Sweat amount detecting clothes
By designing a combination of a sweat-absorbing layer, a sweat-insulating layer, and a color-developing layer, the system utilizes changes in electrolyte concentration to accurately detect the amount of sweat in heart failure patients. This solves the problem of clothing becoming soaked due to sweating in heart failure patients, improving both comfort and detection accuracy.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- THE PEOPLES HOSPITAL OF GUANGXI ZHUANG AUTONOMOUS REGION
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
AI Technical Summary
In the existing technology, increased sweating in heart failure patients leads to soaked clothes, affecting comfort and potentially triggering illness. Furthermore, existing sweat-absorbing towels cannot accurately distinguish between sweat and moisture caused by other water sources.
A sweat-detecting garment has been designed, comprising a sweat-absorbing layer, a sweat-insulating layer, and a color-developing layer. The sweat-absorbing layer is made of porous fiber material, the sweat-insulating layer has a gradient hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity or a porous membrane one-way valve structure, and the color-developing layer is made of electrolyte-sensitive material. The garment can intuitively reflect the amount of sweat by changing the electrolyte concentration.
It improves the accuracy of sweat volume detection, avoids the failure of the chromogenic layer due to backflow of sweat, and provides a direct reflection of sweat volume, making it suitable for comfortable monitoring of heart failure patients.
Smart Images
Figure CN224461159U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of clothing for sweat detection, and in particular to a sweat detection garment. Background Technology
[0002] In severe cases of heart failure, increased sweating can soak through clothing, affecting comfort and potentially causing the back to become chilled, leading to illnesses such as colds, coughs, and fevers. Currently, there are sweat-absorbing towels where the color-changing layer displays different shades depending on the amount of water absorbed, but this could be due to moisture on the skin, making it impossible to determine whether sweating is the cause. Utility Model Content
[0003] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a sweat-detecting garment that can improve the accuracy of sweat detection.
[0004] In a first aspect, one embodiment of the present invention provides a sweat detection garment, comprising:
[0005] The sweat-wicking layer, located on the side in contact with the skin, features a loosely knitted structure made of porous fibrous material;
[0006] The sweat-absorbing layer, located on the side of the sweat-absorbing layer away from the skin, is made of a gradient hydrophilic-hydrophobic material or a material with a porous membrane one-way valve structure;
[0007] A color-developing layer, stacked on the side of the sweat-proof layer away from the sweat-absorbing layer, is made of an electrolyte-sensitive material.
[0008] The sweat detection garment of this utility model embodiment has at least the following beneficial effects: the sweat-absorbing layer quickly absorbs the sweat on the patient's body surface, and the sweat enters the sweat-insulating layer after passing through the sweat-absorbing layer. The sweat-insulating layer only allows sweat to permeate unidirectionally from the sweat-absorbing layer to the color-developing layer. The color-developing layer receives the sweat conducted by the sweat-insulating layer. Since there are a large number of electrolytes in sweat, the concentration of electrolytes varies depending on the amount of sweat. The concentration of electrolytes causes the electrolyte-sensitive material to change color accordingly, thus intuitively reflecting the amount of sweat and improving the accuracy of sweat detection.
[0009] According to other embodiments of the present invention, the sweat detection garment comprises fibrous materials including natural fibers and modified synthetic fibers.
[0010] According to other embodiments of the present invention, the sweat detection garment comprises natural fibers including cotton and / or bamboo fiber.
[0011] According to other embodiments of the present invention, the sweat detection garment comprises hydrophilic polyester fiber and / or superabsorbent polymer composite cotton.
[0012] According to other embodiments of the present invention, the sweat detection garment comprises a composite porous membrane made of a gradient hydrophilic-hydrophobic material.
[0013] According to some other embodiments of the present invention, the sweat-detecting garment has a polyvinyl alcohol hydrophilic coating on the side of the composite porous membrane facing the sweat-absorbing layer, and a polytetrafluoroethylene hydrophobic surface layer on the side of the composite porous membrane facing the color-developing layer.
[0014] According to some other embodiments of the sweat detection garment of the present invention, the material of the porous membrane one-way valve structure includes a one-way hydrophobic fiber membrane.
[0015] According to some other embodiments of the sweat detection garment of the present invention, a hydrophilic coating made of nylon 6 is provided on the side of the unidirectional hydrophilic fiber membrane facing the sweat-absorbing layer, and a hydrophobic surface layer made of polyolefin is provided on the side of the unidirectional hydrophilic fiber membrane facing the color-developing layer.
