3D Surface Reproduction via Reflectivity-Adjusted Depth Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing three-dimensionally structured surfaces neglect the importance of reflection properties, leading to visible transitions and an unnatural appearance in artificial surfaces, particularly in applications like artificial leather for vehicle interiors, where subjective human evaluation is inaccurate and difficult to replicate objectively.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the topology of an original surface using three-dimensional scanning, assesses depth values for their influence on reflection properties, and revises these values to control machining tools, ensuring the reproduction of surfaces with desired reflection properties, using edge detection and filtering techniques to objectively manage reflection behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If surface copying methods are used to reproduce original surfaces, then the surface structure can be replicated, but visible transitions and unnatural appearance occur due to neglected reflection properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface structure replicationVSAvoidreflection property accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary analysis of the original surface's reflection properties using photogrammetric methods before machining. Depth values are pre-calculated and adjusted to compensate for expected reflection variations, ensuring that the reproduced surface will have natural appearance without visible transitions during the actual manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the depth parameters of the surface data by calculating adjusted depth values that account for reflection properties. The system changes the geometric parameters (depth, height) based on photogrammetric analysis to ensure that the reproduced surface structure generates natural reflection patterns, eliminating the unnatural appearance caused by standard copying methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If standard surface scanning and copying methods are used, then the topological data can be obtained, but the reflection behavior cannot be objectively assessed or controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetopological data acquisitionVSAvoidreflection property measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces subjective human evaluation of reflection properties with objective photogrammetric measurement systems. By using photogrammetric methods to capture and analyze light reflection patterns, the system transforms the difficult-to-measure reflection behavior into quantifiable data that can be objectively assessed and controlled throughout the manufacturing process

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the measured reflection properties of the original surface are used to adjust and optimize the reproduced surface. The photogrammetric analysis provides continuous feedback on reflection behavior, allowing the system to iteratively refine the surface geometry to achieve natural appearance and eliminate visible transitions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Area of stationary object

If multiply adjoining surface copies are used to cover large workpieces, then the coverage area increases, but transitions become visible as repeating patterns or chessboard effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface coverage areaVSAvoidtransition visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different depth adjustments and reflection optimizations to different regions of the surface based on local photogrammetric analysis. Each area is processed with locally adapted parameters that account for its specific reflection properties, ensuring that transitions between adjoining copies are minimized and the overall surface maintains natural appearance across the entire large area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary photogrammetric analysis and depth value adjustment for each surface copy before assembly. By pre-calculating the optimal depth modifications for each tile based on its reflection properties, the system ensures that when multiple copies are adjoined to cover large areas, the transitions between them remain invisible and the chessboard effect is eliminated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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

The method enables the production of surfaces with objectively determined and influenced reflection properties, reducing visible transitions and achieving a natural appearance by accurately replicating the reflection behavior of the original surface, suitable for applications like artificial leather that mimics genuine leather.

Implementation Method 1

first the topology of the original surface is determined with the aid of a three-dimensional scanning method, and the topological data thus determined and essentially containing the height values and depth values belonging to each surface element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThree-dimensional scanning: LIDAR

Implementation Method 2

the revised depth values of the first data record are stored as topological data in a third data record and are used for electronically controlling a machining tool for machining the three-dimensionally structured object surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMachining: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS8194970B2Method for producing three-dimensionally structured surfaces
Publication Date: 2012.06.05 BENECKE KALIKO AG

AI summary

A method for producing three-dimensionally structured surfaces of objects, the object surface being created as a reproduction of a three-dimensionally structured original surface with the aid of a machining tool. Accordingly, the topology of the original surface is first determined, a measured depth value being assigned to each surface or grid element, creating a depth map of the original surface. The depth values are evaluated in terms of their influence on the reflective properties of the surface elements and the reflective properties are stored in the form of parameters. The depth values are then modified in accordance with the reflective values and are used as topological data for the electronic control of a machining tool.