Conductive Elastic Elements for Absorbent Article Leakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current absorbent articles for personal hygiene, such as diapers and incontinence products, lack an inexpensive and simple means to automatically detect the risk of leakage and provide a warning to caregivers, as existing electronic solutions are costly and complex, and not suitable for reuse due to moisture exposure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating electrically conductive elastic elements and a detection device that can be removably attached to the absorbent article, which changes resistance or capacitance upon contact with exudates or mechanical deformation, allowing for simple and accurate detection of leakage risk and providing a warning to caregivers, while using a washable and reusable outer shell with disposable inserts to reduce environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic sensors and signal processing units are integrated into the absorbent article to detect moisture and temperature, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electronic detection components (conductive elastic elements and detection device) from the disposable absorbent article and places them in a reusable outer shell. This allows the monitoring capability to be separated from the disposable insert, reducing complexity and cost of each disposable unit while maintaining effective monitoring through the reusable component.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable outer shell with integrated detection device serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables monitoring through conductive elastic elements, and can be washed and reused. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate monitoring devices and simplifies the overall system.
2Measurement precision
If complex algorithms and multiple sensors are used to predict leakage risk, then detection accuracy is improved, but ease of operation and simplicity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive elastic elements automatically detect exudate presence through their inherent electrical properties without requiring external power sources or complex processing. The detection device simply monitors resistance or capacitance changes, providing automatic leakage risk detection with minimal complexity and easy operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If electronic components are disposed with the absorbent article after use, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but loss of substance and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent article is segmented into a disposable insert and a reusable outer shell with electronic components. This segmentation allows the electronic components to be preserved in the reusable shell while only the absorbent insert is disposed of, significantly reducing waste and environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable outer shell with detection device is recovered and washed for repeated use, while only the disposable absorbent insert is discarded. This approach recovers valuable electronic components and reduces material waste, aligning with sustainable design principles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables effective and cost-friendly detection of leakage risk, providing timely warnings to caregivers and allowing for the reuse of electronic components, thus improving user safety and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
a detection device that can be removably attached to the absorbent article... arranged to provide a signal upon a change in resistance or capacitance in response to an exudate coming in contact with said elastic element(s)
Implementation Method 2
in response to the elongation of said elastic element(s) as a result of mechanical deformation of the absorbent article upon loading of the exudate therein
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An absorbent article for personal hygiene such as a diaper, or training pant, or incontinence insert, the absorbent article comprising: a liquid permeable topsheet; a liquid impermeable backsheet; an absorbent core interposed between said topsheet and said backsheet, together forming an absorbent article chassis having a front edge, a back edge and oppositely disposed side edges connecting said front and back edges and running along a longitudinal axis y; an elastic-material-comprising component selected from the group consisting of: one or more cuffs extending substantially parallel to said side edges comprising one or more elastic elements; one or more transversal barriers extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis y and along said front and/or back edges, said transversal barriers comprising one or more elastic elements; one or more, preferably at least two, side panels comprising one or more elastic elements, said side panels being joined to said chassis about a proximal end thereof and having a distal end extending away from said chassis along a transverse axis x being substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis y; one or more elastic waistbands positioned adjacent said front and/or back edges comprising one or more elastic elements; and combinations thereof; and a detection device that can be removably attached to the absorbent article, wherein the elastic elements comprise an electrically conductive material and/or coating and are in electrical communication with said detection device arranged to provide a signal upon a change in resistance or capacitance in response to an exudate coming in contact with said elastic element(s) typically following a voiding event.