Sensing device and sensing system for measuring wearing pressure of pant-type absorbent article

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article, comprising: a three-dimensional prosthesis; at least one flexible pressure sensing device comprising: at least one flexible substrate; a flexible pressure sensor array attached to a flexible substrate, comprising an input end, an output end and a plurality of flexible pressure sensing units therebetween, designed such that their electrical characteristics vary according to a pressing force applied thereto, the pressing force having a component perpendicular to the flexible substrate. In this way, the technical requirement for scientifically quantifying or better visualizing the wearing pressure of the pant-type absorbent article in the development process of the pant-type absorbent article is met satisfactorily. The invention also relates to a sensing system having the same.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensing device suitable for measuring the wearing pressure of pant-type absorbent articles such as diapers, pull-on diapers, toilet training pants, incontinence underwear, etc. Background Art

[0002] Pant-type absorbent articles are disposable sanitary products commonly used for infants and young children, and they can also be referred to as "training pants", "pull-on diapers", or "pant diapers", etc. Since they not only have the functions of urine absorption and leakage prevention, but also have the advantages of being easy to wear and convenient for activities, which can allow babies to learn to walk easily and help caregivers such as mothers reduce fatigue. Such absorbent articles can make the baby feel like wearing a comfortable and well-fitting small underwear after wearing and enable the baby to move more naturally, which is the preferred choice during the learning-to-walk stage.

[0003] In order to achieve good fit, many disposable pant-type absorbent articles use elastic elements such as elastic strands, which are fixed near the waist opening and / or leg openings in an elastically contractible state. Generally, in order to ensure that the parts of the pant-type absorbent article around the legs and waist have a fully elastic fit, the leg openings and waist openings are at least partially surrounded by elastomeric bands made of rubber or other materials, and the bands are positioned along the perimeter of the corresponding openings. For the existing products on the market currently, elastic materials such as elastic yarns, elastic films, elastic fabrics, and composite elastomers are usually selected as elastic elements in the elastic waist design of pant-type absorbent articles.

[0004] The design of the elastic waist or elastic leg cuffs of pant-type absorbent articles is full of challenges. In an ideal situation, the elastic waist of a pant-type absorbent article is expected to deliver as low a pressure as possible to the skin of the infant or wearer to provide an improved skin condition and skin marks, but at the same time, it needs to provide sufficient force for a lasting fit. Specifically, both in consumer complaints / e-commerce negative reviews and in actual wear tests by consumers, the marks and redness formed on the baby's skin during actual wearing and use of the pant-type absorbent article are regarded as the main factors for negative evaluations, which is a major long-term pain point in the research and development of the elastic waist of pant-type absorbent articles. At the same time, if simply reducing the stretching ratio of the elastic elements in the elastic waist to reduce the wearing pressure exerted by the overall waist on the wearer's skin, the designed elastic waist will instead have insufficient adhesion force and there will be many problems such as the pant diaper being prone to sagging and accompanying urine leakage after the baby urinates or during the baby's movement.

[0005] From the above, it can be seen that one of the prerequisites for optimizing the wearing experience of pant-type absorbent products is to scientifically or controllably set the stretch ratio or tension of the elastic strands in the waist or leg cuffs to obtain satisfactory wearing pressure. Therefore, scientifically quantifying or better visualizing the wearing pressure that can be achieved in the design process of pant-type absorbent products is a prerequisite for achieving the above prerequisites. In short, wearing pressure measurement, as an objective description of wearing comfort evaluation, plays a vital role in wearing comfort evaluation. Accurately measuring the wearing pressure of different design schemes of pant-type absorbent products can allow R&D personnel to describe wearing comfort from a more objective perspective, quantify the differences between different design schemes, and then guide the modification of design schemes.

[0006] As an attempt to quantify the wearing pressure of pants-type absorbent products, a measuring device for measuring the wearing pressure of absorbent products is disclosed in a patent document with a Chinese invention patent application publication number of CN110035728A applied by the Procter & Gamble Company of the United States. Figure 1 As shown, the measuring device includes a cylinder with a representative circumference. During the measurement, the elastic laminate to be measured is stretched with a stress of 7gf / mm and then placed on the outside of the cylinder, and then the wearing pressure of the pant-type absorbent product is calculated by means of the empirical formula: pressure under the strand or wearing pressure (psi) = 1.422*strand force / (2*representative radius*average strand diameter), where strand force (gf) = strand strain (%)*0.046875*average fineness.

[0007] However, this existing measuring device does not satisfactorily meet the technical requirements for scientifically quantifying or better visualizing the wearing pressure of pants-type absorbent products during the development process. This is at least because: 1. The measuring device can only measure the wearing pressure of a single annular elastic laminate locally or one by one, while the pants-type absorbent product itself is a whole composed of at least a single elastic waist and two elastic leg circumferences and the accompanying front and back pieces. Therefore, the local measured pressure cannot effectively reflect the wearing pressure of the pants-type absorbent product during actual wearing; 2. The base of the measuring device is a simple rigid cylinder, which is far from the human body contour with complex or irregular curved surfaces and a certain elasticity, so it is impossible to restore the actual scene conditions of the complex fit between the pants-type absorbent product and the human body contour when worn. 3. The data of the measuring device cannot be digitized or visualized, which is not conducive to the information transmission and display of R&D personnel during the product design process.

[0008] In summary, how to effectively solve the problem that existing wearing pressure measuring devices are difficult to effectively or intuitively measure the wearing pressure of pants-type absorbent products when actually worn is a problem that currently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0009] Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention provides a sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article and a sensing system having the same, thereby at least partially overcoming the above shortcomings of the prior art.

