3D Printed Road Reflectance Reference Device Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring road surface luminance and luminance coefficients are costly, time-consuming, and lack reliability and traceability, leading to inaccurate data and inefficient energy use in road lighting systems, especially with the introduction of new road materials and smart lighting technologies.

Innovation Solution

A method and device using 3D printing to create reference materials that mimic road surfaces for calibrating luminance measurement instruments, allowing for reliable and portable in-situ measurements of road surface luminance and luminance coefficients, enabling accurate data collection and energy savings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional goniophotometers are used to measure road surface luminance, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but the cost increases significantly and the measurement process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminance measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates synthetic road pavement samples that replicate the photometric properties of real road surfaces. These synthetic samples serve as portable reference standards that can be used to calibrate and verify measurement instruments in the field, eliminating the need for time-consuming goniophotometer measurements while maintaining measurement accuracy through traceable calibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-characterizes synthetic road pavement samples in controlled laboratory conditions using goniophotometers to establish their photometric properties. This preliminary characterization creates reference data that can be used for rapid field measurements, separating the accurate but slow calibration process from the rapid measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional measurement methods are used, then comprehensive photometric data can be obtained, but the cost and time requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The synthetic road pavement samples replicate the photometric behavior of real road surfaces, providing reliable reference standards for calibration. These copies maintain the essential light-reflecting properties needed for accurate luminance measurement while being portable and readily available for field use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The photometric characterization of synthetic samples is performed in advance under controlled conditions, creating a database of reference values. This preliminary work ensures data reliability without requiring time-consuming measurements during field operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed reference data from CIE tables is used, then design simplicity is maintained, but accuracy decreases due to outdated road material properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidluminance coefficient accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates synthetic road pavement samples with specific photometric parameters that can be precisely controlled and characterized. By varying the composition and structure of these synthetic materials, accurate reference data for different road surface types can be obtained, replacing outdated fixed values with updated, traceable measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If portable measurement devices are used, then field measurement capability is improved, but measurement reliability and traceability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidmeasurement traceability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The synthetic road pavement samples serve as portable reference standards that can be transported to field locations. These physical copies of known photometric properties enable calibration and verification of portable measurement devices in situ, maintaining traceability to laboratory-characterized reference materials while preserving the portability advantage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

This approach provides updated and reliable data for luminance parameters, facilitating energy savings of up to 70% and ensuring road safety through precise calibration and traceability of luminance measurements, adapting to new road materials and technologies.

Implementation Method 1

a synthetic road pavement sample product... to measure luminance properties of road pavements by a photometric instrument configured to detect the light reflected by said road pavements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3995815A1A road reflectance reference device, corresponding instrument calibration kit and manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 IST NAZ DI RICERCA METROLOGICA (I N RI M)
  • EP3995815A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3995815A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3995815A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A reference device for measurement of reflection characteristics, in particular measurement of luminance, of the surface of road pavements (100) by a photometric instrument configured to detect the light reflected by said road pavements in determined geometric conditions (Q, P, O, α, β, ε) of incidence (β, ε) of the light on the road pavement and of detection (α) of said reflected light, comprising a synthetic road pavement sample product comprising a support (110) having a support thickness (To) and at least one flat base on a first side and a patterned surface on a second side opposed said first side, wherein said patterned surface comprises a solid pattern (120) of pillar-like formations (122, 124) and of channel-like formations (126) separating said pillar-like formations (122, 124) from one another, a set of pattern parameters ( Til, Tih , θ, Δ, Li, Di, Ki) associated to geometric properties of said pillar-like formations (122, 124) and of said channel-like formations (126) being distributed over said solid pattern (120) according to a stochastic distribution which satisfies given ranges of said pattern parameters ( Til, Tih , θ, Δ, Li, Di, Ki).