JPH07159362A - Sensor for detecting diaper change timing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a sensor for detecting diaper change timing that can improve the information preparation accuracy based on urinary concentration and output a proper change timing. CONSTITUTION:The sensor consists of at least a baked part 3 made of a water- proof material, electrodes 4a and 4b that is provided in the part 3 and is made from a conductive material provided with electrodes 4a' and 4b' for picking up outputs, and detection part 4d formed by the electrodes 4a and 4b, and the resistance of the electrodes 4a and 4b is 5-1200OMEGA/cm, furthermore a sensor 1 for detecting diaper change timing preferably has a resistance of 10-600OMEGA/cm.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wetness detecting sensor for detecting a wet condition, and more particularly to a sensor for detecting a wet condition of a diaper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Current disposable diapers are composed of a surface absorbent layer that is in direct contact with the skin, an absorbent layer containing a super absorbent polymer, and a waterproof film that prevents urine from leaking to the back side. Use at home is increasing due to improvements in the performance of the water-soluble polymer. However, use in a state where urine cannot be completely absorbed adversely affects the skin.

On the other hand, cloth diapers have been mainly used in hospitals and the like because of their low cost.
It is done on an hourly basis and may be left wet. The effect is particularly large in elderly people with weak skin. For that reason, a device is made to inform a third party who changes the diaper when the diaper should be changed. For example, there is also one that notifies the wetness (replacement time) of the diaper by a color change. In addition, there is also one that notifies by a change in resistance value or capacitance caused by contact of urine with an electrode formed in a diaper. JP-A-1-295149 and JP-A-2-
There are also 174846 gazettes and JP-A-2-174846 gazettes that notify diaper wetness by a change in resistance value or capacitance caused by contact of urine with an electrode formed in the diaper.

By the way, in the type in which the state of the diaper is grasped by the change of the resistance value or the change of the capacitance by providing electrodes, malfunctions due to something other than urine such as sweat may occur, or individual differences in urine, that is, urine There was a problem that the output was different depending on the concentration (electrolyte concentration such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride in urine) even with the same wet amount. In other words, even if a certain level of output is output to notify the replacement time, there may be a situation in which the battery is not wet enough to be actually replaced.

For this reason, when a conventional type sensor is attached to a diaper, the diaper does not necessarily need to be replaced by one urination, but when urination occurs, the diaper does not need to be temporarily replaced. Because changes in resistance and capacity due to urine occur, it is judged that the diaper has become wet, and a third party is informed to change the diaper. As a result, the burden on the user increases, and the time and effort required for the replacement by a third party may increase.

[0006]

Therefore, in view of the above situation, the present invention detects the optimum replacement time of the diaper by getting wet in the diaper, without being affected by individual differences in urine. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a diaper exchange detection sensor that can output.

[0007]

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a backing portion made of a waterproof material, and a backing portion provided on the backing portion.
In addition, it is composed at least of an electrode made of a conductive material having an output extraction electrode portion and a detection portion formed by the electrode, and the resistance of the electrode is from 5 Ω / cm to 1200.
Ω / cm, preferably 10 Ω / cm to 600
The problem is solved by adopting the configuration of Ω / cm.

[0008]

By adopting the above-mentioned structure, the conductivity can be measured at the detecting portion of the electrode. Immediately after the diaper user urinates, urine is absorbed in the paper diaper by the water-absorbing polymer in the diaper, and in the cloth diaper, the urine is absorbed by the cloth portion, but a part of the urine is in contact with the sensor, and the urine is absorbed by the sensor. The conductivity changes. At this time, the resistance of the electrode is 5 Ω / cm to 1200 Ω / cm, and preferably,
By adopting the configuration of 10 Ω / cm to 600 Ω / cm, the total resistance, that is, the sum of the resistance due to the electrode and the resistance due to urine is governed by the resistance of the electrode. That is, even if the resistance of the detection unit varies depending on the concentration of urine, the overall resistance is governed by the resistance of the electrode, so individual differences in urine can be canceled, and the optimal replacement time of the diaper due to wetting in the diaper. Can be detected and output.

[0009]

By having the above-mentioned actions,
It is possible to provide a diaper replacement detection sensor capable of canceling individual differences in urine and detecting and outputting an optimal diaper replacement time due to wetting inside the diaper.

