JPH10151154A - Disposable diapers with wetness detection sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] A disposable diaper with a sensor for detecting wetting, which is capable of detecting the amount of urine discharged and which is not affected by urine in the water absorption layer due to urination,
It provides a new disposable diaper. A water-impermeable sheet, a water-absorbing layer, and a water-permeable sheet 1 are provided, and at least two or more rows are formed substantially in parallel between the water-impermeable sheet and the water-permeable sheet 1. It is composed of electrodes 2, 3, and 4 for electric displacement detection, and the central part of the electrodes 2, 3, and 4 for electric displacement detection is the longest,
The electrode is formed so as to approach the center of urination and the electrodes outside the center are sequentially shortened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a disposable diaper having a wetting detection sensor, and more particularly, to a specific configuration of the wetting sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are two types of disposable diapers, a one-piece type in which a waterproof cover and a water-absorbing layer are integrated, and a two-piece type, in which a water-absorbing layer and a waterproof cover are separated. . Non-woven fabric, pulp,
In most cases, a material such as an absorbing polymer is used and can absorb several urination volumes. These disposable diapers are used by most people who cannot handle urination and defecation by themselves, from infants to the elderly and the sick who are unable to lie. Usually, diapers are used in such a style that mothers and caregivers regularly check the diapers and replace them if they are wet. Therefore, if you urinate and defecate before the replacement time,
It is left unpleasant until the next replacement, which is not good for the environment and the health of the cared person. In particular, hospitals and the like that care for many patients who need diapers 24 hours a day with a small number of nurses seem to regularly change diapers and change diapers without getting wet,
Unnecessary labor of changing diapers to those who do not need to change them is inevitable, and it costs extra money. So if you urinate or defecate,
Many types of diapers having a wetness detection sensor that detects this and informs a caregiver have been devised.

For example, a disposable diaper with a sensor is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-178789. The outline of the diaper is to dispose parallel electrodes of different metals on a water-impermeable sheet outside a water absorbing layer. When the urine as the electrolyte is discharged between the electrodes, a battery is formed between the dissimilar metal electrodes,
A method is described in which the electromotive force is detected and notified to a care receiver. Another example is Japanese Utility Model SHO 60-113.
No. 018 and JP-A-61-6301. The outline is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, a conductive metal foil electrode 18a, 18b, 18c, 18 such as an aluminum metal foil is formed on the surface of the water-impermeable sheet 1.
d is formed, and the surface thereof is covered with a water-permeable sheet 17. In this method, a change in resistance between the electrodes 18a and 18b and between the electrodes 18c and 18d is sensed. A sensor having a similar configuration and detecting a change in the capacitance value between these electrodes has also been devised. The most common sensing method uses a thick film printed / dried film using a metal foil, a metal wire or a conductive paste as an electrode to detect a change in resistance between two electrodes.
As the electrode pattern shape, most of the electrode structures are almost two rows in parallel, but JP-A-55-37930 discloses an electrode shape having a comb-shaped structure.

[0004]

However, conventional disposable diapers with a wetting detection sensor have several problems. The conventional diaper shown in FIG. 6 is composed of a plurality of detection electrodes, but all the detection electrodes are present in the periphery of the portion closest to urination. The absorption of urine into the water absorption layer by urination is absorbed while spreading concentrically around the urination area, but our experiments show that even in the case of urination of about 150 ml, the entire width of the diaper is absorbed, In the conventional electrode configuration, the sensing electrodes 18a and 18
b, the distance between 18c and 18d is shortened, and it is sensitive to urine.
This means that it is impossible to distinguish between a single urination and a state in which the water absorbing layer is full. This problem is that the detection method can be applied to either a change in the resistance value or a change in the capacitance value, and is also a problem that applies to an electrode pattern having a comb structure. The water-permeable sheet of a general disposable diaper has a structure in which only the water-permeable sheet is not fixed to the water-absorbing layer and only the water-permeable sheet is deformed. The state changes every time it is worn. In a conventional diaper having an electrode formed on the back surface of the water-permeable sheet 17 or the surface of the water-impermeable sheet 1 in such a situation, in particular, in a structure having a structure for detecting a change in resistance value, the electrodes in the crotch region are not Causes a short circuit. Even when short-circuiting occurs, the care-receiver moves without short-circuiting, so that the electrodes may be short-circuited on the way. This is not a change in resistance value due to urination, but a malfunction, which is a fundamental problem as a sensor. That is, the conventional wetness detection sensor has a problem that the wetness can be detected but the amount or the number of urinations cannot be detected, and a malfunction due to contact between the electrodes occurs.