[0010] To solve this technical problem, the present invention provides a sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article, which comprises: a three-dimensional prosthesis, which comprises at least a substantially cylindrical right leg region, a left leg region, a front waist region for connecting the right leg region and the left leg region at the front side, and a back waist region for connecting the right leg region and the left leg region at the back side, wherein the three-dimensional prosthesis is at least partially made of a flexible material; and at least one flexible pressure sensing device, wherein the flexible pressure sensing device comprises: at least one piece of flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate is configured to be suitable for being attached to at least one of the right leg region, the left leg region, the front waist region, and the back waist region of the three-dimensional prosthesis and for being used for wearing a pant-type absorbent article. An absorbent article is sandwiched between the three-dimensional prosthesis and the pants-type absorbent article when worn on a three-dimensional prosthesis; a flexible pressure sensor array attached to a flexible substrate, wherein the flexible pressure sensor array includes an input end, an output end and a plurality of flexible pressure sensing units located therebetween, wherein the input end and the output end are arranged so that the sensor signal received by the output end varies according to the electrical characteristics of the plurality of flexible pressure sensing units between the input end and the output end; and wherein the plurality of flexible pressure sensing units are designed so that their electrical characteristics vary according to the compression force applied thereto, the compression force having a component perpendicular to the flexible substrate.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention satisfactorily meets the technical demand for scientifically quantifying or better visualizing the wearing pressure of pant-type absorbent products during the development process. Compared with the prior art, the present invention effectively and intuitively measures the wearing pressure distribution of pant-type absorbent products on the three-dimensional prosthesis by simulating or approximating the actual scene conditions of the pant-type absorbent products in complex fit with the outer contour of the human body when worn, thereby allowing R&D personnel to quantify the differences between different design schemes and guide the modification of design schemes.

[0012] As a preferred aspect, the flexible pressure sensing unit includes, from bottom to top, in sequence: an adhesive layer suitable for attaching to a flexible substrate; a first conductive layer located above the adhesive layer; a dielectric layer located above the first conductive layer; a second conductive layer located above the dielectric layer; and an outer cover layer located above the second conductive layer and suitable for being pressed against a pant-type absorbent product, wherein the dielectric layer electrically isolates the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer to form a capacitive sensing unit, wherein the dielectric layer is designed to change the capacitance value between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in response to an extrusion deformation due to a pressing force, wherein the electrical characteristic is a capacitance value.

[0013] As a preferred aspect, the dielectric layer at least includes a sheet layer made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), wherein the thickness of the sheet layer is not greater than 0.15 mm.

[0014] As a preferred aspect, the Young's modulus of the dielectric layer is in the range of 2000 MPa to 4000 MPa.

[0015] As a preferred aspect, the density of the flexible pressure sensing units in the flexible pressure sensor array in the flexible substrate is in the range of 1 to 5 per square centimeter.

[0016] As a preferred aspect, the sensitivity of the flexible pressure sensing unit is not greater than 20.

[0017] As a preferred aspect, the flexible pressure sensing device is designed to be able to measure a wearing pressure no greater than 1 MPa.

[0018] As a preferred aspect, the flexible substrate comprises no less than six generally elongated pieces, wherein the pieces are cut out from the flexible substrate by three-dimensional cutting after the flat flexible substrate is adhered to at least one area of ​​the three-dimensional prosthesis.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also a sensing system, comprising a plurality of acquisition units and a signal processing unit connected to the signals of these acquisition units, wherein the system also comprises the above-mentioned sensing device, wherein the plurality of acquisition units are electrically connected to the flexible pressure sensor array in the flexible pressure sensing device of the sensing device.

[0020] As a preferred aspect, it also includes an external display unit, wherein the external display unit is signal-connected to the signal processing unit and is constructed to receive a pressure image signal generated from the signal processing unit based on the pressure signal collected by the collection unit, and to indicate the size of the wearing pressure of the pants-type absorbent article by means of different colors. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a prior art sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of an elastic laminate in an absorbent article;

[0022] Figures 2A to 2D The views of the various partitions of the three-dimensional prosthesis in the sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article according to the present invention are respectively shown in different viewing angles, wherein Figure 2A For the main view, Figure 2B For side view, Figure 2C is the rear view and Figure 2D It is a local magnified view;

[0023] Figures 3A to 3B The diagrams respectively show various parts of the pressure sensing unit in the sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article according to the present invention from different viewing angles;

[0024] Figures 4A to 4B The pressure sensing device in the sensing apparatus for measuring the wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article according to the present invention is shown in different states, wherein Figure 4B Some parts have been removed to clearly show the internal structure;

[0025] Figures 5A to 5D The plan views of the cut pieces in the sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article according to the present invention are shown in different views corresponding to the respective zones of the three-dimensional prosthesis, wherein Figure 5A Corresponding to the front waist area, Figure 5B Corresponding to the back waist area, Figure 5C corresponds to the right leg area and Figure 5D corresponds to the left leg area;

[0026] Figures 6A to 6B Schematic diagram showing different forms of the dielectric layer in the sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article according to the present invention;

[0027] Figures 7A to 7B A graph showing relative sensitivity and reproducibility characteristics of a pressure sensing unit in a sensing device for measuring wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing a sensing system for measuring wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article according to the present invention;

[0029] Fig. 9 An initial interface showing a visual view of an external display unit of a sensing system for measuring wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article according to the present invention;

[0030] Fig.10 and 11 Visualization views showing wearing pressure in a local area and in the entire area of ​​a pressure image signal of an external display unit of a sensing system for measuring wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article according to the present invention are shown respectively.

