Fluid-Permeable Temperature Sensor Layout for Absorbent Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies do not effectively measure temperature distribution across a user's body area while maintaining fluid transport functionality in absorbent articles, leading to discomfort and skin issues.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensing arrangement with a fluid-permeable carrier and distributed temperature sensing elements connected to unique conductor combinations, allowing for simultaneous temperature measurement and fluid transport, utilizing high-density analog multiplexing for efficient readout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensing arrangement is included in an absorbent article, then temperature distribution measurement capability is improved, but fluid transport functionality deteriorates due to the carrier blocking fluid passage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fluid-permeable carrier with a porous structure that allows liquid and vapor to pass through while supporting the temperature sensing elements and conductors. The porous design enables the carrier to maintain mechanical support functionality without blocking fluid transport, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and fluid transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the temperature sensing elements, provides electrical connection pathways through integrated conductors, and maintains fluid permeability. This multi-functional design allows the single component to address both measurement and fluid transport requirements without compromise.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensing elements are distributed across the carrier, then temperature distribution measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple conductors and connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple conductors into an integrated conductor network embedded within the carrier structure. By merging the conductor functions and using shared electrical pathways, the system reduces the overall complexity of connections while maintaining the ability to address individual temperature sensing elements through a coordinated conductor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier acts as an intermediary structure that houses and organizes the conductors, providing a systematic framework for electrical connections. This intermediary role of the carrier simplifies the overall device architecture by centralizing the conductor management and reducing the complexity of wiring between sensing elements and readout circuitry.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the carrier is made non-permeable to provide structural support, then mechanical stability is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to fluid accumulation and skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a porous carrier material that provides structural stability while maintaining fluid permeability. The porous structure allows the carrier to support the sensing elements and conductors mechanically while simultaneously permitting liquid and vapor to pass through, preventing fluid accumulation that would cause skin irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is designed with localized properties where different regions may have varying degrees of porosity or structural density to optimize both mechanical support and fluid transport in different areas of the absorbent article, balancing stability and comfort requirements.
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 accurate temperature distribution measurement with reduced discomfort and skin irritation, while maintaining fluid absorption capabilities in absorbent articles.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of temperature sensing elements distributed across the carrier, each temperature sensing element of the plurality of temperature sensing elements being electrically connected to a unique combination of two conductors of the plurality of conductors
Implementation Method 2
the fluid-permeable carrier may allow passage therethrough of liquid (and vapor)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A temperature sensing arrangement (5) for inclusion in an absorbent article (1) for sensing a temperature distribution across an area of a body of a user using the absorbent article (1). The temperature sensing arrangement (5) comprises a fluid-permeable carrier (23) including a plurality of conductors (25a-h); and a plurality of temperature sensing elements (27) distributed across the carrier (23), each temperature sensing element (27) of the plurality of temperature sensing elements being electrically connected to a unique combination of two conductors of the plurality of conductors (25a-h).