[0005]

In order to solve such a conventional problem, a disposable diaper according to the present invention comprises a water-impermeable sheet, a water-absorbing layer, and a water-permeable sheet. In a disposable diaper in which a wetting sensor including at least two rows of electrodes for electrical displacement detection formed substantially in parallel between the water-permeable sheets is disposed, the central portion of the electrode for electrical displacement detection is The longest electrode is formed so that the outer electrodes at the center thereof are sequentially shortened. According to this configuration, the amount or the number of urinations can be detected.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Water-impermeable sheet arranged at least in order from the back,
A water-absorbing layer, comprising a water-permeable sheet, between the water-impermeable sheet and the water-permeable sheet, comprising at least two or more rows of electrodes for electrical displacement detection formed substantially in parallel;
In a disposable diaper provided with a wetting sensor, the center of the electrode is longest so that the tip of the electrode for electrical displacement detection is separated from the center of urination sequentially, and the electrodes outside the center are sequentially shortened. This is a disposable diaper with a formed wetting sensor.The spreading area of urine in the water-absorbing layer due to the amount of urination can be sequentially detected by the short electrodes farther from the center of urination toward the outside according to the spread. And the number of times can be detected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a disposable diaper wherein at least two or more rows of electrodes for detecting electrical displacement are positioned between the electrodes for detecting electrical displacement and above and below the sheet. The electrode has a partially joined structure, both surfaces of the electrode are covered with a water-impermeable sheet or a water-permeable sheet, and the two-sided sheet between each electrode row is partially moved so as not to move. Alternatively, since they are continuously joined, even if the diaper between the groins is compressed and formed into a dumpling, the electrodes do not contact with each other in a dry state and no malfunction occurs. However, since the portion of the electrode that touches the skin of the user is formed of a water-permeable sheet, electrical displacement between the electrodes due to urination is reliably detected.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 has a defecation detection electrode at a position distant from the electric displacement detection electrode for a wetting sensor, and the defecation detection electrode is formed on a water-permeable sheet. Forming a water-impermeable layer between the defecation detection electrode portion and the water-absorbing layer so as not to come into contact with moisture in the water-absorbing layer; forming the defecation detection sensor portion on the water-impermeable layer; Due to the structure isolated from the urine, erroneous operation due to urination can be prevented, and defecation can be detected without reducing the area of the water absorption layer of urine.

(Embodiment) The first aspect of the present invention will be described below.
A disposable diaper with a wetting detection sensor according to the present invention described in claims 2 and 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of one embodiment of the present invention. Generally, disposable diapers are laminated in the order of a water-impermeable sheet / a water-absorbing layer / a water-permeable sheet. Only the plan view of the inner water permeable sheet, that is, the sheet that touches the skin of the user, is shown. Reference numeral 1 denotes a water-permeable sheet, for example, a polypropylene non-woven fabric sheet subjected to a hydrophilic treatment, and a pair of wetting detection sensor electrodes 2, 3, and 4 is formed on the back surface thereof. The electrodes 2, 3, and 4 can be made of various materials, and a paste obtained by kneading carbon fine powder into a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin is printed on a water-permeable sheet surface by a screen printing method. It is best that the resin is cured to form an electrode under optimal curing conditions. However, aluminum, copper,
It goes without saying that a metal foil such as tin, a wire made of copper or stainless steel, etc. can be used without any problem. The sensor of this embodiment has a sensor structure for detecting a change in resistance between the electrode pairs 2-2, 3-3, and 4-4.

