Thermal-Visual Servoing for Localized Garment Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional garment drying methods in direct-to-garment printing consume time and energy, and result in uneven heating, which can degrade print quality and waste resources by applying heat to the entire garment piece rather than just the print area.
Innovation Solution
A heating system with thermal-visual-servo control, utilizing a directional and movable heat source guided by thermal, visible-light, and depth cameras to apply localized heat based on temperature feedback, ensuring precise and efficient drying of the pretreated area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional drying methods are used to dry the entire garment piece, then the drying process is simple to implement, but energy consumption increases and processing time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from uniform heating of the entire garment to localized heating of specific regions. The system uses multiple heating zones with independently controllable temperatures, allowing each region to be dried according to its specific requirements. This is achieved through a heating system with multiple heating elements that can be independently controlled, combined with sensors that monitor moisture content in different areas, enabling energy-efficient localized drying rather than heating the entire garment uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the heating system adaptive and controllable in real-time. The system uses sensors to continuously monitor moisture content, temperature, and humidity, then dynamically adjusts heating power and airflow characteristics based on detected conditions. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize energy consumption by applying heat only where and when needed, rather than maintaining constant uniform heating throughout the drying process.
2Productivity
If conventional drying methods are used to dry the entire garment piece, then the drying system is easy to operate, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the garment drying process into multiple independent heating zones and regions. Each zone can be controlled separately based on local moisture content and drying requirements. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different garment areas, significantly reducing total drying time compared to conventional methods that treat the entire garment as a single unit. The system can simultaneously dry different regions at different rates and temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using sensors to continuously monitor drying conditions (moisture content, temperature, humidity) and adjusting heating and airflow parameters in real-time. This closed-loop control system detects when specific regions have reached desired dryness levels and automatically reduces or stops heating in those areas, preventing unnecessary energy consumption and reducing overall processing time. The feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to varying garment materials, thicknesses, and moisture distributions.
3Manufacturing precision
If uniform heat is applied to the entire garment piece, then the heating process is simple to control, but print quality degrades due to uneven heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing spatially varying temperature control across different regions of the garment. The system divides the heating area into multiple zones with independently controllable temperatures, allowing each region to receive the specific heat treatment needed for optimal print quality. This prevents the uneven heating that occurs with conventional uniform heating methods, as the system can compensate for variations in garment thickness, material composition, and moisture content at different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using temperature and humidity sensors to continuously monitor conditions in different heating zones, then adjusting heating power to maintain optimal temperature profiles. This closed-loop control ensures that each region reaches and maintains the precise temperature needed for proper drying without overheating, which would degrade print quality. The feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to real-time variations in garment properties and environmental conditions.
4Loss of energy
If uniform heat is applied to the entire garment piece, then the heating system is simple in design, but energy is wasted by heating non-print areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing region-specific heating control that targets only the areas requiring drying. The system identifies print areas versus non-print areas and applies heat selectively to regions with moisture content above thresholds. This prevents energy waste by avoiding heating of already-dry or non-critical areas, while still ensuring proper drying of pretreated and printed regions. The selective heating is achieved through multiple independently controlled heating zones and sensor feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the heating system adaptive and responsive to real-time conditions. The system continuously monitors moisture content, temperature, and humidity in different regions, then dynamically adjusts heating power distribution to match actual drying needs. This dynamic control prevents energy waste by reducing or eliminating heat application to areas that have already reached desired dryness levels, while maintaining optimal heating in areas that still require drying.
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 reduces energy consumption and processing time while maintaining high print quality by focusing heat only on the necessary areas, preventing overheating and ensuring optimal drying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal camera configured to capture thermal images of the object
Implementation Method 2
a heat source configured to emit localized heat to an object
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment can provide a heating system with thermal-visual-servo control. The system can include a heat source configured to emit localized heat to an object, a thermal camera configured to capture thermal images of the object, and a motion-control module coupled to the heat source and configured to control movement and focus of the heat source based on temperature information extracted from the thermal images, thereby facilitating controlled heating of the object.