Coating Appearance Measurement Using Fixed-Angle Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring and comparing the appearance of coatings with effect pigments are complex and require multiple illumination intensities and angles, often relying on human judgment, which is subjective and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that provide illumination to coatings at a fixed angle with varying intensities, select an effective illumination intensity, capture images, identify bright, intermediate, and dark features, generate feature values, and compare appearance characteristics using a computing device to analyze and match coatings independently of human judgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple illumination intensities and angles are used to measure coating appearance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and measurement time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential illumination parameter (intensity) while fixing the angle at normal incidence. This selective extraction of the most critical parameter allows for simplified measurement setup while maintaining adequate appearance measurement capability, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination parameter from multiple angles and intensities to a single fixed angle with variable intensity. By controlling only the intensity parameter at normal incidence, the system achieves simplified operation while capturing sufficient appearance variation information through the imaging device's dynamic range.
2Measurement precision
If multiple illumination intensities and angles are used to measure coating appearance, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential illumination parameter (intensity) while fixing the angle, thereby reducing the number of measurement conditions from multiple angles and intensities to a single fixed angle with variable intensity. This extraction reduces measurement time while maintaining adequate precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single illumination angle with varying intensities to achieve sufficient appearance measurement without performing exhaustive multi-angle measurements. This partial action approach captures the essential appearance characteristics without the time cost of complete multi-parameter sampling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If human judgment is used to evaluate coating appearance, then adaptability to various coating types is improved, but objectivity and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the human visual evaluation system with an automated imaging and processing system. The imaging device captures coating appearance under controlled illumination, and image processing algorithms automatically analyze the results, eliminating subjective human judgment while maintaining adaptability to different coating types through programmable analysis methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image processing system as an intermediary between the coating sample and the evaluation result. This intermediary automatically extracts appearance characteristics from images, providing objective and efficient measurement while adapting to various coating types through configurable processing parameters.
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
This approach simplifies the measurement and comparison of coating appearances by standardizing illumination conditions and using image analysis to generate objective appearance characteristics, reducing the need for multiple measurements and human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
Surface coatings containing effect pigments, such as light absorbing pigment, light scattering pigments, light interference pigments, and light reflecting pigments are well known. Metallic flake pigments, for example aluminum flakes, are examples of such effect pigments and are especially favored for the protection and decoration of automobile bodies, such as for example by reason of their imparting a differential light reflection effect
Implementation Method 2
Surface coatings containing effect pigments, such as light absorbing pigment, light scattering pigments, light interference pigments, and light reflecting pigments are well known
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a method for obtaining appearance characteristics of a target coating containing effect pigments. The present invention is also directed to a method for comparing appearances of two or more coatings by comparing the appearance characteristics. The present invention is further directed to a system for obtaining appearance characteristics of one or more coatings and comparing said coating appearances.