Measuring Spatial Properties of Moving Flake Pigment Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices are unable to accurately measure the spatial properties of surface coatings containing flake pigment when the coatings are in motion, as movement leads to blurriness in pixelated optical images, making it difficult to determine intensity and area effectively.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that include a movable surface with a motion device, a light source, and a light detection device, where the computing device adjusts for the movement of the surface coating to accurately determine spatial properties like sparkle and coarseness by modulating light intensity and duration based on the surface's speed, allowing for snapshot-like capture of the surface coating's optical image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the surface coating is analyzed while in motion, then productivity is improved by eliminating curing time and enabling continuous measurement, but measurement precision deteriorates due to blurriness in pixelated optical images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using pulsed illumination - the light source emits light in periodic pulses synchronized with the motion of the surface coating. This allows the imaging device to capture snapshots at specific intervals during the coating's movement, effectively freezing the motion blur while maintaining continuous measurement capability. The pulsed nature of illumination provides discrete measurement moments that resolve the precision issue while preserving productivity gains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by synchronizing the illumination duration and imaging timing with the actual motion state of the surface coating. The system dynamically adjusts the exposure timing and illumination pulse width based on the coating's velocity and position, allowing optimal capture of spatial properties at different stages of motion. This dynamic synchronization enables accurate measurement despite continuous movement.
2Measurement precision
If the illumination duration is extended to capture moving surface, then measurement precision improves, but the blurriness increases due to surface movement during illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pulsed illumination where light is emitted in short, repeated bursts rather than continuously. Each pulse is timed to coincide with the surface coating passing through the measurement zone, providing sufficient light for accurate detection while limiting the duration of exposure to minimize motion blur. The periodic repetition allows continuous monitoring without extending any single illumination event.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-synchronizing the illumination pulses with the expected position and velocity of the moving surface coating. Before actual measurement, the system characterizes the motion parameters and uses this information to time the illumination pulses optimally, ensuring that light is emitted precisely when the coating is in the measurement zone and moving at favorable speeds for minimal blur.
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
Enables accurate determination of spatial properties such as sparkle and coarseness of moving surface coatings, reducing the time and effort required for analysis and allowing for measurement of both wet and dry coatings without the need for prior curing.
Implementation Method 1
A light source is positioned to provide a beam of light directed at a preselected interrogation zone
Implementation Method 2
detect light reflected from the preselected interrogation zone
Implementation Method 3
A light detection device is positioned to detect light reflected from the preselected interrogation zone
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for measurement of spatial properties of a moving surface coating containing flake pigment are provided herein. An exemplary apparatus includes a movable surface adapted to receive the surface coating. A motion device is in mechanical communication with the movable surface. A light source provides a beam of light directed at a preselected interrogation zone through which the movable surface passes during movement thereof. A light detection device detects light reflected from the preselected interrogation zone and produces an output. A computing device is configured to determine one or more spatial properties of the surface coating based upon the output. One or more of the light source, the light detection device, or the computing device are configured to adjust for the movement of the surface coating through the preselected interrogation zone as a variable that affects measurement of reflected light by the light detection device.