Excretion detector

Abstract

To provide an excretion detector capable of accurately and quickly detecting excretion.SOLUTION: A circuit including a sensor unit 11 for detecting excretion, a determination unit 12 for determining the presence or absence of excretion based on an output of the sensor unit 11, a transmission unit 13 for wirelessly transmitting a determination result of the determination unit 12, a power reception coil unit for wirelessly receiving power, and a power supply unit for storing the power received by the power reception coil unit in a storage battery and supplying power to each unit is provided on a substrate 2 made of a flexible substrate or a flexible rigid substrate by double-sided mounting. Circuit components including the storage battery are made thin, and the substrate including the circuit components is sized to fit in a rectangular parallelepiped of 5cm * 3cm * 3mm in length * breadth * thickness.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an excretion detector, and more particularly to an excretion detector suitable for use in baby homes, elderly care facilities, hospitals, etc., for managing excretion of people wearing diapers. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, when bedridden care recipients or infants are required to use disposable diapers in elderly care facilities, hospitals, homes, baby care facilities, etc., checking urination and defecation takes a great deal of time and effort, placing an enormous burden on caregivers and nurseries. To solve this problem, excretion monitoring systems that enable remote monitoring of the urination and defecation of care recipients and infants have been put into practical use. These excretion monitoring systems include a wireless excretion detector (also known as a diaper sensor) and a monitoring device. The excretion detector is attached to the disposable diaper, and when excretion is detected, it wirelessly notifies a monitoring device installed in a management room or a smartphone with excretion monitoring functionality carried by the caregiver or nursery teacher, and then alerts the caregiver or nursery teacher by sounding an alarm or other means.

[0003] Conventional excretion detectors have a structure in which the circuit section, including the detection section, microcontroller section, transmission section, antenna section, coin battery section, etc., is covered with a rubber or plastic cover, and are quite large in size, so they are attached with hook-and-loop fasteners to the outside front of the disposable diaper near the urination area. For this reason, the excretory organs such as the urethral opening and anus are far from the excretory detector, which has led to problems such as inaccurate detection, and the time it takes between excretion and detection, making it difficult to change disposable diapers quickly. Also, the odor sensor that detects feces needs to be highly sensitive, but there is a problem that it may mistakenly detect farts. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems of the prior art described above, and its object is to provide an excretion detector that can accurately and quickly detect excretion by shortening the distance between the excretory organs and the excretion detector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In the invention described in claim 1, A substrate made of a flexible substrate or a flexible-rigid substrate, a sensor unit for detecting excretion, a discrimination unit for discriminating whether or not excretion has occurred based on the output of the sensor unit, a transmission unit for wirelessly transmitting the discrimination result of the discrimination unit, a power receiving coil unit for receiving power wirelessly, and a power supply unit for storing the power received by the power receiving coil unit in a storage battery and supplying power to each unit, the circuit being mounted on both sides; The circuit components, including the storage battery, are made thin, The size of the board including the circuit components was determined to fit into a rectangular parallelepiped with dimensions of 5cm x 3cm x 3mm in length x width x thickness. It is characterized by: In the invention described in claim 2, A waterproof coating is applied to the outer surface of the circuit board. It is characterized by: In the invention described in claim 3, The sensor detects temperature, humidity, and odor. The discrimination unit compares the temperature, humidity and odor output detected by the sensor unit with threshold values, and when the temperature and humidity are not high and the odor is strong, it determines that the stool has been excreted as hard, and when the temperature and humidity are high and the odor is strong, it determines that the stool has been excreted as loose. It is characterized by: In the invention described in claim 4, The sensor detects temperature, humidity, and odor. The discrimination unit compares the temperature, humidity and odor output detected by the sensor unit with threshold values, and determines that the person is urinating when the temperature and humidity are high and the odor is weak. It is characterized by: In the invention described in claim 5, The sensor, discrimination, and transmission units are located on the front side of the board, while the power receiving coil and power supply unit are located on the back side of the board. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, the excretion detector can be made thin and small, allowing it to be attached to the outside of the crotch area of ​​a disposable diaper. This shortens the distance between the excretory organs and the excretion detector, enabling accurate and rapid excretion detection. Accurate excretion detection allows the appropriate timing for changing the disposable diaper to be determined, and rapid excretion detection allows the disposable diaper to be changed promptly after excretion, preventing skin problems. Furthermore, the small size reduces discomfort when wearing the detector, and the detector can be stored in a disposable diaper pocket. Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 2, the waterproof coating makes it less likely to malfunction due to excretion, and according to the invention described in claim 3, it is possible to distinguish between soft and hard stools. Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 5, by bringing the surface of the substrate on which the sensor unit is provided into contact with the disposable diaper, good sensor sensitivity can be obtained and heat from the storage battery and power supply unit can be dissipated smoothly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the front side of an excretion detector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the back side of an excretion detector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a determination unit. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a determination unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the excretion detector.

