KR20040018101A - Manufacturing method for an electronic diaper and its structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: Provided are a method for producing an electronic diaper which can provide an alarm signal notifying a fosterer that diaper is wetted and thus is to be changed, and a structure thereof. CONSTITUTION: The method for producing an electronic diaper having sensor-service band, is characterized in that the band has an endless band body, the endless band body has a plurality of sensor bodies, and sensor bodies are positioned between two adjacent sensors at regular intervals, each of the sensors can be separated along the dotted lines, and the sensor(2) is attached on inner surface of upper or lower drying layer(10,11) of diaper body(1), by fusion and adhesion using glue or high frequency machine.

Description

Manufacturing method for an electronic diaper and its structure

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method and a structure of the electronic diaper, and more particularly, to a method and a structure of the electronic diaper that can provide an alarm signal to remind the nursery that the diaper needs to be replaced with a new one.

Some of the conventional diapers on sale have a moisture sensitive ink outside of the moisture barrier, which can change its color to sense the moisture of the moisture barrier of the diaper to indicate that the diaper is wet.

However, these conventional diapers have the following disadvantages.

1. Although the moisture sensitive ink can change its color when the diaper's moisture barrier is wet, however, the diaper has only one fine color change strip attached to its exterior, so that the color change strip's The color change is not clearly seen. In this case, in general, the caregiver must first pull down the user's pants slightly to determine whether a color change of the diaper has occurred, and determine whether the diaper should be replaced. However, sometimes, even when the diaper is wet, it is difficult to recognize it by observing the color change strips in a dark room, which can cause many problems and inconveniences.

2. Whether the diaper is wet or not is determined by simply observing the color change of the color change strip. Thus, even if the hired caregiver does not pay attention to what he / she needs to do, or even does not change the wet diaper, the employer finds some clear evidence to prove that he / she knowingly neglects work. It can be difficult to do.

3. The color changing strips of conventional diapers are susceptible to atmospheric humidity. In other words, if the atmospheric humidity is too high, the moisture sensing ink of the color changing strip is likely to detect the humidity and change its color, resulting in false judgment of the caregiver.

Other conventional electronic diapers described in Taiwan Patent Nos. 312134, 388712 and 422088 each have a conductive mesh or metallic foil implanted therein to sense moisture in the diaper. Combining conductive nets or metallic foils into diapers is theoretically feasible but difficult in an automated manufacturing process, so that the conventional electronic diapers described above are difficult to manufacture automatically.

In addition, the conventional electronic diapers described in Taiwan Patent Nos. 312134 and 422088, respectively, use comparative circuits as control circuits to not only increase the manufacturing cost, but also consume too much electricity so that they are only used for a short period of time. The battery needs to be replaced.

The conventional electronic diaper described in Taiwan Patent No. 388172 is signaled by the emitting and receiving circuits to increase manufacturing costs, economically unprofitable, and consume too much electricity.

It is an object of the present invention to indicate the wet time of the diaper and to sense the wet state of the diaper body to generate a signal to remind the caregiver that the diaper is wet and should be replaced with a new one, thereby providing a sense of caregiver's sense of duty. It is to provide an electronic diaper that heightens, and allows the user of the diaper to feel comfortable.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide an electronic diaper having a sensor supplied by a sensor supply strap or box, which is pre-attached on the inner surface of the upper or lower layer of the diaper to facilitate the automatic manufacture of the electronic diaper.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a diaper body, a sensor disposed on the diaper to detect the wet state of the diaper body, and a controller connected to the sensor for interaction, so that the sensor is discarded after use or repeatedly separated from the diaper body. It is to provide an electronic diaper which can be used to reduce the use cost.

Features of the present invention are as follows.

1. The electronic diaper of the present invention has a sensor inside, which can extend to the front side or the rear side of the diaper, and has a conductor at one end for connecting the controller and the sensor.

2. The electronic diaper manufacturing method of the present invention has an automatic sensor supply band for supplying the diaper with a sensor attached to the inner surface of the upper or lower dry layer of the diaper, and can automatically manufacture the electronic diaper at a lower cost. .

3. The electronic diaper of the present invention has a controller that can be used repeatedly to reduce the cost in the manufacture and use of the electronic diaper.

4. The sensor of the electronic diaper of the present invention can interact with the controller, and the sensor disposed in the diaper body to detect the wet state of the diaper can be discarded after being used once or multiple times.

