Wireless Diaper RFID Tag with Shiftable Frequency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional detectable diapers face issues with RFID tag breakage and incomplete detection of urine absorption, leading to inaccurate wetness notifications and potential overheating of detection systems.
Innovation Solution
A wireless detectable diaper featuring a passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID tag with a shiftable frequency, where the antenna's extending part is on a water-absorbing substrate contacting the absorption layer, and the main part is on a non-wetting position, coupled with a monitoring system that includes a reader, notification module, and camera for accurate wetness detection and notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the RFID tag is placed in the absorption layer to detect wetness, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the RFID tag is broken easily
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into a main part and an extending part. The main part is positioned on a non-wetting layer where it remains protected and stable, while the extending part reaches into the absorption layer to detect wetness. This segmentation allows the RFID tag to function accurately in the wet environment without the entire tag being exposed to damage risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The extending part of the antenna acts as an intermediary element that bridges the protected main part and the wet absorption layer. It transmits the wetness detection function into the absorption layer while the main part remains shielded, thus enabling accurate detection without compromising the overall reliability of the RFID tag.
2Measurement precision
If the metal antenna is used to detect wetness, then the detection capability is improved, but the antenna cannot receive the electromagnetic wave completely and causes overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the RFID tag to a shiftable-frequency UHF RFID tag. When the substrate absorbs urine or water, the dielectric coefficient changes, causing the operating frequency to shift. This frequency shifting mechanism enables wetness detection while avoiding the overheating issues associated with continuous metal antenna exposure to electromagnetic waves.
3Reliability
If the RFID tag operates continuously to detect wetness, then the detection reliability is improved, but the system consumes excessive energy and causes overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The passive UHF RFID tag operates on a periodic basis through electromagnetic coupling with the reader, rather than continuously. The tag is activated only when the reader sends a signal, allowing it to detect wetness through frequency shifts while consuming minimal energy. This periodic operation maintains detection reliability while avoiding excessive energy consumption and overheating.
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 system provides reliable and accurate wetness detection by frequency deviation upon urine absorption, enabling timely notifications and image capture, thus overcoming the limitations of previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the substrate absorbs the urine or the water in the absorption layer and is soaked by the urine or the water
Implementation Method 2
hence a dielectric coefficient of the substrate is changed, and frequency deviates to the second frequency reading section
Implementation Method 3
the reader reads the radio signal of the RFID tag via the reading antenna, and the reader sends an electrical signal to the notification module
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless detectable diaper contains: a body and a shiftable-frequency RFID tag. The body includes a water-permeable lining layer, a waterproof layer, and an absorption layer. The RFID tag includes a chip and an antenna, wherein the antenna has a main part and an extending part, the extending part is arranged on a water-absorbing substrate, the extending part and the substrate contact with the absorption layer and are arranged on a wetting position of the body, and the main part and the chip are arranged on a non-wetting position of the body. When the body is not wet, a first frequency reading section of the antenna departs from a second frequency reading section of the monitoring equipment. The substrate absorbs urine or water in the absorption layer and is soaked by the urine or the water, such that a dielectric coefficient of the substrate is changed.