Imaging Gloss Measurement for Small Samples Without Surface Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gloss measurement devices are contact-type, which can damage samples and are unable to measure small-sized samples due to a minimum measurement zone size, and they are costly due to the need for large detection areas.
Innovation Solution
An imaging-based non-contact gloss measurement device with intersecting optical axes for illumination and grayscale camera, using a uniform-light illumination system and a grayscale camera with adjusted divergence angles to meet international standards, allowing for non-contact measurement and reduced detection area requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact-type measurement is used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but sample damage occurs and small-sized samples cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact measurement system with an optical imaging system. Instead of physically contacting the sample surface with a measurement probe, the system uses a grayscale camera to capture reflected light patterns and calculates gloss values through image processing, thereby eliminating sample damage while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy (image) of the sample surface reflectivity characteristics. By capturing the reflected light distribution pattern through a grayscale camera and processing this optical information, the system determines gloss values without physical contact, enabling measurement of small samples that would be damaged by conventional contact methods
2Measurement precision
If conventional gloss measurement device is used, then gloss measurement is achieved, but measurement zone size is large and small-sized samples cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-point or small-area measurement approach to a two-dimensional imaging measurement approach. By using a grayscale camera to capture the entire measurement zone in one shot and processing pixel data, the system can measure gloss across the whole field of view, including very small samples, effectively utilizing the spatial dimension to reduce the required measurement area
3Area of stationary object
If large detection area is used in gloss measurement device, then measurement coverage is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive large-area optical detection systems with a more economical grayscale camera-based imaging system. By using standard grayscale camera technology and processing reflected light patterns through software algorithms, the system achieves large-area coverage without requiring costly specialized large-format detectors or complex optical components
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, non-contact gloss measurement of small-sized samples while complying with international standards, reducing costs by using smaller detection devices and real-time compensation for measurement deviations.
Implementation Method 1
Conventional gloss measurement devices measure the gloss of a sample based on the principle of light reflection
Implementation Method 2
a grayscale camera which is mounted inside the housing and on the other side of the measurement window and is configured to receive light reflected from the measurement zone at a reflection angle θ2
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging-based non-contact gloss measurement device, includes: a housing having a top cover provided with a measurement window, a measurement zone being located above the measurement window; an illumination light source mounted inside the housing and on one side of the measurement window and configured to illuminate the measurement zone at an incident angle θ1; and a grayscale camera mounted inside the housing and on the other side of the measurement window and configured to receive light reflected from the measurement zone at a reflection angle θ2 for grayscale imaging, and obtaining gloss values from the grayscale values. The illumination light source has an incident divergence angleα1′in the measurement plane and an incident divergence angleβ1′perpendicular to the measurement plane; the grayscale camera has a reflection divergence angleα2′in the measurement plane and a reflection divergence angleβ2′perpendicular to the measurement plane, θ1=θ2,a1′>α2′ and β1′>β2′.