance that changes according to the amount of water absorbed by the water absorbing layer is formed. They try to understand the wetness of the diaper.

As another example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Hei 6-21018
Is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 9-203 (1995). This is a specific example of the structure of the above-described sensor, in which a metal layer is provided in parallel with a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the rectangular moisture-impermeable back sheet, and only one metal layer is provided. To form an electrical insulating layer, and their upper surfaces are covered with a moisture-permeable topsheet. In this structure, the change in the capacitance of the capacitor constituted by the metal layer, the electric insulating layer and the topsheet is detected, and the diaper is wetted.

[0005] Still another example is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-7698. In this method, a humidity sensor having a conductive surface adsorption layer formed on a diaper body made of disposable paper is attached, and an output signal of the humidity sensor is radiated to the outside by radio waves.

[0006]

With these techniques,
It has become possible to notify caregivers and the like that the diaper has become wet. However, since all of these have a metal layer interposed in the diaper,
The sensor is also discarded together with the diaper, and the sensor itself is not used for a long time. The present invention provides a wetness detection sensor with an improvement in this respect, and a sensor using the same.
It is intended to provide a diaper wetness notification device .

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems
The invention according to claim 1 can be attached to a diaper.
Wet detection sensor that detects two wet
A pair of electrodes between the impermeable sheets
A slight distance apart in the direction and the adhesion is formed, and the capacitance between both electrodes is
Form one of the two sheets
Means for removably coupling to the surface of the diaper
It is characterized by having been provided .

[0008] The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1.
In the invention, the planar shape of the pair of electrodes is
Are formed so that both opposing sides are parallel or refracted at approximately equal intervals
It is characterized by having been done .

[0009] The invention according to claim 3 is a method for detecting wetness in a diaper.
Attach an intellectual sensor to detect diaper wetness and report it
In the diaper wetness notification device, the wetness detection sensor
Has a pair of electrodes between two moisture-impermeable sheets.
Attached and formed slightly apart in the direction of the sheet surface.
In addition to forming capacitance between the poles,
Removably tied to either surface on the diaper surface
An oscillator for applying an AC signal to the electrode of the wetting detection sensor , a detector for detecting a change in capacitance between the pair of electrodes, and an output signal of the detector.
Therefore, at least one of the vibrator and buzzer
Or any one of them.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a diaper wetness detecting device for detecting and reporting wetness of a diaper by attaching a wetness detecting sensor to the diaper. Between the sheets, a pair of electrodes are formed side by side with a slight distance in the sheet surface direction to form an electrostatic capacitance between the two electrodes, and on one of the two sheets, on the surface of the diaper. An oscillator for applying an AC signal to the electrodes of the wetting detection sensor; a detector for detecting a change in capacitance between the pair of electrodes; and an output signal of the detector. , And an oscillator and a transmitter for radiating the radio wave into the air, a receiver for receiving and outputting a signal from the transmitter, and a vibrator or buzzer connected to the receiver.

[0011] The invention according to claim 5 is a method for detecting wetness in a diaper.
Attach an intellectual sensor to detect diaper wetness and report it
In the diaper wetness notification device, the wetness detection sensor
Has a pair of electrodes between two moisture-impermeable sheets.
Adhesively formed side by side with a slight distance in the direction of the sheet surface.
In addition to forming capacitance between the poles,
Removably tied to either surface on the diaper surface
Means for combining the electrodes, the electrodes of the wetting detection sensor
An oscillator for applying an AC signal to the electrode, and a static between the pair of electrodes.
A detector that captures the change in capacitance and the output signal of the detector
An oscillator with an ID number, and an ID number with the oscillator.
The emitted signal was radiated into the air as radio waves.
A receiver for receiving, and a signal from the receiver, the ID number
And a device for identifying and displaying the information .

The wetness detection sensor having such a configuration is
While the prior art described above captures an increase in the wetted area, it differs in that it captures the change in the relative permittivity of the wet side relative to the relative permittivity of the air side. There is no need to put it in diapers. According to the present invention, the diaper wetness notification device using the wetness detection sensor provides a specific structure not shown in the above-described prior art.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a wetting detection sensor. In this wetting detection sensor 1, a pair of electrodes 3 and 4 made of a metal film are formed on the upper surface of a moisture-impermeable backing sheet 2 side by side (a distance d) slightly apart in the direction of the backing sheet surface. , Also covered with a water-impermeable topsheet 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the back sheet 2 is provided with a bonding band 8 that is bonded to a bonding band 7 provided on the surface of the diaper 6. As the binding bands 7 and 8,
It is suitable that one of the surfaces is formed by knitting and projecting the fiber into a loop, and the other is formed with a projection that engages with the loop-shaped projection. Good. Reference numerals 9 and 10 are lead wires connected to the electrodes 3 and 4, respectively.

