TWI887532B - Urine detection device and urine detection method - Google Patents

Abstract

The urination detection device (1) of the present invention has a main device (2) with a built-in humidity sensor (4) and mounted on the outer surface of a diaper, and an auxiliary device in the main device (2) or capable of communicating with the main device has a urination determination unit (5), and the urination determination unit (5) records the change of humidity on the outer surface of the diaper, and determines that there is urination after the second time based on the change of humidity. The urination detection method of the present invention measures the humidity and temperature of the outer surface of the diaper in the urination area of the diaper, and determines that there is urination when the rising speed of the humidity and the temperature exceeds the respective set values.

Description

Urine detection device and urine detection method

The present invention relates to a urine detection device.

There is a known technology that detects urination of a disposable diaper wearer by a urination sensor and notifies the wearer for the purpose of reducing the burden of care. As a method of detecting urination, there is a known method of detecting the temperature or humidity increased by urination.

It is known that there is a technology that places a humidity sensor on the outside of a diaper and detects urination based on changes in humidity (see patent document 1).

[Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-043389

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-146721

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-23777

The present invention relates to a urine detection device having a main body device with a built-in humidity sensor and mounted on the outer surface of a diaper.

Preferably, the urination detection device is provided in the main device or in an auxiliary device capable of communicating with the main device, and has a urination determination unit, which records the change in humidity of the outer surface of the diaper and can detect urination after the second time based on the change in humidity.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a urine detection method.

Preferably, the above-mentioned urination detection method measures the humidity and temperature of the outer surface of the diaper in the urination area of the diaper, and determines that urination occurs when the rising speed of the humidity and the temperature exceeds the respective set values.

1: Urine detection device

2: Main device

3: Temperature sensor

4: Humidity sensor

5: Urinating judgment unit

7: Containment Body

10: Diapers

14: Absorber

16: Side seal

17: Waist opening

18: Leg opening

51: Sampling time generation unit

52: Data sampling department

53: Temperature data storage memory

54: Temperature change detection unit

55: Change detection setting memory

56: Urine testing department

57: Urine test frequency memory

58: Urinary display mechanism

62: Data sampling department

63: Humidity data storage memory

64: Humidity change detection unit

71: Inner wall

72: External cover

73:Fixing material

74: Space

75: Ventilation section

76: Ventilation section

82: Support body

83: Hot water tank

84: Liquid delivery pump

A: Ventral part

B: Dorsal side

C: Crotch

S1: External surface

S2: Inner surface

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the main body of a urine detection device according to one embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I, (b) is a top view, and (c) is a bottom view.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a disposable diaper of a shorts type as an example of a diaper equipped with a main body device.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the main device and its vicinity when installed on the outer surface of a diaper.

Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of a measuring device used in a test to investigate changes in humidity and temperature on the outer surface of a diaper caused by urination.

Figure 5 is a graph showing the changes in temperature and humidity on the outer surface of a diaper when 40 mL of artificial urine is supplied to the diaper multiple times.

FIG6 is a graph showing the detailed changes in temperature and humidity before and after the third injection shown in FIG5.

Figure 7 is a graph showing the change per minute of temperature data and humidity data by dividing the difference between the value at the last data acquisition and the value at the next data acquisition by the acquisition interval.

Figure 8 is a block diagram of the urination determination unit in one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 (a) to (d) are schematic diagrams showing another example of an inner wall or outer cover provided with a ventilated portion.

When the humidity sensor is placed on the outside of the diaper, it is easily affected by the external environment and may misinterpret humidity changes that are not caused by urination as humidity changes caused by urination, thereby falsely detecting urination.

In addition, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 describe a method of detecting excretion by arranging a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor on the skin-facing side of a disposable diaper. Patent Document 3 describes a method of distinguishing the type of excrement by combining a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor.

However, if the sensor is placed on the side opposite to the skin, the sensor will be in direct contact with excrement and must be cleaned in order to be reused, which poses a hygiene problem.

In addition, most diapers have an absorption capacity that can cope with multiple urinations, and there are also cases where multiple urinations occur while wearing a diaper. The humidity that rises due to the first urination is also easy to maintain after urination. Compared with the change during the first urination, the change during urination after the second time is extremely small. Therefore, for urination detection based on humidity changes, no matter where the humidity sensor is placed, it is difficult to accurately detect urination after the second time without error.

The present invention relates to a urine detection device that can eliminate the problems of the above-mentioned prior art.

The following describes the urination detection device of the present invention based on the preferred implementation method of the urination detection device of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the urination detection device 1 as one embodiment of the present invention has a main body device 2 mounted on the outer surface S1 of the diaper. The diaper 10 is preferably a disposable diaper.

The diaper 10 shown in FIG. 2 is a disposable diaper having a liquid-permeable surface sheet 12, a liquid-impermeable or water-repellent leakproof sheet 13, and a liquid-retaining absorbent body 14 disposed between the two sheets 12 and 13. An outer covering sheet 15 of a nonwoven fabric having a single-layer or multi-layer structure is further disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the leakproof sheet 13. The diaper 10 also has an abdominal portion A disposed on the abdominal side of the wearer when worn, a back portion B disposed on the back, and a crotch portion C located therebetween. The diaper 10 is a shorts-type diaper, and the side edges of the abdominal part A and the side edges of the back part B are joined together to form a pair of side sealing parts 16, 16, a waist opening part 17 and a pair of leg opening parts 18, 18.

As the surface sheet 12, the leakproof sheet 13 and the absorbent 14, various articles previously used in such articles can be used without particular limitation. For example, as the surface sheet 12, various non-woven fabrics, perforated films, etc. can be used, and as the leakproof sheet 13, resin films, laminated sheets of resin films and non-woven fabrics, etc. can be used. As the absorbent 14, a core wrapping sheet covering an absorbent core composed of particles of a superabsorbent polymer and a fiber material can be used. It is preferred that the leakproof sheet 13 be a moisture-permeable sheet.

The main device 2 is a device that is mounted on the outer surface S1 of the diaper for use. The inner surface of the diaper is the surface facing the skin side of the wearer when the diaper is worn, and the outer surface of the diaper is the surface facing the opposite side of the skin side of the wearer when the diaper is worn.

From the perspective of being able to accurately obtain information on changes in humidity caused by urination, the main device 2 is preferably installed on the outer surface of the diaper in the urination area of the diaper. The so-called urination area of the diaper refers to the area where the absorbent body 14 is located inside. From the perspective of more accurate detection of urination, the main device 2 is preferably installed in the area of the crotch C where the absorbent body 14 is located inside, and is preferably installed in the central part of the width direction of the crotch C. In the shorts-type diaper 10, the crotch C is the area between the left and right leg openings, and in diapers other than the shorts-type, the crotch C is the central three areas when the full length of the diaper in the longitudinal direction is divided into five equal parts when it is unfolded in a flat shape.

