Humidity Sensor with Electrochemical Medium for Absorbent Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidity sensors for absorbent articles, such as diapers, are limited by their integration with the article, low sensitivity, and safety concerns due to metal conductive wires, which restrict their applicability and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A humidity sensor comprising an insulator substrate with coating wires and humidity detecting portions featuring electrochemical media that change from insulators to conductors when wet, allowing for electrical signal output without metal wires, enabling wide applicability and enhanced sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid drain sensor with metal conductive wires is integrated into absorbent articles, then humidity detection function is achieved, but safety hazards and user discomfort occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the metal conductive wires from the sensor structure, replacing them with metal-free conductive materials such as conductive adhesives or conductive polymers. This eliminates the safety hazards associated with metal wires while maintaining the electrical conduction function necessary for humidity detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical metal wire-based electrical conduction system with a chemical/electrical conduction system using conductive adhesives or conductive polymers. This substitution eliminates the need for physical metal wires that can break or cause discomfort, while achieving the same electrical signal transmission function through chemical conduction pathways.
2Ease of manufacture
If a liquid drain sensor is built into absorbent articles during manufacturing, then integrated humidity detection is achieved, but adaptability to different absorbent articles is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the humidity sensor into a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured and then attached to various absorbent articles. This segmentation allows the sensor to be produced as a standalone unit with standardized interfaces, enabling it to be adapted to different types of absorbent articles without requiring reintegration into the manufacturing process of each specific product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the humidity sensor with universal characteristics that enable it to function with multiple types of absorbent articles. The sensor uses universal components such as hydrophilic polymers that interact with various liquids, and standardized electrical connections that can interface with different article designs, making it versatile across different applications.
3Reliability
If conductive wires are used in liquid drain sensors, then electrical signal output is achieved, but sensitivity decreases when wettability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the conductive elements from metal wires to conductive adhesives or conductive polymers with different surface properties. These materials have higher surface area and better wettability characteristics, allowing them to maintain electrical conduction even when liquid absorption is limited, thereby improving detection sensitivity without sacrificing signal output reliability.
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 solution provides a safe, sensitive, and versatile humidity sensing system that can be used with any absorbent article, eliminating metal wire hazards and improving detection accuracy and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochemical medium which is electrically insulated when dry and conductive when wet is provided between electrodes
Implementation Method 2
A coating wire is a conductive wire which is disposed on the substrate by printing or coating with a conductive adhesive (such as conductive silver adhesive, conductive carbon adhesive) or biochemical ink
Implementation Method 3
when the liquid substance appears, the liquid is directly in contact with the electrochemical medium on the humidity sensor by passing through the hygroscopic material or the liquid, and the electrochemical medium is wetted
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a humidity sensor, comprising a substrate having a coating wire and at least one humidity detecting portion S, each humidity detecting portion S comprises at least two electrodes, and each of electrodes is connected to their respective coating wires, and an electrochemical medium which is electrically insulated when dry and conductive when wet is provided between electrodes. This kind of humidity sensors can be used to monitor humidity in a highly sensitive manner, especially monitor the amount and extent of urine.