3d printed habitat for simulating off-earth environments

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of 3D printing cabin of extraterrestrial environment simulation belongs to 3D printing field, including control cabinet and respectively with the main vacuum cabin of control cabinet electricity connection, printing execution system, vacuum pumping system, control cabinet, monitoring system, environment simulation system, self-cleaning system.Provided a full closed loop ground verification system integrating multi-field coupling environment simulation, high-precision in-situ additive manufacturing, whole process monitoring and equipment self-maintenance.An environment simulation system can reproduce extreme high-low temperature alternation and ultraviolet radiation environment in space synchronously through the cooperation of infrared heating array and ultraviolet radiation array;The printing execution system is integrated with a sealed filler cabin and a quick-release sealing mechanism, supporting high-precision printing under simulated microgravity mechanics conditions;The self-cleaning system realizes automatic cleaning in the cabin after experiment, ensuring no cross-contamination between experiments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printing, and more specifically, to a 3D printed cabin that simulates an extraterrestrial environment. Background Technology

[0002] With the acceleration of my country's deep space exploration and the continuous advancement of its space station construction mission, in-situ resource utilization and construction technology in space has become a core capability supporting the construction of large-scale space facilities such as future lunar research stations and Mars habitats. Ground simulation verification, as a crucial bridge connecting theoretical research and space applications, is a necessary step in verifying the performance of construction materials and the feasibility of the construction process. Compared with traditional ground construction, in-situ construction in space takes place in extreme coupled environments such as extremely high vacuum, intense temperature fluctuations, microgravity, and strong radiation, resulting in fundamental changes in the material extrusion characteristics, curing mechanisms, and structural forming laws.

[0003] Currently, most ground-based simulation experimental devices have relatively limited functions and are generally unable to realistically and comprehensively simulate the space construction environment, exhibiting the following limitations: First, the environmental simulation dimensions are insufficient, making it impossible to simultaneously reproduce multiple coupled conditions such as high vacuum, extreme temperature alternation, and atmospheric composition of specific celestial bodies on the same platform. This results in a significant deviation between the material behavior response and the real space environment, affecting the validity of experimental data and the extrapolation confidence. Second, the system integration is low. Existing equipment often focuses on a single function (such as only realizing a vacuum environment or only performing heating), lacking organic integration with 3D printing execution systems and real-time monitoring systems, making it difficult to achieve closed-loop simulation and data acquisition of the entire "printing-curing-forming" process. Third, there are shortcomings in key performance indicators, particularly in vacuum maintenance stability, uniformity and control precision of multi-physics fields (thermal and radiation) within the chamber, and positioning accuracy and reliability of motion mechanisms under vacuum conditions. Furthermore, there is a lack of simulation methods for microgravity effects and effective solutions for removing contaminants from the chamber, hindering accurate observation and mechanistic research on key process phenomena such as material extrusion rheology and interlayer bonding quality. More importantly, existing technologies completely ignore the integrated process simulation of "manufacturing-monitoring-maintenance" and lack effective means for removing contaminants from the chamber after experiments, making it impossible to support long-term, repeatable, and highly consistent experimental research on materials. Utility Model Content

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a 3D-printed cabin that simulates an extraterrestrial environment, offering high-precision experiments with real-time environmental monitoring and dynamic control functions.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: This invention provides a 3D printing chamber simulating an extraterrestrial environment, comprising a control cabinet and a main vacuum chamber, a printing execution system, a vacuuming system, a control cabinet, a monitoring system, an environmental simulation system, and a self-cleaning system, all electrically connected to the control cabinet. The printing execution system includes a motion mechanism, a print head, and a printing platform. The printing platform is disposed on the inner wall of the main vacuum chamber, and the print head is connected to the inner top of the main vacuum chamber via the motion mechanism. The environmental simulation system includes an infrared heating array and an ultraviolet radiation array. Both the infrared heating array and the ultraviolet radiation array are disposed on the inner wall of the main vacuum chamber, with the infrared heating array surrounding the printing platform and the ultraviolet radiation array disposed on the inner top of the main vacuum chamber. The vacuuming system, the monitoring system, and the self-cleaning system are all disposed within the main vacuum chamber.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the printing execution system further includes a sealed packing chamber, a sealing buckle, and a stirring pile; the sealed packing chamber is located on top of the main vacuum chamber, the sealed packing chamber is provided with a sealing buckle, the sealed packing chamber is provided with a stirring pile, and the print head is connected to the sealed packing chamber.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the printing execution system further includes a hyperspectral imager, which is mounted on the motion mechanism.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the vacuum system includes a vacuum pump and an inflation valve, both of which are connected to the main vacuum chamber. A special gas inlet is also provided on one side of the main vacuum chamber.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the control cabinet is equipped with a digital display, a digital control area, and a data synchronization code.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the monitoring system includes a high-speed camera and a sensor array, both of which are located inside the main vacuum chamber, and multiple sensor arrays are arranged around the printing platform.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the self-cleaning system includes a cleaning nozzle and a water tank. The cleaning nozzle is fixed to the inner wall of the main vacuum chamber and connected to the water tank.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a drain hole with a sealing cap is provided at the bottom of the main vacuum chamber.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, an observation window is provided at the front end of the main vacuum chamber.

