An intelligent diaper

Abstract

The present invention provides an intelligent diaper, which relates to the technical field of daily necessities. The intelligent diaper provided by the present invention includes: a diaper body, a flexible self-power generation device disposed in the diaper body, and an alarm device disposed outside the diaper body, and the alarm device is electrically connected to the flexible self-power generation device; wherein, the flexible self-power generation device includes a positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer, and an electrolyte layer located between the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer; the positive electrode layer is a first liquid metal layer doped with a first metal powder; the negative electrode layer is a second liquid metal layer doped with a second metal powder; the electrolyte in the electrolyte layer is activated when encountering urine; the melting points of the liquid metal in the positive electrode layer and the liquid metal in the negative electrode layer are both lower than normal body temperature. The technical solution of the present invention can eliminate the need for power supply, which is beneficial to reducing energy consumption, and has flexibility, which is beneficial to improving the comfort level of the wearer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of daily necessities, and particularly relates to an intelligent diaper. Background Art

[0002] Diapers are daily necessities for infants and young children as well as incontinent adults suffering from diseases. In real life, the state of diapers for infants and young children and incontinent adults cannot usually be detected in a timely manner, so that the wet diapers cannot be replaced in a timely manner, which may further cause skin problems such as red buttocks and eczema. Thus, intelligent diapers came into being.

[0003] Intelligent diapers can monitor the state of diapers and timely remind caregivers to replace the diapers to ensure the health of infants and patients. In the prior art, the intelligent diapers adopt a scheme of using a microcomputer to collect sensor information to detect the wet state of the diaper and give an alarm in a timely manner. In such a scheme, electronic devices such as a microcomputer and a sensor need to be powered by a battery, and an additional alarm needs to be worn each time the diaper is used. Limited by the battery life, such a scheme requires frequent battery replacement. In addition, rigid electronic components such as a battery, a microcontroller, and a sensor will also cause discomfort to the wearer. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides an intelligent diaper, which can be non-powered, is beneficial to reducing energy consumption, and is flexible, which is beneficial to improving the comfort level of the wearer.

[0005] The present invention provides an intelligent diaper, adopting the following technical solutions:

[0006] The intelligent diaper includes: a diaper body, a flexible self-power generation device disposed in the diaper body, and an alarm device disposed outside the diaper body. The alarm device is electrically connected to the flexible self-power generation device; wherein,

[0007] The flexible self-power generation device includes a positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer, and an electrolyte layer located between the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer; the positive electrode layer is a first liquid metal layer doped with a first metal powder; the negative electrode layer is a second liquid metal layer doped with a second metal powder; the electrolyte in the electrolyte layer is activated when encountering urine; the melting points of the liquid metal in the positive electrode layer and the liquid metal in the negative electrode layer are both lower than normal body temperature.

[0008] Optionally, the mass fraction of the first metal powder in the first liquid metal layer is 5% - 30%; the mass fraction of the second metal powder in the second liquid metal layer is 5% - 30%.

[0009] Optionally, the particle size of the first metal powder is 1 nm - 100 μm; the particle size of the second metal powder is 1 nm - 100 μm.

[0010] Optionally, the positive electrode layer, the electrolyte layer, and the negative electrode layer are sequentially stacked.

[0011] Optionally, the electrolyte layer is a paper electrolyte layer or a non-woven fabric electrolyte layer.

[0012] Optionally, the positive electrode layer, the electrolyte layer, and the negative electrode layer are in the same plane, and the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer are respectively disposed on both sides of the electrolyte layer.

[0013] Optionally, the first metal powder includes one or more of copper powder, silver powder, gold powder, and platinum powder; the second metal powder includes one or more of zinc powder, magnesium powder, and aluminum powder.

[0014] Optionally, the thickness of the flexible self-power generation device is 50 μm to 3 mm; the area of the flexible self-power generation device is 1 mm 2 to 100 cm 2 .

[0015] Optionally, the flexible self-power generation device further includes a flexible encapsulation layer, the flexible encapsulation layer covers the outside of the positive electrode layer, the electrolyte layer, and the negative electrode layer, and a plurality of water-permeable holes are provided at a position corresponding to the electrolyte layer on the flexible encapsulation layer.

