Optical Textile Characterization Using UV and Visible Radiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the optical properties of textiles, particularly fluorescent properties, lack effective instrumentation and understanding, leading to challenges in quality control and formulation of fluorescent materials.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that illuminate textile samples with both ultraviolet (UV) and visible electromagnetic radiation, detecting the fluorescent radiation emitted due to UV radiation and the reflected visible radiation to create a comprehensive 'brightness' measurement using an imager with an array of pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If fluorescent pigments are applied to textiles using conventional methods, then the textile gains brightness enhancement, but the quality control and formulation become challenging due to lack of proper measurement instrumentation
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system segments the fluorescent measurement process into distinct spectral bands (excitation wavelengths and emission wavelengths) using separate detectors for each band. This allows independent characterization of fluorescent properties without interference from reflected light, enabling precise quality control of fluorescent materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an integrating sphere as an intermediary component that collects and homogenizes light from the textile sample. This intermediary device ensures that all fluorescent and reflected light is uniformly distributed to the detectors, eliminating measurement variations and enabling accurate brightness and fluorescent quality assessment.
2Device complexity
If conventional single-wavelength or simple colorimetric measurement is used, then the measurement process is simple, but the optical characterization of textiles is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from single-wavelength or simple colorimetric measurement to multi-dimensional spectral measurement by incorporating multiple detectors sensitive to different wavelength ranges. This captures both the excitation spectrum and emission spectrum simultaneously, providing complete optical characterization including brightness, color, and fluorescent properties in a single measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement apparatus is designed with multi-functional capability to simultaneously measure multiple optical properties (brightness, color, fluorescent intensity, spectral characteristics) using a single integrated system. This universal measurement approach eliminates the need for separate measurement devices while providing comprehensive optical characterization.
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 enables a detailed optical characterization of textiles, providing embedded spatial information and improving the monitoring and control of fluorescent material quality, thereby enhancing the cosmetic performance of textiles.
Implementation Method 1
A fluorescent material is defined as a material that emits optical radiation after having absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation, typically at wavelengths that are longer than the wavelengths of the electromagnetic radiation absorbed
Implementation Method 2
Brightness is commonly defined as an attribute of visual perception in which a source appears to be radiating or reflecting light
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (100) for optically characterizing a textile sample (106) comprises a presentation subsystem (102) comprising a viewing window (108). A radiation subsystem (114) comprises a radiation source (120) for directing a first, ultraviolet radiation (122) and a second, visible radiation (123) toward the sample (106), and causing the sample (106) to produce a fluorescent radiation (124) and a reflected radiation (125). A sensing subsystem (126) comprises an imager (130) for capturing the fluorescent radiation (124) and the reflected radiation (125) in an array of pixels (408). A control subsystem (132) comprises a processor (136) for controlling the presentation subsystem (102), the radiation subsystem (114), and the sensing subsystem (126), and for creating a fluorescent and reflected radiation image (400) containing both spectral information and spatial information in regard to the fluorescent radiation (124) and the reflected radiation (125).