[0014] In the preferred embodiment of this utility model, the main vacuum chamber is a horizontal cylindrical structure.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This invention provides a 3D printing cabin simulating an extraterrestrial environment, offering a fully closed-loop ground verification system integrating multi-field coupled environment simulation, high-precision in-situ additive manufacturing, full-process monitoring, and equipment self-maintenance. The system includes a main vacuum chamber and integrated vacuum pumping system, environmental simulation system, printing execution system, monitoring system, and self-cleaning system. The environmental simulation system, through the synergy of an infrared heating array and an ultraviolet radiation array, can simultaneously reproduce the extreme high and low temperature alternation and ultraviolet radiation environment of space. The printing execution system integrates a sealed packing chamber and a quick-release sealing mechanism, supporting high-precision printing under simulated microgravity conditions. The self-cleaning system enables automatic cleaning of the cabin after experiments, ensuring no cross-contamination during experiments. Through the centralized and coordinated control of the above systems, a high-confidence, highly repeatable, full-process experimental platform is provided for solving the ground verification of materials and processes for in-situ construction in space. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of a 3D-printed cabin simulating an extraterrestrial environment provided in a specific embodiment of this utility model; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Front view structural diagram; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A sectional view; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Side sectional view; Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A top-down view of the structure; Figure 6 This is a top-view sectional view of the main vacuum chamber; Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the control cabinet.

[0017] In the picture: 1. Main vacuum chamber; 11. Optical observation window; 12. Drain hole; 2. Printing execution system; 21. Print head; 22. Motion mechanism; 23. Sealed packing chamber; 24. Quick-release sealing buckle; 25. Mixing pile; 26. Printing platform; 27. Hyperspectral imager; 3. Vacuum system; 31. High vacuum pump; 32. Inflation valve; 33. Special gas inlet; 4. Control cabinet; 41. Digital display; 42. Digital control area; 43. Data synchronization code; 5. Monitoring system; 51. High-speed camera; 52. Sensor; 6. Environmental simulation system; 61. Infrared heating array; 62. Ultraviolet radiation array; 7. Self-cleaning system; 71. Cleaning nozzle; 72. Cleaning water tank. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0019] like Figures 1-7 As shown, this embodiment provides a 3D printing chamber simulating an extraterrestrial environment, including a control cabinet and a main vacuum chamber, a printing execution system, a vacuuming system, a control cabinet, a monitoring system, an environmental simulation system, and a self-cleaning system, all electrically connected to the control cabinet. The printing execution system includes a motion mechanism, a print head, and a printing platform. The printing platform is disposed on the inner wall of the main vacuum chamber, and the print head is connected to the inner top of the main vacuum chamber via the motion mechanism. The environmental simulation system includes an infrared heating array and an ultraviolet radiation array. Both the infrared heating array and the ultraviolet radiation array are disposed on the inner wall of the main vacuum chamber, with the infrared heating array surrounding the printing platform and the ultraviolet radiation array disposed on the inner top of the main vacuum chamber. The vacuuming system, the monitoring system, and the self-cleaning system are all disposed within the main vacuum chamber.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, an observation window is provided at the front end of the main vacuum chamber. The main vacuum chamber is a horizontal cylindrical structure, welded from 304 stainless steel. The observation window employs a composite structure of three layers of tempered glass and vacuum sealant, with a light transmittance ≥92% and the ability to withstand a pressure difference ≥0.1MPa, facilitating observation of the printing process and experimental phenomena.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the printing execution system further includes a sealed packing chamber, a sealing buckle, and a stirring pile; the sealed packing chamber is located on top of the main vacuum chamber, the sealed packing chamber is provided with a sealing buckle, the sealed packing chamber is provided with a stirring pile, and the print head is connected to the sealed packing chamber.

