Friction Assessment via Thermal Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for assessing hair damage and the efficacy of hair care compositions in reducing friction during mechanical treatment are subjective, complex, and not easily understandable by non-skilled users, lacking a direct visualization of friction and damage levels.

Innovation Solution

A method involving mechanical treatment of hair samples using a friction device, temperature sensing, and color signal conversion to display friction levels, allowing for direct visualization and comparison of hair care composition efficacy in minimizing friction and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional assessment methods (combing test, microscopy) are used to assess hair damage and friction properties, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of detection increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassessment accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical assessment systems (combing tests, microscopy equipment) with a thermal imaging system. The friction device generates heat through mechanical treatment, and an infrared camera captures thermal images to assess hair damage and friction properties, substituting mechanical measurement with thermal detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces temperature as an intermediary parameter to assess friction properties. Instead of directly measuring friction force or hair structure, the system measures temperature changes caused by friction during mechanical treatment, using thermal energy as a mediator to indirectly evaluate hair damage and composition efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If traditional assessment methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to subjective interpretation and lack of direct visualization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassessment accuracyVSAvoiduser understanding
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses thermal imaging to convert temperature data into visual color signals. Different temperature zones are represented by different colors, allowing users to directly visualize friction distribution and hair damage patterns without complex data interpretation, making the assessment intuitive and easily understandable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces subjective mechanical assessment with objective thermal imaging. The infrared camera provides quantitative temperature data that can be directly visualized, eliminating the need for skilled personnel to interpret complex mechanical test results and making the assessment accessible to general users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If hair care compositions are tested using traditional methods, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to complex testing procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficacy assessment accuracyVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical assessment procedures with rapid thermal imaging. The infrared camera can quickly capture temperature distributions during and after mechanical treatment, providing immediate visual feedback on composition efficacy without requiring extensive mechanical testing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables continuous monitoring of friction properties during mechanical treatment through real-time thermal imaging. The infrared camera can capture temperature changes throughout the combing process, providing continuous data on composition performance without requiring separate discrete measurement steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 and user-friendly assessment and demonstration of hair care composition efficacy in reducing friction and damage, supporting advertising claims and marketing efforts by visually displaying temperature differentials as color signals.

Implementation Method 1

Fibers, e.g. mammal hairs, generate friction when they are mechanically treated, e.g. when they are combed, brushed or rubbed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The generation of friction varies depending on the properties the fibers, the state of the fibers... The friction generated may also vary depending on the method used for mechanically treating the fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction heating: Viscous Heating

Implementation Method 3

assessing the temperature of the sample and/or the friction device after mechanically treating at least part of the sample using a temperature sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

converting the temperature data to a color signal; and displaying the color signal using a display device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermography: Thermography

Data Source

PatentUS8833137B2Method for assessment of friction properties of fibers or substrates upon mechanical treatment
Publication Date: 2014.09.16 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Method for assessment of friction properties of fibers or substrate. The method is useful for assessing the degree of damage of hair fibers, for demonstrating the efficacy of a composition for minimizing the friction properties of fibers or substrate and/or for supporting advertising claims.