5. The sensor of the present invention has an upper layer film pre-printed with conductive lines on the upper surface of the lower layer film and / or painted on the upper surface of the lower layer film to construct the sensor.

6. The controller of the present invention can supply continuous or intermittent power to the sensor to check the signal coming from the wet sensor of the diaper body, and immediately after discovering that the diaper is already wet enough to be replaced with a new one. Eliminates the user's anxiety by cutting off the power to the sensor.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of the electronic diaper of the present invention.

2 is a partial perspective and sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the electronic diaper of the present invention;

3 is a partial perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of the electronic diaper of the present invention.

4 is a partial perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the electronic diaper of the present invention.

5 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of a first preferred embodiment of a sensor of the electronic diaper of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of a first preferred embodiment of the controller of the electronic diaper of the present invention, and a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the sensor.

7 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of a second preferred embodiment of a sensor of the electronic diaper of the present invention;

8 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of a second preferred embodiment of the controller of the electronic diaper of the present invention, and a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the sensor;

9 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of a third preferred embodiment of a sensor of the electronic diaper of the present invention;

10 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of a third preferred embodiment of the controller of the electronic diaper of the present invention, and a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the sensor;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the controller of the electronic diaper of the present invention, and a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the sensor.

12 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the controller of the electronic diaper of the present invention, and a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the sensor;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the method of manufacturing the electronic diaper of the present invention.

14 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the method for manufacturing the electronic diaper of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the method for manufacturing the electronic diaper of the present invention.

16 is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the method for manufacturing the electronic diaper of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the controller, sensor, and diaper body spaced apart from each other of the present invention.

18 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a wired display connected with the electronic diaper of the present invention.

19 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a wireless display associated with the electronic diaper of the present invention.

20 shows a first preferred embodiment of a group display of an electronic diaper of the present invention.

Fig. 21 shows a second preferred embodiment of the group display of the electronic diaper of the present invention.

Fig. 22 is a flowchart of the operation of the software of the IC in the controller of the electronic diaper of the present invention.

Figure 23 shows a first preferred embodiment of the control circuit of the controller of the electronic diaper of the present invention.

Figure 24 shows a second preferred embodiment of the control circuit of the controller of the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

2, 2A, 2B, 2C: sensor 20: lower layer

21: upper film layer 201, 202, 203: conductor

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, preferred first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the electronic diaper of the present invention include a diaper body 1 and a sensor 2.

The diaper body 1 has upper and lower dry layers 10, 11 and an absorbent layer 12 sandwiched between the two dry layers 10, 11. Sensors 2 (2A; 2B; 2C) are disposed on the upper dry layer 10 and / or the lower dry layer 11.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the sensors 2 (2A; 2B; 2C) are formed of the lower film layer 20 made of plastic, rubber or silicone rubber. The lower membrane layer 20 has two conductors 201 and 202 on its upper surface 200 which serve as the sensor 2 as shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Conductors 201, 202, 203 or a plurality of conductors are provided in advance. An upper film layer 21 made of plastic, rubber or silicone rubber, each of which corresponds to the material of the lower film layer 20, is formed on the top surface 200 of the lower film layer 20 of the sensors 2 (2A, 2B). 7 and 9 have a good conductivity and constitute a flexible sensor 2, as shown in FIG. 7, but as shown in FIG. 5, the top film layer 21 is not essential. The sensor 2C is formed of conductive lines to achieve its purpose.

Thus, the sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) each have a top or bottom surface glued to be combined with the diaper body 1 by automatic equipment.

The two conductors 201, 202 or three conductors 201, 202, 203 of the sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) may conduct each other by the wet state of the diaper body 1 to generate a trigger signal. . Sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) are shown in the front side or the back side or as shown in Fig. 10, as shown in Figs. It may be arranged on both the front and rear sides, or on the side part. In addition, the sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) have two or three or more conductors each having exposed ends formed thereon for performing the sensing of the wet state of the diaper 1 as shown in FIG. Upper membrane layer 21 or lower with apertures 212 formed thereon for urine in diaper body 1 to flow in order to contact the conductors so that they are electrically connected to each other to produce a wet trigger signal of the diaper body 1. It has a membrane layer 20.

In order to connect the sensor 2 with the controller 3, the sensor 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) has a connecting member 23 which can be inserted into the socket hole 30 of the controller 3 in advance at one end. Is provided. Providing a connection 23 mode to the sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) is shown in FIGS.