[0022] The motion mechanism is a multi-degree-of-freedom industrial robotic arm, with each joint driven by a servo motor. It boasts a spatial positioning accuracy better than ±0.5 mm, enabling flexible posture adjustment across the entire spatial range to adapt to complex printing trajectories and ensure the print head can move with millimeter-level precision along preset complex trajectories in three-dimensional space. A torque sensor is integrated at the end of the print head to achieve force-position hybrid control based on real-time contact force feedback, ensuring stable contact between the print head and the substrate or printed layers. The sealed filling chamber is welded from 304 stainless steel. Its door is locked and sealed by a quick-release sealing buckle using a cam-caliper linkage mechanism; a quarter-turn rotation is sufficient to tighten and loosen the sealing ring. A stirring pile, vertically installed inside the filling chamber and driven by a vacuum-compatible motor, stirs the paste-like printing material to prevent sedimentation and segregation, ensuring the uniformity of the printing material. The printing platform integrates an air-floating microgravity simulation unit, generating a near-microgravity mechanical environment. The platform also features three-point electric leveling and heating functions, with an operating temperature range of room temperature to 200℃.

[0023] The infrared heating array consists of independently controlled quartz heating tubes, each with a power of 500W, which are focused onto the sample area via a reflector. The ultraviolet radiation array comprises a panel of ultraviolet LEDs with peak wavelengths of 250nm-400nm, and the radiation intensity can be programmably adjusted. Real-time temperature feedback is provided through S-type platinum-rhodium thermocouples (temperature sensors) arranged in the sample area. Combined with a multi-channel PID temperature controller in the control cabinet, precise programmable temperature control of the sample area is achieved within the range of room temperature to 1200℃, with a temperature difference within the area ≤ ±5℃. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the printing execution system further includes a hyperspectral imager, which is mounted on the motion mechanism. The hyperspectral imager, combined with laser scanning or structured light technology, can rapidly acquire the three-dimensional morphology of the printed layer during printing intervals and simultaneously analyze the material state based on multispectral information. This allows for online detection of printing defects (such as missing material or warping) and evaluation of material composition uniformity.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the vacuum system includes a vacuum pump and an inflation valve, both connected to the main vacuum chamber. A special gas inlet is also located on one side of the main vacuum chamber. The high-vacuum pump can evacuate the 1.5 m³ main vacuum chamber 1 from atmospheric pressure to an ultimate vacuum of 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ Pa within 5 minutes. The special gas inlet is controlled by an external precision mass flow controller, supporting precise configuration of the required gas atmosphere within the range of 0.1–100 sccm, used to simulate the atmospheric composition of specific extraterrestrial environments such as Mars or the Moon. The inflation valve is an electric needle valve used to introduce clean air to restore atmospheric pressure after the experiment. The system integrates a resistance gauge and a cold cathode vacuum gauge; vacuum data is displayed in real-time on the control cabinet and is interlocked with the chamber door opening / closing and system power supply for safety.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the control cabinet is equipped with a digital display, a digital control area, and a data synchronization code.

[0026] The control cabinet, serving as the intelligent control core of the entire experimental chamber, connects to various subsystems via an industrial bus. It integrates control over the movement and extrusion of the printing execution system, the start / stop and pressure regulation of the vacuum system, data acquisition by the monitoring system, power output of the environmental simulation system, and instrument self-cleaning by the self-cleaning system. Operators can intuitively set and adjust key process parameters, including target vacuum level, heating temperature curve, and printing path planning, via a touch-screen control panel. The system generates dynamically updated data synchronization codes, which, when scanned, allow access to a local server to download full-cycle experimental data. The control cabinet integrates and controls the operation of all subsystems via the industrial bus.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the monitoring system includes a high-speed camera and a sensor array, both of which are located inside the main vacuum chamber, and multiple sensor arrays are arranged around the printing platform.