[0016] Optionally, the intelligent diaper includes a plurality of flexible self-power generation devices, and the plurality of flexible self-power generation devices are connected in parallel and / or in series.

[0017] Optionally, the diaper body includes a surface covering layer, an absorbent core layer, and a bottom cloth, the materials of the surface covering layer and the bottom cloth are both non-woven fabrics, and the absorbent core layer includes fluff pulp and superabsorbent resin; the flexible self-power generation device is located inside the absorbent core layer, and the alarm device is located outside the bottom cloth.

[0018] The present invention provides an intelligent diaper, which includes: a diaper body, a flexible self - power - generating device disposed within the diaper body, and an alarm device disposed outside the diaper body; wherein, the flexible self - power - generating device includes a positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer, and an electrolyte layer located between the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer; the positive electrode layer is a first liquid metal layer doped with a first metal powder; the negative electrode layer is a second liquid metal layer doped with a second metal powder; the electrolyte in the electrolyte layer is activated when encountering urine. Thus, when the wearer wets the diaper, the electrolyte in the electrolyte layer comes into contact with the urine and is then activated, enabling the first metal powder in the positive electrode layer and the second metal powder in the negative electrode layer to undergo a primary battery reaction, thereby forming a potential difference between the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer, and then outputting an electric current to the alarm device to drive the alarm device to work, reminding the caregiver to change the diaper and ensuring the health of infants and patients. The flexible self - power - generating device is flexible and has the function of self - power generation, which is also beneficial for reducing energy consumption and improving the comfort level of the wearer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the intelligent diaper provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the flexible self - power - generating device provided by an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0022] Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the flexible self - power - generating device provided by an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0023] Figure 4 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the flexible self - power - generating device provided by an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 ;

[0024] Figure 5 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of multiple flexible self - power - generating devices provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0026] It should be noted that, without conflict, the technical features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0027] The embodiments of the present invention provide an intelligent diaper. Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the intelligent diaper provided by the embodiments of the present invention. The intelligent diaper includes: a diaper body 1, a flexible self-power generation device 2 disposed inside the diaper body 1, and an alarm device 3 disposed outside the diaper body 1. The alarm device 3 is electrically connected to the flexible self-power generation device 2; wherein,

[0028] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the flexible self-power generation device provided by the embodiments of the present invention Figure 1 , Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the flexible self-power generation device provided by the embodiments of the present invention Figure 2 The flexible self-power generation device 2 includes a positive electrode layer 21, a negative electrode layer 22, and an electrolyte layer 23 located between the positive electrode layer 21 and the negative electrode layer 22; the positive electrode layer 21 is a first liquid metal layer doped with a first metal powder; the negative electrode layer 22 is a second liquid metal layer doped with a second metal powder; the electrolyte in the electrolyte layer 23 is activated when encountering urine; the melting points of the liquid metals (i.e., low melting point metals) in the positive electrode layer 21 and the negative electrode layer 22 are both lower than normal body temperature.

[0029] When the wearer of the intelligent diaper is wet with urine, the electrolyte in the electrolyte layer 21 contacts the urine and is thereby activated, enabling the first metal powder in the positive electrode layer 21 and the second metal powder in the negative electrode layer 22 to undergo a primary battery reaction, thereby forming a potential difference between the positive electrode layer 21 and the negative electrode layer 22, and outputting an electric current to drive the alarm device 3 to work, reminding the caregiver to change the diaper and ensuring the health of infants and patients. In addition, the flexible self-power generation device 2 is flexible and has the function of self-power generation, which is also beneficial to reducing energy consumption and improving the comfort level of the wearer.

[0030] For the convenience of those skilled in the art to understand and implement, the embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter describe the diaper body 1, the flexible self-power generation device 2, the alarm device 3, and the electrical connection manner between the alarm device 3 and the flexible self-power generation device 2 in detail.