[0031] Description of Reference Numerals

[0032] 100-three-dimensional prosthesis; 101-right leg area; 102-left leg area; 103-front waist area;

[0033] 104- rear waist area; 105- hip area; 106- crotch area; 200- pressure sensing device;

[0034] 201- flexible substrate; 202- pressure sensor array; 203- input end; 204- output end;

[0035] 300 - pressure sensing unit; 301 - adhesive layer; 302 - first conductive layer; 303 - dielectric layer;

[0036] 304-second conductive layer; 304A-electrical input interface; 304B-electrical output interface;

[0037] 305-outer cover layer; 400-electrical signal acquisition unit; 500-signal processing unit; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the following description of the detailed embodiments is merely illustrative of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

[0039] Certain directional terms used to describe the drawings below, such as "inner", "outer", "upper", "lower" and other directional terms will be understood to have their normal meanings and refer to those directions involved when the drawings are normally viewed. Unless otherwise specified, the directional terms described in this specification are basically in accordance with the conventional directions understood by those skilled in the art.

[0040] The terms "first", "first", "second", "second" and the like used in the present invention do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are used to distinguish one component from other components.

[0041] Definition of terms

[0042] The term "absorbent article" herein refers to an article that can be arranged to be close to or close to the wearer's body (i.e., adjacent to the body) to absorb and contain various liquid, solid and semi-solid exudates discharged from the body. Such absorbent articles as described herein are to be discarded after a limited period of use without being washed or otherwise repaired for reuse. It should be understood that the present disclosure is applicable to various disposable absorbent articles, including but not limited to diapers, training pants, adolescent pants, swimming trunks, feminine hygiene products, including but not limited to sanitary napkins, incontinence products, medical garments, surgical pads and bandages, other personal care or hygiene clothing, etc., without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] "Pants" (also referred to as "training pants," "pre-closed diapers," "diaper pants," "pant diapers," and "pull-on diapers") refer herein to disposable absorbent articles designed for infants or adult wearers with a continuous peripheral waist opening and continuous peripheral leg openings. Pants can be constructed with a continuous or closed waist opening and at least one continuous closed leg opening before the article is applied to the wearer. Pants can be preformed or prefastened using a variety of techniques, including but not limited to joining the various parts of the article together using any refastenable closure member and / or permanent closure member (e.g., seams, heat bonds, pressure welds, adhesives, cohesive bonds, mechanical fasteners, etc.). Pants can be preformed anywhere along the circumference of the article in the waist region (e.g., side fastened or seamed, front waist fastened or seamed, rear waist fastened or seamed).

[0044] The term "bonded" herein refers to the joining, affixing, connecting, attaching, etc. of two elements. Two elements will be considered joined together when they are joined, affixed, connected, attached, etc. directly or indirectly to one another (e.g., when each element is directly bonded to intermediate elements).

[0045] As used in the present invention, the term "nonwoven" or "nonwoven" generally refers to a web having a structure of individual fibers or yarns that is a laminate, but not in a discernible manner such as a knitted fabric. Examples of suitable nonwoven or nonwoven fabrics or webs include, but are not limited to, meltblown webs, spunbond webs, bonded-carded webs, airlaid webs, coform webs, hydroentangled webs, and the like.

[0046] As used herein, the term "elastic strand" or "stretch yarn" includes an elastic elongated material, such as but not limited to elastic rubber bands. The elastic rubber bands can be made of spandex in a warp beam manner according to a spinning process.

[0047] The term "open" means that the opposing waist regions are not initially joined to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings prior to or during application of the article to a wearer.

[0048] The term "closed" means that the opposing waist regions are permanently or refastenably joined when encapsulated to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings.

[0049] Sensing equipment

[0050] The sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of pant-type absorbent products provided by the present invention can be used to sense the wearing pressure applied to consumers by different product design schemes in actual wearing scenarios of consumers in a high-precision quantitative manner during the product design or verification of pant-type absorbent products, thereby facilitating R&D personnel to dynamically adjust the design parameters or specific configurations of pant-type absorbent products according to pre-set product development indicators, feedback from the market or engineering departments and other information, which is of great significance for improving the product development capabilities of pant-type absorbent products, reducing development costs in the product development process and providing high-quality pant-type absorbent products.

[0051] Here, the pant-type absorbent product can be a pant-type diaper for infants and young children, a disposable diaper, a pull-up trouser worn by older children, a night trouser worn by adult women, or an incontinence trouser for adults. In the subsequent specific embodiments, disposable diapers are preferably used as a practical scenario for illustration.

[0052] In the process of developing the present invention, the inventor of the present application first discovered that in order to scientifically quantify or simulate the actual wearing scenario of consumers as much as possible, Figure 1 It is not feasible or inaccurate to realize wearing pressure measurement by means of a rigid cylinder. That is, the pressure sensor for wearing pressure measurement needs to be arranged on a support body whose softness is similar to that of human skin, or arranged in the support body.

[0053] Furthermore, the inventors of the present application have found that since the pressure is not completely transmitted vertically in the direction of the pressure when it is transmitted through a support body with a certain degree of deformability, but the lateral diffusion of the force will inevitably occur, which can easily lead to a considerable degree of deviation in the pressure image and pressure value collected by the pressure sensing unit, and the degree of force diffusion is affected by the thickness of the support body and the pressure area, so that it is difficult to effectively predict and eliminate the deviation through software algorithms later. That is, compared with the solution of embedding the pressure sensing unit in the body of the three-dimensional prosthesis described later (the pressure sensing unit is in indirect contact with the pant-type absorbent product that applies the compression force through the body material), the pressure sensing device is directly attached to the surface of the three-dimensional prosthesis in a conformable manner, so that the pressure sensing unit is in direct contact with the body-facing surface of the pant-type absorbent product that applies the compression force, thereby allowing the pant-type absorbent product to directly apply the compression force to the pressure sensing unit of the pressure sensing device without pressure dispersion, which helps to avoid the pressure dispersion problem caused by indirect measurement and improves the pressure measurement accuracy.

