3D printer housing with air filter

Abstract

3D printer housing with air filter (1) with a fan (9), a replaceable HEPA filter element (7) and a replaceable activated carbon filter element (8), wherein a tube (2) for receiving the activated carbon filter element (8) and a cylinder (3) with ventilation openings (12) for receiving the HEPA filter element (7), wherein the tube (2) has on one side a first end cap (4) with an opening (10) and on the other side a second end cap (5) with a further opening (11), wherein the fan (9) is arranged on an outer side (13) of the first end cap (4), wherein the tube (2) is reversibly connected to the cylinder (3) via a receptacle (6) on the outer side (13) of the first end cap (4), wherein the fan (9) is arranged inside the cylinder (3) and wherein a clamping bracket (14) is provided which reversibly connects the air filter (1) to the 3D printer housing, characterized by that the air filter (1) has a second fan.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a 3D printer housing with an air filter according to the preamble of claim 1. State of the art

[0002] Operating standard 3D printers for home use produces unpleasant-smelling gases which, if inhaled or coming into contact with the body, can be seriously hazardous to health. Despite this being well known, the vast majority of 3D printers housed in enclosures and intended for private home use lack a device to filter the harmful gases and substances produced during 3D printing from the air.

[0003] Air filters that can be installed inside the housing of 3D printers are already known. These 3D printer housings are often a box made of plexiglass in which the 3D printer is located.

[0004] For example, the French manufacturer "Alveo3D" offers an air filter for home 3D printers and 3D printer enclosures. This air filter features a fan, a replaceable HEPA filter, and a replaceable activated carbon filter. It can be retrofitted to all common 3D printers and 3D printer enclosures used in homes and can be installed inside or on the 3D printer enclosure as either a recirculation or exhaust filter. The cube-shaped air filter can be placed in a free corner of the 3D printer enclosure, in which case it functions as a recirculation filter, or it can be installed through the enclosure at a suitable point, in which case it functions as an exhaust filter.

[0005] Furthermore, numerous other filter systems are known, particularly those used in larger and industrial 3D printers. These filter systems are characterized by their permanent installation on these 3D printers and are therefore, due to their size and noise level, unsuitable for use on any 3D printers or 3D printer enclosures.

[0006] In this context, reference is made to US 2020 / 018 827 A1, which discloses a filtration system for 3D printers comprising a main system and a filter module. The main system includes a main body with an air inlet, an airflow cover with an air outlet, and a primary filter core that is interchangeably located within the main body. The airflow cover is detachably coupled to the main body to form a basic air filtration mode for filtering air from the air inlet to the air outlet through the primary filter core. The filter module is detachably coupled between the main body and the airflow cover to form an advanced air filtration mode. The filter module contains a secondary filter core that filters the air after it has passed through the primary filter core and before it exits the air outlet. Object of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a 3D printer housing with an integrated air filter (1) is to be provided for home use, which overcomes the disadvantages of existing air filters. This mobile and retrofittable air filter should have a higher efficiency, be easier and more space-saving to install in and on the 3D printer housing, be easier to clean, and be cheaper to manufacture. Solution to the task

[0008] The features according to claim 1 lead to the solution of the problem.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0010] The 3D printer housing with air filter according to the invention comprises a fan, a replaceable HEPA filter element, and a replaceable activated carbon filter element. The air filter consists of a tube for receiving the activated carbon filter element and a cylinder with ventilation openings for receiving the HEPA filter element. The tube has a first end cap with one opening and a second end cap with a further opening. The fan is arranged on the outside of the first end cap, with the tube being reversibly connected to the cylinder via a receptacle on the outside of the first end cap. The fan is located inside the cylinder. A clamp is also provided, which reversibly connects the air filter to the 3D printer housing.

[0011] The air filter according to the invention is designed for installation in and / or smaller, preferably privately used, 3D printer housings. This means that, due to its advantageous rod-shaped design, the air filter can be positioned particularly in areas within a 3D printer housing where the function and operation of the 3D printer are not impaired. These areas include, for example, the corners between the upper and side inner walls of the 3D printer housing. However, the precise location of the air filter according to the invention within a 3D printer housing is essentially irrelevant. The performance of the air filter is not dependent on its positioning within the 3D printer housing.

[0012] The 3D printer housing with air filter according to the invention comprises a cylinder on one side and a tube on the other. The tube is connected to the cylinder via a first end cap and a receptacle located on the outside of this first end cap. The tube also has a second end cap. Both the first and second end caps have openings that allow air to flow in and out of the tube. The receptacle for the cylinder of the first end cap can be a threaded connection, a push-fit connection, a clip connection, or another suitable connection, as long as this connection is reversible so that the cylinder can be connected to and disconnected from the first end cap.