As shown in FIG. 1(a), the urination detection device 1 of this embodiment has a temperature sensor 3 and a humidity sensor 4 built into the main body device 2. In addition, a urination determination unit 5 is provided in the main body device 2. The main body device 2 has a housing 7 in which at least the humidity sensor 4 is arranged, and the housing 7 has an inner wall body 71 forming a side surface in contact with the outer surface S1 of the diaper 10, and an outer cover 72 covering the side opposite to the side in contact with the outer surface S1 of the diaper 10. Hereinafter, the outer surface S1 of the diaper is also referred to as the outer surface S1 of the diaper, and the inner surface S2 of the diaper is also referred to as the inner surface S2 of the diaper.

Furthermore, a temperature sensor 3, a humidity sensor 4, and a urination determination unit 5 are arranged in a space 74 in the container 7 surrounded by the inner wall 71 and the outer cover 72.

As the temperature sensor 3, it is preferred to use a thermocouple, thermistor, etc. As the humidity sensor 4, various well-known ones can be used, for example, a polymer resistance type or a polymer electrostatic capacitance type humidity sensor can be used. Commercially available products can also be used, for example, the "humidity sensor CHS type" manufactured by TDK can also be used. Hereinafter, the space 74 in the container 7 where the humidity sensor 4 is arranged is also referred to as the measurement space 74.

In addition, a ventilation portion 75 including a through hole is formed on the inner wall body 71, and a ventilation portion 76 including a through hole is also formed on the outer cover 72. The ventilation portion 75 formed on the inner wall body 71 is formed on the surface arranged opposite to the outer surface of the diaper, and functions as a moisture introduction portion that captures moisture discharged from the outer surface S1 of the diaper into the measurement space 74, and the ventilation portion 76 formed on the outer cover 72 is formed on a portion other than the surface arranged opposite to the outer surface of the diaper, and functions as a moisture discharge portion that discharges moisture after contacting the humidity sensor 4 to the outside.

When the main device 2 of the urination detection device 1 of this embodiment is mounted on the outer surface of the diaper as shown in FIG3, if there is urination in the diaper, the moisture released from the outer surface S1 through the moisture-permeable leakproof sheet 13 is introduced into the measurement space 74 from the breathable portion 75 functioning as a moisture introduction portion, and the humidity in the measurement space 74 increases. Moreover, after urination, the moisture that has increased the humidity is discharged from the breathable portion 76 functioning as a moisture discharge portion, and the humidity in the measurement space 74 decreases relatively early.

According to this embodiment, by using the humidity sensor 4 to measure the humidity in the measurement space 74, the humidity change on the outer surface of the diaper caused by urination can be measured with good accuracy, not only during the first urination, but also during the second and subsequent urinations.

The humidity of the outer surface of the diaper can be measured by measuring the humidity in the measuring space 74 that captures the humidity released from the outer surface of the diaper. The humidity measured by the humidity sensor 4 can be either relative humidity or absolute humidity, but relative humidity is preferred. If the temperature decreases, the amount of saturated water vapor in the measuring space 74 decreases, so the relative humidity increases. If there is a breathable portion (humidity discharge portion) 76, the humidity increased after urination is discharged from the humidity discharge portion 76, thereby easily reducing the relative humidity together with the temperature reduction in the measuring space 74. By efficiently reducing the temperature and humidity in the measuring space 74, it is easy to detect the humidity that increases after urination after the second time.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a measuring device used in a measuring test for investigating changes in humidity and temperature of the outer surface of a diaper due to urination, and Fig. 5 is a graph showing changes in temperature and humidity of the outer surface of a diaper when artificial urine is supplied to the diaper multiple times using the measuring device shown in Fig. 4. The graph shown in Fig. 5 is obtained by peeling off the side seal of the diaper 10 as shown in Fig. 4, unfolding and fixing it in a flat shape, monitoring the temperature and humidity of the outer surface of the diaper using the temperature sensor and humidity sensor in the main body device 2 installed on the outer surface of the diaper, and supplying artificial urine to the inner surface of the diaper three times at intervals of 1 hour. The diaper 10 unfolded in a flat shape is a frame-shaped support part that is fixed around the absorption part with the absorbent body 14 disposed inside to the support body 82 made of acrylic resin. In addition, a warm water tank 83 is disposed on the upper part of the support body 82 to maintain the temperature of the inner surface of the diaper at about 36°C, which is the assumed skin temperature. Physiological saline is used as artificial urine, and the one kept at 36°C is supplied by the liquid delivery pump 84 for about 10 seconds each time.

As shown in the curve graph in Figure 5, when the first artificial urine was injected 2 hours after the start of environmental acclimatization, the temperature of the outer surface of the diaper rose sharply immediately after the injection, then dropped to near or below the original temperature. When injected for the second time or later, it also rose sharply, then dropped to near or below the original temperature.

On the other hand, when artificial urine is first injected, the humidity of the outer surface of the diaper rises sharply immediately after the injection, and then does not drop to the original humidity, but drops to a humidity lower than the peak humidity (relative humidity around 77%), and maintains near this humidity. When injected for the second time or later, after rising sharply, it drops again to the humidity before the rise, but does not drop to the humidity before the first injection of artificial urine, and maintains a relatively high humidity state.

FIG6 is a graph showing the details of the changes in temperature and humidity after the third injection shown in FIG5. As shown in FIG6, although it is the third injection after the second injection, the temperature and humidity also rise sharply about 1 minute after the third injection time point (4:05), and after reaching the peak value, it decreases from the peak value within 3 minutes from the above injection time point. As shown in FIG5, the changes in temperature and humidity at the second injection also show the same changes as the third injection.

The change in humidity after the second urination is very small compared to the change during the first urination, and it is difficult to detect urination based on this change. However, as in the main device 2 in the present embodiment, a ventilation portion 75 is provided on the surface arranged opposite to the outer surface of the diaper, and another ventilation portion 76 is provided at a position other than the ventilation portion and arranged on the outer surface side of the diaper. This design can clearly produce the increase and decrease of humidity during urination after the second time, and can detect urination after the second time based on the change in humidity.

Therefore, the humidity change on the outer surface of the diaper is recorded in advance, and when the humidity changes to meet the prescribed standard, for example, when the humidity rise rate exceeds the set value, it is determined that urination has occurred, thereby enabling detection of urination after the second time. Furthermore, during the first urination, either the temperature or the humidity changes greatly, so the humidity change on the outer surface of the diaper is recorded in advance, and when the humidity changes to meet the prescribed standard, it is determined that urination has occurred, thereby making it easy to detect the first urination based on the humidity change. As the standard for determining whether there is first urination, various standards can be used, such as whether the humidity rise rate exceeds the prescribed value or whether the relative humidity exceeds the prescribed value, such as whether it exceeds 70%.