[0054] Furthermore, since the outer contour of the human body is composed of multiple complex or irregular curved surfaces and the pant-type absorbent products will contact the human body in narrow spaces such as the waist, thigh root and crotch, it is difficult to meet the needs of such scenarios using a rigid or semi-rigid pressure sensing unit. Since the flexible pressure sensor has the advantages of flexibility, thin thickness and high sensitivity, the sensing device is suitable for measuring the compression force applied by the pant-type absorbent product using a flexible pressure sensing device.

[0055] Based on this, the sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article according to the present invention comprises a three-dimensional prosthesis 100 at least partially made of a flexible material, preferably silicone, and at least one flexible pressure sensing device 200 attached to the three-dimensional prosthesis 100, wherein their specific structures are described below.

[0056] Three-dimensional prosthesis

[0057] Figures 2A to 2D The three-dimensional prosthesis 100 in the sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent product according to the present invention is shown at different viewing angles. As an example, the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 can be made entirely or partially of a silicone material. In the latter case, for example, the interior of the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 can be formed into a matrix by, for example, using a bondable powder by means of 3D printing technology or molding technology, and then the silicone material can be applied to the rigid matrix in the form of a surface coating. Figure 2A As shown, the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 can be fixed by means of support rods.

[0058] Here, the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 is designed to substantially replicate the outer contour of the lower body of a child, which can be achieved, for example, by means of the three-dimensional size data or point cloud data of the human body in the existing design database and in combination with the empirical data of the elastic modulus of the human body surface. It is feasible that after obtaining these data, they are converted into a data format that can be read or recognized by, for example, a 3D printing device to establish the model data of the three-dimensional prosthesis, so that the 3D printing device can produce the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 based on the model data. Alternatively, a mold conforming to the shape of the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 can also be produced according to the empirical data, and then the silicone material and the conventional curing agent are injected into the mold together. After a reasonable molding time under the process conditions, the molded three-dimensional prosthesis 100 is taken out and its surface is finally polished and polished to obtain a three-dimensional prosthesis 100 that meets the use conditions.

[0059] like Figures 2A to 2DAs shown, the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 includes a right leg region 101 and a left leg region 102 that are shaped like the thighs of the wearer of the disposable diaper, wherein the right leg region 101 and the left leg region 102 are substantially cylindrical, for example, with a diameter of about 6 to 10 cm. Above the right leg region 101 and the left leg region 102, there is a barrel-shaped torso that is shaped like the abdomen of the wearer of the disposable diaper and connects the two. Figure 2B As best shown in the figure, the front side of the torso has a front waist area 103 connecting the right leg area 101 and the left leg area 102 and a back waist area 104 for connecting the right leg area 101 and the left leg area 102 on the back, wherein the front waist area 103 and the back waist area 104 preferably form a closed and complete waist circumference of the three-dimensional prosthesis 100.

[0060] Further, if Figure 2C As shown, there is a rounded buttocks area 105 which is raised to a certain height outwards between the rear waist area 104 and the right leg area 101 and the left leg area 102. Figure 2D As shown, a crotch area 106 having a substantially M-shaped arc is formed at the junction of the torso and the right leg area 101 and the left leg area 102. Those skilled in the art know that when a consumer wears a disposable diaper, the leg circumference of the diaper will apply a certain compression force to the right leg area 101 and the left leg area 102, and the waist circumference will apply a certain compression force to the front waist area 103 and the back waist area 104 respectively. Furthermore, the surface non-woven fabric layer of the diaper including the back sheet will also apply corresponding compression forces to the hip area 105 and the crotch area 106, and these compression forces generally constitute the wearing pressure that the consumer can perceive.

[0061] Of course, during the product development process, it is not always necessary to sense the compression force of all the above partitions, but for example, only the compression force or wearing pressure of at least one of the right leg area, the left leg area, the front waist area and the back waist area may be sensed. This can be achieved, for example, by attaching or not attaching the flexible pressure sensing device 200 described below to these partitions.

[0062] Flexible pressure sensing device

[0063] exist Figures 4A to 4B Views of a pressure sensing device 200 in a sensing apparatus for measuring wearing pressure of a pant type absorbent article according to the present invention are respectively shown in different states.

[0064] like Figure 4BAs best shown in FIG. 1 , the flexible pressure sensing device 200 includes at least one flexible substrate 201, which may be made of, for example, cloth or non-woven fabric or mesh, etc. Here, the flexible substrate 201 is generally elongated and serves as a sensing device that is attached to at least one of the right leg region 101, the left leg region 102, the front waist region 103 and the back waist region 104 of the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 during use, preferably all of these regions of the three-dimensional prosthesis 100. As a result, when a pant-type absorbent article to be detected, such as a disposable diaper, is subsequently worn on the three-dimensional prosthesis 100, the flexible substrate 201 is sandwiched between the pant-type absorbent article and the three-dimensional prosthesis 100, so that the flexible pressure sensing device 200 is connected to the flexible pressure sensing unit 300 by means of the outer side surface (hereinafter referred to as the outer cover layer 305, as shown in detail below) on the flexible substrate 201. Figure 4A The flexible pressure sensing device 200 is in direct contact with the pant-type absorbent product and withstands the compression force exerted thereon, and is conformably adhered to the outer surface of the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 by means of the flexible substrate 201, which is sufficient to ensure a reliable consistency between the wearing pressure detected by the flexible pressure sensing device 200 and the wearing pressure felt by the consumer when actually wearing the pant-type absorbent product.