[0013] A replaceable, cylindrical activated carbon filter element is arranged inside the pipe. The filter element contains between 100 and 200 grams, preferably 150 grams, of activated carbon. This filter element serves to filter substances such as dust, heavy metals, unwanted and toxic chemicals, and odor and taste compounds from the air flowing through it.

[0014] The term "replaceable" means that the activated carbon filter element can be manually removed from the tube and replaced with a cleaned or new one. This is done by removing the first and / or second end cap from the tube, allowing the activated carbon filter element to be extracted and replaced.

[0015] A HEPA filter element is located inside the cylinder. A HEPA filter element is a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter that can remove particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 1 µm, such as dust, aerosols, and smoke particles, from the air. The HEPA filter element is also replaceable, should the need arise. "Replaceable" here means that the HEPA filter element can be manually removed from the cylinder and replaced with a cleaned or new one. This replacement is achieved by reversibly separating the cylinder from the first end cap at the opening, allowing the HEPA filter element to be removed and replaced.

[0016] A fan is positioned between the HEPA filter element and the activated carbon filter element. The fan is located on the outer side of the first end cap of the tube and is therefore connected to the tube via the opening of the first end cap.

[0017] If the cylinder is connected to the first end cap via the fitting, the fan is located inside the cylinder. This is advantageously possible because the cylinder has a two-part construction. The cylinder has a first half and a second half. The first half is characterized by numerous ventilation openings arranged on one of the cylinder's outer surfaces. The HEPA filter element is located inside this first half of the cylinder. This ensures that air entering the cylinder through the ventilation openings, or being drawn in by the fan, must first pass through the HEPA filter element.

[0018] The second half of the cylinder, the half facing the first end cap and the pipe, provides space for the fan. This second half of the cylinder has no ventilation openings, so only air that has previously passed through the ventilation openings and the HEPA filter element reaches the fan.

[0019] This has the advantage that the fan cannot be contaminated by, for example, dust, aerosols or smoke particles, thus preventing any loss of performance and also preventing increased noise levels.

[0020] The fan is a high-performance fan, preferably operated at 24 volts, and operates at a very low noise level, with a range of 80 to 100 m. 3 Air is transported through the air filter per hour.

[0021] The very low noise level of under 30 dB(A) is achieved not only through the quiet fan but also through its advantageous placement within the air filter cylinder, between the HEPA filter element and the activated carbon filter element. The two filter elements, along with the air filter's rod-like design, further ensure that virtually no fan noise escapes. When the 3D printer housing is closed and the printer is in operation, the air filter is no longer audible. This is a significant advantage over existing air filters.

[0022] The fan can be powered in different ways. The air filter or fan can be connected directly to a 3D printer in a 3D printer enclosure via a 12-volt connection.

[0023] Furthermore, the air filter or fan can be connected to a mains power supply using a standard power adapter. The air filter is also designed to have an energy storage device for operating the fan. This energy storage device can be replaceable batteries and / or rechargeable batteries.

[0024] According to the invention, the air filter also includes a second fan. This further increases the performance of the air filter and can be mounted on top of the first fan or arranged in another position, for example between the first end cap and the activated carbon filter element in the tube.

[0025] The air filter has one or more clamping brackets. These clamping brackets are a single piece, consisting of a base and two opposing clamping arms, a first and a second clamping arm. The inner areas of the opposing clamping arms, as well as the area of ​​the base facing the clamping arms, form a receiving area for the pipe. This receiving area is semicircular. The two clamping arms are flexible, allowing the pipe to be reversibly clamped and securely held in this receiving area between the two clamping arms. This allows the air filter to be reversibly inserted into or removed from the receiving area of ​​the clamping bracket via the pipe.

[0026] The clamp mount is attached to an inner wall of a 3D printer enclosure with the side of the base facing the clamping arms. The base is secured to the enclosure's inner wall using screws, rivets, and / or adhesive. This allows for easy and space-saving placement of the air filter within the enclosure, ensuring it doesn't interfere with 3D printing or access to the printer. A key advantage is the reversible mounting of the air filter, which is particularly beneficial when operating the 3D printer, as it eliminates the risk of the filter lying on the floor inside the enclosure, obstructing or otherwise hindering access.

[0027] Of course, it is also possible to simply place the 3D printer housing with air filter according to the invention on a floor inside the 3D printer housing by means of two clamp holders arranged on the tube, or to fix it there.

[0028] The first and second end caps, located on either side of the pipe, are reversibly connected to the pipe via a threaded connection, a push-fit connection, and / or a clip connection. This allows the air filter to be easily disassembled should filter elements need to be replaced or other maintenance performed.