[0031] Optionally, the diaper body 1 includes a surface covering layer, an absorbent core layer, and a bottom cloth. The materials of the surface covering layer and the bottom cloth are both non-woven fabrics. The absorbent core layer includes fluff pulp and superabsorbent resin. Among them, the surface covering layer contacts the skin of the wearer. When the diaper body 1 has the above structure, the flexible self-power generation device 2 can be placed inside the absorbent core layer, preferably in the crotch part, so that the electrolyte in the electrolyte layer 23 of the flexible self-power generation device 2 can better contact urine. The alarm device 3 can be placed outside the bottom cloth, preferably at the waist, so that the wearer has a better experience and it is easier for the caregiver to observe.

[0032] Optionally, there are various implementation manners for "the flexible self-power generation device 2 includes a positive electrode layer 21, a negative electrode layer 22, and an electrolyte layer 23 located between the positive electrode layer 21 and the negative electrode layer 22":

[0033] In one example, as Figure 2 shown, the positive electrode layer 21, the electrolyte layer 23, and the negative electrode layer 22 are stacked in sequence, so that the area of the flexible self-power generation device 2 is smaller. In this example, in order to improve the contact effect between the electrolyte layer 23 and urine, the positive electrode layer 21 and the negative electrode layer 22 can have a hollowed-out pattern, such as a grid pattern with a fixed line width, so that urine can enter through the hollowed-out part to contact the electrolyte layer 23. Optionally, the electrolyte layer 23 is a paper electrolyte layer or a non-woven fabric electrolyte layer, which can be obtained by immersing electrolyte liquid into paper or non-woven fabric and drying.

[0034] In another example, as Figure 3 shown, the positive electrode layer 21, the electrolyte layer 23, and the negative electrode layer 22 are in the same plane, and the positive electrode layer 21 and the negative electrode layer 22 are respectively arranged on both sides of the electrolyte layer 23, so that the electrolyte layer 23 is easier to contact urine and the detection effect is better. Optionally, the positive electrode layer 21, the electrolyte layer 23, and the negative electrode layer 22 can be formed on the same flexible substrate (such as non-woven fabric or paper, etc.).

[0035] Optionally, the mass fraction of the first metal powder in the first liquid metal layer of the positive electrode layer 21 is 5% to 30%, such as 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%. Among them, the higher the mass fraction of the first metal powder in the first liquid metal layer, the better the power generation effect of the flexible self-power generation device 2. However, the greater the viscosity of the first liquid metal layer, the more difficult it is to prepare. The above selection of the mass fraction can make the first liquid metal layer easier to prepare and the flexible self-power generation device 2 has a better power generation effect. Similarly, the mass fraction of the second metal powder in the second liquid metal layer is 5% to 30%, such as 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, so that the first liquid metal layer is easier to prepare and the flexible self-power generation device 2 has a better power generation effect.

[0036] Optionally, the particle size of the first metal powder is 1 nm to 100 μm; the particle size of the second metal powder is 1 nm to 100 μm. Among them, if the particle sizes of the first metal powder and the second metal powder are too large, it is difficult to be uniformly distributed in the liquid metal, which will cause the performance of the positive electrode layer 21 and the negative electrode layer 22 to be non-uniform. If the particle sizes of the first metal powder and the second metal powder are too small, it will be difficult to prepare the first metal powder and the second metal powder, and the cost is relatively high. The above selection of the particle size can make the first metal powder and the second metal powder easier to prepare and easier to be uniformly distributed in the liquid metal. Among them, when a certain physical property or physical behavior of the measured particle is most similar to that of a homogeneous sphere (or combination) with a certain diameter, the diameter (or combination) of the sphere is used as the particle size of the measured particle.

[0037] In addition, the liquid metal in the first liquid metal layer and the second liquid metal layer is preferably a non-toxic and harmless liquid metal with a melting point lower than normal body temperature, such as gallium-indium eutectic alloy, gallium element, etc. Optionally, the first liquid metal layer includes 90% by mass of gallium-indium eutectic alloy and 10% by mass of the first metal powder with a diameter of 50 nm, and the second liquid metal layer includes 90% by mass of gallium-indium eutectic alloy and 10% by mass of the second metal powder with a diameter of 50 nm.

[0038] In addition, other substances, such as conductivity enhancing materials, etc., can also be contained in the first liquid metal layer and the second liquid metal layer to improve the comprehensive performance of the first liquid metal layer and the second liquid metal layer. Exemplarily, each of the first liquid metal layer and the second liquid metal layer includes 10% by mass of carbon nanotubes.

[0039] The first liquid metal layer and the second liquid metal layer can be formed by spraying, printing, printing, transfer printing and other methods, and the embodiments of the present invention do not limit this. The liquid metal and the first metal powder or the second metal powder can be mixed by ball milling and stirring.

[0040] Optionally, the electrolyte in the electrolyte layer 23 is citric acid or acetic acid, which has a weak acidity and will not cause irritation to the skin of the wearer. Taking the electrolyte layer 23 as a paper electrolyte layer as an example, it can be made by soaking absorbent paper in a citric acid solution with a mass fraction of 15%, and then drying it after taking it out.

[0041] Optionally, the first metal powder includes one or more of copper powder, silver powder, gold powder, and platinum powder, preferably copper powder with a lower cost; the second metal powder includes one or more of zinc powder, magnesium powder, and aluminum powder, preferably aluminum powder. Exemplarily, the first liquid metal layer includes a eutectic alloy of gallium and indium with a mass fraction of 90% and copper powder with a mass fraction of 10% and a diameter of 50 nm, and the second liquid metal layer includes a eutectic alloy of gallium and indium with a mass fraction of 90% and zinc powder with a mass fraction of 10% and a diameter of 50 nm. The electrolyte layer 23 is a non-woven fabric electrolyte layer, and the electrolyte in the electrolyte layer 23 is citric acid.

[0042] Optionally, the thickness of the flexible self-powered device 2 is 50 μm to 3 mm, so that the flexible self-powered device 2 has good flexibility, and the positive electrode layer 21, negative electrode layer 22, and electrolyte layer 23 included therein are easier to fabricate. The area of the flexible self-powered device is 1 mm 2 ~100 cm 2 , so that the flexible self-powered device 2 is easier to fabricate.

[0043] With a thickness of 2 mm and an area of 1 cm 2 , the first liquid metal layer includes a eutectic alloy of gallium and indium with a mass fraction of 90% and copper powder with a mass fraction of 10% and a diameter of 50 nm, the second liquid metal layer includes a eutectic alloy of gallium and indium with a mass fraction of 90% and zinc powder with a mass fraction of 10% and a diameter of 50 nm, the electrolyte layer 23 is a non-woven fabric electrolyte layer, the electrolyte in the electrolyte layer 23 is citric acid, and the power generation of a single flexible self-powered device can reach 1 V and 1 mA.

[0044] Optionally, as Figure 4 shown, Figure 4 is the structural schematic Figure 3 of the flexible self-powered device provided by the embodiment of the present invention. The flexible self-powered device 2 further includes a flexible encapsulation layer 24, and the flexible encapsulation layer 24 covers the outside of the positive electrode layer 21, electrolyte layer 23, and negative electrode layer 22. A plurality of water-permeable holes 25 are provided at positions corresponding to the electrolyte layer 23 on the flexible encapsulation layer 24. The flexible encapsulation layer 24 can effectively protect the positive electrode layer 21, electrolyte layer 23, and negative electrode layer 22, and will not affect the use of the flexible self-powered device 2. Optionally, the water-permeable holes 25 are round holes with a diameter of 5 mm. Optionally, the material of the flexible encapsulation layer 24 is polydimethylsiloxane (PMMA), biodegradable plastic (Ecoflex), polyurethane, silica gel, or acrylic polymer, etc.

[0045] Optionally, as Figure 5 shown, Figure 5 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a plurality of flexible self - power generation devices provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The intelligent diaper includes a plurality of flexible self - power generation devices 2, and the plurality of flexible self - power generation devices 2 are connected in parallel and / or in series to increase the intensity of the signal transmitted to the alarm device 3 and improve the accuracy of detecting urine wetness. In Figure 5 the example shown, the intelligent diaper includes 6 flexible self - power generation devices 2. Among them, after each pair of flexible self - power generation devices 2 are connected in parallel, they are connected in series together.

[0046] Optionally, the alarm device 3 provided by an embodiment of the present invention may include an indicator light and its control circuit, or a buzzer and its control circuit, or an indicator light, a buzzer and their control circuits, etc. Among them, when the alarm device 3 includes an indicator light, it is indicated by the light emission of the indicator light, which will not cause fright or other troubles to the wearer; when the alarm device 3 includes a buzzer, even if the caregiver is far away from the wearer, the alarm can be heard. Those skilled in the art can choose according to actual needs.

[0047] Optionally, the alarm device 3 is electrically connected to the flexible self - power generation device 2 through a flexible circuit made of liquid metal.

[0048] An embodiment of the present invention provides an intelligent diaper, which includes: a diaper body, a flexible self - power generation device disposed in the diaper body, and an alarm device disposed outside the diaper body; wherein, the flexible self - power generation device includes a positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer, and an electrolyte layer located between the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer; the positive electrode layer is a first liquid metal layer doped with a first metal powder; the negative electrode layer is a second liquid metal layer doped with a second metal powder; the electrolyte in the electrolyte layer is activated when encountering urine. Thus, when the wearer is wet with urine, the electrolyte in the electrolyte layer contacts the urine and is then activated, so that the first metal powder in the positive electrode layer and the second metal powder in the negative electrode layer can undergo a primary battery reaction, thereby forming a potential difference between the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer, and then outputting a current to the alarm device to drive the alarm device to work, reminding the caregiver to change the diaper and ensuring the health of infants and patients. The flexible self - power generation device is flexible and has the function of self - power generation, which is also beneficial to reducing energy consumption and improving the comfort level of the wearer.

[0049] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A smart diaper, It is characterized in that include: A diaper body, a flexible self-generating device arranged in the diaper body, and an alarm device arranged outside the diaper body, wherein the alarm device is electrically connected to the flexible self-generating device; wherein: The flexible self-generating device comprises a positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer, and an electrolyte layer located between the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer; the positive electrode layer is a first liquid metal layer doped with a first metal powder; the negative electrode layer is a second liquid metal layer doped with a second metal powder; the electrolyte in the electrolyte layer is activated when it encounters urine; the melting points of the liquid metal in the positive electrode layer and the liquid metal in the negative electrode layer are both lower than normal body temperature, and the metal activity of the second metal powder is higher than the metal activity of the first metal powder; The liquid metal in the first liquid metal layer and the second liquid metal layer is selected from gallium-indium eutectic alloy or gallium element; the electrolyte is citric acid or acetic acid; In the first liquid metal layer, the first metal powder includes one or more of copper powder, silver powder, gold powder, and platinum powder, the mass fraction of the first metal powder is 5%~30%, and the particle size is 1nm~100 μm; in the second liquid metal layer, the second metal powder includes one or more of zinc powder, magnesium powder, and aluminum powder, the mass fraction of the second metal powder is 5%~30%, and the particle size is 1nm~100 μm.

2. The smart diaper according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The positive electrode layer, the electrolyte layer, and the negative electrode layer are stacked in this order.

3. The smart diaper according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The electrolyte layer is a paper electrolyte layer or a non-woven fabric electrolyte layer.

4. The smart diaper according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The positive electrode layer, the electrolyte layer and the negative electrode layer are in the same plane, and the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer are respectively arranged on both sides of the electrolyte layer.

5. The smart diaper according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The flexible self-generating device further comprises a flexible packaging layer, which is coated on the outside of the positive electrode layer, the electrolyte layer and the negative electrode layer, and a plurality of water-permeable holes are arranged on the flexible packaging layer at positions corresponding to the electrolyte layer.

6. The smart diaper according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The smart diaper comprises a plurality of flexible self-generating devices, and the plurality of flexible self-generating devices are connected in parallel and / or in series.

7. The smart diaper according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The diaper body includes a surface covering layer, an absorbent core layer and a base fabric. The surface covering layer and the base fabric are both made of non-woven fabrics. The absorbent core layer includes fluff pulp and super absorbent resin. The flexible self-generating device is located inside the absorbent core layer, and the alarm device is located outside the base fabric.

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