[0065] Next, combine Figures 5A to 5D The flexible substrate according to the present invention is described in detail, wherein the plan views of the cut pieces corresponding to the respective partitions of the three-dimensional prosthesis are shown in different views. Here, the cut pieces are designed to be generally elongated and the number is not less than six pieces, wherein the cut pieces can be cut out from the flexible substrate by three-dimensional cutting after the flat flexible substrate is attached to at least one area of ​​the three-dimensional prosthesis.

[0066] Specifically, for example, three-dimensional cutting of a single flat flexible substrate can be achieved manually. Similar to a tailor making custom clothing, a single flat flexible substrate can be completely wrapped around the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 in a pulled state so that the flexible substrate and the outer contour surface of the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 fit seamlessly, thereby completing the appearance of the three-dimensional prosthesis 100. Subsequently, the operator measures and marks lines one by one on the flexible substrate according to the outer dimensions of the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 to delineate the cutting lines when the three-dimensional curved surface is flattened and restored to a two-dimensional plane. After the marking is completed, the single flexible substrate is removed from the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 and unfolded in two dimensions on a flat cutting board, and the single complete flexible substrate is cut into multiple pieces according to the delineated cutting lines.

[0067] Of course, it is also possible to implement three-dimensional cutting of a single flat flexible substrate in a digital manner. Here, for example, the following steps may be included: (1) extracting the three-dimensional coordinates of multiple key points of human body features on the surface of the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 according to the established model data of the three-dimensional prosthesis 100; (2) fitting the NURBS surface with the surface of the three-dimensional human body model based on the proposed coordinate data of the key points of human body features, turning the complex human body surface into a developable surface, and generating an individualized digital mannequin; (3) setting a dividing line for the digital mannequin, flattening the surface of the digital mannequin through the three-dimensional surface flattening technology, and generating a two-dimensional flattened vector diagram with three-dimensional human body features; (4) according to the composition rules of the clothing prototype, the flattened two-dimensional vector diagram is subjected to baseline processing, looseness determination, and dart setting, and then a cutting plan for the cut pieces is generated. Finally, the single complete flexible substrate is cut into multiple cut pieces according to the obtained cutting plan.

[0068] Here, if Figure 5A As shown, it shows the cutting piece design of the flexible substrate corresponding to the front waist area 103, wherein the multiple cutting pieces are generally axially symmetrically distributed and the number thereof is greater than 10, that is, there are multiple cutting pieces with roughly equal number and size on the left and right sides of the figure, and these cutting pieces when put together can roughly completely cover the front waist area 103.

[0069] Furthermore, Figure 5B As shown, it shows the design of the cut pieces of the flexible substrate corresponding to the back waist region 104, wherein the multiple cut pieces are also generally axially symmetrically distributed and the number thereof is greater than 10, that is, there are multiple cut pieces with substantially the same number and size on the left and right sides of the figure, and Figure 5A The only difference is that it also has Figure 5B The wider and shorter, separate piece for fitting to the crotch area 106 is used in the upper right corner. At the same time, since the natural length of the waist area 104 of the human body is longer than the front waist area 103, Figure 5B The lengths of these pieces in are correspondingly longer than Figure 5A The pieces in Figure 5B These panels can be joined together to substantially and completely cover the back waist region 104 .

[0070] like Figure 5C As shown, the panel design of the flexible substrate corresponding to the right leg area 101 is shown, wherein the number of panels is greater than 10. Here, since the thigh portion is a complete cylindrical design, i.e., has a larger circumference, Figure 5C The number of these pieces in Figure 5A and 5B The pieces in Figure 5C The panels are joined together to substantially and completely cover the right leg region 101 .

[0071] Finally Figure 5D As shown, the panel design of the flexible substrate corresponding to the left leg area 102 is shown, wherein the number of panels is greater than 10. Here, since the thigh portion is a complete cylindrical design, i.e., has a larger circumference, Figure 5D The number of these pieces in Figure 5A and 5B The pieces in Figure 5D The panels are joined together to substantially completely cover the left leg region 102 .

[0072] like Figure 4B As best shown in FIG. 1 , the flexible pressure sensing device 200 further includes a flexible pressure sensor array 202 which may be located on any of the cut pieces cut out in the above-mentioned method and attached thereto, wherein the flexible pressure sensor array 202 includes an input end 203 and an output end 204, such as an electrical conductor, extending outwardly from the flexible substrate 201, and a plurality of flexible pressure sensing units 300, such as connected in parallel to the input end 203 and the output end 204 and located therebetween (here, preferably, the flexible pressure sensing units 300 themselves may also be connected in parallel to each other), as a non-limiting example, the density of the flexible pressure sensing units 300 in the flexible substrate 201 is in the range of 1 to 5 per square centimeter. That is, the plurality of flexible pressure sensing units 300 may be regularly and uniformly distributed on the flexible substrate 201 at a density of 1 to 5 per square centimeter at predetermined intervals, and the electrical input and output interfaces of the flexible pressure sensing units 300 are correspondingly electrically connected to the input end 203 and the output end 204, such as an electrical conductor. As a result, the input end 203 and the output end 204, which are respectively electrically connected to a plurality of acquisition units 400 (described in detail below), and the flexible pressure sensing units 300 with variable electrical properties located therebetween, form a pressure sensing circuit, wherein the sensor signal received from the output end 204 varies according to the electrical properties of the plurality of flexible pressure sensing units 300 between the input end and the output end, wherein the plurality of flexible pressure sensing units 300 are designed such that their electrical properties vary according to the compression force applied thereto, wherein as described above, the compression force applied by the pants-type absorbent article has a component perpendicular to the flexible substrate 201.