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to examples. Example 1

[0009] An embodiment of an excretion detector according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a structural diagram of the front side of an excretion detector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a structural diagram of the back side of the excretion detector. In these figures, 1 is a small, thin, plate-like excretion detector that can be attached to the outside of the crotch area of ​​a disposable diaper worn by an elderly person or infant by storing it in a pocket, etc. This excretion detector 1 can detect both urination and defecation, and has the function of detecting excretion and wirelessly reporting it to a smartphone carried by a caregiver or nurse or to a monitoring device installed in a management room.

[0010] In the excretion detector 1, 2 is a substrate, which is a thin, flexible, or deformable flexible printed circuit (FPC) or flexible-rigid printed circuit board (FPCB). Flexible substrates are 0.1 to 0.5 mm thick and have a layered structure in which a portion of the copper foil conductive pattern formed on the surface of the substrate (base film) is exposed for attaching circuit components, and the remainder is covered with an insulating layer called solder resist or coverlay, making them flexible. Flexible-rigid substrates are 0.1 to 2 mm thick and have a layered structure in which copper foil is sandwiched between insulating layers and a hard frame structure, making them flexible and deformable.

[0011] The substrate 2 is a double-sided mounted substrate, with a front-side circuit section 10 and a back-side circuit section 20 connected by vias. The front-side circuit section 10 includes a sensor section 11 for detecting excretion, a discrimination section 12 configured with a microcomputer that determines the presence or absence of excretion based on the output of the sensor section 11, and a transmission section 13 that wirelessly transmits the discrimination result of the discrimination section 12. The back-side circuit section 20 includes a power receiving coil section 21 that receives power wirelessly, a power receiving section 23 that stores the power received by the power receiving coil section 21 in a storage battery 22, and a power supply section 24 that stabilizes the power supply voltage of the storage battery 22 and supplies power to each section. The use of a double-sided mounted substrate has made the excretion detector 1 smaller and thinner.

[0012] The sensor unit 11 includes a temperature and humidity sensor 30 that detects both temperature and humidity, and an odor sensor 31. The temperature and humidity sensor 30 may be replaced with a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor. The temperature and humidity sensor 30 and odor sensor 31 may be small and thin.

[0013] The discrimination unit 12 has the function of discriminating between urination (small amount), urination (large amount), defecation (hard stool), and defecation (loose stool) based on the output of the sensor unit 11, and wirelessly notifying the outside. It also has the function of detecting a low remaining charge in the storage battery 22 and wirelessly notifying the outside to urge charging, and of detecting an abnormal temperature, cutting off the power supply for safety, wirelessly notifying the outside to urge removal of the excretion detector. The microcomputer that constitutes the discrimination unit 12 can be a small, thin, and low-power type.

[0014] The transmitting unit 13 is composed of a wireless IC 32 and a chip antenna 33, and modulates and transmits the transmission data sent from the determining unit 12 using a Bluetooth wireless system, a Wi-Fi wireless system, or the like. The wireless IC 32 and the chip antenna 33 can be small and thin types.

[0015] The power receiving coil unit 21 is for receiving power wirelessly from an external device, and receives power by being coupled to a charging coil of a wireless charger. For example, a small, thin planar coil can be used for the power receiving coil unit 21. The storage battery 22 is a small, thin, pouched, sheet-like solid or semi-solid battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0016] The power receiving unit 23 has a function of storing the power received by the power receiving coil unit 21 in the storage battery 22, and here is configured by a wireless power receiving IC. The power receiving unit 23 can be a small and thin type. Power supply unit 24 has the function of stabilizing the power supply voltage of storage battery 22 and supplying power to each unit, and is composed of a power supply IC in this case. A small, thin, low-drop regulator can be used as power supply unit 24.