[0029] As soon as the fan or fans of the 3D printer housing with air filter according to the invention are operating, an airflow containing air to be filtered is generated. This airflow extends from the ventilation openings in the first half of the cylinder's outer surface through the HEPA filter element, the fan, the opening of the first end cap, the activated carbon filter element in the tube, and the further opening of the second end cap, where the filtered air is released again.

[0030] If the 3D printer housing according to the invention is equipped with an air filter, then this filter functions as a so-called recirculating air filter. This means that the air inside the 3D printer housing is continuously filtered and cleaned.

[0031] However, the air filter is also intended to be used as an exhaust filter. For this purpose, the pipe with the second end cap extends through the 3D printer housing from the inside to the outside. This draws air from the 3D printer housing, cleans it in the air filter, and then releases it to the outside. This, of course, requires that the 3D printer housing has an opening for the air filter and another opening through which fresh air from outside enters the 3D printer housing via the suction effect of the air filter.

[0032] Furthermore, it may also be provided that the second cap has an exhaust hose which then leads to an exhaust opening of the 3D printer housing. Character description

[0033] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings; these show in: Fig. 1: A view from an angle above of an air filter 1, Fig. 2: a front view of cylinder 3 of the air filter 1, Fig. 3: a rear view of a second end cap 5 of the air filter 1, Fig. 4: a side view of the air filter 1 with the section lines B and C, Fig. 5: a sectioned view of the air filter 1 along section line B, Fig. 6: a cutaway view of air filter 1 along section line C, Fig. 7: a top view of the air filter 1 with the section line A, Fig. 8: A cutaway view of the air filter 1 along section line A. Example of implementation

[0034] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a top-down oblique view of an air filter 1. The air filter 1 is rod-shaped. A tube 2 is closed at one end by a second end cap 5. In the present embodiment, this second end cap 5 has several further openings 11 through which a connection to the interior of the tube 2 exists.

[0035] The tube 2, on the other hand, has a first end cap 4. The first end cap 4 also has an opening 10, which is located in Fig. 8 is evident.

[0036] On the first end cap 4, a receptacle 6 is arranged on an outer surface 13, which is the side facing away from the tube 2. A cylinder 3 is reversibly connected to the first end cap 4 via this receptacle 6. In the present embodiment, this receptacle 6 is designed as a thread, as shown in Fig. 8 is evident.

[0037] Furthermore, in Fig. 1 Clamping brackets 14.1, 14.2 are visible, which reversibly hold the air filter 1 in the area of ​​the pipe 2.

[0038] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a front view of cylinder 3 of the air filter 1. From this view, the clamping bracket 14.1 and the receptacle 6 of the first end cap 4 are also visible. The receptacle 6 has a larger diameter than cylinder 3, the first end cap 4, and the pipe 2.

[0039] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a rear view of the air filter 1 towards the second end cap 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end cap 5 has five further openings 11. Also visible is the receptacle 6 from the side where it is connected to the pipe 2.

[0040] Both the first and the second end cap 4, 5 have openings 10,11 which allow air to flow in and out of the tube 2.

[0041] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a side view of the air filter 1 with section lines B and C. Two clamping brackets 14.1 and 14.2 are also visible, each with a first clamping arm 18 and a base 20. Furthermore, the ventilation openings 12 are visible on a surface 15 of the cylinder 3. Also visible are the receptacle 6 and the clamping bracket 14.2 with its base 20.

[0042] In Fig. Figure 5 is a sectioned view of the air filter 1 along section line B. Fig. Figure 4 shows the sectioned view along section line B, revealing a fan 9. The fan 9 is located on an outer surface 13 of the first end cap 4 at the opening 10. Thus, the fan 9 is connected to the pipe 2 via the opening 10.

[0043] In Fig. Figure 6 is a sectioned view of the air filter 1 along section line C. Fig. Figure 4 shows the cutaway view along section line C, revealing the interior of the tube 2, at the opposite end of which the second end cap 5 with its five further openings 11 is visible.

[0044] It can be seen that the clamping bracket 14.1 is a single piece consisting of a base 20 and two opposing clamping arms, a first clamping arm 18 and a second clamping arm 19. The inner areas of the opposing clamping arms 18 and 19, as well as the area of ​​the base 20 facing the clamping arms 18 and 19, form a receiving area for the tube 2. In this view, the tube 2 is concealed by the first end cap 4. The receiving area of ​​the clamping bracket 14.1 is semicircular, corresponding to the shape of the tube 2. The two clamping arms 18 and 19 hold the tube 2 in this receiving area by means of a clamping action. The side of the base 20 facing away from the two clamping arms 18 and 19 is designed for mounting on an inner wall of a 3D printer housing.

