Reusable Electronics Enclosure for Disposable Absorbent Sensor Receptacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent articles with embedded sensors and logging units are costly and generate electronic waste, as the entire logging unit must be discarded with each article, posing environmental and data management challenges, especially in institutional settings where many users require monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A modular system comprising a reusable electronics enclosure with logging electronics that connects to a series of inexpensive, disposable receptacles attached to absorbent articles, allowing the enclosure to be easily transferred between articles, reducing electronic waste and maintaining continuous data logging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a logging unit is integrated into each absorbent article, then sensor data can be monitored and recorded, but electronic waste increases and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two segments: a reusable electronics enclosure containing the logging electronics that can be transferred between articles, and disposable receptacles attached to each absorbent article. This segmentation allows the expensive electronic components to be reused while only the simple receptacle is discarded, significantly reducing electronic waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronics enclosure is designed as a universal unit that can connect to multiple different receptacles and absorbent articles through standardized interfaces. This multi-functionality allows a single logger unit to serve numerous articles over time, reducing the need for multiple electronic logging units and minimizing electronic waste.
2Reliability
If a logging unit is integrated into each absorbent article, then sensor data can be monitored and recorded, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the expensive electronics enclosure from the disposable receptacle, the system allows reuse of the high-cost component while discarding only the low-cost receptacle. This significantly reduces the per-article operational cost compared to discarding entire integrated logging units with each article.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables recovery and reuse of the electronics enclosure after the disposable receptacle is discarded. The enclosure can be detached from one receptacle and attached to another, allowing the valuable electronic components to be recovered and reused multiple times, thereby reducing operational costs.
3Ease of operation
If the electronics enclosure has asymmetric surface portions, then engagement with the receptacle is simplified, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronics enclosure features asymmetric surface portions where at least one surface differs from its counterpart, creating a unique geometric configuration. This asymmetry provides built-in alignment features that guide the enclosure into correct engagement with the receptacle, simplifying the engagement process and ensuring proper orientation without requiring complex alignment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronics enclosure has terminal conductors for contacting corresponding conductors in a receptacle when engaged with the receptacle. The electronics enclosure has a housing having first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth surface portions arranged to define the exterior of the housing. The receptacle engages and retains the corresponding electronics enclosure, the receptacle having terminal conductors for contacting corresponding conductors in the enclosure when engaged with the enclosure. The receptacle has a base surface along which the enclosure can translate in an engagement direction to engage the enclosure with the receptacle. An absorbent article management system includes: a diaper having the receptacle at which sensor elements of the diaper terminate; a logger unit having logger electronics enclosed in the enclosure and adapted to cooperate with the receptacle to connect the logger electronics to the sensor elements; and data processing equipment for processing data acquired from the sensor elements by the logger and for taking action based on the same.