White Fluorescent Dye Blend for Automotive Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current leak detection methods using fluorescent dyes in automotive fluids are not optimally effective across various types of working fluids due to the limited availability of suitable UV or high energy blue visible light sources in typical automotive repair facilities, leading to suboptimal visibility of leak sites.
Innovation Solution
A white-fluorescing dye blend comprising a mixture of yellow, blue, and green dye solutions, along with a neutral blending oil, is developed to enhance visibility under available UV or high energy blue visible light, creating a bright white fluorescence that is easily distinguishable and cost-effective, without the need for a costly red dye solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single-color fluorescent dye is used for leak detection, then the dye can be activated by specific UV or blue visible light sources, but the visibility is suboptimal when using available inspection lamps that are not optimally matched to the dye's excitation wavelength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fluorescent dyes of different colors (yellow, blue, green) into a single blended dye composition. This merging allows the dye blend to be excited by a broader range of wavelengths including UV and various blue visible light sources, making it compatible with multiple inspection lamp types while maintaining bright fluorescence visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The blended dye composition is designed to function with multiple types of inspection lamps (UV lamps, blue visible light lamps of different wavelengths) that are commonly available in automotive repair facilities. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the dye adaptable to various light sources while maintaining effective fluorescence activation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluorescent dyes are blended to achieve broader spectrum activation, then compatibility with various inspection lamps improves, but the complexity of the dye composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite dye formulation combining multiple fluorescent dye compounds in specific proportions. This composite approach achieves broad-spectrum activation compatibility while managing composition complexity through systematic formulation of the dye blend components.
3Illumination intensity
If expensive red dye solution is added to create white fluorescence, then visibility enhancement is achieved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive red fluorescent dye with a combination of more cost-effective yellow, blue, and green dyes that together produce white fluorescence. This substitution maintains the desired visibility enhancement while reducing production costs by using more economical dye components.
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 white-fluorescing dye blend provides enhanced visibility of leak sites across different automotive fluids, reducing the risk of false indications and allowing for more efficient diagnosis without increasing production costs, as it can be adjusted to vary in color fluorescence and is compatible with various fluid systems.
Implementation Method 1
Fluorescence is generally understood to be a property that enables certain materials to absorb light energy and radiate visible light at a longer wavelength than the absorbed light. According to generally accepted theory, electrons in fluorescent materials are excited upon being illuminated by light energy of a specific wavelength, and light energy of a longer wavelength is radiated from these materials as the electrons return to the unexcited or ground state.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a white-fluorescing dye blend comprising at least one neutral blending oil, a perylene-based compound, naphthalimide-based compound, and a coumarin-based compound. This white-fluorescing dye blend has a substantial fluorescent response to illumination by the entire range of commonly available inspection lamps. The resultant blended dye is an all-purpose blend that is satisfactory for all automotive fluids and all inspection lamps.