Fluid system and method for supplying a fluid to a printhead in a 3D printer

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid system (13) and to a method for supplying a fluid (5) to a printhead (1) in a 3D printer. The aim of the invention is to provide a solution which ensures a reliable supply of fluid (5) to the printheads (1) of the 3D printer via the fluid system (13) and reliably prevents leakage from the printheads (1) of the 3D printer. This problem is solved by an arrangement in which a first pressure-regulating unit (24) is arranged in the fluid line (22), the first pressure-regulating unit (24) comprising a first throttle valve (25) and a first pump (26) which bypasses the first throttle valve (25) and is arranged parallel to the first throttle valve (25).

Claims

12 / 09 / 2025 PCT / DE0S£^ / |ößffi125 43 Patent claims 1. Fluid system (13) for supplying a fluid (5) to a printhead (1) in a 3D printer, wherein a distributor element (17) for storing and distributing the fluid (5) is connected to a printhead tank (15) via a fluid line (22) and wherein the printhead (1) is arranged to be connected to a printhead tank (15) via a fluid supply channel (6), characterized in that a pressure p is maintained in the fluid line (22) between the distributor element (17) and the printhead tank (15) in the region of a surface (30) of the fluid (5) in the printhead tank (15). FT generating first pressure regulating unit (24) is arranged, wherein the first pressure regulating unit (24) comprises a first throttle valve (25) and a first pump (26) arranged parallel to the first throttle valve (25) and bridging the first throttle valve (25).

2. Fluid system (13) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first pump (26) or the first pump (26) and the first throttle valve (25) are connected to a central control unit which controls the first pump (26) or the first pump (26) and the first throttle valve (25) by means of a control signal.

3. Fluid system (13) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a second pressure regulating unit (31) is arranged in the fluid supply channel (6), which comprises a second throttle valve (32) and a second pump (33).

4. Method for supplying a fluid (5) to a printhead (1) in a 3D printer, in which the fluid (5) is first supplied to a printhead tank (15) from a distributor element (17) via a fluid line (22) and in which the fluid (5) is subsequently supplied to the printhead (1) from the printhead tank (15) via a fluid supply channel (6), characterized in that - in a fluid system (13) of the 3D printer, a first pressure regulating unit (24) is provided in the fluid line (22) between the distributor element (17) and the print head tank (15), 12 / 09 / 2025 PCT / DE0S£^ / |ößffi125 O9".1^"^O25"^O:3'I5277^0®54 44 - that a differential pressure A pi of the fluid (5) in the fluid system (13) is determined is, which results from a height difference A hi between the print head (1) provided in the 3D printer at a height h2 and a surface (30) of the fluid (5) in the print head tank (15) connected to the print head (1) at a height hi, - that in the area of ​​the surface (30) of the fluid (5) in the printhead tank (15) The first pressure regulating unit (24) generates a pressure PFT which is determined according to p FT = p B − Δ p1- Δ p SI results where p Bcorresponds to a base pressure of the air in the vicinity of the print head (1) of the 3D printer, an atmospheric pressure, wherein Δ p SI a security value is and - that the fluid (5) is conveyed from the printhead tank (15) through the fluid supply channel (6) over the height difference Δ h1 to the printhead (1). is, whereby a pressure p is exerted in the printhead (1). FD adjusts which is the same or less than the base pressure p B is.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the base pressure p B is predetermined or is currently determined by means of a sensor.

6. Method according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that, that a differential pressure A p2 of the fluid (5) is generated in the fluid supply channel (6) between an outlet-side connection of the fluid supply channel (6) at the printhead tank (15) and an inlet-side connection of the fluid supply channel (6) at the printhead (1).

7. Method according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, that the differential pressure A p2 of the fluid (5) is regulated by means of a second pump (33) provided in a second pressure regulating unit (31). is achieved by regulating the differential pressure A p2, thereby increasing the volume flow the flow of fluid (5) from the printhead tank (15) to the printhead (1) is regulated.

8. Method according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that, that in the first pressure regulating unit (24) a first pump (26) and a first throttle valve (25) is provided that the first pump- 12 / 09 / 2025 PCT / DE0S£ / |ößffi125 45 pe (26) the fluid (5) in a first operating mode in a second flow direction (28) opposite to a first flow direction (27) of the fluid (5) through the first throttle valve (25) in the direction of a distributor element (17), wherein the first pump (26) is controlled by a control signal from a central control unit.

9. Method according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that a current value for the generated pressure p is available. FT in the area of ​​a surface (30) of the fluid (5) in the printhead tank (15) is measured by means of a pressure sensor (41) arranged above the surface (30) without contact with the fluid (5).

10. Method according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the first pump (26) delivers the fluid (5) in a second operating mode in the first flow direction (27), in the direction of the printhead tank (15), wherein the first pump (26) is controlled by the control signal of the central control unit.

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