[0017] The entire substrate 2 including the circuit sections 10 and 20 is coated with a thin waterproof coating, except for the temperature and humidity sensor 11a and odor sensor 11d of the sensor section 11, to make it less susceptible to breakdowns due to excretion. The waterproof coating is achieved by applying waterproof paint or a silicone resin coating, for example.

[0018] The substrate 2 including the circuits 10 and 20 is sized to fit into a rectangular parallelepiped with dimensions of 5 cm length x 3 cm width x 4 mm thickness, and can be attached to the outside of the crotch area of ​​a disposable diaper. This shortens the distance between the excretory organs and the excretion detector, enabling accurate and rapid excretion detection.

[0019] Next, the operation of the excretion detector 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figures 3 and 4 are flow charts showing the operation of the discrimination unit 12 configured with a microcomputer, and Figure 5 is a diagram showing the changes in temperature, humidity, and odor before and after excretion. It is assumed that the excretion detector 1 is attached in advance to the outside of the crotch area of ​​the disposable diaper worn by the elderly person or infant, for example, by storing it in a pocket. At this time, the front side of the substrate 2 on which the sensor unit 11 is provided is brought into contact with the disposable diaper to ensure good sensor sensitivity and to ensure smooth heat dissipation from the storage battery 22 and power supply unit 23 on the back side. It is also assumed that the storage battery 22 is fully charged and that the power supply unit 24 supplies power to each unit.

[0020] (1) Battery remaining capacity monitoring The determination unit 12 inputs the voltage of the storage battery 22 and monitors the remaining battery charge (steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 3). When the remaining charge becomes low, it outputs a "low remaining charge" message to the transmission unit 13, which then wirelessly transmits the message to an external monitoring device, smartphone, etc. (step S3). The caregiver, nurse, etc. who receives the message can wirelessly charge the device using a wireless charger. This eliminates the need for a cord connection, saving time and effort. The power received by the power receiving coil unit 21 is stored in the storage battery 22 by the power receiving unit 23.

[0021] (2) Temperature monitoring The discrimination unit 12 inputs the temperature from the sensor unit 11 and monitors for temperature abnormalities (steps S4 and S5 in Fig. 3), and if the temperature rises above a certain level or falls below a certain level, it judges it to be an "abnormal temperature," outputs a message to the transmission unit 13, and transmits it wirelessly to an external monitoring device, smartphone, etc. (step S6), and also controls the power supply unit 24 to cut off power to each unit (step S7). The caregiver, nurse, etc. who receives the message can take action such as removing the excretion detector 1 from the disposable diaper.

[0022] (3) Monitoring of excretion When the care recipient or an infant urinates or defecates, the temperature, humidity, and odor increase. Since the sensor unit 11 is located in the crotch area, these increases in temperature, humidity, and odor are immediately detected, causing the sensor output to change. The determination unit 12 monitors the temperature, humidity, and odor input from the sensor unit 11, and determines the presence or absence of excretion from changes in these factors (steps S10 and S11 in FIG. 4). To explain a specific example of the determination method, for example, if the temperature exceeds a threshold value T1, the humidity exceeds a threshold value H1, and the odor intensity exceeds a threshold value P1, it is determined that excretion has occurred. If the odor does not exceed the threshold value P3 and is not very strong, it is determined to be urination (YES in step S12 or S13), and if the odor is strong and exceeds the threshold value P3, it is determined to be defecation (YES in step S14).

[0023] When determining whether or not urination has occurred, if the odor is weak and within the range of threshold values ​​P1 to P2 (YES in step S12), the temperature is within the range of threshold values ​​T1 to T2, the humidity is within the range of threshold values ​​H1 to H2, and the temperature and humidity are medium, it is determined to be a small amount (YES in steps S15 and S16), and if the odor is medium-strong and within the range of threshold values ​​P2 to P3 (YES in step S13), the temperature exceeds threshold value T2, the humidity exceeds threshold value H2, and the temperature and humidity are high, it is determined to be a large amount (steps S17 and S18). When it is determined that there is defecation, if the temperature is within the range of threshold values ​​T1 to T2, the humidity is within the range of threshold values ​​H1 to H2, and the temperature and humidity are not high but are medium, it is determined that there is hard stool (YES in step S19, S20), and if the temperature exceeds the threshold value T2, the humidity exceeds the threshold value H2, and the temperature and humidity are high, it is determined that there is loose stool (YES in step S21, S22).

