Reusable Diaper With Feces Sensing Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional disposable diapers suffer from low absorption rates, skin rashes, and environmental concerns due to non-biodegradable waste.

Innovation Solution

A reusable diaper with a feces sensing unit and a manufacturing method that includes an interior layer for excretion drainage, a middle layer with an excretion collection unit and feces sensing, a feces monitoring module for caregiver notification, an exterior layer for leakage prevention, and a support frame for assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional disposable diapers are used, then ease of operation is improved, but environmental harm increases due to non-biodegradable waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidenvironmental harm
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the reverse of the disposable principle by creating a reusable diaper system. Instead of using single-use disposable diapers that generate waste, the invention employs a durable reusable diaper with biodegradable absorbent materials. The reusable components (diaper structure, sensors, electronics) can be washed and reused multiple times, while only the absorbent insert needs replacement, significantly reducing environmental waste compared to conventional disposable diapers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If conventional disposable diapers are used, then ease of operation is improved, but absorption performance deteriorates due to low absorption rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidabsorption rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters of the absorbent components by using biodegradable superabsorbent polymers with enhanced absorption capabilities. These materials are specifically selected to have higher absorption rates and greater capacity compared to conventional diaper materials, directly addressing the low absorption rate problem while maintaining the convenience of disposable-style operation through the reusable system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional disposable diapers are used, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful effects on user increase due to skin rashes and stains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feces and urine sensors that provide real-time feedback to caregivers about the diaper's status. This early detection system allows for timely diaper changes, preventing prolonged contact between excretions and the baby's skin, thereby reducing the risk of skin rashes and stains while maintaining the operational simplicity of a diaper system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If reusable diaper with sensing components is implemented, then measurement precision is improved through feces detection, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical sensing systems with simpler chemical or optical sensors that detect feces and urine through color changes or refractive index variations. These sensors utilize natural properties of excretions (such as color, pH, or optical characteristics) rather than requiring complex mechanical or electronic detection mechanisms, thereby achieving high measurement precision with reduced device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The reusable diaper effectively manages excretions, reduces skin irritation, and minimizes environmental impact by using biodegradable components and improving urine absorption efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a feces sensing unit configured to detect feces discharged from the user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the excretion collection unit is configured to store the excretions from the interior layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12201504B1Reusable diaper with feces sensing
Publication Date: 2025.01.21 CHAN THOMAS C
  • US12201504B1 patent drawing
  • US12201504B1 patent drawing
  • US12201504B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Apparatuses of reusable diapers with feces sensing and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. In one embodiment, a diaper includes an interior layer includes an excretion area, where the excretion area includes one or more openings configured to drain excretions of a user away from the interior layer; a middle layer configured to house an excretion collection unit, where the excretion collection unit is configured to store the excretions from the interior layer, and the middle layer further includes a feces sensing unit configured to detect feces discharged from the user; a feces monitoring module electrically coupled to the feces sensing unit, where the feces monitoring module is configured to monitor the feces sensing unit and communicate status of the feces sensing unit to one or more caregivers; an exterior layer configured to conceal and prevent leakage from the middle layer of the diaper; and a support frame configured to hold the interior layer, the middle layer and the exterior layer of the diaper together.