Microfluidic Fabric Applicator With Sensor-Guided Precision Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for applying materials to surfaces, such as fabrics, lack precision and are often cumbersome, making them unsuitable for non-professional use in home or consumer settings due to their size, complexity, and cost.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a microfluidic die with applicator nozzles, a sensor, and a CPU that senses surface deviations and adjusts nozzle activation for precise material application, allowing for continuous or discontinuous deposition patterns and adjustable nozzle frequency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If current application techniques are used, then material can be applied to surfaces, but precision is poor and extra material is used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication precisionVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the application process into detection and application phases, with the sensor identifying specific areas needing treatment and the applicator head delivering material only to those segmented target zones, eliminating blanket application and reducing waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies material with local quality by targeting specific deviating areas identified by the sensor rather than uniform application across the entire surface, ensuring precision while minimizing material usage in non-defect areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If professional-grade precise application devices are developed, then application precision improves, but device size, complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device achieves multi-functionality by integrating sensor detection, CPU analysis, and material application capabilities into a single universal platform that can handle various fabric types and material applications, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs self-service through automatic sensor-based detection and CPU-controlled applicator activation, eliminating the need for manual inspection and application by professionals, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If professional-grade precise application devices are developed, then application precision improves, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication precisionVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device utilizes disposable or replaceable consumable components such as material reservoirs and applicator tips, allowing the core expensive electronics to be reused while replacing only low-cost parts, thereby reducing overall system cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Manufacturing precision

If sensor-based detection and CPU control are implemented, then application precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical inspection and application with automated sensor-based detection and CPU-controlled actuation, using optical and electronic fields to substitute complex mechanical operations, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 precise application of materials to specific areas on surfaces, reducing waste and improving user convenience for non-professional consumers by providing a user-friendly, cost-effective solution for precise surface treatment.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor; and a CPU; wherein the sensor is configured to sense at least a portion of the surface of the fabric and provide the CPU with information about the surface of the fabric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

an applicator head comprising a microfluidic die having one or more applicator nozzles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrofluidic delivery:

Implementation Method 3

the microfluidic die includes a heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 4

the microfluidic die includes an electromechanical actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromechanical conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS10156036B2Device and methods for applying compositions to fabric surfaces

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A device and method for applying a material to a surface of a fabric. The device has a sensor and a microfluidic die. The device further includes a reservoir for containing a material to be deposited, and a CPU. The method includes providing information from the sensor about the surface to the CPU, which uses the information to identify where the material is to be deposited and/or how much to deposit.