When the back sheet 2 is attached to the surface of the diaper 6 by the bonding bands 7, 8, the back sheet 2 is attached to the diaper 6.
The surface sheet 5 is affected by the relative permittivity of the side, and is affected by the relative permittivity in the air. FIG. 3 shows a case where the diaper 6 gets wet and the relative dielectric constant of the back sheet 2 increases to “80” in water. At this time, since the relative permittivity in the air on the top sheet 5 side remains “1”, a large difference occurs here. The capacitance between the electrodes 3 and 4 changes greatly here.

In the case of actually manufacturing and taking data, the back sheet 2 and the top sheet 5 have a width of 4
A rectangular plastic film such as polypropylene or polyester having a length of 0 mm and a length of 80 mm or less and a thickness of 5 to 50 microns was used. The electrodes are made of a material such as aluminum, zinc, or copper and have a width of 10 to 20 mm and a thickness of 50 μm or less. The distance d between the electrodes 3 and 4 is set to about 0.5 mm. The electrodes 3 and 4 are formed along the longitudinal direction of the back sheet 2 by adhesion, vapor deposition, lamination, or the like. Electrode 3,
As shown in FIG. 1, the plane shape of 4 has a saw-tooth shape on the opposite side, but it may be bent in a wave shape or may be simply parallel. With a saw-tooth shape or a wavy shape, it is possible to satisfactorily cope with a complicated shape at a wet portion.

FIG. 4 shows the wetting detection sensor 1.
This is an embodiment corresponding to claim 3, which is an example of a diaper wetness notification device using a diaper. To explain this, reference numeral 11 denotes an oscillator, which applies an AC signal of a predetermined frequency to the electrode 3 of the wetting detection sensor 1. Since there is a predetermined capacitance between the electrodes 3 and 4, when an AC signal is applied to the electrode 3, a voltage is induced on the electrode 4 as well. Current flows. The electrode 4 has I-
The detector 13 is connected via the V converter 12, and a change in capacitance is detected. This signal is sent from the next connected operational amplifier 14 to the vibrator 1 connected to its output side.
5 is supplied.

The operation will be described. As described above, the wetting detection sensor 1 is used by connecting the bonding band 8 provided on the back sheet 2 to the bonding band 7 on the surface of the diaper 6. Before the diaper 6 is attached, the backsheet 2 and the topsheet 5 have the same degree of dryness. When attached to the diaper 6, the humidity on the back sheet 2 side slightly increases, so that the relative dielectric constant slightly changes,
The capacitance between the four also changes. Further, when the diaper 6 gets wet by the excretion of the user, the relative dielectric constant of the wet side becomes “80”.
It is very high and can be detected immediately if wet.

Based on the state in which the wetness detection sensor 1 is attached to the diaper 6 as described above, the time at which the diaper 6 is wetted by excretion is compared, and the capacitance which greatly changes due to the wetting is captured. 15 is activated.

The vibrator 15 is operated, for example, in the case of an elderly person who has no awareness of excretion but can perform the subsequent processing by himself if excretion is notified. If you cannot perform the subsequent processing yourself and rely on the caregiver, substitute vibrator 15 or vibrator 1
5 and a buzzer will be connected.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to claim 4 of the present invention. This circuit is a detector 1
, An oscillator 16 for modulating the output signal of the antenna 3, a transmitter 17 for emitting this signal into the air, an antenna 18, and an antenna 1
, An antenna 19 for receiving radio waves from
A receiver 20 for receiving detecting a radio wave from a change-over switch 21 for switching the output signal of the receiver 20, is constituted by a vibrator 15 and a buzzer 22 connected to the change-over switch 21.

In this embodiment, when the capacitance between the electrodes 3 and 4 changes due to the diaper 6 getting wet, the signal is transmitted to the receiver 20 by radio waves, and the vibrator 15 switched by the changeover switch 21. Or buzzer 2
Activate 2 When switching to vibrator 15,
The caregiver attached to the body knows the situation by vibration, and knows by sound when switching to the buzzer 22, so that the caregiver can immediately change the diaper 6.

FIG. 6 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to claim 5 . In this embodiment, the oscillator 16 has an ID number assigning function,
The ID number discriminator 23 is provided at the subsequent stage. The output side of the ID number discriminator 23 is connected via a communication cable 24 to a personal computer 25 which is an example of the apparatus.