From the perspective of suppressing the misdetection of changes not caused by urination due to changes in the external environment, etc., as changes caused by urination, and especially from the perspective of improving the detection accuracy of urination after the second time, it is preferable to judge that urination has occurred when the first judgment criterion based on humidity and the second judgment criterion based on temperature are satisfied at the same time. "At the same time" means that the humidity change that satisfies the first judgment criterion and the temperature change that satisfies the second judgment criterion occur within 2 minutes.

As the first judgment criterion, for example, whether the rate of increase of humidity exceeds the set value, when it exceeds the set value, it is judged that the first judgment criterion is met. As the second judgment criterion, for example, whether the rate of increase of temperature exceeds the set value, when it exceeds the set value, it is judged that the second judgment criterion is met.

The urination determination unit 5 in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG8 , has the following functions: recording the changes in temperature and humidity of the outer surface of the diaper, and determining that urination has occurred when the first determination criterion that the rising speed of the humidity exceeds the set value and the second determination criterion that the rising speed of the temperature exceeds the set value are simultaneously met.

Specifically, the urination determination unit 5 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory), a timer, and the like. The urination determination unit 5 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 3 and the humidity sensor 4. The processing performed by the urination determination unit 5 is realized by, for example, the CPU expanding and executing a program stored in the ROM or RAM in the RAM.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG8 , the urination determination unit 5 functionally comprises a sampling time generation unit 51, a temperature data sampling unit 52, a temperature data storage memory 53, a temperature change detection unit 54, a humidity data sampling unit 62, a humidity data storage memory 63, a humidity change detection unit 64, a change detection setting memory 55, and a urination detection unit 56.

The sampling time generation unit 51 outputs a timing signal related to the timing of measuring the temperature by the temperature sensor 3 or the timing of obtaining the temperature data for urination detection processing from the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 3 to the temperature data sampling unit 52 based on the data acquisition interval information stored in the memory device. The data sampling unit 52 that has received the timing signal stores the temperature and time data at the time point when the timing signal is input in the temperature data storage memory 53.

Furthermore, the sampling time generating section 51 outputs a timing signal related to the timing of measuring humidity by the humidity sensor 4 or the timing of obtaining humidity data for urination detection processing from the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 4 to the humidity data sampling section 62 based on the data acquisition interval information stored in the memory device. The humidity data sampling section 62 inputting the timing signal stores the humidity and time data at the time point when the timing signal is input in the humidity data storage memory 63. The data acquisition interval information for temperature and the data acquisition interval information for humidity can be common or different.

The temperature change detection unit 54 calculates the temperature change amount per specified time as an indicator of temperature change from the past temperature and time data stored in the temperature data storage memory 53 and the temperature and time information newly acquired by the data sampling unit 52.

The humidity change detection unit 64 calculates the humidity change amount per specified time as an indicator of humidity change from the past humidity and time data stored in the humidity data storage memory 63 or the humidity and time information newly acquired by the humidity data sampling unit 62.

The urination detection unit 56 compares the humidity change amount per specified time calculated by the humidity change detection unit 64 with the urination judgment standard regarding the humidity stored in the change detection setting memory 55. The urination judgment standard is whether the humidity change amount per specified time meets the humidity rise with a rising speed exceeding the specified value. If it exceeds the set value, it is judged that the first judgment standard of urination is met, and if it does not exceed the set value, it is judged that the first judgment standard is not met.

In addition, the urination detection unit 56 compares the temperature change amount per specified time calculated by the temperature change detection unit 54 with the urination judgment standard regarding the temperature stored in the change detection setting memory 55. The urination judgment standard is whether the temperature change amount per specified time meets the temperature rise whose rising speed exceeds the specified value. If it exceeds the set value, it is judged that the second judgment standard of urination is met, and if it does not exceed the set value, it is judged that the second judgment standard is not met.

The urination detection unit 56 performs the first judgment of whether the first judgment criterion is satisfied and the second judgment of whether the second judgment criterion is satisfied in an arbitrary order or simultaneously. When both the first judgment criterion and the second judgment criterion are satisfied, it is determined that urination has occurred.

The urination determination unit 5 in this embodiment has a urination display mechanism 58. In addition, a urination detection frequency memory 57 is provided in a manner capable of memorizing or displaying the number of urinations.

When the urination detection unit 56 determines that urination has occurred, the urination detection information is displayed on the urination display unit 58, and the urination frequency information stored in the urination detection frequency memory 57 is updated by increasing the urination frequency by 1. The urination detection information displayed on the urination display unit 58 can be displayed as text, symbols, colors, etc. on a screen including liquid crystal, etc. to indicate urination, or can be notified of urination by sound, voice, vibration, etc. As urination detection information, it is preferable to display the urination frequency in addition to the display of urination.

The urination determination unit 5 preferably determines that the first determination criterion is satisfied when the relative humidity rise rate is 3% or more per minute, i.e., the relative humidity is 3%/1 minute or more, in the first determination. By using the rapid humidity rise rate as the criterion for detecting urination, the difference between humidity changes caused by the external environment and contact and humidity changes caused by urination is more obvious, and the humidity change not caused by urination can be more reliably prevented from being mistakenly detected as urination. From this point of view, the humidity rise rate used as the first determination criterion for determining urination is preferably a relative humidity rise of 3% or more per minute, more preferably 4% or more and less than 50%, and further preferably 5% or more and less than 50%. The "%" in the relative humidity rising rate refers to the percentage point. Assuming that the relative humidity changes from 50% to 55% in 1 minute, the rising rate is 5%/1 minute.

The urination determination unit 5 may use the absolute humidity rising speed as an indicator in the first determination instead of the relative humidity rising speed. When the absolute humidity rising speed is 1.5 g/m ³ or more per minute, that is, when the absolute humidity is (1.5 g/m ³ )/1 minute or more, it is preferably determined that the first determination criterion is satisfied. By using the rapid humidity rising speed as the criterion to detect urination, the difference between the humidity change caused by the external environment and contact and the humidity change caused by urination is more obvious, and the humidity change not caused by urination can be more reliably prevented from being mistakenly detected as urination. From this viewpoint, the humidity increase rate used as the first criterion for determining whether urination has occurred is preferably an absolute humidity increase of 1.5 g/m ³ or more per minute, more preferably 2.0 g/m ³ or more and 25 g/m ³ or less, and further preferably 2.5 g/m ³ or more and 25 g/m ³ or less.

In the second judgment, when the temperature rise rate is 0.2°C or more per minute, i.e., 0.2°C/1 minute or more, the urination judgment unit 5 preferably judges that the second judgment criterion is satisfied. By using a temperature rise rate as a criterion for detecting urination, the temperature change caused by the external air temperature and contact and the temperature change caused by urination are more clearly distinguished, and the temperature change not caused by urination can be more reliably prevented from being mistakenly detected as urination. From this point of view, the temperature rise rate as the second judgment criterion for judging urination is preferably 0.2°C/1 minute or more, more preferably 0.25°C/1 minute or more, and further preferably 0.25°C/1 minute or more and 5°C/1 minute or less.