[0045] In Fig. Figure 7 shows a top view of the air filter 1 with a section line A. It can be seen that the cylinder 3 is constructed in two parts, comprising a first half 16 and a second half 17. The first half 16 has numerous ventilation openings 12 arranged on the outer surface 15 of the cylinder. The second half 17, however, has no ventilation openings. The HEPA filter element 7 is located inside the cylinder 3 in the first half 16, as also shown in Fig. 8 is evident.

[0046] In Fig. Figure 8 is a sectioned view of the air filter 1 along section line A. Fig. Figure 7 shows that the fan 9 is connected to the front 13 of the first end cap 4 and positioned on the opening 10. The two-part structure of the cylinder 3, which is connected to the receptacle 6 of the first end cap 4, is also evident. The HEPA filter element 7 is located in the first half 16 within the cylinder 3, which has the ventilation openings 12. In the second half 17, which is the half that can be reversibly connected (except for the 6), the cylinder 3 has a free space 21 that provides room for one or more fans 9. The second half 17 of the cylinder 3 does not have any ventilation openings 12.

[0047] Referring to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. Section 8 explains the function of the air filter 1 as follows: The air filter 1, which is connected to a power source or operated via an energy storage device, is located inside a 3D printer housing and is switched on when the 3D printer is in operation. The arrangement within the 3D printer housing is preferably achieved using the clamping bracket 14.1, 14.2. The clamping bracket 14.1, 14.2 is positioned at a suitable location inside the 3D printer housing on an inner wall by means of screws, rivets, adhesive bonding, or another suitable fastening method. The clamping bracket 14.1, 14.2 allows the tube 2 to be securely but reversibly held by means of the two clamping arms 18, 19. This offers the additional advantage that the air filter 1 can be easily removed from the 3D printer housing and just as easily reinserted should it be necessary to temporarily remove it for cleaning, transport, or other reasons.

[0048] During operation of the 3D printer, the fan 9 draws in air to be filtered, which has been contaminated by the printing process inside the 3D printer housing. This air passes through the ventilation openings 12 of cylinder 3 into the HEPA filter element 7. From there, the air is conveyed through the free space 21 and by the fan 9 through the opening 10 of the first end cap 4. The air then enters the pipe 2 and the activated carbon filter element 8 located there, before finally being released, freshly filtered, through the further openings 11 of the second end cap 5. The air filter 1 is used as a recirculation filter.

[0049] As soon as the air filter 1 penetrates a wall of the 3D printer housing from the inside to the outside, for example with the first end cap 4, the tube 2, or the second end cap 5, contaminated air is drawn in from inside the 3D printer housing, filtered along the same path as described above, and then released to the outside. The filtered air from inside the 3D printer housing is thus released to the outside. However, this recirculation function can only occur if the 3D printer housing also has an opening through which air from the outside can enter the 3D printer housing. Reference symbol list 1 air filter 2 pipes 3 cylinders 4 first cap 5 second cap 6 recording 7 HEPA filter elements 8 activated carbon filter elements 9 fan 10 Opening 11 more openings 12 ventilation openings 13 Outside 14.1, 14.2 Clamp holder 15 lateral surface area 16 first half 17 second half 18 first clamping arm 19 second clamping arm 20 base 21 Free space AA Intersection line A BB section line B CC section line C

Claims

3D printer housing with air filter (1) comprising a fan (9), a replaceable HEPA filter element (7) and a replaceable activated carbon filter element (8), wherein a tube (2) for receiving the activated carbon filter element (8) and a cylinder (3) with ventilation openings (12) for receiving the HEPA filter element (7), wherein the tube (2) has on one side a first end cap (4) with an opening (10) and on the other side a second end cap (5) with a further opening (11), wherein the fan (9) is arranged on an outer side (13) of the first end cap (4), wherein the tube (2) is reversibly connected to the cylinder (3) via a receptacle (6) on the outer side (13) of the first end cap (4), wherein the fan (9) is arranged inside the cylinder (3) and wherein a clamping bracket (14) is provided which reversibly connects the air filter (1) to the 3D printer housing, characterized in thatthat the air filter (1) has a second fan. 3D printer housing with air filter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the ventilation openings (12) are arranged only in the area of ​​a first half (16) of a lateral surface (15) of the cylinder (3). 3D printer housing with air filter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamp holder (14) is arranged on a base (20) by means of screwing, riveting and / or gluing to an inner wall of the 3D printer housing. 3D printer housing with air filter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamp holder (14) reversibly holds the air filter (1) in the area of ​​the tube (2) between a first clamping arm (18) and a second clamping arm (19). 3D printer housing with air filter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end cap (4) and the second end cap (5) are reversibly connected to the tube (2) via a thread or a plug connection and / or a clip connection.

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