Patent Application
20120161960
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an alarm method and an alarm apparatus associated, especially to a body fluid absorption object wetting alarm method, and an apparatus associated that detect the wavelength of a body fluid absorption object with high sensitivity. Thus caretakers can know the wetting of the body fluid absorption object worn by care recipients precisely and change the body fluid absorption object worn immediately.
2. Description of Related Art
For people who need care such as babies, the retarded, the disable, etc., it's harder for them to control their behaviors, including, urinating and defecating. Thus, they need to wear diapers, and this reduces caregiver's stress and worries.
After urinating and defecating, the care recipient's diaper contains excrement therein. If the caretaker didn't change the diaper in time, the care recipient may have skin infection such as diaper rashes caused by bacteria in excrement. Thus, it is important for caregivers to check the diapers when wetting and soiling occurs and replaces a new diaper.
Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a body fluid absorption object wetting alarm method, and an apparatus associated that detect the wavelength of diapers sensitively and further allow caretakers to learn the wetness of diapers and change care recipients' diapers as soon as possible.
In order to achieve the above object, a body fluid absorption object wetting alarm apparatus of the present invention includes a body fluid absorption unit, a detection and transmission unit, and a receiving and checking unit. The detection and transmission unit is arranged at the body fluid absorption unit. The detection and transmission unit consists of a light wavelength sensor, a microprocessor electrically connected to the light wavelength sensor, a power supply electrically connected to the microprocessor, and a transmitter electrically connected to the microprocessor. The receiving and checking unit is composed of a processor, a receiver electrically connected to the processor, a power supply electrically connected to the processor, and a transceiver electrically connected to the processor. The transceiver is electrically connected to a management end.
Thereby, the light wavelength sensor detects wavelength change caused by moisture of the body fluid absorption unit and sends warning signal to the receiving and checking unit. Thus, the caretaker at a management end of the receiving and checking unit learns that the body fluid absorption unit has become wet and changes the wet body fluid absorption unit worn by the care recipient immediately.
The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Refer from
The detection and transmission unit 2 is assembled on the body fluid absorption unit 1. The detection and transmission unit 2 consists of a light wavelength sensor 21 connected to a light source, a microprocessor 22 electrically connected to the light wavelength sensor 21, a power supply 23 electrically connected to the microprocessor 22, a wireless transmitter 24 such as RFID electrically connected to the microprocessor 22, and a controller 25 electrically connected to the microprocessor 22 for setting parameters of the light wavelength.
The receiving and checking unit 3 is composed of a wireless receiver 31 for receiving signals from the wireless transmitter 24, a processor 32 electrically connected to the wireless receiver 31, a power supply 33 electrically connected to the processor 32, a transceiver 34 electrically connected to the processor 32, and a management end 35 electrically connected to the transceiver. The management end 35 includes a fixed-site management end 351 and a mobile management end 352. The fixed-site management end 351 can be computers, etc.; while the mobile management end 352 is a portable device such as a mobile phone. The signals from the detection and transmission unit 2 are displayed on the management end 35. Moreover, parameters such as humidity are set by the management end 35.
While in use, people who need care such as babies, the mentally retarded, the disable, etc. wears the body fluid absorption unit 1 with the detection and transmission unit 2, and the power supply 23 of the detection and transmission unit 2 is turned on. As to the power supply 33 of the receiving and checking unit 3, it is also activated.
Once people who need care urinate, defecate or excrete fluid in the body fluid absorption unit 1, the wavelength of the light coming from the light source of the light wavelength sensor 21 and projected to the body fluid absorption unit 1 is changed. At this moment, the light wavelength sensor 21 detects the wavelength change of the body fluid absorption unit 1 and sends a wavelength change signal detected to the microprocessor 22. In the microprocessor 22, the change of the wavelength is compared with a preset value of the wavelength. If the change reaches the preset value, the microprocessor 22 drives the wireless transmitter 24 for sending signals to the wireless receiver 31 of the receiving and checking unit 3.
After receiving the signals, the wireless receiver 31 sends the signals to the processor 32. In accordance with the signals from the wireless receiver 31, the processor 32 determines which body fluid absorption unit 1 worn by the person being cared is wet, and checks whether the wetness reaches a standard over which the body fluid absorption unit 1 should be replaced with a new one. If the wetness reaches the preset value, the processor 32 sends signals, passing through the transceiver 34, to the management end 35. Through a receiver (such as a display or a mobile phone), a caretaker at the management end learns that the body fluid absorption unit 1 on the person who need care have become wet and there is an urgent need to replace the body fluid absorption unit 1. According to the sensitive detection mechanism, diseases such as diaper rash caused by long-term wearing of the contaminated and wet body fluid absorption unit 1 can be prevented.
In the present invention, the light wavelength sensor 21 is used to detect whether the body fluid absorption unit 1 is wet. Once the body fluid absorption unit 1 has become contaminated and wet by excrement such as urine or feces, the wavelength of the body fluid absorption unit 1 changes (has a change) and the light wavelength sensor 21 immediately detects the change. In practice (use), the present invention has high sensitivity and accuracy. The condition that no warning is received although the body fluid absorption unit 1 has become soiled and wet will not occur.
Moreover, due to wireless transmission, the caretaker is not necessary to stay around the care recipient. Even he/she is far away from the care recipient, he/she can still know whether the body fluid absorption unit 1 worn by the care recipient is wet clearly. Thus, the metal pressure of the caretaker is reduced and the caretaker can also deal with other things besides taking care of the care recipient. The caretaker can use their time well.
Refer to
Furthermore, a heat dryer is arranged at the color-change area 4 of the body fluid absorption unit 1, and the heat dryer is electrically connected to the microprocessor 22. While the light wavelength sensor 21 detects the color of the cobaltous chloride powder or the cobalt chloride paper on the color-change area 4 is changing and allow the microprocessor 22 to send signals, the heat dryer is activated at the same time so as to dry the hydrated from of cobaltous chloride on the color-change area 4. Thus, the cobaltous chloride can be used again. Therefore, effective use of resources and environmental benefits are achieved.
Refer to
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, and representative devices shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalent.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 099146134 | Dec 2010 | TW | national |