When the diaper has absorbed urine, the relative humidity of the outer surface of the diaper may increase and remain high due to the absorbed urine. In this case, it is difficult to use relative humidity to judge urination after the second time. At this time, since urine is excreted from the body's internal organs, it is excreted at the same temperature as body temperature. Since the temperature and humidity rise at the same time, it is difficult to observe changes in relative humidity. Since the absolute humidity of the outer surface of the diaper rises significantly to a level higher than the relative humidity, it can also be judged by the rising speed of absolute humidity.

Table 1 shows the temperature rise rate from the first to the third urination in the curve shown in Figure 5. As shown in Table 1, the temperature rise rate is the fastest at the first urination and decreases as the number of urinations increases. The reason is that the more the number of urinations increases, the slower the temperature is transmitted to the outer surface of the diaper, which means that the temperature rise rate decreases, and the urine absorption capacity of the diaper decreases.

By using the fact that the temperature rise rate decreases with the increase in the number of urinations, the second judgment standard for detecting urination after the second time can also be set to whether the temperature rise rate is within the specified range. For example, when the temperature rise rate during the second and third urinations shown in Table 1 is 0.64℃/min and 0.27℃/min, and the relative humidity is above 75%, and the temperature rise rate is above 0.2℃/1min and below 1.3℃/1min, it can also be judged that there is urination after the second time.

As the first judgment standard, the relative humidity is set to 75%. Relative humidity is suitable for using the same value as the standard. For absolute humidity, when the temperature changes, the value used as the standard for judging high humidity changes with the temperature.

On the other hand, when using the rising speed of humidity to detect urination after the second time, such as the second or third time of urination, the first judgment standard using absolute humidity can detect humidity with good accuracy, so it is better.

It is also preferred to utilize the fact that the rate of temperature increase decreases as the number of urinations or the total amount absorbed increases, and when the rate of temperature increase becomes below a specified value, it is perceived that the urine absorption capacity of the diaper is reduced, and a warning is issued to recommend changing the diaper. For example, the urination detection device of the present invention is preferably provided with a warning mechanism as a component or an additional component of the urination determination unit, and the warning mechanism reminds to change the diaper when the relative humidity is above a specified value and the rate of temperature increase becomes below a specified value. The warning mechanism for reminding to change the diaper is preferably, for example, to issue a warning to remind to change the diaper when the relative humidity is above 75% and the rate of temperature increase is above 0.2°C/1 minute and below 1°C/1 minute. The conditions for issuing a warning may also be relative humidity of 75% or above, and the temperature rise rate of 0.2℃/1 minute or above and 0.5℃/1 minute or below.

The above-mentioned urination display mechanism 58 can become a warning mechanism for reminding to change diapers by additionally displaying the number of urinations or the content of reminding to change diapers. The warning for reminding to change diapers is not limited to the content of direct reminder to change, and can also be a standard for only displaying the number of urinations or the total amount of urine absorbed. The warning for reminding to change diapers can be displayed on the screen in text, symbols, colors, etc., and can also be notified by sound, voice, vibration, etc.

The interval for obtaining humidity data used to determine the rate of humidity rise is preferably less than 2 minutes, more preferably less than 1 minute, more preferably more than 1 second, more preferably more than 10 seconds, more preferably more than 1 second and less than 2 minutes, more preferably more than 1 second and less than 1 minute, and further preferably more than 10 seconds and less than 1 minute.

The interval for obtaining temperature data used to determine the temperature rise rate is preferably 2 minutes or less, more preferably 1 minute or less, more preferably 1 second or more, more preferably 10 seconds or more, more preferably 1 second or more and 2 minutes or less, more preferably 1 second or more and 1 minute or less, and further preferably 10 seconds or more and 1 minute or less.

The interval for obtaining humidity data can be the same as or different from the interval for obtaining temperature data.

Figure 7 is a graph showing the change per minute (RH% or °C) for both temperature and humidity data with the acquisition interval set to 10 seconds, and the difference between the value at the last data acquisition and the value at the next data acquisition divided by the acquisition interval. In this way, when the data acquisition interval is shorter, the change per unit time of temperature and relative humidity clearly shows an increase and decrease not only at the first urination but also at the second urination, and the detection accuracy of urination after the second urination is improved.

Preferably, the interval for obtaining the above data is the interval between two time points of temperature or humidity used to obtain the rising rate of temperature or humidity. When the values of two appropriate time points are picked from the continuous data obtained when continuously monitoring the temperature or humidity, and the rising rate of temperature or humidity is obtained based on the values of the two time points and the time interval, the interval between the two time points can also be used.

FIG. 7 shows the setting value for determining whether the first determination criterion is satisfied and the setting value for determining whether the second determination criterion is satisfied so that the vertical position of the curve of the setting value is consistent. The two setting values are set to values exceeding the change of the baseline when non-urination is observed. When the rising speed of the temperature and humidity exceeds the setting value, urination is detected by the urination detection unit 56, thereby not only the first urination, but also the second urination shown on the right side of FIG. 7, urination can be detected accurately without error.

The urination detection device 1 of this embodiment is in the main body device 2, and has a sampling time generating section 51 constituting the above-mentioned urination determination section 5, a data sampling section 52, 62 for temperature and humidity, a temperature data storage memory 53, a humidity data storage memory 63, a temperature change detection section 54, a humidity change detection section 64, and a urination detection section 56. In addition, a power supply section (not shown) for supplying the required power is also provided in the main body device 2. By having a sampling time generating unit, a data sampling unit, a data storage memory, a temperature and humidity change detection unit or both, a urination detection unit, and a power supply unit in the main device 2 installed on the outer surface of the diaper, for example, a power supply line connecting the main device 2 to the power supply unit is not required, and the movement of the wearer of the diaper installed with the main device 2 is not easily restricted. In this way, for example, data related to urination can be obtained under conditions close to the daily living environment, for example, the diaper replacement period can be predicted and managed more accurately.

The above-mentioned main device of the present invention is also preferably equipped with a sampling time generating section 51 constituting a urination determination section 5, data sampling sections 52 and 62 for temperature and humidity, a temperature data storage memory 53, a humidity data storage memory 63, a device capable of communicating with the outside (not shown) and a power supply section (not shown) for supplying the required power, in the main device 2 installed on the outer surface of the diaper. The main device 2 is equipped with a sampling time generating unit, a data sampling unit, a data storage memory, a device capable of wireless communication with the outside, and a power supply unit. The required data is sent wirelessly to an auxiliary device capable of communicating with the main device 2, so that the CPU, memory device, etc. of the auxiliary device can function as a temperature and humidity change detection unit or both, a urination detection unit, a urination display mechanism 58, etc., thereby restraining and restricting the actions of the wearer of the diaper equipped with the main device 2.

