Artificial Fingerprint Material for Appliance Surface Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods lack an effective and efficient way to simulate human fingerprint oil and apply consistent artificial fingerprints for testing the fingerprint-resistant qualities of appliance surfaces, particularly stainless steel appliances.

Innovation Solution

A heated blend of glyceryl trioleate and artificial sebum is used to create an artificial fingerprinting solution, combined with an artificial fingerprint stamp that imitates human fingerprints, allowing for multiple applications without recharging, to test the fingerprint-resistant qualities of surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If natural human fingerprints are used for testing, then the testing is realistic and accurate, but the testing process is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidtesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates an artificial fingerprinting solution that copies the essential characteristics of human fingerprint oil (sebum) to enable realistic fingerprint testing. The artificial solution includes components that replicate the oily, greasy properties of natural sebum, allowing multiple applications without recharging and significantly improving testing efficiency while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The artificial fingerprinting solution is designed as a disposable material that can be applied multiple times (5-6 applications) before needing recharging. This eliminates the need for continuous use of natural fingerprints or complex reusable systems, improving productivity while maintaining testing realism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If artificial fingerprint materials are used, then the application process becomes efficient and repeatable, but the material must closely approximate natural fingerprint oil properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial composition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent formulates an artificial fingerprinting solution as a composite material containing specific components: glyceryl trioleate, artificial sebum, and other ingredients in predetermined ratios. This composite approach allows the material to exhibit the necessary physical properties (viscosity, oiliness, fingerprint pattern formation) while enabling efficient, repeatable application across multiple surfaces and users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If the artificial fingerprint solution is applied multiple times, then productivity increases, but the solution may degrade or lose effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of applicationsVSAvoidsolution effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent stabilizes the artificial fingerprinting solution through controlled formulation parameters, including specific ratios of glyceryl trioleate to artificial sebum, pH levels, and temperature controls during storage and application. These parameter controls ensure the solution maintains its effectiveness across 5-6 applications without significant degradation, balancing productivity with reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables consistent and efficient application of artificial fingerprints, allowing for up to 5-6 applications without recharging, effectively evaluating the fingerprint-resistant qualities of appliance surfaces, aiding in demonstrating and testing the cleanliness requirements of appliances.

Implementation Method 1

a heated blend of glyceryl trioleate and dissolved artificial sebum configured to approximate the fingerprint oil of a human

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

applying an artificial fingerprint transfer member to a surface of an appliance by pressing the artificial fingerprint transfer member of the stamping device into contact with the surface of the appliance to transfer at least a portion of the artificial fingerprint forming material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransfer:

Data Source

PatentUS9005693B2Artificial fingerprint material, process of application, and method of evaluating fingerprint resistance qualities of a surface

Publication Date: 2015.04.14 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

An artificial fingerprinting solution that includes a heated blend of glyceryl trioleate and artificial sebum configured to approximate the fingerprint oil of a human. The artificial fingerprinting solution may also be included in a kit that also includes an artificial fingerprint stamp that has an artificial fingerprint transfer member that imitates a human fingerprint and is capable of receiving and holding at least a portion of the artificial fingerprint solution when the artificial fingerprinting transfer member contacts the artificial fingerprint solution.