Reusable Sensor Auxiliary Article for Absorbent Products

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing absorbent articles with integral sensors face challenges such as high costs due to single-use designs, difficulty in accessing and reusing internal sensors, and the risk of exposing wearers to electrical currents, as well as challenges in effectively sensing properties from external sensors.

Innovation Solution

A durable, washable, reusable auxiliary article with sensors integrated between its layers, allowing for better communication with the absorbent article, using various sensing technologies like inductive, capacitive, and ultrasonic sensors to detect bodily exudates and their byproducts, and being removable for easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensors are integrated into every absorbent article, then sensing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two segments: a reusable auxiliary article containing the sensor, and disposable absorbent articles. This segmentation allows the expensive sensor component to be separated from the disposable product, enabling reuse of the sensor across multiple absorbent articles and reducing per-unit manufacturing costs while maintaining sensing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary article with the sensor is designed to be universally compatible with multiple absorbent articles. The sensor in the auxiliary article can monitor different absorbent articles sequentially, making the sensor system multi-functional and reusable, thereby reducing the need to manufacture sensors with every absorbent article.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are placed internally in absorbent articles, then sensing accuracy is improved, but ease of reuse deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing accuracyVSAvoidease of reuse

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is extracted from the internal structure of the absorbent article and placed in a separate reusable auxiliary article. This extraction maintains sensing accuracy through close proximity to the absorbent article while enabling easy removal and reuse of the sensor with different absorbent articles, solving the contradiction between sensing accuracy and ease of reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If sensors are placed externally on absorbent articles, then ease of access is improved, but sensing capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of accessVSAvoidsensing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary article serves as an intermediary between the external sensor and the absorbent article. It provides a structured interface that maintains close proximity for accurate sensing while keeping the sensor externally accessible. The auxiliary article mediates the interaction, ensuring both ease of access and reliable sensing capability are achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If electrical circuits are used for indication, then sensing functionality is improved, but safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing functionalityVSAvoidelectrical current exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical circuit-based indication with optical sensing mechanisms. The sensor detects properties of bodily exudates through optical means rather than electrical contact, eliminating the risk of electrical current exposure to the wearer while maintaining robust sensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution provides a cost-effective, sustainable, and safe method for monitoring incontinent events, enabling the use of more sophisticated sensor technologies and reducing waste by allowing sensors to be reused across different absorbent articles.

Implementation Method 1

using various sensing technologies like inductive, capacitive, and ultrasonic sensors to detect bodily exudates and their byproducts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

using various sensing technologies like inductive, capacitive, and ultrasonic sensors to detect bodily exudates and their byproducts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

using various sensing technologies like inductive, capacitive, and ultrasonic sensors to detect bodily exudates and their byproducts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11633310B2Sensor systems comprising auxiliary articles

Publication Date: 2023.04.25 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A sensor system for detecting a property of or within an absorbent article may comprise an absorbent article and an auxiliary article.