From the viewpoint of being able to detect urination based on the change in humidity caused by urination, it is preferred that the container 7 has ventilation parts 75 and 76 on the inner wall body 71 forming the side in contact with the outer surface of the diaper and the outer cover 72 located on the side opposite to the side in contact with the outer surface of the diaper. By measuring the humidity using the humidity sensor 4 in the container 7 provided with the ventilation parts 75 and 76, the humidity from the outer surface of the diaper is captured in the container 7, and the influence of the external environment can be eliminated and the humidity change can be measured, and the humidity reduction after the humidity increase can be generated relatively early. In addition, it can also prevent condensation from forming in the container 7, which would make it difficult to measure the humidity.

This makes it easy to detect urination after the second time based on humidity changes, or humidity changes and temperature changes. The material for forming the container 7 may include plastic, metal, ceramic, etc., but plastic is preferred.

By measuring the humidity using the humidity sensor 4 in the container 7 provided with the air permeable parts 75 and 76, it is also possible to detect urination after the second time using only the humidity sensor 4. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7 , by setting the setting value used for the first judgment criterion at the position of the setting value shown in FIG. 7 , when the humidity change rate exceeds the setting value, it can be judged that urination has occurred only by this, and even in this case, urination after the second time can be judged with high accuracy.

In either case where urination is determined only by the first determination based on humidity, or when urination is determined when both the first determination based on humidity and the second determination based on temperature satisfy the determination criteria, from the perspective of improving the accuracy of humidity determination, it is also preferred that the container 7 has any one or more of the following structures (1) to (4).

(1) The moisture discharge portion 76 formed on the outer cover 72 and the moisture introduction portion 75 formed on the inner wall 71 are both air-permeable portions including through holes, and the opening area ratio of the through holes 76 formed on the outer cover 72 is less than the opening area ratio of the through holes 75 formed on the inner wall 71. By doing so, it is easy to take into account both the capture of moisture into the container 7 and the promotion of humidity reduction after the humidity rise caused by urination, and the urination detection accuracy is improved. From the perspective of further improving this effect, it is preferred that the opening area ratio of the through holes 76 formed on the outer cover 72 is lower than the opening area ratio of the through holes 75 formed on the inner wall 71.

From the perspective of further improving the above effects, the opening area ratio is preferably within the following range.

The ratio of the opening area ratio of the through hole 76 formed in the outer cover 72 to the opening area ratio of the through hole 75 formed in the inner wall body 71 (outer cover 72/inner wall body 71) is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 30% or more, and preferably 100% or less, more preferably 80% or less, and preferably 10% or more and 100% or less, and more preferably 30% or more and 80% or less.

The opening area ratio of the through hole 75 formed in the inner wall body 71 is preferably 1% or more, more preferably 3% or more, and preferably 50% or less, more preferably 30% or less, and preferably 1% or more and 50% or less, and more preferably 3% or more and 30% or less.

The opening area ratio of the through hole 76 formed in the outer cover 72 is preferably 0.1% or more, more preferably 1% or more, and preferably 30% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and preferably 0.1% or more and 30% or less, and more preferably 1% or more and 10% or less.

Regarding each of the outer cover 72 and the inner wall 71, the opening area ratio (%) is the ratio of the total area of the through holes (ventilation portion) to the total area of the surface (including the area of the ventilation portion) expressed as a percentage.

(2) A portion of the container 7 is formed of a moisture-permeable material. For example, in the container 7 shown in FIG. 1 , where the breathable portions 75 and 76 including through holes are provided, a breathable portion formed of a moisture-permeable material (moisture-permeable material) may be provided instead of the breathable portion including through holes. The so-called moisture-permeable material refers to a material that allows moisture to pass through, such as a mesh sheet, a non-woven fabric, a water-repellent sheet having fine holes, a breathable sheet, etc. The above-mentioned "fine holes" are gaps between fibers constituting the water-repellent sheet, excluding openings formed in the water-repellent sheet by a hole-opening process using a cutting device, etc. By forming a breathable portion including a moisture-permeable material in a portion of the container 7, the humidity measurement accuracy is improved, and it is also possible to prevent moisture or foreign matter from entering the container 7 from the outside.

Regarding the degree of moisture permeability of the moisture permeability material, for example, the moisture permeability measured according to the cup method of JIS Z0208 is preferably 24g/ ^m2.24Hr or more, more preferably 48g/ ^m2.24Hr or more, further preferably 2400g/ ^m2.24Hr or less, more preferably 1200g/ ^m2.24Hr or less, further preferably 24g/ ^m2.24Hr or more and 2400g/ ^m2.24Hr or less, more preferably 48g/ ^m2.24Hr or more and 1200g/ ^m2.24Hr or less.

(3) The outer cover 72 and the inner wall 71 are each formed with a breathable portion made of breathable material, and the breathable portion of the inner wall 71 has higher moisture permeability than the breathable portion of the outer cover 72. By making the moisture permeability of the breathable portion of the inner wall 71 higher than that of the outer cover 72, the accuracy of detecting humidity changes is improved. The moisture permeability can be determined by the moisture permeability measured according to the JIS Z0208 cup method.

From this point of view, the moisture permeability of the breathable portion of the inner wall 71 is preferably more than twice the moisture permeability of the breathable portion of the outer cover 72, more preferably more than three times, and more preferably less than 100 times, more preferably less than 10 times, and more preferably more than 2 times and less than 100 times, and more preferably more than 3 times and less than 10 times.

(4) A portion of the container 7, preferably a portion of each of the outer cover 72 and the inner wall 71, has a breathable portion formed of a waterproof and moisture-permeable material. The moisture permeability of the waterproof and moisture-permeable material measured by the JIS Z0208 cup method is 24g/ ^m2 ‧24Hr or more. As the waterproof and moisture-permeable material, it is preferred to use a waterproof non-woven fabric, a moisture-permeable and liquid-impermeable film, such as a microporous film. The microporous film is obtained by, for example, melt-kneading a hydrophobic thermoplastic resin, a tiny inorganic filler including calcium carbonate, or an organic polymer that is incompatible with the above-mentioned thermoplastic resin to form a film, and then uniaxially or biaxially stretching the film. Examples of waterproof nonwoven fabrics include nonwoven fabrics made of water-repellent raw cotton and nonwoven fabrics that repel water due to dense surface irregularities.

Furthermore, when the temperature of the surface opposite to the outer surface S1 of the diaper is measured by the main body device 2, it is preferable that the main body device 2 has a temperature transmission member (not shown) for transmitting the temperature of the outer surface S1 of the diaper to the temperature sensor 3. For example, the temperature transmission member is arranged through the center of the through hole formed in the inner wall body 71, so that a part of the temperature transmission member is in contact with the temperature sensor, and when the main body device 2 is mounted on the outer surface S1 of the diaper, another part of the temperature transmission member can be in contact with the outer surface S1 of the diaper. The temperature transfer component is preferably made of a material with a relatively high thermal conductivity, for example, preferably made of a metal with a relatively high thermal conductivity such as stainless steel, copper, aluminum, or a ceramic such as alumina. The thermal conductivity of the temperature transfer component is preferably above 20W/m‧K, and more preferably above 100W/m‧K.