In FIG. 1, the direction in which the electrodes 2 to 4 extend toward the end of the water-permeable sheet 1 is the ventral side of the diaper. In FIG. 1, the vicinity of the tip of the electrode 2-2 is formed so that the absorption by urination of the urination absorbing portion comes to the central portion A which concentrically spreads. An electrode pattern is formed so as to be separated. When urine is excreted, first, the detection electrode 2-2 is wetted by urine, and a conduction state is formed between 2-2, indicating a decrease in resistance.
The first urination is detected. However, when the first urination volume is large and spreads to the electrode 3-3, the resistance value of the electrode 3-3 also decreases. As the urine output increases, the urine absorption area expands concentrically, and a decrease in the resistance value of the electrodes 3-3 and 4-4 is sequentially detected. That is, if the electrode-shaped diaper of the present invention is used, the amount and the number of urinations can be detected. In the above description, three sensor configurations using the electrodes 2-2, 3-3, and 4-4 have been described. However, one of the electrodes 2 is a common electrode on one side, and the resistance between the other five electrodes is different. Of course, a five-sensor configuration for sensing a value change is also possible. Further, in this embodiment, the sensor of the resistance value change has been described.
The above-mentioned electrode configuration can be immediately applied to a method of measuring a change in capacitance value.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the shape of the wetting detecting sensor is different. Reference numeral 1 denotes a water-permeable sheet, and reference numerals 5 to 10 denote wetting detection electrodes. The electrode arrangement shown in FIG. 2 also has an electrode 5 reaching the urination center A, and an electrode array formed outside the electrode 5 so that the length of the electrode is gradually reduced. The wetness detection sensor in FIG. 2 has a configuration in which the electrode 5 is used as a common electrode and the electrical displacement between the electrode 5 and the electrodes 6 to 10 is measured. A sensor for detecting the amount of urination and the number of times of urination covering the area can be provided. 1 and 2, the number of electrodes is increased,
If the amount of decrease in the electrode length is finely divided, a more accurate wetting amount detection sensor can be formed.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention, which shows a structure of a disposable diaper having a wetting detection sensor for preventing a short circuit between electrodes of a crotch portion in a dry state when the diaper is used. 1, and shows only the water-permeable sheet 1 as in FIG. Reference numeral 1 denotes a water-permeable sheet, 2-2, 3-3, and 4-4 each denote a wetting detection sensor electrode pair, and the back surface of the water-permeable sheet 1 (the side that does not touch the skin of the user). An electrode was formed using a carbon paste. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the electrodes 2 to 4 formed on the back surface of the water permeable sheet 1 are covered with another water permeable sheet, and have a sandwich configuration centering on the electrodes 2 to 4. The two water-permeable sheets are heat-sealed at respective points 11 indicated by black dots in FIG. 3 to constitute the integrated sheet in the sandwich state. That is, in the water-permeable sheet having the detection electrode of the present invention, in a dry state, even if the electrodes overlap, the water-permeable sheet functions as an insulating layer and does not short-circuit. Therefore, even if the diaper of the present invention is worn on the crotch of the user, malfunction due to contact between the electrodes hardly occurs. The joining of the two water-permeable sheets between the electrodes has no problem in continuous fusion as well as point fusion as described above.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the present invention. 4 and 5 show a disposable diaper on which wetting detection by urine and a stool detection sensor are formed. 4 and 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a water-permeable sheet, on the back surface of which are formed the urine wetting detection electrodes 2-2 and 3-3 as described with reference to FIGS. Comb-shaped electrode 14 formed on the back of water-permeable sheet 1 for detecting stool
The conductors 12 and 13 are connected to the comb-shaped electrode 14. A water-impermeable electrically insulating layer 1 formed on one of the front and back surfaces of the conductor 13 so as to cover the conductor 13
5 is formed, and a water-impermeable sheet 16 is formed between the stool detection comb-shaped electrode 14 and the water absorbing layer in contact therebelow, so that urine permeating the water absorbing layer is not sensitive to the stool detection electrode. The purpose is to do so. The stool detection electrode configuration of the present invention is insensitive to urine because at least one of the front and back surfaces of the conductor portion 12 or 13 is covered with the water-impermeable electrical insulating layer 15. In addition, since the stool detection comb-shaped electrode 14 also has the water-absorbing layer isolated by the water-impermeable layer 16, it is insensitive to urine and can detect only stool. The water absorption layer below the stool detection sensor 14 is
Since all can be used as a urine absorption layer, there is no decrease in the urine absorption area. Although the comb-shaped structure has been described as a stool detection electrode, the present invention is not limited to the comb-shaped structure, and it goes without saying that the urine detection sensor structure described above has no problem. The water-impermeable layer 16 may be a sheet-like material such as a water-impermeable polypropylene film, a water-impermeable paint, a waterproof spray, or the like, as long as it is impermeable to urine, regardless of the material and shape. Further, the resistance value or capacitance value change detection sensor applicable to the present invention is not limited to an electrode material and a shape, and any material can be used as long as it can conduct electricity. In the description of the embodiment of the urine detection sensor, the sensor is configured on the surface of the water-permeable sheet, but the electrode of the present invention is formed on the surface of the water-impermeable sheet facing the water-absorbing layer. However, it is proven that the same effect can be obtained even if this is done.

