Device for assessing need to replace absorbent member

An apparatus comprising:

• a power generator which is configured to generate power as a result of contact with liquid absorbed in an absorbent member, and of which power generation amount changes in accordance with an amount of the liquid;
• a power storage configured to be applied electromotive force generated by the power generator and to store electric charge;
• and
• an intermittent power supply configured to receive power when a predetermined amount of electric charge has been stored in the power storage and intermittently generate and output a detection signal every time power is supplied from the power storage.

A replacement necessity assessment apparatus for an absorbent member, the replacement necessity assessment apparatus comprising:

• a power generator configured to generate power as a result of contact with liquid absorbed in the absorbent member, and of which power generation amount changes in accordance with an amount of the liquid;
• a signal output unit configured to output a detection signal according to the power generation amount;
• and
• a processing unit configured to acquire a parameter that includes an amount of the liquid per infusion that has been infused into the absorbent member based on an average value of the time interval at which the detection signal is outputted by the signal output unit, the processing unit configured to determine, based on the parameter, whether or not replacement of the absorbent member is necessary.