[0073] Flexible pressure sensing unit

[0074] As known to those skilled in the art, existing pressure sensors are classified by sensing principle into capacitive pressure sensors, resistive pressure sensors, piezoelectric pressure sensors and ionization pressure sensors. For the flexible pressure sensing unit in the present invention, the performance parameters that need to be considered mainly include: flexibility measured by Young's modulus and thinness measured by thickness to improve the fit with the three-dimensional prosthesis 100, a measurement range to meet the range of wearing pressure of pants-type absorbent products, high sensitivity that can accurately sense pressure values ​​at certain locations with low wearing pressure, and reproducibility or repeatability of sensing for reliable long-term multiple measurements, etc.

[0075] After many attempts and trade-offs by the inventors, compared with the other three types of pressure sensors, the capacitive pressure sensing unit can still achieve high relative sensitivity within a smaller pressure sensing range, and can be designed to have satisfactory flexibility under a small thickness. For this reason, in this embodiment, the electrical characteristic of the flexible pressure sensing unit 300 is preferably selected as a capacitance value and the flexible pressure sensing unit 300 is designed as a capacitive pressure sensing unit.

[0076] Next, in Figures 3A to 3B Views of various parts of the pressure sensing unit 300 in the sensing device are shown at different viewing angles.

[0077] like Figure 3A and 3BAs shown, the flexible pressure sensing unit 300 includes, from bottom to top, an adhesive layer 301 suitable for being attached to the flexible substrate 201, wherein the adhesive layer 301 may be, for example, solidified from a non-conductive adhesive; a first conductive layer 302 located above the adhesive layer 301, wherein the first conductive layer 302 may be, for example, made of a thin sheet material having good conductivity, such as copper foil or silver foil; a dielectric layer 303 located above the first conductive layer 302, wherein the dielectric layer 303 has a desired dielectric property in response to an external compressive force, wherein the dielectric layer 303 at least includes a sheet made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), wherein the thickness of the sheet is not greater than 0.15 mm, and further preferably, the Young's modulus of the dielectric layer 303 is in the range of 2000 MPa to 4000 MPa; and a second conductive layer 303 located above the dielectric layer 303. A conductive layer 304, wherein the second conductive layer 304 includes a plurality of thin sheets having good conductivity, such as copper foil or silver foil, wherein these sheets are connected in series by means of an electrical input interface 304A and an electrical output interface 304B, such as micro-wires, wherein the electrical input interface 304A and the electrical output interface 304B are subsequently electrically connected to the input end 203 and the output end 204 of the pressure sensing device 200 described above; and an outer cover layer 305 located above the second conductive layer 304 and suitable for being pressed onto a pants-type absorbent product, wherein the dielectric layer 303 electrically isolates the first conductive layer 302 and the second conductive layer 304 to form a capacitive sensing unit, wherein the dielectric layer 303 is designed to change the distance between the first conductive layer 302 and the second conductive layer 304 and its own dielectric properties in response to the extrusion deformation of the pressing force to change the capacitance value of the sensing unit 300.

[0078] When the flexible pressure sensing unit 300 is not subjected to the compression force applied by the pants-type absorbent product, the electrical characteristics of the flexible pressure sensing unit 300 are the capacitance values ​​electrically connected to the input end 203 and the output end 204 of the pressure sensing device 200 via the electrical input interface 304A and the electrical output interface 304B, wherein the initial capacitance value is preset and depends on the initial distance between the first conductive layer 302 and the second conductive layer 304 and the dielectric properties of the dielectric layer 303.

[0079] When subjected to the compression force applied by the pants-type absorbent product, since the compression force has a component perpendicular to the flexible substrate 201 and then perpendicular to the dielectric layer 303, on the one hand, the dielectric layer 303 changes its own dielectric properties to change the capacitance value of the flexible pressure sensing unit 300, and on the other hand, the distance between the first conductive layer 302 and the second conductive layer 304 is also reduced from a larger initial distance, so the reduction in their distance is designed to change in proportion to the compression force applied to the flexible pressure sensing unit 300.

[0080] As a result, in response to the compression force from the pant-type absorbent article, the capacitance value of the flexible pressure sensing unit 300 that changes with the magnitude of the force will be collected by the collection unit 400 via the electrical input interface 304A and the electrical output interface 304B and the input end 203 and the output end 204 electrically connected thereto. The electrical signal can then be processed by means of signal processing means including analog-to-digital conversion and signal amplification, and converted into the pressure value of the compression force or wearing pressure.

[0081] As a preferred embodiment, the material of the dielectric layer 303 is selected as polyvinylidene fluoride powder commercially available from Arkema, France under the trade name Kynar761. The above powder can be mixed with a dispersant, a dispersing solvent, etc. to prepare a slurry, and then made by template printing or screen printing. As a preferred method, taking the screen printing process as an example, the spinning speed is 15 ml / hour and the spinning product is dried at 70°C for 3 hours.

[0082] The dielectric layer 303 prepared in the above manner is Figures 6A to 6B It has excellent mechanical properties (for example, according to the method described in the national standard GB / T1040, its Young's modulus is in the range of 2000Mpa to 4000Mpa), chemical stability, high dielectric strength (wherein the piezoelectric constant d33 is not less than 30 pC / N and the piezoelectric constant d31 is not less than 23pC / N), and good piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties (wherein the piezoelectric stress constant is 330). In particular, the dielectric layer 303 manufactured in the above manner is thin and soft, where Fig. 6A As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, it is as thin as 30 microns and can adapt to large deformations to effectively fit various curved surfaces including the outer contours of the human body.