5 and 6 show a hard membrane 231 which functions as a connecting member 23 in which one end of the sensor 2 (2A; 2B; 2C) can be inserted directly into the socket hole 30 of the controller 3. The two conductors 201, 202 of the sensors 2 (2A, 2B) are brought into contact with and clamped by the terminals 300, 301 fixed to the insertion holes 30 of the controller 3, respectively. Then, the sensing film 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) is shown connected with the controller 3.

7 and 8 show, on one end, a hard membrane 231 which serves as a connector 23 into which the sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) can be inserted into the socket holes 30A of the controller 3. The terminal in the insertion hole 30A is brought into contact with the two conductors 201, 202 of the sensor 2, and then the controller 3 is connected with the sensor 2 (2A, 2B, 2C). It is shown.

FIG. 11 shows that the sensor 2C can be inserted into the socket hole 30C of the controller 3 with the quick plug 233 at one end, and can quickly combine the controller 3 and the sensor 2C. The function as the connection member 23 is shown.

Thus, when the diaper body 1 is wetted with urine, the controller 3 can be quickly detached from the wet diaper body 1, and then the sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 3B) of the new diaper body 1 are removed. In combination with 2C) may cause the controller 3 to be used repeatedly.

6, 8, and 11, a fastening member 24 such as a fastener as shown in FIG. 6 or a Velcro band as shown in FIG. 10 is provided with a diaper body 1 for convenient attachment or removal of the controller 3. FIG. Is provided on the front or back side.

Next, FIG. 12 shows a fifth embodiment of the electronic diaper of the present invention, which is an upper dry layer 10, a lower dry layer 11, and an absorbent layer interposed between two upper dry layers 10, 11. 12) and a diaper body 1 composed of a sensor 2D printed on the upper dry layer 10 and / or the lower dry layer 11. The sensor 2D has the same function as those 2A, 2B and 2C of the fourth embodiment described above, and the front end of the diaper body 1 can be combined with the controller 3, which is then sensor 2D. ) Receives a signal from the sensor 2D and emits an alarm signal accordingly.

In order to automatically manufacture the electronic diaper, a sensor supply band 4 is provided to supply the sensor 2 to the diaper body 1, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The sensor supply band 4 is a continuous band body 40 having a plurality of sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) spaced at equal intervals thereon, the upper part or the lower part of the diaper 1 by automatic equipment. It may be attached or peeled off on the dry layers 10, 11. In addition, a cutout line 4 is formed between two adjacent sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 2C). Thus, the sensors 2A, 2B, 2C are formed on the inner surface of the upper or lower dry layers 10, 11 of the diaper body 1 by glue or double-sided adhesive tape or by fusion or adhesion performed by a high frequency device. It can be attached to, thus facilitating automatic manufacture of the diaper 1.

Further, the sensor supply box 4A as shown in Figs. 14 and 15 has a plurality of sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) stacked on each other. The sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) are the upper or lower dry layers 10, 11 of the diaper body 1 by fusion or adhesion carried out by a high frequency machine with the help of glue or double-sided adhesive tape or automation equipment. Is attached on the inner surface of the diaphragm and is therefore convenient for automation of the diaper body 1.

As described above, the sensors 2 (2A, 2B) can be combined with the diaper body 1 in advance and then discarded together with the diaper body 1 used after use. In addition, the controller 3, the sensors 2 (2A, 2B) and the diaper 1A, when in use, can be separated for the convenience of the user, the caregiver or the manager, thereby reducing the cost and reducing the cost of the diaper body and bedsores. Avoid getting wet. As shown in Fig. 17, the sensors 2 (2A; 2B; 2C) are disposed on the diaper body 1A before or after the diaper body 1A is wound around the user's body, and the sensor 2 (2A; 2B; 2C) may be surrounded on the outside by an absorbent material 2D such as technical fabric or absorbent cotton or paper. Thus, the sensors 2 (2A; 2B; 2C) can be used repeatedly after cleaning and sterilization, thereby saving economically.

Various applications of the electronic diaper of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20 respectively. Fig. 17 shows a state in which the controller 3 is connected to the wired external display 33, which is displayed by the caregiver such as another position on the user's leg or convenient to check the external display 33, for example. It is placed in a location where it can be easily checked.

FIG. 19 shows a state in which the controller 3 has a transmitter inside which cooperates with a wireless external display 34 having a receiver, which is carried by the caregiver and can perform its task without mistakes. .