[0024] After making the judgment, the judgment unit 12 outputs a message indicating the judgment result to the transmission unit 13 together with information on temperature, humidity, and odor, and transmits it wirelessly to an external monitoring device, smartphone, etc., to notify the caregiver, nurse, etc. that excretion has occurred and the details of the excretion (small amount of urination, large amount of urination, hard stool, soft stool) (steps S16, S18, S20, S22). When notified of excretion, a caregiver, nurse, etc. can immediately go to the subject and change the diaper. The excretion detector 1 can be used repeatedly. When it is determined that the urination has occurred, if the amount of urine is small, it is not necessary to immediately notify the user, and it is also possible to notify the user when a certain amount of urine has accumulated in the disposable diaper.

[0025] According to this embodiment, the excretion detector 1 can be made thin and small, so it can be attached to the outside of the crotch area of ​​a disposable diaper. This shortens the distance between the excretory organs and the excretion detector, enabling accurate and rapid excretion detection. Accurate excretion detection allows the appropriate timing for changing the disposable diaper to be determined, and rapid excretion detection allows the disposable diaper to be changed promptly after excretion, preventing skin problems. Furthermore, the small size makes it less uncomfortable to wear and allows it to be stored in a disposable diaper pocket. Furthermore, the waterproof coating on the substrate 2 makes it less susceptible to breakdowns caused by excretion. In addition, by detecting temperature, humidity, and odor, it is possible to distinguish between soft and hard stools, and between small and large amounts of urination. Furthermore, by bringing the surface of the substrate on which the sensor unit 11 is provided into contact with the disposable diaper, good sensor sensitivity can be obtained and heat from the storage battery and power supply unit can be dissipated smoothly.

[0026] In the above embodiment, the excretion detector 1 is described as being stored and attached in a pocket on the front side of the crotch area of ​​the disposable diaper, but the present invention is not limited to this and the detector may be attached using double-sided tape, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0027] The present invention can be applied to excretion detection when disposable diapers such as paper diapers are used in nursing homes, baby homes, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1. Excretion detector 2 boards 11 Sensor section 12 Discrimination part 13 Transmitter 21 Receiving coil section 22 Storage battery 23 Power receiving unit 24 Power supply unit

Claims

1. A substrate made of a flexible substrate or a flexible-rigid substrate, a sensor unit for detecting excretion, a discrimination unit for discriminating whether or not excretion has occurred based on the output of the sensor unit, a transmission unit for wirelessly transmitting the discrimination result of the discrimination unit, a power receiving coil unit for receiving power wirelessly, and a power supply unit for storing the power received by the power receiving coil unit in a storage battery and supplying power to each unit, the circuit being mounted on both sides; The circuit components, including the storage battery, are made thin, The size of the board including the circuit components is such that it fits into a rectangular parallelepiped with length x width x thickness of 5 cm x 3 cm x 4 mm. An excretion detector characterized by:

2. A waterproof coating is applied to the outer surface of the circuit board.

2. The excretion detector according to claim 1,

3. The sensor detects temperature, humidity, and odor. The discrimination unit compares the temperature, humidity and odor outputs detected by the sensor unit with threshold values, and when the temperature and humidity are not high and the odor is strong, it determines that the stool has been excreted as hard, and when the temperature and humidity are high and the odor is strong, it determines that the stool has been excreted as loose.

2. The excretion detector according to claim 1,

4. The sensor detects temperature, humidity, and odor. The discrimination unit compares the temperature, humidity and odor output detected by the sensor unit with threshold values, and determines that the person is urinating when the temperature and humidity are high and the odor is weak.

4. The excretion detector according to claim 1 or 3,

5. The sensor, discrimination, and transmission units are located on the front side of the board, while the power receiving coil and power supply unit are located on the back side of the board.

2. The excretion detector according to claim 1,

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