The temperature transmission component may also be a gelling agent used for refrigerants, etc. As a gelling agent, there may be a gelling agent impregnated with a solvent in a polymer absorbent and coated with a polymer film, etc.

By configuring a temperature transfer component, the heat of the outer surface of the diaper can be easily transferred to the temperature sensor, thereby easily detecting the heat of the outer surface S1 of the diaper, and reducing the impact of external temperature changes on urination detection.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 , the main body device 2 preferably has a fixing material 73 on the surface opposite to the outer surface of the diaper for fixing the main body device to the outer surface of the diaper. As the fixing material 73, an adhesive layer formed by applying an adhesive, a male component of a mechanical surface fastener, etc. can be listed. The method of mounting the main body device 2 on the outer surface S1 of the diaper is not particularly limited, and can be listed as a method of fixing with a tape, fixing with a stretchable net, or pressing with a stretchable tubular fixing installed around the main body. It is preferably a method that can be fixed to the outer surface of the diaper freely.

Using the urination detection device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, fixing the main device 2 on the outer surface of the diaper in the urination area of the diaper to measure the humidity of the outer surface, or the humidity and temperature of the outer surface, and determining that urination occurs when the rising speed of the humidity, or the rising speed of the humidity and the rising speed of the temperature exceed the set value, is an example of a preferred embodiment of the urination detection method of the present invention. The above-mentioned preferred configuration or description related to the urination detection device 1 can be appropriately applied to the urination detection method of the present invention.

The diaper on which the main body device of the urination detection device of the present invention is installed or the diaper in the urination detection method of the present invention preferably has an absorbent body 14 and a moisture-permeable leakproof sheet disposed on the outer surface side (non-skin-facing side) of the absorbent body 14. Moreover, the main body device 2 is preferably installed on the outer surface S1 of the diaper where it overlaps with the moisture-permeable leakproof sheet from the following viewpoints, that is, when urinating, moisture is released from the outer surface of the diaper, and the humidity change caused by urination is easily detected, and the humidity and temperature of the outer surface are efficiently reduced before the next urination, thereby making it easy to detect the next urination and multiple urinations.

As a moisture-permeable leakproof sheet, it is preferred to use a moisture-permeable and liquid-impermeable membrane, such as a microporous membrane. The microporous membrane is formed by, for example, melt-kneading a hydrophobic thermoplastic resin, tiny inorganic fillers including calcium carbonate, or an organic polymer that is incompatible with the above thermoplastic resin, and then uniaxially or biaxially stretching the membrane to obtain a membrane.

It is also preferred that the diaper on which the main device 2 is installed be displayed by printing, arranging components that facilitate fixing of the fixing material, etc. to indicate the location where the main device 2 is installed.

Preferably, the urination detection device of the present invention may also include, in addition to the first urination detection unit for detecting urination based on humidity, or humidity and humidity changes, a second urination detection unit for detecting urination using an optical urination detection device.

As an optical urination detection device, for example, the following device can be cited, which includes an illumination device and an optical sensor, and is configured to reflect light irradiated by the illumination device on the outer surface of the urination part of the diaper, input the reflected light to the optical sensor, and optically detect the change of color, etc., generated by urination in the urination part to detect urination. When urination is detected by the first urination detection part and urination is also detected by the optical urination detection device, by detecting urination, it is possible to further suppress false detection and detect urination with high accuracy. In order to generate a change in color, etc. in the urination part due to urination, it is also preferable to configure an indicator that changes color due to contact with urine on the absorbent article.

The present invention has been described above based on the preferred implementation method of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above implementation method.

For example, the urination detection device may be composed of only a main device having a urination determination unit, or may be divided into a main device and an auxiliary device having the function of the urination determination unit. For example, in the urination detection device of the first and second embodiments, the urination determination unit 5 and the power supply unit such as a battery are arranged in the main device 2, but the whole or part of the function of the urination determination unit 5 may be arranged in an auxiliary device that can communicate with the main device 2. In this case, a communication unit capable of transmitting data with an auxiliary device by wired or wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) may be provided in the main device 2, and the temperature or humidity data from the temperature sensor or humidity sensor may be output to the auxiliary device installed with a necessary application or program, so that the auxiliary device performs the determination of the urination detection unit 56 and displays the determination result. In addition, the auxiliary device may perform functions other than the urination display mechanism in the urination determination unit 5. The auxiliary device is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smart phone, a desktop or laptop personal computer, etc. The battery of the power supply unit is preferably a rechargeable battery (secondary battery) such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-hydrogen battery, but it can also be a non-rechargeable dry cell battery or a hydrogen battery.

The shape of the main body device 2 can also be appropriately changed. For example, the top view shape can be replaced by a circle and can be an ellipse, a triangle, a quadrilateral or other polygon, a heart shape of a poker, etc. In addition, the main body device 2 is preferably a flat shape with a height T smaller than the diameter or circle in the top view, but can also be a non-flat shape. In addition, the outer cover can also be replaced by a dome shape and be a hat shape including a dome-shaped part and a flat part extending outward from the periphery of the part, a cylindrical body with a flat top surface, etc. In addition, the top view shape of the inner wall body can be consistent with the top view shape of the outer cover, or it can be inconsistent with the top view shape of the outer cover. In the latter case, for example, the surface of the main body device 2 facing the outer surface S1 of the diaper 10 is formed by an inner wall body in contact with the outer surface S1 and a step surface located farther from the outer surface S1 than the inner wall body.

The shape or formation position of the breathable portion as a through hole, a breathable portion including a moisture-permeable material, or a breathable portion including a waterproof and moisture-permeable material can be appropriately changed. FIG. 9 shows another example of the shape and formation position of the breathable portion. FIG. 9(a) is an example of providing a breathable portion 76 including a through hole on the outer cover 72 that covers the side opposite to the side in contact with the outer surface of the diaper, FIG. 9(b) is an example of providing a breathable portion 76 including a moisture-permeable material or a waterproof and moisture-permeable material on the outer cover 72, and FIG. 9(c) and (d) are examples of providing a breathable portion 75 on the inner wall body 71 that forms the side in contact with the outer surface of the diaper.

Furthermore, if urination is determined based on the simultaneous changes in temperature and humidity, the reliability of urination detection is improved, so it is not necessary to form a ventilated portion in both the outer cover 72 and the inner wall 71. For example, only the inner wall 71 of the outer cover 72 and the inner wall 71 may have a ventilated portion 75.

Furthermore, the temperature change detection and humidity change detection units in the above-mentioned embodiment detect the temperature and humidity changes accompanying urination based on whether the temperature change speed and the humidity change speed meet the prescribed setting values. However, when the humidity is a prescribed value, such as exceeding the relative humidity of 70%, the first determination that a humidity change accompanying urination occurs can also be performed. Furthermore, the detection method for the first urination can be different from that for the second and subsequent urinations. Based on the urination frequency information stored in the urination detection frequency memory 57, the setting value used for the first determination criterion or the second determination criterion can also be changed according to the urination frequency.