20 shows a state in which the controller 3 is connected to the group external display 35, which can be applied to a hospital or nursing home where radio transmission is not allowed. The external display 35 is arranged at the nursing counter so that the caregiver can know the state of the diaper body of each user.

FIG. 21 shows a state in which a plurality of diaper bodies 1 are connected to the group exterior display 36, which can be applied to a hospital or nursing home where wireless transmission is not allowed. This exterior display 36 is arranged at the nursing counter so that the caregiver can know the status of all diaper bodies 1.

In addition, the controller 3 may be provided inside the control circuit 6, as shown in FIG. 23 or 24. The control circuit 6 is composed of an integrated circuit (IC) 60 as shown in FIG. 22, and this IC 60 having a drive program implanted therein is calculated by the IC 60 and calculated by the IC 60. It is connected with the sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) to transmit a signal 61 sensed by the sensors 2 (2A; 2B; 2C) to be converted to 62. The alarm signal can be converted to the provision of the time when the diaper body 1 has been wetted by the sound and / or liquid crystal display given by the light or horn emitted by the LED lamp 63. Thus, if the diaper body 1 is wet but not yet replaced with a new one, the horn alerts the caregiver or manager that the diaper body must be replaced for a specified time so that the caregiver does not knowingly replace the diaper body 1. Anti-damp, improve sensitivity to the caregiver's pregnancy, and allow the user to feel comfortable using the electronic diaper.

In addition, the controller 3 allows the sensor 2 as the signal source 61 to carry out the sensing continuously. In other words, the controller 3 continuously or intermittently supplies the sensor 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) with very small and constant power to sense the state of the diaper body 1. That is, as long as the controller 3 can sense the state of the diaper body 1 at a suitable time, very small power is supplied to the sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) at very short time intervals (seconds or minutes). Supply.

As shown in FIG. 24, the control circuit 6 of the controller 3 has two signal sources 61A, 61B and has two sensing modes A, B. FIG. The two signal sources 61A, 61B conform to the structure of the diaper body shown in Fig. 2, which has sensors 2 (2A; 2B; 2C) having three conductors 201, 202, and 203. . Conductors 201 and 202 are relatively short and of the same length, and conductor 203 is longer than conductors 201 and 202. The conductor 202 is used as a mutual ground wire. Thus, the two conductors 201 and 201 can be electrically connected by urine flowing through the hole 212 formed in the upper layer, so that the first step of the wet state of the diaper body 1 is sensed so that the diaper body ( When 1) is slightly wet, it produces the first moisture signal 61A. The two conductors 202, 203 are electrically connected by urine flowing through the holes 212A of the upper layer when there is enough urine in the diaper body 1 so that the second stage of the wet state of the diaper body 1 can be carried out. And generates a second moisture signal 61B of the diaper body. In addition, the first wet signal 61A may indicate that the controller 3 lights the green light of the LED 620 so that the diaper body 1 does not yet need to be replaced with a new one. The second wet signal 61B may illuminate the red light of the LED 621, indicating that the diaper body 1 should be replaced with a new one. Alternatively, the entire conductors 201, 202, and 203 are made of different lengths, and the conductors 202 function as ground wires, which can form multiple signal sources for replacing the diaper body at mission time.

As shown in Figure 22, the operation of the integrated circuit 60 of the present invention, when power is started, the integrated circuit 60 starts mode detection to check the system state and perform a functional test. Then, the controller 3 supplies the continuous or intermittent power to the sensors 2 (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) of the diaper main body 1 to detect the signal source 61 in the state of the diaper main body 1. . If the signal source 61 is "Yes", this indicates that the diaper body 1 is sufficiently wetted, at which time the controller 3 immediately turns on the power of the sensors 2 (2A; 2B; 2C; 2D). However, the alarm signal of the controller 3 remains until the diaper body 1 is replaced with a new one and the signal source 61 returns to the zero position, causing the controller 3 to wait for the next signal source 61. It is sent out continuously, thereby ensuring the safety of using the electronic diaper of the present invention.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it will be appreciated and understood that various changes may be made, and the appended claims cover all such modifications as fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

According to the present invention, the diaper can indicate when it is wet, and senses the wet state of the diaper body to generate a signal to remind the caregiver that the diaper is wet and should be replaced with a new one, thereby providing a sense of caregiver's sense of duty. An electronic diaper is provided that heightens and allows the user of the diaper to feel comfortable.