[0015]

As described above, the disposable diaper with the wetting detection sensor of the present invention can detect the amount of urination, which was difficult with the conventional disposable diaper, and can be replaced even with a small amount of urination as in the conventional case. Was able to detect when it was time for replacement, which led to a reduction in working conditions and savings in hospitals, etc., where small numbers of diaper users were nursing. Such a great effect can be expected. Further, the number of urinations can be detected with a certain degree of accuracy, and can be used together with the detection of the amount. In addition, when the upper and lower sheets are partially joined between the individual electrodes of the diaper wetness detection sensor, malfunctions due to contact between the electrodes that occurred at the crotch as in the past can be prevented, so that accurate Can be detected. Furthermore, the electrode portion for a stool detection sensor has a structure in which a planar water-impermeable layer is formed between the surface and a water-absorbing layer in contact with the surface, so that only wetting by stool can be reliably detected and urine in the water-absorbing layer can be detected. It is possible to provide a disposable diaper that does not reduce the absorption area of the diaper.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a disposable diaper with a wetting detection sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a disposable diaper with a wetting sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a disposable diaper with a wetting sensor according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a disposable diaper with a wetting sensor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a disposable diaper with a wetting detection sensor according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a conventional disposable diaper with a stool detection sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water permeable sheet 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Electrode for electric displacement detection 11 Joint part 12, 13 Conductor 14 Comb-shaped electrode 15 Electrical insulating layer 16 Water impermeable layer

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A water-impermeable sheet, a water-absorbing layer, and a water-permeable sheet, which are arranged at least in order from the back, and are formed substantially in parallel between the water-impermeable sheet and the water-permeable sheet. In a disposable diaper provided with a wetting sensor comprising at least two or more rows of electrical displacement detecting electrodes, the central portion is the most so that the tip of the electrical displacement detecting electrode is separated from the central portion of urination sequentially. A disposable diaper with a wetting detection sensor, wherein the disposable diaper is formed so as to be long and the electrodes outside the central portion thereof are sequentially shortened. 2. The disposable diaper with a wetting detection sensor according to claim 1, wherein sheets located above and below the electric displacement detecting electrodes are partially joined. 3. A defecation detection electrode is provided at a position distant from the electric displacement detection electrode for a wetting sensor, and the defecation detection electrode is formed on the back surface of the water-permeable sheet. The disposable diaper with a wetting detection sensor according to claim 1, wherein a water-impermeable layer is formed between the defecation detection electrode portion and the water-absorbing layer so as not to come into contact with the diaper.