Regarding the implementation of the present invention, the following urination detection device or urination detection method is further disclosed.

<1>

A urination detection device includes a main device with a built-in humidity sensor and mounted on the outer surface of a diaper, and an auxiliary device in the main device or capable of communicating with the main device, which includes a urination determination unit. The urination determination unit records the change in humidity of the outer surface of the diaper when the main device is mounted on the outer surface of the diaper, and can detect urination on the same diaper for the second time or later based on the change in humidity.

<2>

As in the above-mentioned urination detection device <1>, the above-mentioned main body device has the above-mentioned humidity sensor and temperature sensor built in, and the above-mentioned urination determination unit also records the temperature change of the outer surface of the above-mentioned diaper. When the humidity and temperature of the outer surface of the above-mentioned diaper respectively measure the prescribed changes, it is determined that urination has occurred.

<3>

For example, in the above-mentioned urination detection device <1> or <2>, the above-mentioned main device has the above-mentioned humidity sensor and temperature sensor built in, and the above-mentioned urination determination unit also records the temperature change of the outer surface of the above-mentioned diaper. After the first urination is detected, when the humidity and temperature of the outer surface of the above-mentioned diaper are measured to have a prescribed change, it is determined that there is urination after the second time.

<4>

As in the above-mentioned urination detection device <1> or <2>, the above-mentioned main device has the above-mentioned humidity sensor and temperature sensor built in, and the above-mentioned urination determination unit also records the change of the temperature of the outer surface of the above-mentioned diaper. When the relative humidity of the outer surface of the above-mentioned diaper is above 75% and the temperature of the outer surface measures a prescribed change, it is determined that there is urination after the second time.

<5>

For example, in the above-mentioned urination detection device <2> or <3>, the above-mentioned main device has the above-mentioned humidity sensor and temperature sensor built in, and the above-mentioned urination determination unit also records the temperature change of the outer surface of the above-mentioned diaper. When the absolute humidity and temperature of the outer surface of the above-mentioned diaper are measured to rise at the same time, it is determined that there is urination after the second time.

<6>

A urine detection device as described in any one of <2> to <5> above, wherein the above-mentioned change in humidity is a relative humidity increase at a rate of increase of more than 3%/1 minute.

<7>

As in the urine detection device of <6> above, the rising speed is a relative humidity rise of 4%/1 minute or more and 50%/1 minute or less.

<8>

In the urine detection device of any one of <2> to <7> above, the specified change in humidity is a rise in absolute humidity at a rate of increase of (1.5 g/m ³ )/1 minute or more.

<9>

For example, in the urine detection device of any one of <6> to <8> above, the interval for obtaining humidity data is less than 2 minutes, and the humidity increase rate is calculated based on the difference from the humidity at the last acquisition.

<10>

As in the above-mentioned <9> urine detection device, the interval for obtaining the above-mentioned humidity data is less than 2 minutes, preferably more than 1 second, more preferably more than 10 seconds, more preferably more than 1 second and less than 2 minutes, more preferably more than 1 second and less than 1 minute, and further preferably more than 10 seconds and less than 1 minute.

<11>

A urine detection device as described in any one of <2> to <10> above, wherein the above-mentioned prescribed change in temperature is a temperature rise rate of 0.2°C/1 minute or more.

<12>

As in the above-mentioned <11> urine detection device, wherein the above-mentioned rising speed is above 0.2℃/1 minute and below 5℃/1 minute.

<13>

For example, in the urine detection device of <11> or <12>, the temperature data is obtained at an interval of less than 2 minutes, and the temperature rise rate is calculated based on the difference from the temperature obtained last time.

<14>

As in the above-mentioned <13> urine detection device, the interval for obtaining the above-mentioned temperature data is less than 1 minute, preferably more than 1 second, more preferably more than 10 seconds, more preferably more than 1 second and less than 2 minutes, more preferably more than 1 second and less than 1 minute, and further preferably more than 10 seconds and less than 1 minute.

<15>

The urination detection device of any one of <1> to <14> above is provided with a warning mechanism, which uses the fact that the rising speed of the temperature during urination decreases as the number of urinations or the total amount of absorption increases, and when the relative humidity is above the specified value and the rising speed of the temperature is below the specified value, it reminds the user to change the diaper. The conditions for issuing the warning are: the relative humidity is above 75% and the rising speed of the temperature is above 0.2℃/1 minute and below 1℃/1 minute, or the relative humidity is above 75% and the rising speed of the temperature is above 0.2℃/1 minute and below 0.5℃/1 minute.

<16>

As in any one of the above <1> to <15>, the main body device has a housing in which at least the humidity sensor is arranged, and the housing has a moisture introduction part for capturing moisture discharged from the outer surface of the diaper, and a moisture discharge part for discharging moisture in the housing after contacting the humidity sensor to the outside.

<17>

As in the above-mentioned urination detection device <16>, the above-mentioned container has an inner wall body forming a side surface in contact with the outer surface of the diaper, and an outer cover covering the side opposite to the side in contact with the outer surface of the diaper, the above-mentioned moisture introduction part is formed on the above-mentioned inner wall body, and the above-mentioned moisture discharge part is formed on the above-mentioned outer cover.

<18>

As in the urine detection device of <17>, the moisture introduction part and the moisture discharge part are formed in the through hole of the container, and the opening area ratio of the through hole formed in the outer cover is less than the opening area ratio of the through hole formed in the inner wall.

<19>

As in the above-mentioned urination detection device <18>, the ratio of the opening area ratio of the through hole formed in the outer cover to the opening area ratio of the through hole formed in the inner wall is 10% or more, preferably 30% or more, and 100% or less, preferably 80% or less, and 10% or more and 100% or less, preferably 30% or more and 80% or less.

<20>

As in the above-mentioned urination detection device <18>, the opening area ratio of the through hole formed in the inner wall is 1% or more, preferably 3% or more, and 50% or less, preferably 30% or less, and 1% or more and 50% or less, preferably 3% or more and 30% or less.

<21>

As in the urine detection device of <18>, the opening area ratio of the through hole formed in the outer cover is 0.1% or more, preferably 1% or more, and 30% or less, preferably 10% or less, and 0.1% or more and 30% or less, preferably 1% or more and 10% or less.

<22>

A urine detection device as described in any one of <16> to <21> above, wherein one or both of the moisture introduction portion and the moisture discharge portion are breathable portions configured with a moisture-permeable material.

<23>

In the urine detection device as described in <22> above, the moisture permeability of the moisture permeable material measured according to the cup method of JIS Z0208 is 24 g/m ² ‧24 Hr or more, preferably 48 g/m ² ‧24 Hr or more, further preferably 2400 g/m ² ‧24 Hr or less, more preferably 1200 g/m ² ‧24 Hr or less, further preferably 24 g/m ² ‧24 Hr or more and 2400 g/m ² ‧24 Hr or less, further preferably 48 g/m ² ‧24 Hr or more and 1200 g/m ² ‧24 Hr or less.