[0028] The high-speed camera has a resolution of 1920×1080 and a frame rate of 1000 fps, and is equipped with a telephoto lens and a ring LED lighting system. The sensor array includes a cold cathode vacuum gauge, a K-type armored thermocouple (-50~1200℃), and a triaxial vibration sensor (0.5~2000 Hz). All signals are processed synchronously by a data acquisition card.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the self-cleaning system includes a cleaning nozzle and a water tank. The cleaning nozzle is fixed to the inner wall of the main vacuum chamber and connected to the water tank. The cleaning nozzle is made of corrosion-resistant material and is distributed on the inner side wall of the main vacuum chamber, with fan-shaped nozzles. The cleaning water tank has a built-in liquid level sensor. After the experiment, the control system automatically executes the cleaning procedure, using a vacuum-compatible micro diaphragm pump to deliver cleaning fluid to the nozzle to rinse the chamber. Finally, the waste liquid is discharged through the drain hole.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a drain hole with a sealing cap is provided at the bottom of the main vacuum chamber. The drain hole is used to discharge cleaning fluid and other liquid waste during equipment cleaning after the experiment.

[0031] This invention provides a 3D-printed experimental chamber simulating an extraterrestrial environment. Through the synergistic integration of a high-vacuum maintenance system, a programmed temperature field simulation device, a multi-axis precision printing mechanism, and a multi-modal monitoring unit, it effectively solves the technical bottlenecks of existing ground-based simulation equipment, such as limited environmental dimensions, low system integration, and insufficient ability to capture key process phenomena. Its fully automated control and data synchronization mechanism significantly improves experimental efficiency and data reliability, providing a crucial ground-based verification platform for in-situ space construction technology.

[0032] Other techniques in this embodiment are based on existing technologies.

[0033] This utility model has been described through preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes or equivalent substitutions can be made to these features and embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. This utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein; other embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of this application are all within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A 3D-printed cabin simulating an extraterrestrial environment, characterized in that: It includes a control cabinet and a main vacuum chamber, a printing execution system, a vacuum system, a control cabinet, a monitoring system, an environmental simulation system, and a self-cleaning system, all of which are electrically connected to the control cabinet. The printing execution system includes a motion mechanism, a print head, and a printing platform. The printing platform is disposed on the inner wall of the main vacuum chamber, and the print head is connected to the inner top of the main vacuum chamber through the motion mechanism. The environmental simulation system includes an infrared heating array and an ultraviolet radiation array. Both the infrared heating array and the ultraviolet radiation array are disposed on the inner wall of the main vacuum chamber, with the infrared heating array surrounding the printing platform and the ultraviolet radiation array disposed on the inner top of the main vacuum chamber. The vacuum system, the monitoring system, and the self-cleaning system are all located inside the main vacuum chamber.

2. The 3D-printed cabin simulating an extraterrestrial environment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The printing execution system also includes a sealed packing chamber, a sealing buckle, and a mixing pile; The sealed packing chamber is located on top of the main vacuum chamber. The sealed packing chamber is equipped with a sealing buckle and a stirring pile is installed inside the sealed packing chamber. The print head is connected to the sealed packing chamber.

3. The 3D-printed cabin simulating an extraterrestrial environment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The printing execution system also includes a hyperspectral imager, which is mounted on the motion mechanism.

4. The 3D-printed cabin simulating an extraterrestrial environment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vacuum system includes a vacuum pump and an inflation valve, both of which are connected to the main vacuum chamber. A special gas inlet is also provided on one side of the main vacuum chamber.

5. The 3D-printed cabin simulating an extraterrestrial environment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control cabinet is equipped with a digital display, a digital control area, and a data synchronization code.

6. The 3D-printed cabin simulating an extraterrestrial environment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The monitoring system includes a high-speed camera and a sensor array, both of which are located inside the main vacuum chamber, and multiple sensor arrays are arranged around the printing platform.

7. The 3D-printed cabin simulating an extraterrestrial environment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The self-cleaning system includes a cleaning nozzle and a water tank. The cleaning nozzle is fixed to the inner wall of the main vacuum chamber and is connected to the water tank.

8. The 3D-printed cabin simulating an extraterrestrial environment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the main vacuum chamber is provided with a drain hole with a sealing cover.

9. A 3D-printed cabin simulating an extraterrestrial environment according to claim 1, characterized in that: An observation window is provided at the front end of the main vacuum chamber.

10. A 3D-printed cabin simulating an extraterrestrial environment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main vacuum chamber is a horizontal cylindrical structure.

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