Colorimetric Apparatus with Elliptical Rotor Alignment Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing colorimetric apparatuses struggle with color measurement errors due to the inability to accurately distinguish adjacent color patches with small color differences, leading to discrepancies between measured and software-acquired colors.

Innovation Solution

A colorimetric apparatus with an opening portion, incident light processing unit, a rotor with an elliptical shape driven to rotate, a detector for rotary shaft displacement, and a control unit to receive signals from the detector and incident light processing unit, allowing precise detection of displacement and rotation to align with color patches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If color measurement is performed based on color difference between adjacent color patches, then the measurement process is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates when color difference is small

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement process complexityVSAvoidcolor measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the software-based color difference judgment method with a mechanical detection system. The rotor with elliptical cross-section, detector, and rotary shaft form a mechanical detection mechanism that physically tracks and measures the position and orientation of each color patch, substituting the unreliable color difference comparison approach with direct mechanical position sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a rotor as an intermediary mechanical element between the measurement apparatus and the color patches. The rotor's elliptical cross-section interacts with the color patches to generate detectable displacement and rotation signals, serving as a mediator that translates color patch positions into measurable mechanical parameters for the detector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the apparatus main body moves to continuously measure multiple color patches, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to alignment errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous measurement capabilityVSAvoidcolor patch alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detector continuously monitors the displacement and rotation of the rotary shaft as the apparatus main body moves. This real-time feedback information is used by the control unit to track the actual position and orientation of each color patch, enabling continuous measurement while maintaining precision through active position correction and tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12359974B2Colorimetric apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A colorimetric apparatus includes: an opening portion that is disposed at a bottom of an apparatus main body and that introduces light arriving from a measurement target to inside the apparatus main body; an incident light processing unit that processes light incident through the opening portion; a rotor that is provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body and is in contact with the measurement target, the rotor having an elliptical shape and being driven to rotate about a rotary shaft when the apparatus main body moves in a predetermined direction; a detector that detects displacement of the rotary shaft in a direction in which the rotary shaft advances and retreats with respect to the measurement target as the rotor rotates; and a control unit that receives a signal from the incident light processing unit and the detector.