Dyeing Data Management for Multi-Location Lens Color Consistency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dyeing systems face challenges in achieving uniform dyeing quality across multiple locations due to individual differences in printing devices and environmental factors, leading to variations in the color of dyed lenses.

Innovation Solution

A dyeing data management method and system that involves creating dyeing data based on the discharge amount of dye and actual color information from a first dyeing system, sharing this data with other systems, comparing the resulting color information with the predetermined color, and correcting the dyeing data to ensure consistency across all systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a printing device is controlled to print dye with a discharge amount corresponding to a predetermined color, then the dyeing process can be standardized, but the actual color of the dyed lens may still vary due to individual differences in printing devices, changes in device state, environmental factors, and heating unit variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedyeing quality consistencyVSAvoidcolor accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual color of dyed lenses is measured and used to correct the discharge amount of dye for subsequent dyeing processes. The correction value is calculated based on the difference between the predetermined color and the actual measured color, and this correction is applied to adjust the printing parameters, ensuring consistent color accuracy across multiple dyeing operations and different locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the printing device by adjusting the discharge amount of dye based on correction values derived from actual measurement results. This parameter adjustment compensates for individual differences in printing devices, environmental variations, and heating unit characteristics, thereby achieving uniform dyeing quality across different locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multiple dyeing systems are disposed at different locations to increase production capacity, then productivity is improved, but uniform dyeing quality across all locations becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens dyeing capacityVSAvoiddyeing quality uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal correction mechanism that can be applied across multiple dyeing systems located at different places. The correction value generated from one system can be provided to and applied by other systems, making the quality control mechanism universal and enabling consistent dyeing quality across all locations while maintaining increased production capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element (the correction value or correction data) that mediates between the actual dyeing results and the printing parameters of multiple systems. This intermediary allows information about color deviations to be transmitted and applied across different locations, ensuring uniform quality without requiring direct physical connection or identical hardware configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If correction values are calculated and provided to multiple dyeing systems to improve color accuracy, then dyeing quality is enhanced, but the complexity of data management and system coordination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor consistencyVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential correction information from the complex measurement and calculation process, providing only the necessary correction values or correction data to the printing devices. This extraction approach simplifies data management by focusing on the critical parameters needed for correction while omitting unnecessary intermediate data, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining color consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 ensures uniform improvement in dyeing quality across multiple dyeing systems by continuously updating and correcting dyeing data, thereby minimizing color variations and enhancing consistency.

Implementation Method 1

a printing device that prints a dye on a base body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrinting:

Implementation Method 2

a transfer device that transfers the dye to a lens in a state where the lens faces the base body on which the dye is printed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTransfer:

Implementation Method 3

a dye fixing device that heats the lens to which the dye is transferred to fix the dye to the lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 4

a color information measuring instrument that measures color information of the lens to which the dye is fixed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectColor measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP4144512A1Dyeing data management method and dyeing system
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 NIDEK CO LTD
  • EP4144512A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4144512A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4144512A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dyeing data management method is performed between dyeing systems disposed at different locations. The method includes a first dyeing step of dyeing a lens in a first dyeing system, a first acquisition step of acquiring first result color information of the lens dyed in the first dyeing system, a dyeing data creation step of creating dyeing data based on a discharge amount of dye in the first dyeing step and the first result color information, a data provision step of providing the dyeing data for dyeing a lens to a predetermined color from the first dyeing system to a second dyeing system, a second dyeing step of performing dyeing of a lens according to the provided dyeing data in the second dyeing system, and a second acquisition step of acquiring second result color information of the lens dyed in the second dyeing system.