Non-Contact Soiling Detector Using Ammonia and Methane Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to provide a non-invasive and efficient way to detect urine or feces on bedclothes, linens, and diapers, requiring physical contact or disturbance to identify soiling.

Innovation Solution

A combination flashlight and electronic sensing device with ammonia and methane sensors, along with a sensor illumination system, allowing for stealthy detection of urine or feces by emitting distinct light colors upon gas detection, minimizing intrusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If physical contact or disturbance is used to identify soiling, then detection accuracy is improved, but patient comfort and caregiver intrusiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidpatient disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical inspection methods (visual inspection requiring physical contact and disturbance) with electronic sensing technology. The device uses electronic ammonia and methane sensors to detect gases emitted by soiled materials, along with illumination sources to visually identify soiling without physical contact. This substitution of mechanical inspection with electronic sensing achieves both accurate detection and non-intrusive operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If non-contact detection method is used, then patient disturbance is reduced, but detection capability and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient disturbanceVSAvoiddetection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple detection technologies into a single integrated device: electronic ammonia sensors for urine detection, electronic methane sensors for feces detection, and illumination sources for visual inspection. This combination of multiple sensing modalities within one non-contact device ensures reliable detection of different types of soiling while maintaining the benefit of non-intrusive operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables non-contact identification of urine or feces, facilitating quick and discreet detection without disturbing individuals or environments, enhancing caregiver efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

An electronic ammonia sensor is disposed on the housing proximate the distal end of the housing and operable for detecting the presence of ammonia

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

An electronic methane sensor is disposed on the housing proximate the distal end of the housing and operable for detecting the presence of methane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 3

The illumination source is operable to provide illuminating light for visually detecting urine or feces or both

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 4

A sensor illumination device is in electronic communication with the electronic ammonia sensor and the electronic methane sensor, the sensor illumination device operable to illuminate in response to detection of ammonia by the electronic ammonia sensor or detection of methane by the electronic methane sensor or both

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission in response to detection:

Data Source

PatentUS10775363B2Non-contact soilage detector and flashlight

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 WILLIAMS RICHARD E

AI summary

A combination flashlight and electronic sensing device for identifying urine or feces or both and configured for facilitating stealthy detection of the same.