Fabric Characterization Device Using Spherical Applicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
The subjective nature of human touch evaluations for fabric quality leads to inconsistent and unreliable assessments, making it difficult to reproduce results and detect manufacturing drifts in luxury fabric production, resulting in economic losses and product returns.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that measure the average vibratory level and tangential tensile force of fabrics using spherical applicators connected to vibration and force sensors, providing an objective and reproducible characterization of softness and stiffness, similar to the sensation of touch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If human panelists are used to evaluate fabric quality by touch, then the evaluation can be performed with simple equipment, but the results are subjective and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the human tactile evaluation system with an automated mechanical measurement system. The device uses a robotic arm equipped with force sensors and vibration sensors to objectively measure fabric properties, eliminating human subjectivity while maintaining measurement capability. This substitution transforms the evaluation from a biological sensory process to a mechanical sensing process, achieving both reliability and automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital model or reference profile of fabric quality characteristics that can be compared against actual measurements. This copying approach allows for consistent reference standards to be established and reused, enabling reliable comparison across different evaluations without requiring the same human panelists each time.
2Measurement precision
If human panelists are trained to evaluate fabrics, then their assessment capability can be improved, but the training process is time-consuming and results vary between individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the human evaluation system that requires extensive training with an automated mechanical system that delivers consistent measurements from the first use. The robotic arm with integrated sensors provides immediate, objective data without requiring any training period, eliminating the time loss associated with panelist development while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual touch evaluation is used to detect manufacturing drifts, then the method is simple to implement, but drifts are only detected when they become significant, leading to economic losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual touch evaluation with an automated mechanical measurement system that provides precise, quantitative data. This substitution enables the detection of subtle manufacturing drifts that would be imperceptible to human touch, allowing for early intervention before significant quality degradation occurs, thereby preventing economic losses while maintaining ease of implementation through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where measurement data is continuously monitored and compared against reference values. When deviations are detected, the system provides feedback that triggers alerts or corrective actions, enabling early detection and response to manufacturing drifts before they become significant problems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple panelists are used to assess fabric quality, then more perspectives are obtained, but the subjectivity increases and reproducibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple human panelists with a single automated mechanical system that provides consistent, reproducible measurements. The robotic arm with standardized sensors eliminates the variability introduced by different human evaluators while maintaining the ability to assess multiple fabric properties through programmed measurement sequences.
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 enables reliable and consistent quality control, allowing for early detection of manufacturing drifts and establishment of a single quality reference, applicable across different production sites, reducing economic losses and ensuring consistent product quality.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the average vibratory level Lv and the tangential tensile force Frt generated during a unidirectional traction at constant speed of a tissue fragment in contact with spherical applicators each connected to at least one vibration sensor
Implementation Method 2
measuring the average vibratory level Lv and the tangential tensile force Frt generated during a unidirectional traction at constant speed of a tissue fragment
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for characterizing the sensory properties of a fabric, said method imitating grasping the fabric by the hand. According to said method, the softness and the stress, which are linked to the stiffness of the fabric, are simultaneously determined by measuring the mean vibration level Lv, defined by the formula Lv = 20 log V/Vo, and the tangential pulling stress Frt that are caused during one-way pulling, at a constant speed, of a fabric fragment on contact with spherical applicators that are each connected to at least one vibration sensor and at least one stress sensor, said sensors being connected to a digital acquisition device. The invention also relates to a device for implementing said method.