[0010]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a diaper exchange detection sensor 1 which is an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 3 is polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate,
The backing part is made of a waterproof material such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyimide, silicone rubber, and silicone resin. The backing portion 3 does not necessarily have to be a waterproof material, and may be a cloth, paper, or the like that does not easily dissolve in water or the like. Reference numeral 4 denotes a pair of electrodes 4a, 4b made of a conductive material such as carbon, gold, silver, copper, aluminum, or a composite material which is a mixture of carbon and silver, and the backing portion 3 and the electrodes 4a, 4b. By sensor element 2
Is configured. In order to obtain an appropriate resistance value, the cross-sectional area of the electrodes 4a and 4b is adjusted, or the electrode 4
It may be adjusted by forming an oxide film on the surfaces of a and 4b. The electrodes 4a and 4b are provided with output extraction electrode portions 4a 'and 4b'. The electrode 4
The distance between a and 4b is about 1 to about 8 mm, and the foil-shaped electrodes 4a and 4b are fixedly adhered to the backing portion 3 with an adhesive, or the electrodes 4a and 4b are printed on the backing portion 3. Alternatively, the electrodes 4a and 4b are formed on the lining portion 3 by vapor deposition to form objects having various resistance values, to fabricate the sensor element 1. And polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride,
It is made of a waterproof material such as polyimide, silicone rubber, or silicone resin, and the output extraction electrode portion 4a '
And 4b ', an opening 5a for taking out an output and an opening 5b for detecting a detector 4d for detecting urine.
The diaper exchange detection sensor 1 was produced by adhering the covering portion 5 with an adhesive or the like so as to prepare for the above. In the above example, the electrodes 4a and 4b are linear, but
Not only this. Further, the covering portion 5 may not be provided in particular, and such an example is shown in FIG.

The following is an example of an experiment conducted by the inventors of the present invention with the diaper exchange detection sensor. Using potassium chloride instead of urine, the relationship between its concentration and output (conductivity) is shown in Figs.
Shown in. The conductivity of urine is 13 mS to 33 mS according to the Biochemical Data Book (edited by the Chemical Society of Japan), which corresponds to a potassium chloride concentration of 0.1 N to 0.4 N, but to grasp the tendency over a wide range. To 0.001
Potassium chloride at a concentration of N to 1N was used.

FIG. 5 is a carbon electrode having a resistance of 600 Ω / cm, FIG. 7 is a silver electrode having a resistance of 0.04 Ω / cm, and FIG.
This is the result of measuring the conductivity with respect to the concentration of the aqueous potassium chloride solution, which was prepared by printing a silver-carbon mixed electrode having a resistance of 18 Ω / cm. As is clear from FIG.
When the resistance of the electrode is high, the concentration of the potassium chloride aqueous solution becomes 0.
There is almost no change in conductivity from 1N to 1N, that is, individual differences in urine can be canceled.

On the other hand, in the low resistance electrode shown in FIG. 5, the change in conductivity is linear when the concentration of the aqueous potassium chloride solution is 0.1 N to 1 N, that is, the individual difference in urine cannot be canceled. In the example of FIG. 7 having an intermediate resistance, a carbon electrode having a resistance of 600 Ω / cm and a resistance of 0.04
It exhibits intermediate properties of a Ω / cm silver electrode.

Further, the relationship between the electrode wetted area (immersed area) and the output of these electrodes is shown in FIGS. As a result of examining the wetted area of the electrode, at least 0.2 cm
² is needed. As is clear from FIG. 8, the resistance 6
In the case of a carbon electrode of 00 Ω / cm, the output difference due to the area is larger than the output difference due to the concentration of potassium chloride, and the individual difference can be sufficiently canceled. However, as is clear from FIG. 9, in the case of a silver electrode having a resistance of 0.04 Ω / cm, the influence of the concentration is larger and the individual difference cannot be canceled. In the case of FIG. 10 using the silver-carbon mixed electrode having a resistance of 18 Ω / cm, the intermediate property between the carbon electrode having a resistance of 600 Ω / cm and the silver electrode having a resistance of 0.04 Ω / cm is shown, but the individual difference can be canceled. It is a close resistance.

As detailed above, the conductivity can be measured at the sensing portion of the electrode. Immediately after the diaper user urinates, urine is absorbed in the paper diaper by the water-absorbing polymer in the diaper, and in the cloth diaper, the urine is absorbed by the cloth portion, but a part of the urine is in contact with the sensor, and the urine is absorbed by the sensor. The conductivity changes. At this time, the resistance of the electrode is 5Ω / c
m to 1200 Ω / cm, preferably 10 Ω / cm
By adopting a configuration of cm to 600 Ω / cm, the total resistance, that is, the sum of the resistance due to the electrode and the resistance due to urine is governed by the resistance of the electrode. That is, even if the resistance of the detection unit varies depending on the concentration of urine, the overall resistance is governed by the resistance of the electrode, so individual differences in urine can be canceled, and the optimal replacement time of the diaper due to wetting in the diaper. Can be detected and output.

