Diaper Sensor Test Pin for Moisture Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diaper sensors lack sufficient measurement accuracy and require significant cleaning efforts, which can lead to skin damage and infections, and do not effectively monitor the condition of disposable diapers in infant and elderly care.
Innovation Solution
A device with a test pin extending from the contact surface to penetrate the outer cover of the diaper, housing a capacitive moisture sensor and optionally a temperature sensor, which are protected from contamination, along with a radio transmitter module for data communication, ensuring improved measurement accuracy and reduced cleaning efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is integrated into the diaper or used as an insert, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the cleaning effort increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate parts: a reusable sensor unit with electronics and a disposable diaper insert with sensors. The sensor unit can be detached and cleaned, while the contaminated diaper insert is discarded, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and cleaning effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic components and power supply are extracted from the disposable diaper and placed in a separate reusable housing. This allows the electronic parts to be cleaned and reused while the diaper portion can be easily replaced without cleaning the electronics.
2Measurement precision
If the moisture sensor is placed directly on the contact surface, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the sensor becomes contaminated requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
A liquid-impermeable membrane is introduced as an intermediary between the moisture sensor and the diaper contents. The membrane allows moisture vapor to pass through for detection while blocking direct contact with feces and urine, enabling accurate measurement without contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible, liquid-impermeable membrane covers the sensor elements, allowing them to detect moisture through the membrane while remaining protected from direct contamination by bodily waste, thus maintaining measurement accuracy without requiring frequent cleaning.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor components are exposed to detect moisture, then the measurement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture sensor, temperature sensor, power supply, and electronic components are combined into a single integrated reusable unit. This consolidation simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining advanced detection capabilities through the combination of multiple sensor types.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable sensor unit is designed to work with multiple types of disposable diapers through universal attachment mechanisms. The unit can detect both moisture and temperature, providing multi-functional monitoring capabilities without requiring separate devices for each function.
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 device provides enhanced measurement accuracy for moisture and temperature, minimizing skin damage and infection risks while reducing cleaning efforts, allowing for timely and necessary diaper changes.
Implementation Method 1
The capacitive moisture sensor ( 13) has two electrode structures ( 13.1, 13.2) which are arranged at a distance from one another and are embedded close to the surface in a dielectric material of the test pin ( 12), wherein the dielectric material of the test pin ( 12) also forms the dielectric of the capacitive moisture sensor ( 13)
Implementation Method 2
The temperature measurement can, for example, be based on detecting a change in resistance.
Implementation Method 3
the dielectric material of the test pin ( 12) also forms the dielectric of the capacitive moisture sensor ( 13)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for monitoring the status of a nappy, in particular in infant and geriatric care. In order to increase the measuring accuracy, at least one moisture sensor is arranged on a test stick extending outwards from a contact surface of a shell of the device. The test stick penetrates the outer shell of the nappy. A moisture sensor arranged on the test stick is positioned following same in the absorbent material surrounded by the outer shell of the disposable nappy for receiving urine or faeces. With the direct contact of the moisture sensor, a change in the moisture in the absorbent material can be quickly and precisely detected. In combination with the flexible shell, on the contact surface, the test stick leads to improved measuring accuracy, without compromising the functionality of the nappy.