[0016] According to some other embodiments of the sweat detection garment of the present invention, the substrate of the color developing layer is a porous nonwoven fabric, and the electrolyte sensitive material is fixed on the porous nonwoven fabric by microcapsules.
[0017] According to some other embodiments of the sweat detection garment of the present invention, the electrolyte-sensitive material includes crown ether-azo dye complex and ion-sensitive nanoparticles.
[0018] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the following description and will be apparent in part from the description or may be learned by practicing the application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the description and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 This is a hierarchical diagram of a specific embodiment of the sweat detection garment of this utility model;
[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the layer hierarchy of a specific embodiment of the sweat-proof layer in this utility model;
[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the sweat detection garment in this utility model.
[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0023] Sweat-absorbing layer 100, sweat-proof layer 200, color-developing layer 300;
[0024] Hydrophilic coating 201, hydrophobic surface layer 202. Detailed Implementation
[0025] The following will describe the concept and technical effects of this utility model clearly and completely with reference to the embodiments, so as to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of this utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are all within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0026] In the description of this utility model, if directional descriptions are involved, such as "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," "right," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, it is only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. If a feature is referred to as "set," "fixed," "connected," or "installed" on another feature, it can be directly set, fixed, or connected to the other feature, or it can be indirectly set, fixed, connected, or installed on the other feature.
[0027] In severe cases of heart failure, increased sweating can soak through clothing, affecting comfort and potentially causing the back to become chilled, leading to illnesses such as colds, coughs, and fevers. Currently, there are sweat-absorbing towels where the color-changing layer displays different shades depending on the amount of water absorbed, but this could be due to moisture on the skin, making it impossible to determine whether sweating is the cause.
[0028] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a sweat-detecting garment that can improve the accuracy of sweat detection.
[0029] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the layers of a sweat-detecting garment according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In some embodiments, the sweat-detecting garment includes: a sweat-absorbing layer 100, a sweat-insulating layer 200, and a color-developing layer 300. The sweat-absorbing layer 100 is disposed on the side in contact with the skin, has a loose knitted structure, and is made of a porous fibrous material. The sweat-insulating layer 200 is disposed on the side of the sweat-absorbing layer away from the skin, and is made of a material with gradient hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity or a material with a porous membrane one-way valve structure. The color-developing layer 300 is stacked on the side of the sweat-insulating layer away from the sweat-absorbing layer and is made of an electrolyte-sensitive material.
[0030] The sweat-absorbing layer 100 quickly absorbs sweat from the patient's skin. After passing through the sweat-absorbing layer 100, the sweat enters the sweat-insulating layer 200. The sweat-insulating layer 200 only allows sweat to permeate unidirectionally from the sweat-absorbing layer 100 to the color-developing layer 300. The color-developing layer 300 receives the sweat conducted by the sweat-insulating layer 200. Since sweat contains a large amount of electrolytes, the concentration of electrolytes varies depending on the amount of sweat. The concentration of electrolytes causes the electrolyte-sensitive material to change color accordingly, thus visually reflecting the amount of sweat and improving the accuracy of sweat volume detection.
[0031] It should be noted that the absorbent layer 100 directly contacts the skin, quickly absorbing sweat (liquid or gaseous) from the skin surface to prevent sweat retention and stickiness. The insulating layer 200 is located between the absorbent layer 100 and the color-developing layer 300, allowing sweat to only permeate unidirectionally from the absorbent layer to the color-developing layer ("in but out"), preventing the backflow of sweat after color development from contaminating the skin or causing color development failure. The sweat received by the insulating layer changes color based on electrolyte concentration, visually reflecting the amount of sweat; a light color indicates low sweat volume, while a dark color indicates high sweat volume. The insulating layer 200 allows sweat from the absorbent layer to pass through, but prevents sweat from flowing back into the color-developing layer 300, and also prevents the backflow of color-developing materials or reaction products. The insulating layer 200 must balance permeability and barrier properties.
[0032] In some embodiments, the fibrous material includes natural fibers and modified synthetic fibers.
[0033] It should be noted that the sweat-absorbing layer 100 has high moisture absorption capacity and hydrophilicity, and prioritizes porous, fibrous materials to ensure that sweat is quickly captured and transferred to the sweat barrier layer.