[0083] Next, in Figures 7A to 7B The curves showing the relative sensitivity and reproducibility characteristics of the pressure sensing unit 300 in the sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article according to the present invention are shown. Those skilled in the art know that sensitivity is an important parameter that determines the performance of a sensing unit, which can reflect the accuracy and effectiveness of the sensing unit during actual use. For a capacitive sensing unit, the sensitivity is the ratio of the capacitance change to the initial capacitance, which can be defined, for example, as:

[0084] S = ∆X / X 0 *100%,

[0085] Where: S represents the sensitivity of the pressure sensor; X 0 represents the value of the initial electrical characteristic of the sensor, such as capacitance; ∆X represents the relative change of the electrical signal.

[0086] In order to verify the pressure sensing characteristics of the pressure sensing unit 300 of the present invention, 10 pressure sensing units 300 were randomly selected and weight pressures of different grams (1g, 2g, 5g, 10g, 20g, 50g, 100g) were applied to them respectively. The changes in the test capacitance values ​​are shown in the following figure. Fig. 7A It can be seen from the graph that when the weight of the weight increases, the capacitance response of these pressure sensing units 300 also increases accordingly and the sensitivity is no more than 20.

[0087] Furthermore, in order to verify the stability of the sensing performance of the pressure sensing unit 300 of the present invention under repeated pressure, 10 pressure sensing units 300 were randomly selected and 100 grams of pressure was applied to each of them. The loading / unloading test was repeated 400 times. The change of the test capacitance value was as follows: Figure 7B As shown. Figure 7B It can be seen that the pressure sensing unit 300 of the present invention has reliable, continuous, stable and fully repeatable sensing behavior, and the capacitance value of the sensor can remain stable under the pressure of a wearing pressure of no more than 1 MPa after 400 repeated cycles.

[0088] Sensing system

[0089] In addition to the sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent article described above, the present invention also provides, for example, Figures 8 to 10 The sensing system shown in the figure includes a collection unit 400 electrically connected to the corresponding flexible pressure sensor array 202 in the flexible pressure sensing device 200 described above, and a signal processing unit 500 signal-connected to the collection units 400. Since the sensing system adopts the flexible pressure sensing device 200 in the above embodiment, please refer to the above embodiment for the beneficial effects of the sensing system.

[0090] like Figure 8 As shown, the sensing system according to the present invention uses a distributed acquisition and centralized data processing method. That is, a plurality of acquisition units 400 connected in parallel are electrically connected to the corresponding flexible pressure sensor arrays 202 and collect analog electrical signals from these flexible pressure sensor arrays 202. These acquisition units 400 are built with analog switch devices, analog-to-digital converters, and amplifier circuit devices, etc., so that after receiving the analog electrical signals from the flexible pressure sensor arrays 202, they are converted into digital signals, and the digital signals are output to the signal processing unit 500 through the amplifier circuit and the high-precision sampling self-calibration circuit in a communication protocol such as Uart or Wifi.

[0091] Subsequently, the plurality of acquisition units 400 connected in parallel to each other are aggregated into a single signal processing unit 500 having a built-in microprocessor chip and running analysis software, thereby allowing the data signal to be processed quickly. Figures 9 to 10 As shown in , the sensing system further includes an external display unit such as a touch screen, wherein the external display unit is signal-connected to the signal processing unit 500 and is configured to receive the pressure image signal generated by the signal processing unit 500 based on the pressure signal collected by the collection unit 400, and to indicate the wearing pressure of the pant-type absorbent article by means of different colors, wherein the higher the pressure value, the redder it is, and the lower the pressure value, the greener it is. Here, Fig. 9 A two-dimensional visualization of the pressure image signal of the external display unit of the sensing system is shown and Fig.10 A three-dimensional visualization of the pressure image signal of the external display unit of the sensing system is shown.

[0092] When using the sensing system, the flexible pressure sensing device 200 in the sensing device of the sensing system is worn closely to the three-dimensional prosthesis 100, so that the flexible pressure sensing array 202 attached to the surface of the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 is in direct contact with the body-facing surface of the pants-type absorbent product subsequently worn on the three-dimensional prosthesis 100 and is subjected to the compression force or wearing pressure applied thereto. The squeezing force in the contact area causes the flexible pressure sensing array 202 to output an electrical signal to the outside. The acquisition unit 400 acquires the electrical signal and transmits the acquired electrical signal to the signal processing unit 500, such as a computer, through a data line or wirelessly. After being processed by the built-in supporting software of the signal processing unit 500, the signal processing unit 500 can obtain the following information: Figures 9 to 11 The pressure image shown in the figure can intuitively display the pressure distribution and size.

[0093] Preferably, the pressure image output by the signal processing unit 500 after software processing can be specifically presented in the form of a pressure cloud map, with different colors or grayscales to represent the pressure size. The software can output the real-time pressure value currently measured, and can record and save the pressure data of the test process. In other embodiments, the signal processing unit 500 can also process the received electrical signal to obtain the pressure value of each pressure detection point, and display it in a chart or other manner.

[0094] Specifically, in Fig. 9 The initial interface of the visualization view of the external display unit is shown in FIG. Fig. 9 The left side of the figure shows a three-dimensional view of a three-dimensional prosthesis as an example, and the right side shows a two-dimensional view of the waist, left leg and right leg, for example. Depending on the pressure, different wearing pressures at different locations of the three-dimensional prosthesis or the waist, left leg and right leg are indicated by different colors in, for example, 10 levels.

