Quantitatively characterizing automotive interior surfaces using an Optical TIR-based texture sensor

This paper presents the development of an optical total internal reflection (TIR) based surface texture sensor. Through combination of both contact and non-contact optical surface profiling mechanisms, the new sensor can be efficiently used for quantitative characterization of surface texture properties including texture pattern, roughness, and even mechanical property like softness, etc. We have used this sensor to measure and analyze texture properties of extensive automotive interior leather sample surfaces. The results demonstrate that the sensor can effectively assist the interior designer to quantify and classify essential texture features of automobile interior surfaces. Ongoing work is integrating the sensor into a scientific surface texture evaluation system for the purpose of improving automobile interior design.