<24>

A urine detection device as described in any one of <16> to <21> above, wherein the moisture introduction portion has a higher moisture permeability than the moisture discharge portion.

<25>

As in the urine detection device of <24>, the moisture permeability of the moisture introduction part measured according to the JIS Z0208 cup method is more than twice the moisture permeability of the moisture discharge part, preferably more than three times, and less than 100 times, preferably less than 10 times, and more than 2 times and less than 100 times, preferably more than 3 times and less than 10 times.

<26>

As in any one of the above-mentioned <16> to <21> urine detection devices, wherein one or both of the above-mentioned moisture introduction part and the above-mentioned moisture discharge part are breathable parts configured with a waterproof and moisture-permeable material.

<27>

A urine detection device as described in any one of <1> to <26> above, wherein the main body device is provided with a fixing material for fixing to the outer surface of a diaper.

<28>

A urination detection device as described in any one of <1> to <27> above, further comprising an optical urination detection device.

<29>

A urination detection device as described in any one of <1> to <28> above, wherein the main body device includes a sampling time generating unit, a data sampling unit, a data storage memory, a change detection unit for one or both of temperature and humidity, a urination detection unit, and a power supply unit.

<30>

A urine detection device as described in any one of <1> to <29> above, wherein the main body device includes a sampling time generating unit, a temperature and humidity data sampling unit, a temperature data storage memory, a humidity data storage memory, a device capable of communicating with the outside, and a power supply unit for supplying the required power.

<31>

A urination detection method measures the humidity and temperature of the outer surface of the diaper in the urination area of the diaper, and determines that urination occurs when the rising speed of the humidity and the temperature exceeds the respective set values.

[Industrial availability]

According to the urination detection device and urination detection method of the present invention, high-precision and hygienic urination detection can be achieved. Of course, it can detect the first urination, and it can also detect the urination after the second time.

1: Urine detection device 2: Main device 3: Temperature sensor 4: Humidity sensor 5: Urine determination unit 7: Receiving body 71: Inner wall 72: Outer cover 73: Fixing material 74: Space 75: Ventilation unit 76: Ventilation unit

Claims (11)

A urination detection device, comprising a main body device with a built-in temperature sensor and a humidity sensor and mounted on the outer surface of a diaper, an auxiliary device in the main body device or capable of communicating with the main body device, having a urination determination unit, the urination determination unit records the change in humidity of the outer surface of the diaper when the main body device is mounted on the outer surface of the diaper, and can detect urination after the second time on the same diaper based on the change in humidity, the urination determination unit also records the change in temperature of the outer surface of the diaper, and determines that urination after the second time occurs when the relative humidity of the outer surface of the diaper is 75% or more and a prescribed change is measured in the temperature of the outer surface. As in claim 1, the urine detection device, wherein the above-mentioned specified change in the temperature is a temperature rise rate of more than 0.25°C/1 minute and less than 5°C/1 minute. A urine detection device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the interval for obtaining temperature data is less than 2 minutes, and the temperature rise rate is calculated based on the difference between the temperature and the temperature at the last time the temperature was obtained. A urination detection device, which has a main body device with a built-in temperature sensor and a humidity sensor and is mounted on the outer surface of a diaper, an auxiliary device in the main body device or capable of communicating with the main body device, having a urination determination unit, which records the changes in temperature and humidity of the outer surface of the diaper when the main body device is mounted on the outer surface of the diaper, and can detect urination on the same diaper after the second time based on the changes in the temperature and humidity, and the urination detection device has a warning mechanism, which uses the fact that the temperature rise rate during urination decreases as the number of urinations or the total amount of absorption increases, and when the relative humidity is above a specified value and the temperature rise rate is below a specified value, it reminds to change the diaper. A urine detection device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, and 4, wherein the main body device has a housing in which the humidity sensor is at least disposed, and the housing has a moisture inlet portion for capturing moisture discharged from the outer surface of the diaper, and a moisture discharge portion for discharging moisture that has come into contact with the humidity sensor in the housing to the outside. As in claim 5, the urination detection device, wherein the above-mentioned receiving body has an inner wall body forming a side surface in contact with the outer surface of the diaper, and an outer cover covering the side opposite to the side in contact with the outer surface of the diaper, the above-mentioned moisture introduction part is formed on the above-mentioned inner wall body, and the above-mentioned moisture discharge part is formed on the above-mentioned outer cover. As in claim 6, the moisture inlet portion and the moisture outlet portion are formed in the through hole of the container, and the opening area ratio of the through hole formed in the outer cover is less than the opening area ratio of the through hole formed in the inner wall. As in claim 5, the urine detection device, wherein one or both of the moisture introduction portion and the moisture discharge portion are breathable portions configured with moisture-permeable materials. As in claim 8, the urination detection device, wherein the moisture introduction part and the moisture discharge part are both breathable parts configured with moisture-permeable materials, and the moisture introduction part is more moisture-permeable than the moisture discharge part. A urination detection method, which measures the humidity and temperature of the outer surface of a diaper in the urination area of the diaper, and determines that urination has occurred when the rising speed of the humidity and the temperature meet the conditions set respectively, wherein a urination detection device is used to measure the above humidity and the above temperature, the above urination detection device has a main body device with a built-in temperature sensor and a humidity sensor and is installed on the outer surface of the diaper, an auxiliary device in the above main body device or capable of communicating with the main body device, has a urination determination unit, the urination determination unit records the change of the humidity of the outer surface of the diaper when the above main body device is installed on the outer surface of the diaper, and can detect urination on the same diaper after the second time based on the change of the humidity, The urination determination unit also records the temperature change of the outer surface of the diaper. When the relative humidity of the outer surface of the diaper is above 75% and the temperature of the outer surface measures a prescribed change, it is determined that there is urination after the second time. A urination detection method measures the humidity and temperature of the outer surface of a diaper in the urination area of the diaper, and determines that urination has occurred when the rising speed of the humidity and the temperature meet the respective set conditions, wherein a urination detection device is used for measuring the above humidity and the above temperature, the above urination detection device has a main body device with a built-in temperature sensor and a humidity sensor and is installed on the outer surface of the diaper, an auxiliary device in the above main body device or capable of communicating with the main body device, The urination detection device is provided with a urination determination unit, which records the temperature and humidity changes of the outer surface of the diaper when the main device is installed on the outer surface of the diaper, and can detect urination after the second time on the same diaper based on the changes in the temperature and humidity. The urination detection device uses the fact that the temperature rise rate during urination decreases as the number of urinations or the total absorption amount increases. When the relative humidity is above the specified value and the temperature rise rate is below the specified value, a warning is issued to remind the user to change the diaper.