Next, another embodiment of the diaper exchange detection sensor 1 will be described. FIG. 3A and FIG. 4A show a diaper exchange detection sensor 1 having basically the same operation as that of the above example, and is characterized in that the electrodes provided are not in a pair but in a loop shape. is doing. With such a shape, it is possible to measure the conductivity of urine from a slight amount.

3 (a) and 4 (a) are shown in FIG. 3 (a).
And the diaper replacement detection sensor 1 shown in FIG.
In addition, the covering portion 5 is bonded with an adhesive or the like so as to be provided in the opening portion 5a for taking out the output from the output taking electrode portion 4c and the opening portion 5b for detecting the detecting portion 4d for detecting urine. It is a perspective view of the diaper exchange detection sensor 1 produced by doing. Since the unnecessary portions are covered in the identification, the structure has few malfunctions.

FIG. 1C shows that the electrodes 4a and 4b provided in the diaper exchange detection sensor 1 of the present invention are connected to the diaper exchange timing detection device 7 by using lead wires as the coupling means 8. It is a schematic diagram of a diaper exchange timing detection sensor 6. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the diaper replacement timing detection sensor 6 is installed in the diaper 9. Although an example in which the diaper replacement timing detection device 7 is directly provided on the diaper 9 is shown in the drawing, the diaper replacement timing detection device 7 may be placed on the bedside or the like.

The operation of the diaper replacement timing detection sensor 6 is such that the electrodes 4a and 4b conduct with urine, the diaper replacement timing detection device 7 measures the conductivity at that time, and the conductivity set as the diaper replacement timing is set. Compare with the rate to make a diaper change decision. The determination result can be notified by the diaper replacement timing detection device 7 connected to the diaper replacement timing detection sensor 6 or a lamp, an alarm sound or the like of a detection device (not shown) placed on the bedside or the like. In addition, it is also possible to issue a radio signal from the diaper replacement timing detection device 7 to notify the nurse station or the like. At that time, if the radio signal is a signal that can be identified by each individual, the individual who needs to be exchanged can be immediately identified.

FIG. 12 shows an example in which the diaper exchange detection sensor 1 is attached to the cloth diaper 10. The cloth diaper 10 shown here has a pocket 10a near the center thereof, on which the diaper exchange detection sensor 1 is mounted. The pocket 10
The shape and position of a are not limited to the example shown in the figure, and any shape and position may be provided. According to the results of experiments conducted by the present inventors, when the cloth diaper 10 was provided in the middle of the cloth diaper 10, it was effective in detecting the replacement time. In this way, when the diaper exchange detection sensor is attached to the pocket, the attachment position is fixed and the output from the diaper exchange detection sensor is stabilized.

Further, in the experiments conducted by the present inventors, it was also confirmed that, when measuring the conductivity, the individual difference in urine can be canceled to some extent even if the measurement frequency is lowered.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a plan view of a diaper exchange detection sensor that is an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is an AA sectional view of a diaper exchange detection sensor which is an example of the present invention.
(C) is a schematic diagram of a diaper replacement timing detection sensor that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of a diaper replacement timing detection sensor that is an embodiment of the present invention.

3A and 3B are plan views of another embodiment of the diaper replacement timing detection sensor of the present invention.

4A and 4B are plan views of another embodiment of the diaper replacement timing detection sensor of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the conductivity with respect to the concentration of an aqueous potassium chloride solution.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the conductivity with respect to the concentration of an aqueous potassium chloride solution.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the conductivity with respect to the concentration of an aqueous potassium chloride solution.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the conductivity with respect to the immersion area of the diaper replacement timing detection sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the conductivity with respect to the immersion area of the diaper replacement timing detection sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the conductivity with respect to the immersion area of the diaper replacement timing detection sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an external view showing a state in which the diaper replacement timing detection sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to the diaper.

FIG. 12 is an external view showing a state in which the diaper replacement timing detection sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted in a pocket provided in the diaper.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Diaper exchange detection sensor 2 Sensor element 3 Lining part 4a Electrode 4b Electrode 4c Electrode 4d Detection part 4a 'Output extraction electrode part 4b' Output extraction electrode part 5 Cover part 5a Opening part for extracting output 5b For detection Opening part 6 Diaper replacement timing detection sensor 7 Diaper replacement timing detection device 8 Coupling means 9 Diaper 10 Cloth diaper 10a Pocket

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. At least a backing portion made of a waterproof material, an electrode made of a conductive material provided on the backing portion and having an output extraction electrode portion, and a detection portion formed by the electrode. And the resistance of the electrode is 5Ω
/ Cm to 1200 Ω / cm, preferably 10
A diaper exchange detection sensor characterized by having an Ω / cm to 600 Ω / cm.