[0095] Optionally, in Fig.10 , an embodiment of visualizing the wearing pressure in the waist area only is shown, wherein the supporting software in the signal processing unit 500 only outputs the pressure value of the waist-related part, and displays the pressure distribution of the waist area in different colors on the left side of the three-dimensional prosthesis. Fig.10 In the two-dimensional view on the right, only the waistline part shows the pressure distribution.

[0096] Furthermore, it is also possible to Fig.11 FIG. 5 shows a view showing the wearing pressure of all areas including the waist, left leg and right leg at the same time. The supporting software in the signal processing unit 500 outputs the pressure values ​​of almost all parts of the waist, left leg and right leg, and displays the pressure of all areas including the waist, left leg and right leg at the same time. Fig.11 The left side of the figure shows the overall pressure distribution of the three-dimensional prosthesis in different colors almost throughout the entire three-dimensional prosthesis. Fig.11 In the two-dimensional view on the right side, the pressure distribution of three parts, namely the waist, left leg and right leg, is displayed.

[0097] As can be seen from the above, the present invention satisfactorily meets the technical demand for scientifically quantifying or better visualizing the wearing pressure of pant-type absorbent products in the process of developing pant-type absorbent products. Compared with the prior art, the present invention effectively and intuitively measures the wearing pressure distribution of pant-type absorbent products on the three-dimensional prosthesis by simulating or approximating the actual scene conditions of the pant-type absorbent products in complex fit with the outer contour of the human body when worn, thereby allowing R&D personnel to quantify the differences between different design schemes and guide the modification of design schemes.

[0098] Although the present invention is specifically shown and described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made to the present invention in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims, and all of them are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Here, the implementation forms of the present invention are illustrated and described, but it should be known to those skilled in the art that the above and other various changes, omissions, and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should not be limited to the specific embodiments recorded here for understanding, and it includes all possible implementation forms that can be embodied within the scope and equivalent scope of the features recorded in the appended claims.

[0099] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​recited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to represent the recited value and a functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to represent "about 40 mm".

[0100] All documents cited in the "Detailed Description" are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the reference to any document shall not be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. In the event that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall prevail.

[0101] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended to cover all such changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention in the appended claims.

[0102] When introducing an element of the present invention or its preferred embodiment(s), the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to indicate the presence of at least one element. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that in addition to the listed elements, additional elements may be present. Many modifications and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sensing device for measuring the wearing pressure of a pant-type absorbent product, characterized in that: include: A three-dimensional prosthesis comprising at least a substantially cylindrical right leg region, a left leg region, a front waist region for connecting the right leg region and the left leg region at the front side, and a back waist region for connecting the right leg region and the left leg region at the back side, wherein the three-dimensional prosthesis is at least partially made of a flexible material; as well as at least one flexible pressure sensing device, wherein the flexible pressure sensing device comprises: at least one flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate is configured to be attached to at least one of the right leg region, the left leg region, the front waist region, and the back waist region of the three-dimensional prosthesis and to be sandwiched between the three-dimensional prosthesis and the pant-type absorbent article when the pant-type absorbent article is worn on the three-dimensional prosthesis; A flexible pressure sensor array attached to a flexible substrate, wherein the flexible pressure sensor array includes an input end, an output end, and a plurality of flexible pressure sensing units located therebetween, wherein the input end and the output end are arranged such that a sensor signal received from the output end varies according to electrical characteristics of the plurality of flexible pressure sensing units between the input end and the output end; And wherein the plurality of flexible pressure sensing units are designed such that their electrical characteristics change according to a compressive force applied thereto, the compressive force having a component perpendicular to the flexible substrate.

2. The sensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It is stated The flexible pressure sensing unit includes, from bottom to top: an adhesive layer suitable for attachment to a flexible substrate; a first conductive layer located above the adhesive layer; a dielectric layer located above the first conductive layer; a second conductive layer overlying the dielectric layer; and An outer cover layer located above the second conductive layer and suitable for being pressed against a pant-type absorbent article, wherein a dielectric layer electrically isolates the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer to form a capacitive sensing unit, wherein the dielectric layer is designed to change the capacitance value between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in response to a compressive deformation of a compressive force, wherein the electrical characteristic is the capacitance value.

3. The sensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The dielectric layer at least comprises a sheet made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), wherein the thickness of the sheet is no greater than 0.15 mm.

4. The sensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The Young's modulus of the dielectric layer is in the range of 2000 MPa to 4000 MPa.

5. The sensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The density of the flexible pressure sensing units in the flexible pressure sensor array in the flexible substrate is in the range of 1 to 5 per square centimeter.

6. The sensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sensitivity of the flexible pressure sensing unit is no more than 20.

7. The sensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The flexible pressure sensing device is designed to be able to measure a wearing pressure no greater than 1 MPa.

8. The sensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The at least one flexible substrate comprises no less than six generally elongated pieces, wherein the pieces are cut out from the flexible substrate by three-dimensional cutting after the flat flexible substrate is adhered to at least one area of ​​the three-dimensional prosthesis.

9. A sensing system, comprising a plurality of acquisition units and a signal processing unit connected to the acquisition units, characterized in that: It also comprises a sensing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of acquisition units are electrically connected to a flexible pressure sensor array in a flexible pressure sensing device of the sensing device.

10. The sensing system according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes an external display unit, wherein the external display unit is signal-connected to the signal processing unit and is constructed to receive a pressure image signal generated from the signal processing unit based on the pressure signal collected by the collection unit, and to indicate the size of the wearing pressure of the pants-type absorbent product by means of different colors.

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