Wetting Measurement Device Using Vibration for Non-Planar Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring contact angles on surfaces, especially large, complex, curved, inclined, or inverted surfaces, are cumbersome, difficult to perform, and prone to errors due to surface heterogeneities, making it challenging to accurately determine surface energy in manufacturing environments.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a housing with a liquid dispensing component, a kinetic energy imparting component, and a data generating component that deposits a small volume of liquid on the surface, imparts kinetic energy through vibration, and determines the liquid's geometry to calculate contact angles, allowing for measurements on non-planar and inaccessible surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional contact angle goniometer methods are used, then measurement precision can be achieved on small planar surfaces, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase significantly for large, curved, inclined, or inverted surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical contact angle goniometer system with a simplified device that uses a liquid dispenser, vibration source, and digital imaging system. Instead of requiring precise mechanical alignment and manual measurement, the invention uses kinetic energy imparted through vibration to create consistent drop shapes, which are then measured using standard digital imaging and image processing software, dramatically reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies mechanical vibration to the liquid drop immediately after deposition to impart kinetic energy. This vibration causes the liquid to spread and form a consistent, reproducible shape that accurately represents the surface energy characteristics. The vibration frequency and amplitude are controlled to optimize drop formation, enabling accurate measurements on various surface geometries without requiring complex measurement apparatus.
2Measurement precision
If contact angle measurements are performed on surfaces with heterogeneities, then surface energy can be determined, but measurement precision deteriorates due to pinning of drop perimeter
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration applied to the liquid drop helps overcome the pinning effect caused by surface heterogeneities. By imparting kinetic energy through controlled vibration, the liquid is able to spread more uniformly across the surface and form a consistent contact line, reducing the pinning effect and improving measurement reliability and consistency on heterogeneous surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and energy parameters of the liquid drop by applying vibration immediately after deposition. This parameter change (from static to dynamic state with added kinetic energy) allows the liquid to better interact with heterogeneous surfaces, reducing the pinning effect and improving the reliability of surface energy measurements.
3Measurement precision
If manual contact angle measurement methods are used, then surface energy can be determined, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual measurement procedures with an automated system that combines liquid dispensing, vibration application, digital imaging, and computer-based image processing. This automation eliminates time-consuming manual operations while maintaining measurement precision, significantly improving productivity and enabling rapid surface energy determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically completing the entire measurement process from liquid deposition through image capture and analysis. The device dispenses the liquid, applies vibration, captures the drop shape, and processes the image to determine contact angle and surface energy without requiring manual intervention at each step, thereby increasing measurement speed and productivity.
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 quick, accurate, and quantitative measurement of wetting characteristics on various surfaces, including complex structures, reducing errors and improving surface energy determination, and predicting adhesive bonding quality.
Implementation Method 1
The kinetic energy imparting component is configured to impart kinetic energy in the form of vibration to the volume of liquid on the surface of the material
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are a device and method for measuring the wetting characteristics of a liquid on a surface of a material by depositing a volume of liquid on the surface of the material, imparting kinetic energy to the liquid, and obtaining information about the geometry of the volume of the liquid on the surface. The device includes a liquid dispensing component, a kinetic energy imparting component, a position determining component, and a data generating component.