Adjustable Two-Dimensional Light Field for Contact Angle Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact angle measurement apparatuses face precision issues due to reflections on liquid drop surfaces, which affect the accuracy of wettability measurements, especially when using liquids that reflect significant amounts of light.
Innovation Solution
A contact angle measurement apparatus with an illuminating device that provides a two-dimensional light field, adjustable in dimensions, and a controller to minimize reflections by optimizing the light field dimensions based on the drop size, allowing for precise shadow image recording and accurate contact angle determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional illuminating device is used to illuminate the liquid drop, then the measurement can be performed, but reflections occur on the liquid drop surface which disturb the shadow image and reduce measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the illumination parameters by using a two-dimensional light field instead of conventional point or linear light sources. This parameter change in the illumination geometry fundamentally alters how light interacts with the liquid drop surface, minimizing reflections that disturb shadow images while maintaining sufficient illumination for accurate contact angle measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional one-dimensional or point illumination to a two-dimensional light field illumination approach. This dimensional change in the illumination source creates a more uniform light distribution across the liquid drop surface, reducing specular reflections and improving shadow image quality for precise contact angle determination.
2Measurement precision
If the light field dimensions are made adjustable to optimize for different drop sizes, then measurement accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability in the light field dimensions, allowing the illumination area to be adapted to different liquid drop sizes. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimization of measurement conditions for various drop dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through controlled adaptability.
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 apparatus achieves high precision contact angle measurements by minimizing reflections and optimizing the light field dimensions, ensuring accurate wettability assessments even with liquids that reflect light, thereby improving measurement reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminating device (20) adapted and arranged for illuminating each drop applied by the at least one drop dosing device and disposed on the surface from a first side of the at least one drop, and an image recording device adapted and arranged for recording an image of at least a transition region between the surface and each drop applied by the at least one drop dosing device and disposed on the surface in side view from a second side of the drop opposite the first side
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present application relates to a contact angle measurement apparatus for measuring a contact angle between a surface (6) of a solid sample body (7) and at least one drop (8) of sample liquid disposed on the surface (6). The apparatus comprises at least one drop dosing device (30) adapted and arranged for applying a drop (8) of a liquid onto a surface (6) of a sample body (7), an illuminating device (20) adapted and arranged for illuminating each drop (8) applied by the at least one drop dosing device (30) and disposed on the surface (6) from a first side of the at least one drop (8), and an image recording device (10) adapted and arranged for recording an image of at least a transition region between the surface (6) and each drop (8) applied by the at least one drop dosing device (30) and disposed on the surface (6) in side view from a second side of the drop (8) opposite the first side. The illuminating device (20) comprises a light-emitting arrangement (21) which, when viewed by the image recording device (10), provides a two-dimensional light field (60). The contact angle measurement apparatus further comprises a controller (39) connected to the illuminating device (20), wherein the controller (39) and the light-emitting arrangement (21) are adapted such that at least one dimension of the light field (60) is selectively adjustable by the controller (39).