In this embodiment, since an individual can be identified by an ID number, the status of a plurality of persons can be monitored simultaneously. That is, the diaper gets wet and the capacitance between the electrodes 3 and 4 changes (wetness is detected by the wetness detection sensor 1).
Signal is detected by the oscillator 16 when
It is given a D number and radiated into the air as radio waves. The receiver 20 receiving this radio wave by the antenna 19 inputs the detection output to the ID number discriminator 23 and, based on the ID number ,
The capacitance between the pair of electrodes 3 and 4 changes (wetness detection sensor
1), that is, which diaper has become wet from the screen of the personal computer 25.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the ID number discriminator 23 and the personal computer 25 are connected by the communication cable 24, but this is not the case. . Alternatively, as the personal computer 25, a larger computer may be used, or a microcomputer having a dedicated function may be used.

[0026]

The present invention is configured as described above.
Wet detection sensor and diaper wetness notification device using the same
Since it is, when the diaper is wet, the person or caregiver has a diaper, it will be able to inform immediately. The wetting detection sensor may be attached to the outside of the diaper, and there is no need to wet the electrode unlike the conventional one, so that it has a feature that it can be used repeatedly as many times as necessary.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a wetting detection sensor according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the AA cross section of FIG. 1 and the diaper.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a difference in relative permittivity between air and moisture.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of a diaper wetting notification device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of the diaper wetting alarm device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of still another embodiment of the diaper wetting notification device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Detection sensor 2 Back sheet 3 Electrode 4 Electrode 5 Top sheet 6 Diaper 11 Oscillator 13 Detector 15 Vibrator 16 Oscillator 20 Receiver 22 Buzzer 23 ID number discriminator 25 Personal computer

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-61-23958 (JP, A) JP-A-6-178789 (JP, A) JP-A-63-105760 (JP, A) JP-A-62-139519 (JP) , U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 60-181311 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application Hei 4-71915 (JP, U) Registered Utility Model 3007084 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61F 13/42 G01N 27/00-27/22

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. Detection of diaper wetness by attaching to a diaper
A pair of electrodes is provided between two moisture-impermeable sheets.
Adhesively formed side by side with a slight gap in the sheet surface direction,
To form a capacitance on any of the two sheets
Removably attached to the surface of the diaper
A wetting detection sensor, characterized in that a means for detecting the wetting is provided . 2. The planar shape of the pair of electrodes is
Formed so that opposite sides are parallel or refracted at almost equal intervals
The sensor according to claim 1, wherein
Sa. 3. A diaper having a wetness detection sensor attached thereto.
Diaper wetness detection device that detects and reports wetness of diapers
In the above, the wetting detection sensor comprises two moisture-impermeable sheets.
Between them, a pair of electrodes are arranged slightly apart in the sheet surface direction.
To form an electrostatic capacitance between both electrodes.
On one of the two sheets, the diaper
An oscillator for applying an AC signal to the electrodes of the wetting detection sensor , a detector for detecting a change in capacitance between the pair of electrodes, and Vibration activated by output signal
A diaper wetness notification device comprising at least one of a tab and a buzzer . 4. A diaper wetting notification device for detecting a diaper wetness by attaching a wetness detection sensor to a diaper, wherein the wetness detection sensor includes a pair of moisture-impermeable sheets between a pair of moisture-impermeable sheets. Means are formed by adhering and forming the electrodes slightly apart in the direction of the sheet surface to form a capacitance between the two electrodes, and to any one of the two sheets, a means for detachably connecting to the surface of the diaper. An oscillator that applies an AC signal to the electrodes of the wetting detection sensor, a detector that captures a change in capacitance between the pair of electrodes, and an output signal of the detector that is radiated into the air as radio waves. An oscillator and a transmitter, and receiving a signal from the transmitter,
A diaper wetness notification device comprising: a receiver for outputting; and a vibrator or buzzer connected to the receiver. 5. A diaper having a wetness detection sensor attached thereto.
Diaper wetness detection device that detects and reports wetness of diapers
In the above, the wetting detection sensor comprises two moisture-impermeable sheets.
Between them, a pair of electrodes are arranged slightly apart in the sheet surface direction.
To form an electrostatic capacitance between both electrodes.
On one of the two sheets, the diaper
Means for detachably coupling to the surface, wherein an oscillation for applying an AC signal to the electrode of the wetting detection sensor is provided.
And a detector for detecting a change in capacitance between the pair of electrodes
And an oscillator for attaching an ID number to an output signal of the detector;
A signal to which an ID number is assigned by the oscillator is vacant as a radio wave.
A receiver for receiving the radio wave radiated therein;
A device for identifying and displaying the signal from the machine by the ID number.
A diaper wetness notification device comprising: