Method of using a sensor sheet, excrement sensor kit

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for using a sensor sheet that reduces the possibility of a decrease in detection accuracy of excrement due to a bent portion of an absorbent pad or a decrease in durability of an electrode due to bending of the electrode, and a complete set of an excrement sensor. A sensor sheet (5) having a plurality of electrode portions (50) provided with a plurality of electrodes (51) having a predetermined area and a lead wire (52) connecting the electrodes to each other, for detecting excrement, characterized in that the plurality of electrode portions are in an insulating state regardless of the presence or absence of excrement, so that a change in impedance between the plurality of electrode portions is detected, and in that the sensor sheet is used with an absorbent pad (1) provided with a bent portion (H1, H2) formed by folding, and in a mounted state in which the sensor sheet and the absorbent pad are mounted on a wearer, at least one bent portion does not overlap the electrodes when viewed from the skin side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to sensor chips, complete sets of excrement sensor accessories, and methods of using sensor chips. Background Technology

[0002] As a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of excrement, a type of drainage sensor, such as the one described in Patent Document 1, is known, which includes an electrode assembly consisting of multiple electrodes connected by wires. Patent Document 1 describes a method of detecting excrement from a diaper pad by placing a drainage sensor on the non-skin side of the pad.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-32520 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, generally, before use, the absorbent pad is folded inward from the skin side. Therefore, if the folded part of the absorbent pad overlaps with the electrode of the discharge sensor when viewed from the skin side, the dielectric constant of the part of the absorbent pad located in the area sandwiched by the electrode will change, resulting in a decrease in the detection accuracy of the excrement. Alternatively, if the discharge sensor is placed inside the absorbent pad, the electrode may be bent due to the folded part of the absorbent pad.

[0008] The present invention was made in view of the aforementioned problems, and its object is to provide a sensor sheet that reduces the possibility that the detection accuracy of excrement is reduced due to the bending of the absorbent pad or that the durability of the electrode is reduced due to the bending of the electrode.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] The main invention for achieving the above-mentioned objective is a sensor sheet having a plurality of electrode portions, each electrode portion having a predetermined area and wires connecting the electrodes to each other. The sensor sheet is used to detect excrement, characterized in that the plurality of electrode portions are in an insulating state regardless of whether there is excrement, so as to detect changes in impedance between the plurality of electrode portions. The sensor sheet is used with an absorbent pad having bends formed by folding, and when the sensor sheet and the absorbent pad are installed in the wearer's installation state, at least one of the bends does not overlap with the electrode when viewed from the skin side.

[0011] Other features of the invention will become clear from the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0012] The effects of the invention

[0013] According to the sensor sheet of the present invention, the possibility that the detection accuracy of excrement may be reduced due to the bending portion of the absorbent pad can be decreased. In addition, when an absorbent pad is provided as part of the absorbent pad, the possibility that the electrode may be bent due to the bending portion and the durability of the electrode may be reduced can be decreased. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a rough top view observed from the skin side, with the sensor piece 5 and absorbent pad 1 installed on the belt-type disposable diaper 100 and in an unfolded and extended state.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the pad 1, sensor piece 5, and diaper 100 in their installed state.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a rough top view of the sensor chip 5 as observed from the side of the skin.

[0017] Figure 4 From Figure 1 The diagram shown illustrates the state after removing 100 diapers.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0019] 1. Pad (absorbent pad); 10. Absorbent body; 11. Skin side panel; 12. Non-skin side panel; 15. Adhesive fixing part; 5. Sensor piece; 5x. Skin side panel; 5y. Non-skin side panel; 50. Electrode part; 50A. Electrode part; 50B. Electrode part; 51. Electrode; 51a. Electrode; 51b. Electrode; 52. Wire; 54. Sheet part; 55. Sensor adhesive part; 100. Strip-type disposable diaper; 101. Hook and loop fastener; 102. Absorbent body; 103. Top panel; 104. Bottom panel; H1. First bend (bend); H2. Second bend (bend). Detailed Implementation

[0020] Based on the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings, at least the following matters are clear.

[0021] A sensor sheet has a plurality of electrode portions, each electrode portion having a predetermined area and wires connecting the electrodes to each other. The sensor sheet is used to detect excrement. The plurality of electrode portions are in an insulated state regardless of the presence of excrement, so as to detect changes in impedance between the plurality of electrode portions. The sensor sheet is used with an absorbent pad having bends formed by folding. When the sensor sheet and the absorbent pad are installed on a wearer, at least one of the bends does not overlap with the electrodes when viewed from the skin side.

[0022] With such a sensor pad, the possibility that the detection accuracy of excrement will decrease due to the bending portion of the absorbent pad can be reduced. Furthermore, when an absorbent pad is incorporated as part of the absorbent pad, the possibility of the electrode bending due to the bending portion and the resulting decrease in electrode durability can be reduced.

[0023] In this sensor chip, preferably, the plurality of electrodes are arranged intermittently along a predetermined direction, and in the installed state, the bend has a bend width in the predetermined direction and is arranged perpendicular to the predetermined direction, the width of the bend being shorter than the distance between adjacent electrodes in the predetermined direction.

[0024] Based on such a sensor sheet, when viewed from the skin side, the electrodes and bends are less likely to overlap, which can reduce the decrease in the detection accuracy of excrement and reduce the possibility of reduced electrode durability.

[0025] In this sensor pad, preferably, the absorbent pad has a length direction and a width direction that are orthogonal to each other, and the absorbent pad is provided with a plurality of the bending portions spaced apart along the length direction or spaced apart along the width direction. In the installed state, when viewed from the skin side, the plurality of electrodes are located in the area sandwiched between the plurality of the bending portions, and when viewed from the skin side, the plurality of electrodes are not located outside the area sandwiched between the plurality of the bending portions.

[0026] According to such a sensor sheet, the electrodes and the bends do not overlap when viewed from the skin side. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the decrease in detection accuracy of inappropriate excrement and reduce the possibility of reduced electrode durability.

[0027] In this sensor pad, preferably, the absorbent pad has a length direction and a width direction that are orthogonal to each other, and the absorbent pad is provided with a plurality of the bending portions spaced apart along the length direction or spaced apart along the width direction. In the installed state, the electrode is located at a position outside the side of the bending portion located on the outermost side of the length direction, or at a position outside the side of the bending portion located on the outermost side of the width direction.

[0028] Based on such a sensor chip, the electrode section can be configured over a larger area, thus enabling the detection of excrement over a wider range.

[0029] In this sensor pad, preferably, the absorbent pad has an adhesive fixing portion on the non-skin side, and in the installed state, when viewed from the skin side, at least one of the adhesive fixing portions does not overlap with the electrode.

[0030] According to such a sensor sheet, when the adhesive fixing part of the absorbent pad is peeled off, the force applied to the electrode can be suppressed.

[0031] In this sensor pad, preferably, the absorbent pad has an adhesive fixing portion on the non-skin side, and in the installed state, when viewed from the skin side, at least one of the adhesive fixing portions overlaps with at least one of the bending portions.

[0032] Based on such a sensor sheet, the bent portion of the absorbent pad can be bonded to other components using the adhesive fixing part, thus easily mitigating the habitual bending of the bent portion.

[0033] Preferably, the sensor sheet is part of the absorbent pad.

[0034] With this type of sensor chip, there is no need to install the sensor chip and the absorbent pad separately, making installation easy.

[0035] Preferably, the sensor sheet is a component independent of the absorbent pad.

[0036] Based on such a sensor sheet, since the sensor sheet can be used independently, it can be reused or combined with a desired absorbent pad.

[0037] In this sensor sheet, preferably, in the installed state, the sensor sheet is disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent pad, and the skin side of the sensor sheet has a sensor adhesive portion, wherein when viewed from the skin side, at least one of the sensor adhesive portions does not overlap with the electrode.

[0038] According to such a sensor sheet, when the adhesive bonding between the absorbent pad and the sensor sheet is peeled off, the force applied to the electrode can be suppressed.

[0039] An excrement sensor kit includes an absorbent pad and a sensor sheet. The absorbent pad has a folded portion formed by folding. The sensor sheet has a plurality of electrode portions, each electrode portion having a predetermined area and wires connecting the electrodes to each other. The sensor sheet is used to detect excrement. The sensor sheet is characterized in that, regardless of the presence or absence of excrement, the plurality of electrode portions are in an insulated state to detect changes in impedance between the plurality of electrode portions. When the sensor sheet and the absorbent pad are installed on a wearer, at least one of the folded portions does not overlap with the electrodes when viewed from the skin side.

[0040] Based on this complete set of excrement sensor components, the possibility of decreased excrement detection accuracy due to bending of the absorbent pad can be reduced. Furthermore, by incorporating an absorbent pad as part of the absorbent pad assembly, the possibility of electrode bending due to bending and reduced electrode durability can be reduced.

[0041] A method of using a sensor sheet, which is used with an absorbent pad having a bend formed by folding, is characterized in that the sensor sheet has a plurality of electrode portions having a plurality of electrodes having a predetermined area and wires connecting the electrodes to each other, the plurality of electrode portions being in an insulated state regardless of the presence of excrement, so as to detect changes in impedance between the plurality of electrode portions, and when the sensor sheet and the absorbent pad are installed in the wearer's installation state, at least one of the bend portions does not overlap with the electrodes when viewed from the skin side.

[0042] By using this sensor pad, the possibility of decreased detection accuracy due to bends in the absorbent pad can be reduced. Furthermore, by incorporating an absorbent pad as part of the absorbent pad itself, the possibility of the electrode bending due to bends and reduced electrode durability can be reduced.

[0043] ===Implementation Methods===

[0044] The sensor chip 5 of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a rough top view observed from the skin side of the disposable diaper 100 with the sensor piece 5 and absorbent pad 1 installed, and in an unfolded and extended state. Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the pad 1, sensor piece 5, and diaper 100 in their installed state. Figure 3This is a rough top view of the sensor chip 5 as observed from the side of the skin. Figure 4 From Figure 1 The diagram shown illustrates the state after removing 100 diapers.

[0045] "Extended state (extended state)" means that the hook and loop fasteners 101 of the diaper 100 are set to be non-locking and the pad 1 and diaper 100 are stretched to a wrinkle-free state. It means that the pad 1 and diaper 1 are stretched to a length that makes the size of each component (such as the bottom piece 104, which will be described later) consistent with or close to the size of the individual component. Figure 1 and Figure 4 The attached diagram shows the installed state in an unfolded and extended state for ease of explanation. Therefore, the positional relationships of the various parts of the pad 1 and the electrode 51 of the sensor piece 5 (described later) are the same as in the installed state. In the following description, the pad 1, sensor piece 5, and diaper 100 in the installed state will be explained.

[0046] In this embodiment, the pad 1, sensor sheet 5, and diaper 100 are each independent components, having orthogonal longitudinal, width, and thickness directions. In the thickness direction, they have a skin side and a non-skin side; in the longitudinal direction, they have a wearer's abdominal side and a wearer's back side. Furthermore, the pad 1 and sensor sheet 5 can be sold either as a pre-assembled excrement sensor kit or as separate products. By making the pad 1 and sensor sheet 5 independent components, the sensor sheet 5 can be reused, or pads 1 and sensor sheets 5 of different shapes can be used together.

[0047] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the installed state, the sensor piece 5 is disposed between a urine-absorbing pad (hereinafter also referred to as "pad") 1, which is an example of an "absorbent pad", and a strip-type disposable diaper (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper") 100, with the sensor piece 5 provided on the non-skin side of the pad 1 and the skin side of the diaper 100.

[0048] <<Diapers 100>>

[0049] The diaper 100 is a so-called open-type disposable diaper that is attached to the wearer using hook and loop fasteners 101. The diaper 100 has hook and loop fasteners 101, an absorbent body 102 for absorbing urine and other excrement, a top sheet 103 covering the absorbent body 102 from the skin side, and a bottom sheet 104 covering the absorbent body 102 from the non-skin side. Description of cases where the diaper 100 appropriately has elastic members is omitted. Furthermore, the diaper 100 used with the pad 1 and sensor sheet 5 is not limited to a strap-type disposable diaper; it can also be a shorts-type disposable diaper.

[0050] The absorbent core 102 is obtained by covering an absorbent core with a liquid-permeable core-covering sheet (not shown) such as thin cotton paper or non-woven fabric. The absorbent core is formed by shaping liquid-absorbent fibers such as pulp or liquid-absorbent polymers (SAP) into a predetermined shape (e.g., a roughly hourglass shape). The top sheet 103 is a liquid-permeable sheet member such as hot-air non-woven fabric, which covers the entire area of ​​the skin-side surface of the absorbent core 102. The bottom sheet 104 is a liquid-impermeable sheet member that forms the outer packaging of the diaper 100. Hook and loop fasteners 101, 101 are respectively provided at both ends of the back side end in the longitudinal direction; they are generally rectangular so-called face fasteners. By fastening the hook and loop fasteners 101 to the target strap (not shown) provided on the side of the bottom sheet 104 at the ventral end in the longitudinal direction, a waist opening and a pair of leg openings are formed.

[0051] <<Pad 1>>

[0052] The pad 1 has an absorbent body 10 for absorbing urine and other excrement, a skin-side sheet 11 covering the absorbent body 10 from the skin side, a non-skin-side sheet 12 covering the absorbent body 10 from the non-skin side, and an adhesive fixing part 15. Description is omitted for cases where the pad 1 appropriately has a stretchable member. Furthermore, the absorbent pad used with the sensor sheet 5 is not limited to a urine-absorbing pad like the pad 1; it could also be a mild incontinence pad or a sanitary napkin. Additionally, a structure that does not use a diaper 100 could also be a structure using only the pad 1 and the sensor sheet 5.

[0053] The absorbent body 10 is obtained by covering an absorbent core with a liquid-permeable core-covering sheet (not shown) such as thin cotton paper or non-woven fabric. The absorbent core is formed by shaping liquid-absorbent fibers such as pulp or liquid-absorbent polymers (SAP) into a predetermined shape (e.g., a roughly rectangular shape). The skin-side sheet 11 is a liquid-permeable sheet member such as spunbond non-woven fabric, covering the entire area of ​​the skin-side surface of the absorbent body 10. The non-skin-side sheet 12 is a liquid-impermeable sheet member, for example, made of a suitable resin film such as polyethylene (PE), forming the outer packaging of the pad 1. The adhesive fixing part 15 is a fixing part provided on the non-skin-side surface of the pad 1 (the non-skin-side surface of the non-skin-side sheet 12), which can use conventionally known adhesive components, such as adhesives such as hot melt adhesives, double-sided tape, and face connectors. The adhesive fixing part 15 adhesively fixes the pad 1 to the skin-side surface of the sensor sheet 5. For example, without using the sensor piece 5, the adhesive fixing part 15 can be adhesively fixed to the skin side of the diaper 1, and when the pad 1 is used alone, the adhesive fixing part 15 can be adhesively fixed to the wearer's underwear or other clothing.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, the pad 1 has a first bend H1 and a second bend H2 along its width. The first bend H1 and the second bend H2 are fold lines formed by folding the pad with the skin side as the inside before it is in the packaged state and before it is installed. The first bend H1 and the second bend H2 are arranged intermittently along the length direction, with the first bend H1 located at a position closer to the ventral side than the center in the length direction, and the second bend H2 located at a position closer to the back side than the center in the length direction.

[0055] Since pad 1 has a thickness t, the bent portion of pad 1 will also become a region with a bending width in the length direction. Therefore, the position of the apex of pad 1 obtained by bending it into a mountain shape is designated as the center lines h1 and h2 of the first bending portion H1 and the second bending portion H2, respectively. For example, when pad 1 is folded using bending portions H1 and H2, and a weight (e.g., a 200g weight) is placed on a plane orthogonal to the thickness direction, the outermost position is designated as the center line h1 of the first bending portion H1 and the center line h2 of the second bending portion H2, respectively. Furthermore, the regions obtained by separating the pad 1 from the thickness t at the bending portions H1 and H2 by the length of each center line h1 in the length direction are designated as the first bending portion H1 and the second bending portion H2, respectively. That is, the first bending portion H1 and the second bending portion H2 each have a bending width of 2t (t×2) in the length direction. The thickness t of pad 1 can be measured using known methods. For example, pad 1 can be placed on a horizontal measuring stage, and a laser displacement meter (e.g., Keyence Corporation's high-precision two-dimensional laser displacement meter LJ-G series (model: LJ-G030)) can be used to measure the displacement of pad 1 at five different locations on the measuring stage. The average of the five measurements is taken as the thickness t (mm) of pad 1.

[0056] <<Sensor Chip 5>>

[0057] Sensor plate 5 is a rectangular, sheet-like component that detects the presence or absence of excrement. The length of sensor plate 5 is along the length of pad 1. For sensor plate 5 to detect the excrement absorbed by pad 1, it is preferable that sensor plate 5 is approximately the same size as pad 1 when viewed from above. However, if… Figure 1 As shown, the sensor piece 5 can be either shorter or larger than the pad 1 in both length and width directions. The excrement detected by the sensor piece 5 is so-called bodily fluids excreted by the wearer, such as urine, feces, sweat, and vaginal discharge.

[0058] The sensor sheet 5 has multiple electrode portions 50, sheet portions 54, sensor adhesive portions 55, and non-skin side adhesive portions 56. In the installed state, the skin side 5x of the sensor sheet 5 is positioned opposite the non-skin side sheet 12 of the pad 1, and the non-skin side 5y of the sensor sheet 5 is positioned opposite the top sheet 103 of the diaper 100. Figure 3 This is a schematic top view of the sensor sheet 5 as seen from the side of the skin. In the electrode section 50 of this embodiment, the wire 52 and the electrode 51 are fixed to the surface of the sheet section 54 by means of an adhesive.

[0059] The sheet portion 54 is a generally rectangular sheet component that forms the outline of the sensor sheet 5. The sheet portion 54 can be made of soft sheet-like components such as nonwoven fabrics, textiles, woven fabrics, or plastic films, such as spunbond nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, hot-air nonwoven fabrics, etc.

[0060] Whether the pad 1 has absorbed excrement or not, the multiple electrode sections 50 are in a state of mutual insulation. Each electrode section 50 has multiple electrodes 51 and wires 52 connecting the electrodes 51 together.

[0061] The conductor 52 is a conductive fiber, such as synthetic fibers mixed with conductive metal or carbon particles, fibers with metal or carbon coated on the fiber surface, or metal fibers such as stainless steel.

[0062] The electrodes 51 (electrodes 51a and 51b) of the sensor sheet 5 are conductive fiber sheets with a predetermined area. Electrodes 51 can be sheets obtained by coating the surface of nonwoven or woven fibers with thin films of copper, nickel, gold, silver, etc., through a plating process; mesh sheets woven from filaments of synthetic resin coated with thin films of copper, nickel, gold, silver, etc., through a plating process; or plates made of copper, nickel, gold, silver, etc. Furthermore, to protect the surface of the electrodes 51 before installation, release paper (not shown) can be provided on the surface of the electrodes 51. Preferably, when measuring with a general multimeter at 2cm intervals by contacting the leads, the resistance value of the electrodes 51 is 0.01Ω to 100Ω.

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown, the electrode portion 50 of the sensor chip 5 includes two electrode portions 50A and 50B, each electrode portion 50A and 50B having a plurality of electrodes 51 connected by wires 52. The electrodes 51 include a plurality of (7 each) electrodes 51a and 51b connected by means of linear conductive lines, i.e., wires 52, and the electrodes 51a and 51b are arranged in pairs in the width direction.

[0064] For sensor sheet 5, multiple sensor elements are formed on the skin-like side 5x of sensor sheet 5. These sensor elements are formed in the gap between pairs of electrodes 51a and 51b that are insulated from each other in the width direction. The sensor elements are used to detect the change in impedance between the pairs of electrodes 51a and 51b. Since an alternating current wave, or a half-wave, rectangular wave, triangular wave, etc., of either positive or negative is applied to the sensor elements, it is difficult to specifically determine the difference between the two electrodes. However, for ease of explanation in the following description, one electrode will be referred to as the positive electrode and the other as the negative electrode.

[0065] The seven electrodes 51a of electrode section 50A are positive electrodes, arranged intermittently and at equal intervals along the length direction. The electrodes 51b of electrode section 50B are negative electrodes, arranged at equal intervals along the length direction. Furthermore, the positive electrodes (electrodes 51a) and negative electrodes (electrodes 51b) are adjacent in the width direction, forming seven sensor elements. When a half-wave, rectangular wave, triangular wave, or other wave of either positive or negative polarity is applied, one of the electrodes can be grounded.

[0066] Each electrode portion 50A, 50B is connected to terminals 53A, 53B for connecting electronic devices. Specifically, the wire 52 connecting each electrode 51a, 51a... is connected to terminal 53A, and the wire 52 connecting each electrode 51b, 51b... is connected to terminal 53B. Terminals 53A and 53B can be any mating components such as metal connectors, conductive clips, fasteners, screws, hooks, or snap-fit ​​fasteners. In sensor chip 5, terminals 53A and 53B are metal connectors. Figure 1 As shown, in the installed state, terminals 53A and 53B are located on the ventral end, but this can be appropriately changed to place terminals 53A and 53B on the rear end, etc. Furthermore, in the sensor chip 5, it is directly connected to the electrode sections 50A and 50B via wires, but this is not a limitation. For example, it could also have a structure with a connecting electrode connected to the electrode section 50A and a connecting electrode connected to the electrode section 50B, and terminals on each connecting electrode could be connected to an electronic device.

[0067] Electronic devices are connected to terminals 53A and 53B. The impedance change between electrode sections 50A and 50B, which are multiple sensor elements, is measured, and the presence or absence of excrement such as urine, the type of excrement, and the diffusion of excrement are detected based on the impedance change. The presence or absence of excrement such as urine, the type of excrement, and the diffusion of excrement are calculated using electronic devices. That is, due to the presence of excrement, the dielectric constant of the absorber 10 in the pad 1 changes, and the impedance between each electrode section 50A and electrode section 50B changes. Due to the presence of excrement, there are electrode sections where the impedance changes (between electrode 51a and electrode 51b) and electrode sections where the impedance does not change (between electrode 51a and electrode 51b). As a result, the presence or absence of excrement, the type of excrement, and the diffusion of excrement can be detected by measuring the overall impedance.

[0068] Electronic devices include voltage control components, accelerometers, recorders, and information processing devices. For example, a computer has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. It collects and processes various data, thereby enabling calculations of the amount, speed, and timing of excrement.

[0069] The sensor adhesive portion 55 is a fixing member used to fix the sensor piece 5 to the pad 1. Conventionally known fixing members can be used as the sensor adhesive portion 55, such as hot melt adhesive, double-sided tape, or faceplate fasteners. Preferably, the sensor adhesive portion 55 is located on the skin side of the sensor piece 5, and at least one sensor adhesive portion 55 does not overlap with the electrode 51 when viewed from the skin side in the installed state. Because the sensor adhesive portion 55 and the electrode 51 do not overlap, the force applied to the electrode 51 can be suppressed when the sensor adhesive portion 55 fixing the pad 1 and the sensor piece 5 is peeled off. Furthermore, in this embodiment, both the adhesive fixing portion 15 and the sensor adhesive portion 55 are provided as members for fixing the pad 1 and the sensor piece 5, but this is not a limitation. The member for fixing the pad 1 and the sensor piece 5 can be either the adhesive fixing portion 15 or the sensor adhesive portion 55.

[0070] The non-skin-side adhesive portion 56 is a fixing component used to secure the sensor piece 5 to the diaper 1. Like the sensor adhesive portion 55, the non-skin-side adhesive portion 56 can also use fixing components such as hot melt adhesive, double-sided tape, or face connectors. The non-skin-side adhesive portion 56 is not necessarily required; for example, a structure with a fixing component on the skin-side of the diaper 1 is also possible.

[0071] In its installed state, the sensor sheet 5 is configured to be sandwiched between the pad 1 and the diaper 100, with the skin side 5x facing the non-skin side 12 of the pad 1, and the non-skin side 5y facing the top sheet 103 of the diaper 100. At this time, a liquid-impermeable sheet member is used for the non-skin side 12 of the pad 1, thereby maintaining the insulation of the electrodes 51 even when the pad 1 absorbs excrement. The sensor sheet 5 is not energized when excrement is present between the electrodes 51. Regardless of whether the electrodes 51 are in direct contact with excrement, electric field lines from the electrodes 51 travel from the surface of the electrodes 51 through the pad 1 (absorbent 10) to the other electrodes 51, enabling the detection of impedance changes in the pad 1 caused by excrement, thus detecting the presence or absence of excrement. Therefore, since the possibility of direct contact between the sensor sheet 5 and excrement is low, the sensor sheet 5 can be reused. In addition, many pads on the market generally have non-skin-permeable side panels, so users are not limited to pad 1, but can use the desired absorbent pad (such as a urine-absorbing pad) and sensor pad 5 together.

[0072] As described above, the pad 1 has a first bend H1 and a second bend H2 formed by folding. Once the first bend H1 and the second bend H2 are formed, they remain as so-called "habitual bends" even when the pad 1 is unfolded in the installed state. In this embodiment, as... Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, in the installed state, when viewed from the skin side, the first bend H1 and the second bend H2 do not overlap with the electrode 51.

[0073] In the installed state, when viewed from the skin side, if the bends in the pad overlap with the electrodes, the dielectric constant of the portion of the pad between the electrodes may change regardless of the detection location of excrement due to the bends. For example, depending on the folding pattern of the bends, the folds formed between the electrodes forming the sensor element may have different fiber densities, or the fiber density of each component at a single bend may vary locally, thus the dielectric constant of the pad may change. Therefore, it may be impossible to accurately detect excrement. In contrast, for the sensor pad 5, when viewed from the skin side in the installed state, the electrode 51 does not overlap with the first bend H1 and the second bend H2 of the pad 1. Therefore, the impedance change caused by the change in the dielectric constant of the pad itself due to the first bend H1 and the second bend H2 can be reduced, thereby enabling more accurate detection of excrement.

[0074] Electrodes 51a and 51b can be arranged arbitrarily. In sensor sheet 5, electrodes 51a and 51b are respectively arranged at equal intervals along the length direction over approximately the entire area of ​​the length direction of sensor sheet 5. In the bent portions of sensor sheet 5, the first bent portion H1 is located at the outermost position on the ventral side (one side) in the length direction, and the second bent portion H2 is located at the outermost position on the dorsal side (the other side) in the length direction. Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, electrode 51 is preferably positioned in the region surrounded by the first bend H1 and the second bend H2. Furthermore, electrode 51 is preferably positioned on the ventral side of the first bend H1 and on the dorsal side of the second bend H2. By employing this configuration of electrode 51, the electrode portion 50 can be arranged over a larger area, enabling the detection of excrement over a wider range along its length.

[0075] Furthermore, as described above, the first bend H1 and the second bend H2 each have a bend width of 2t (t×2) in the length direction. Figure 4 As shown, preferably, the width 2t of the bend is shorter than the distance L51a between adjacent electrodes 51a and 51b in the length direction (2t < L51a, 2t < L51b). Therefore, in the installed state, when viewed from the skin side, the electrodes 51 are less likely to overlap with the first bend H1 or the second bend H2, thereby reducing the decrease in the detection accuracy of excrement caused by the overlap of electrodes 51 with the first bend H1 or the second bend H2. Furthermore, damage to electrodes 51 that overlap with the first bend H1 or the second bend H2 can be reduced, thus improving the durability of the electrodes 51.

[0076] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, preferably, when viewed from the skin side in the installed state, at least one adhesive fixing part 15 does not overlap with the electrode 51. This suppresses the application of force to the electrode 51 when the adhesive fixing part 15 is peeled off.

[0077] Furthermore, more preferably, when viewed from the skin side in the installed state, at least one adhesive fixing portion 15 overlaps with at least one bending portion (first bending portion H1, second bending portion H2). In the sensor sheet 5, the adhesive fixing portion 15 overlaps with the first bending portion H1 and the second bending portion H2, respectively. Thus, the adhesive fixing portion 15 adheres the first bending portion H1 and the second bending portion H2 to the sensor sheet 5. This facilitates the mitigation of habitual bending of the portions of the first bending portion H1 and the second bending portion H2 that are adhered to the sensor sheet 5, reducing impedance changes caused by changes in the dielectric constant of the pad itself due to habitual bending of the first bending portion H1 and the second bending portion H2, thereby enabling more accurate detection of excrement.

[0078] ===Other Implementation Methods===

[0079] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, these embodiments are provided for ease of understanding and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, it is self-evident that the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and that equivalents can be included within the present invention.

[0080] The sensor chip 5 of the above embodiment has two electrode sections 50, each of which includes seven rectangular electrodes 51, but is not limited thereto. The number of electrode sections 50, the number of electrodes 51 in each electrode section 50, and the size and shape of the electrodes 51 can be appropriately changed.

[0081] Furthermore, the configuration of the electrodes 51 of the sensor sheet 5 is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, it is also possible to have a structure in which, when the pad 1 has a first bend H1 and a second bend H2 that are spaced apart along the length direction, when the pad 1 and the sensor sheet 5 are viewed from the skin side in the installed state, the plurality of electrodes 51 are located in the area sandwiched between the first bend H1 and the second bend H2, and are not located outside the area sandwiched between the first bend H1 and the second bend H2. Thus, it is possible to configure a structure in which the first bend H1 and the second bend H2 do not overlap with the electrodes 51 when viewed from the skin side, thereby reducing the decrease in the detection accuracy of excrement caused by the overlap of the bends H1, H2 and the electrodes 51 when viewed from the skin side.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the pad 1 has two bends (first bend H1 and second bend H2) along the width direction, but is not limited thereto. The pad 1 may have one bend in the width direction or three or more bends. In addition, the pad 1 may have one or more bends along the length direction, and the pad 1 may have bends along the width direction and bends along the length direction.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the pad 1 and the sensor piece 5 are provided as independent components, but this is not a limitation; the sensor piece 5 may also be part of the pad 1. For example, the sensor piece 5 may be provided on the inner side of the pad 1. By incorporating the sensor piece 5 as part of the pad 1, the work of installing both the pad 1 and the sensor piece 5 can be reduced when in the installation state, thus facilitating installation. Furthermore, when the sensor piece 5 is part of the pad 1, the bending portions H1 and H2 and the electrode 51 do not overlap when the pad 1 and the sensor piece 5 are viewed from the skin side in the installation state. This prevents the electrode 51 from being bent together due to the bending of the bending portions H1 and H2, thus preventing a decrease in the durability of the electrode 51.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a structure is adopted in which the first bend H1 and the second bend H2 do not overlap with the electrode 51 when the pad 1 and sensor sheet 5 are viewed from the skin side in the installed state, but this is not limited to this. A structure could also be adopted in which, when the pad 1 and sensor sheet 5 are viewed from the skin side in the installed state, one of the first bend H1 and the second bend H2 does not overlap with the electrode 51, and the other of the first bend H1 and the second bend H2 overlaps with the electrode 51. By employing a structure in which either bend H1 or H2 does not overlap with the electrode 51, compared to the case where all bends H1 and H2 overlap with the electrode 51, the reduction in the detection accuracy of excrement can be reduced. Additionally, the possibility of a decrease in the durability of the electrode 51 can be reduced.

Claims

1. A complete set of excrement sensor accessories, comprising an absorbent pad and a sensor sheet, the absorbent pad having a folded portion formed by folding, the sensor sheet being a component independent of the absorbent pad and disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent pad, the sensor sheet having a plurality of electrode portions having a plurality of electrodes having a predetermined area and wires connecting the electrodes to each other, the sensor sheet being used to detect excrement, characterized in that, The absorbent pad has length and width directions that are orthogonal to each other. A sensor adhesive portion is provided on the skin-friendly side of the sensor patch. Regardless of the presence or absence of excrement, the plurality of electrode portions are in an insulated state to enable the detection of changes in impedance between the plurality of electrode portions. The sensor sheet and the absorbent pad are secured to each other using the sensor adhesive, and the sensor sheet and the absorbent pad are installed in the wearer's mounting position. When viewed from the skin side, at least one of the bending portions does not overlap with the electrode and is positioned along the width direction, while the plurality of electrode portions are respectively positioned along the length direction. In the length direction, the sensor adhesive portion is not located between the outermost end and the outermost end of the plurality of electrodes in the length direction. The fold is a fold line formed by folding the absorbent pad with the skin side as the inside before it is packaged and installed. The absorbent pad has an adhesive fixing part on the non-skin side. In the installation state, When viewed from the skin side, at least one of the adhesive fixing portions overlaps with at least one of the bending portions.

2. The complete set of excrement sensor accessories according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of electrodes are arranged intermittently along the length direction. In the installation state, The bent portion has a bent portion width in the length direction. The width of the bend is shorter than the distance between adjacent electrodes along the length direction.

3. The complete set of excrement sensor accessories according to claim 1, characterized in that, The absorbent pad has a plurality of bends spaced apart along its length. In the installation state, When viewed from the skin side, the plurality of electrodes are located in an area sandwiched between the plurality of the bends. When viewed from the skin side, the plurality of electrodes are not located outside the area sandwiched between the plurality of the bends.

4. The complete set of excrement sensor accessories according to claim 1, characterized in that, The absorbent pad has a plurality of bends spaced apart along its length. In the installation state, The electrode is located on the outermost side of the bend in the length direction, which is located on the outermost side of the bend in the length direction.

5. The complete set of excrement sensor accessories according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, In the installation state, When viewed from the skin side, at least one of the adhesive fixing parts does not overlap with the electrode.

6. A method of using a sensor sheet, wherein the sensor sheet is used in conjunction with an absorbent pad having a bend formed by folding, characterized in that, The sensor chip has multiple electrode sections, each electrode section having multiple electrodes of a predetermined area and wires connecting the electrodes to each other. The absorbent pad has length and width directions that are orthogonal to each other. The bent portion is provided along the width direction. Regardless of the presence or absence of excrement, the plurality of electrode portions are in an insulated state to enable the detection of changes in impedance between the plurality of electrode portions. A sensor adhesive portion is provided on the skin-friendly side of the sensor patch. The sensor sheet and the absorbent pad are secured to each other using the sensor adhesive, and the sensor sheet and the absorbent pad are installed in the wearer's mounting position. When viewed from the skin side, at least one of the bends does not overlap with the electrode, and the plurality of electrode portions are respectively arranged along the length direction. Furthermore, in the length direction, the sensor adhesive portion is not located between the outermost end and the outermost end of the plurality of electrodes in the length direction. The fold is a fold line formed by folding the absorbent pad with the skin side as the inside before it is packaged and installed. The absorbent pad has an adhesive fixing part on the non-skin side. In the installation state, When viewed from the skin side, at least one of the adhesive fixing portions overlaps with at least one of the bending portions.

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