[0034] In some embodiments, natural fibers include cotton and / or bamboo fiber.
[0035] It should be noted that natural fibers include cotton with a moisture absorption rate of 8% to 10% and bamboo fiber with a moisture absorption rate of 12% to 15%, making them skin-friendly and suitable for direct contact with the skin. The sweat-wicking layer 100 uses a loose knitted structure (such as terry cloth) to increase the contact area with the skin, while the gaps between the fibers can temporarily trap sweat and guide it to the sweat-insulating layer through capillary action.
[0036] In some embodiments, the modified synthetic fiber includes hydrophilic polyester fiber and / or superabsorbent polymer composite cotton.
[0037] It should be noted that modified synthetic fibers include hydrophilic polyester fibers and superabsorbent resin composite cotton. Hydrophilic polyester fibers enhance their moisture absorption capacity by grafting -OH groups, while superabsorbent resin composite cotton has superabsorbent resin particles coated on the surface of cotton fibers, and its moisture absorption rate can reach 300% to 500% of its own weight, making it suitable for scenarios with heavy sweating.
[0038] In some embodiments, the gradient hydrophilic and hydrophobic material includes a composite porous membrane.
[0039] It should be noted that the composite porous membrane includes a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane and a hydrophilic coating.
[0040] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the layers of the sweat-absorbing layer in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In some embodiments, the side of the composite porous membrane facing the sweat-absorbing layer is coated with a hydrophilic coating 201 of polyvinyl alcohol, and the side of the composite porous membrane facing the color-developing layer is provided with a hydrophobic surface layer 202 of polytetrafluoroethylene.
[0041] It should be noted that the hydrophilic coating adsorbs sweat from the sweat-absorbing layer through hydrogen bonds, allowing it to quickly penetrate into the membrane pores. Sweat forms a "meniscus" within the membrane pores, and can only penetrate the hydrophobic surface layer 202 and enter the color-developing layer 300 when the pressure generated by the moisture absorption and expansion of sweat in the sweat-absorbing layer 100 exceeds the surface tension on the color-developing layer side. When sweat in the color-developing layer 300 attempts to flow back, the surface tension of the hydrophobic surface layer 202 prevents liquid penetration, achieving a "sweat-only" effect.
[0042] In some embodiments, the material of the porous membrane check valve structure includes a unidirectional hydrophobic fiber membrane.
[0043] It should be noted that the porous membrane one-way valve structure is made of composite fibers woven from a hydrophilic coating 201 and a hydrophobic surface layer 202.
[0044] In some embodiments, a hydrophilic coating made of nylon 6 is provided on the side of the unidirectional hydrophilic fiber membrane facing the sweat-absorbing layer, and a hydrophobic surface layer made of polyolefin is provided on the side of the unidirectional hydrophilic fiber membrane facing the color-developing layer.
[0045] It should be noted that the hydrophilic coating 201 is made of nylon 6 material with a water absorption rate of 4%, and the hydrophobic surface layer 202 is made of polyolefin material, such as polypropylene. When sweat comes into contact with the fibers from the absorbent layer 100, it is first adsorbed by the hydrophilic coating 201 and then transported towards the color-developing layer 300 along the hydrophilic coating 201 through capillary action. The sweat is driven by the interfacial tension between the hydrophilic coating 201 and the hydrophobic surface layer. In the reverse direction, the hydrophobic surface layer 202 prevents the sweat in the hydrophilic coating 201 from flowing back to the absorbent layer 100. Backflow must overcome the hydrophobic resistance of the hydrophobic surface layer 202, thus achieving unidirectional conduction.
[0046] In some embodiments, the substrate of the color development layer is a porous nonwoven fabric, and the electrolyte-sensitive material is fixed on the porous nonwoven fabric by microcapsules.
[0047] It should be noted that the substrate for the color developing layer is a porous nonwoven fabric, such as viscose fiber nonwoven fabric. Its loose structure can quickly absorb the sweat conducted by the sweat barrier layer, ensuring that the electrolyte is in uniform contact with the color developing material.
[0048] In some embodiments, the electrolyte-sensitive material includes crown ether-azo dye complexes and ion-sensitive nanoparticles.
[0049] It should be noted that color-developing materials, such as crown ether-azo dye complexes and ion-sensitive nanoparticles, are fixed onto nonwoven fibers via microcapsules.
