Reflectance Probe for Textile Dye Bath Concentration Readings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical systems for transmittance spectrophotometry struggle to accurately determine the concentration of single coloring agents in dyeing baths, especially at low or high concentrations, and fail to distinguish between different colors and handle heterogeneous agents, pH, salinity, and temperature changes, leading to inaccurate readings.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing reflectance spectroscopy with a movable optical probe that directly contacts a textile specimen immersed in the dyeing bath, allowing for precise absorption measurements regardless of concentration or chemical class, and enabling continuous readings by adjusting to bath conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transmittance spectrophotometry is used to measure color concentrations in dyeing baths, then optical readings can be obtained, but measurement precision deteriorates at very low or very high concentrations and in opalescent baths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical measurement parameter from transmittance to reflectance. By measuring the reflectance of light off the textile material surface rather than the transmittance through the dyeing bath, the system achieves reliable measurements across all concentration ranges including very low and very high concentrations, and in opalescent baths where transmittance measurements fail.
2Loss of information
If transmittance optical control systems are used, then color concentration can be measured, but the ability to distinguish different colors of the same kind deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement approach by using reflectance spectrophotometry on the textile material surface. This provides richer spectral information that enables differentiation between similar colors (different shades of red, yellow, or blue) and identifies the specific chemical class of coloring agents, overcoming the limitations of transmittance measurements.
3Reliability
If transmittance readings are performed on dyeing baths, then optical control can be carried out, but measurement reliability deteriorates when pH, salinity, or temperature cause color changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a witness material (a small piece of the same textile material) that copies or replicates the dyeing conditions in the bath. By measuring reflectance on this witness material rather than directly in the bath, the system obtains readings that reflect the actual dyeing process conditions while avoiding the interference of changing bath parameters such as pH, salinity, and temperature.
4Measurement precision
If transmittance measurements are performed on dispersed particles in the dyeing bath, then color concentration can be measured, but measurement precision deteriorates due to light deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures reflectance on a witness material that has been exposed to the dyeing bath conditions, rather than measuring light transmission through the bath containing dispersed particles. This copying approach eliminates the harmful effect of light deviation by dispersed particles while still providing accurate information about the dyeing process and color concentration.
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 reliable depletion testing of colors in dyeing baths, accounting for the specific material nature and bath conditions, reducing errors and improving precision across various concentrations and opalescent baths.
Implementation Method 1
A device and method utilizing reflectance spectroscopy with a movable optical probe that directly contacts a textile specimen immersed in the dyeing bath
Implementation Method 2
allowing for precise absorption measurements regardless of concentration or chemical class
Data Source
AI summary
Device for carrying out optical readings on textile materials submitted to dyeing comprising optical reading means associated with corresponding optical processing means, characterised in that it comprises a body (1) inside which it is provided a chamber (10) featuring an input (I) and output (U) section and is crossed by a dyeing bath drawn out of a dyeing tank or machine (T) in which a textile material is submitted to dyeing, inside said chamber (10) being disposed an optical detector or probe (2) and a seat being provided for the positioning of a specimen or sample (F) of the textile material submitted to dyeing in correspondence of the probe (2), said seat featuring positioning means for a support (3) onto which said specimen (F) is applied, so that the specimen is immersed in the dyeing bath flowing inside chamber (10), said support (3) being movably positioned on said positioning means; and said support (3) is movable towards said probe (2) or, vice versa, said probe (2) is movable towards said support (3).