Claims (14)

An electronic diaper manufacturing method comprising providing a sensor supply band, The sensor supply band has a continuous band body, the continuous band body has a plurality of sensor bodies, the sensor bodies are spaced at equal intervals with a perforation line between every two adjacent sensors of the sensors, Each of the sensors may be separated along the perforation line, and the sensors may be glued or top or bottom dry of the diaper body by fusion and adhesion performed by a high frequency machine to facilitate automatic manufacture of the electronic diaper. A method of making an electronic diaper attached to the inner surface of a layer. The sensor supply box according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor supply box for disposing a plurality of sensors stacked on each other therein, Each sensor is electronically attached by automatic equipment on the inner surface of the upper or lower dry layer of each of the diaper bodies, either by fusion and adhesion, or by glue, performed by a high frequency machine for convenient automatic manufacture of the electronic diaper. How to make a diaper. An electronic diaper comprising a diaper body, The diaper body has at least an upper and lower dry layer and an absorbent layer interposed between the two dry layers, a sensor attached to the upper or lower dry layer, the sensor extending outward of the diaper, The sensor is an electronic diaper having a connecting member. 4. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein the sensor is formed of a lower film layer having a plurality of conductors disposed on an upper surface thereof, and an upper film layer formed to be closely coated on the upper surface of the lower film layer to soften the sensor and to have good conductivity. Electronic diaper. The electronic diaper according to claim 3, wherein the sensor is formed of a lower film layer having a plurality of conductors provided on an upper surface thereof and having a smooth and good conductivity. 4. The electronic diaper according to claim 3, having an exterior display connected to the diaper body and disposed in a position where a caretaker can easily check it. In the electronic diaper, A diaper body having an upper dry layer, a lower dry layer and an absorbent layer interposed between the upper and lower dry layers, A sensor attached to the upper dry layer or the lower dry layer and having a connecting member; A controller having a socket hole having two terminals therein, The controller is inserted into the socket opening of the controller to receive a signal from the sensor to generate an alarm signal of the state of the diaper body. 8. The electronic diaper as recited in claim 7, wherein said controller secures a conductor of said sensor to receive a signal from said sensor, and thereby generates an alert signal of a wet state of said diaper body. A diaper composed of an upper dry layer, a lower dry layer and an absorbent layer interposed between the two dry layers, A controller having a socket hole having two terminals therein; A sensor having a connecting member inserted into the socket hole of the controller, The sensor may be attached to the diaper to sense the state of the diaper body. The electronic diaper of claim 9 wherein said sensor is wrapped with an absorbent material. In the electronic diaper, A diaper having at least an upper dry layer, a lower dry layer and an absorbent layer interposed between the two dry layers, A plurality of conductors of the sensor printed on the upper dry layer or the lower dry layer, The sensor may be connected with a controller such that the controller can receive a signal from the sensor to generate an alarm signal of the state of the diaper body. In the electronic diaper, A diaper body comprising an upper dry layer, a lower dry layer, and an absorbent layer interposed between the two dry layers, A sensor connected to the controller and attached to the upper dry layer or the lower dry layer, The controller has a control circuit therein, The control circuit is composed of an IC, The IC contains a drive program, The controller receives a signal sensed by the sensor, The controller calculates and converts the signal into an alarm signal, The alarm signal is then sent to the LED lamp to light up, or to the buzzer to output sound, or to the LCD display to indicate when the diaper body is wet and the diaper body can be exchanged for a new one by a caretaker. Electronic diaper. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the control circuit comprises a plurality of detection modes and a plurality of signal sources corresponding to the sensor consisting of three conductors, Two of the three conductors are first of the wet state of the diaper body which are electrically connected to each other by urine flowing through a hole formed in the upper membrane layer and transmitted to the controller to detect the first stage of the wet state of the diaper body. Generate a signal, the controller then generates a first alert signal, The other two of the three conductors sense a second stage of the wet state of the diaper body and generate a second signal of the wet state of the diaper body such that the controller receives the second signal and replaces the diaper body with a new one. An electronic diaper which can be electrically connected by urine flowing through another hole formed in the upper membrane layer to produce a second alarm signal to achieve the purpose of the present invention. The method of claim 12, wherein the controller supplies a very small continuous power to the sensor to continuously sense the state of the diaper, The controller supplies very small intermittent power to the sensor such that the sensor intermittently detects the state of the diaper, The controller immediately shuts off the power of the sensor after the wet state of the diaper is detected, but the alarm signal continues to be output until the diaper is replaced with a new one.