[0050] At low sweat levels, such as when the electrolyte concentration is less than 20 mmol / L: a small amount of sweat passes through the sweat barrier layer 200, causing the microcapsules to swell and release some of the color-developing agent, resulting in a light yellow color. At moderate sweat levels, such as when the electrolyte concentration is between 20 and 40 mmol / L: more sweat enters, the microcapsules swell completely, the color-developing agent reacts fully, resulting in an orange-red color. At heavy sweat levels, such as when the electrolyte concentration is greater than 40 mmol / L: sweat fills the color-developing layer 300, the electrolyte concentration reaches its peak, the color-developing agent reacts deeply, resulting in a deep red color. The color-developing agent needs to be fixed within the color-developing layer through chemical bonds or nano-encapsulation, such as by chemically grafting crown ether derivatives onto nonwoven fibers, to prevent diffusion into the sweat barrier layer 200 with sweat, ensuring that the color develops only in the color-developing layer.
[0051] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a sweat detection garment according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In some embodiments, the pattern of the color-developing layer 300 can be striped, disposed at various locations on the garment, and concentrated in areas with higher sweat production. Alternatively, the pattern of the color-developing layer 300 can also be circular, rectangular, or other shapes, but must cover areas with higher sweat production.
[0052] It should be noted that the sweat-absorbing layer 100 and the sweat-insulating layer 200 are bonded together using hot melt adhesive dots with a diameter of less than 0.5mm. This ensures a firm bond without blocking the permeability channels of the sweat-insulating layer. The sweat-insulating layer 200 and the color-developing layer 300 are ultrasonically welded to form a seal at the edges, preventing sweat leakage from the gaps between the layers. For medical monitoring: the sweat-absorbing layer incorporates antibacterial components (such as a silver ion coating), the sweat-insulating layer improves its barrier precision (avoiding interference from skin secretions), and the color-developing layer is calibrated to correspond to the electrolyte concentration range (e.g., a more sensitive color gradient is designed for postoperative patients with low sweating levels).
[0053] The sweat-absorbing layer 100 efficiently captures sweat, the sweat-insulating layer 200 ensures unidirectional transmission, and the color-developing layer 300 accurately responds to concentration, ultimately achieving visualized monitoring of "sweating volume - sweat conduction - color change". Moreover, the layers work together stably and are suitable for repeated use. In addition, the color-developing layer 300 can be designed for a reversible reaction, restoring the initial color after drying.
[0054] The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.
[0055] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention and the features thereof can be combined with each other unless otherwise specified.
Claims
1. A sweat-detecting garment, characterized in that, include: The sweat-wicking layer, located on the side in contact with the skin, features a loosely knitted structure made of porous fibrous material; The sweat-absorbing layer, located on the side of the sweat-absorbing layer away from the skin, is made of a gradient hydrophilic-hydrophobic material or a material with a porous membrane one-way valve structure; A color-developing layer, stacked on the side of the sweat-proof layer away from the sweat-absorbing layer, is made of an electrolyte-sensitive material.
2. The sweat detection garment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fibrous material includes natural fibers and modified synthetic fibers.
3. The sweat detection garment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The natural fibers include cotton and / or bamboo fiber.
4. The sweat detection garment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The modified synthetic fibers include hydrophilic polyester fibers and / or superabsorbent resin composite cotton.
5. The sweat detection garment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The graded hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials include composite porous membranes.
6. The sweat detection garment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The composite porous membrane is coated with a hydrophilic polyvinyl alcohol coating on the side facing the sweat-absorbing layer, and a hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene surface layer is provided on the side facing the color-developing layer.
7. The sweat detection garment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The porous membrane one-way valve structure is made of a one-way hydrophobic fiber membrane.
8. The sweat detection garment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The unidirectional hydrophilic fiber membrane has a hydrophilic coating made of nylon 6 on the side facing the sweat-absorbing layer, and a hydrophobic surface layer made of polyolefin on the side facing the color-developing layer.
9. The sweat detection garment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The substrate of the color development layer is a porous nonwoven fabric, and the electrolyte-sensitive material is fixed on the porous nonwoven fabric by microcapsules.
10. The sweat detection garment according to claim 9, characterized in that, The electrolyte-sensitive materials include crown ether-azo dye complexes and ion-sensitive nanoparticles.