3D printing optical engine system and 3D printing device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of 3D printing. Disclosed are a 3D printing optical engine system and a 3D printing device. The system comprises an ultraviolet laser light source, a beam expansion module, a light homogenization module, a relay module and a digital micromirror device which are sequentially arranged on an optical path. The beam expansion module is used for receiving an ultraviolet light beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser light source and expanding the ultraviolet light beam to obtain an expanded light beam. The light homogenization module is used for receiving the expanded light beam and homogenizing the expanded light beam to obtain a homogenized light beam. The relay module is used for receiving the homogenized light beam, and adjusting the angle and dimension of the homogenized light beam to obtain a shaped light beam, the focal length of the relay module being determined on the basis of the spot size of an exit surface of the light homogenization module and the aperture angle of the digital micromirror device. The digital micromirror device is used for receiving the shaped light beam, and controlling the reflection direction of the shaped light beam so as to form a target image to be projected on a printing area. The present application can optimize the optical path layout while ensuring the overall performance of a 3D printing optical engine.

Description

3D printing optical engine system and 3D printing equipment

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411974800.3, filed with the Chinese Patent Office on December 30, 2024, entitled "3D Printing Optical Engine System and 3D Printing Equipment", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of 3D (Three Dimensions) printing technology, and more particularly to a 3D printing optical engine system and a 3D printing device. Background Technology

[0003] In recent years, the market size of 3D printing technology has continued to expand. DLP 3D (Digital Light Processing Three Dimensions) printing technology has been widely used due to its high printing accuracy, high speed, and high surface finish of the formed objects.

[0004] However, the internal structure of DLP 3D printing optical engines relies on a large number of lens assemblies. The optical path layout composed of a large number of lens assemblies is relatively complex. This characteristic directly increases the structural volume of the optical engine, and at the same time leads to an increase in the production cost, processing complexity and maintenance cost of 3D printing optical engines, which is not conducive to the further popularization and application of 3D printing optical engines.

[0005] In summary, optimizing the optical path layout while ensuring the overall performance of the 3D printing optical engine has become a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The main purpose of this application is to provide a 3D printing optical engine system and 3D printing equipment, which aims to optimize the optical path layout while ensuring the overall performance of the 3D printing optical engine.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application proposes a 3D printing optomechanical system, which includes: an ultraviolet laser source, a beam expander, a beam homogenizer, a relay module, and a digital micromirror device arranged sequentially along the optical path;

[0008] The beam expanding module is used to receive the ultraviolet beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser source and expand the ultraviolet beam to obtain an expanded beam.

[0009] The beam homogenizing module is used to receive the beam expander and homogenize the beam expander to obtain a homogenized beam.

[0010] The relay module is used to receive the uniform light beam and adjust the beam angle and size of the uniform light beam to obtain a shaped beam. The focal length of the relay module is determined by the spot size of the exit surface of the uniform light module and the aperture angle of the digital micromirror device.

[0011] The digital micromirror device is used to receive the shaping beam and control the reflection direction of the shaping beam to form a target image projected onto the printing area.

[0012] In one embodiment, the 3D printing optical engine system further includes a heat dissipation module, which includes a control unit, a temperature detection unit, a fan, a TEC (Thermo Electric Cooler) radiator, and a VC (Vapor Chamber) unit.

[0013] The heat spreader VC unit is located close to the ultraviolet laser source, and the side of the heat spreader VC unit away from the ultraviolet laser source is close to the TEC heat sink and / or the fan. The heat spreader VC unit is used to exchange heat with the ultraviolet laser source.

[0014] The temperature detection unit is configured to detect the temperature value of the ultraviolet laser source.

[0015] The control unit is configured to switch the operating state of at least one of the TEC heatsink and the fan based on the temperature value of the light source.

[0016] In one embodiment, the fan has at least two speed settings, the TEC heatsink has at least two temperature control settings, and the control unit is configured to:

[0017] Obtain the temperature value of the light source;

[0018] Based on a convergent heat dissipation strategy prediction AI (Artificial Intelligence) model, a target combined heat dissipation strategy matching the temperature value of the light source is predicted, wherein the target combined heat dissipation strategy includes a target speed level and a target temperature control level.

[0019] The fan is controlled to operate according to the target speed setting, and the TEC heatsink is controlled to operate according to the target temperature setting.

[0020] In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to:

[0021] The light source temperature value is input into the converged heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model to obtain the intermediate parameter information output by the heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model.

[0022] Based on the preset parameter mapping relationship, the speed gear and temperature control gear mapped by the intermediate parameter information are obtained by querying.

[0023] Based on the speed and temperature control levels mapped by the intermediate parameter information, a target combined heat dissipation strategy matching the temperature value of the light source is determined. The target combined heat dissipation strategy refers to the combined heat dissipation strategy with the lowest heat dissipation power consumption when the operating performance of the ultraviolet laser light source reaches the preset performance standard.

[0024] In one embodiment, when the light source temperature value is greater than a first preset value and less than or equal to a second preset value, the control unit controls the fan to operate at the target speed level;

[0025] Wherein, the second preset value is greater than the first preset value.

[0026] In one embodiment, when the light source temperature value is greater than a second preset value and less than or equal to a third preset value, the control unit controls the TEC heat sink to operate at the target temperature regulation level.

[0027] The third preset value is greater than the second preset value.

[0028] In one embodiment, when the light source temperature value is greater than a third preset value, the control unit controls the fan to run at the target speed level and controls the TEC heatsink to run at the target temperature control level.

[0029] In one embodiment, the beam expander module includes a negative lens and a positive lens arranged sequentially along the optical path, wherein the distance between the negative lens and the positive lens is determined by the focal length of the negative lens and the focal length of the positive lens;

[0030] The negative lens is used to receive the ultraviolet beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser source and to diverge the ultraviolet beam to obtain an intermediate expanded beam.

[0031] The positive lens is used to converge the intermediate beam expander to obtain a beam expander, wherein the diffusion factor of the beam expander is determined by the focal length of the negative lens and the focal length of the positive lens.

[0032] In one embodiment, the beam expanding module is a diffuser, which is a flat-top diffuser or a Gaussian diffuser;

[0033] The diffuser is used to receive the ultraviolet beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser source and expand the ultraviolet beam to obtain an expanded beam. The diffusion factor of the expanded beam is determined by the diffusion angle of the diffuser, the distance between the diffuser and the homogenizing module, and the incident light spot size of the diffuser.

[0034] In addition, to achieve the above objectives, this application also proposes a 3D printing device, which includes the 3D printing optical engine system as described above.

[0035] This application proposes a 3D printing optomechanical system, which includes an ultraviolet laser source, a beam expander module, a beam homogenizer module, a relay module, and a digital micromirror device arranged sequentially along the optical path. The beam expander module receives the ultraviolet beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser source and expands the ultraviolet beam to obtain an expanded beam. The beam homogenizer module receives the expanded beam and homogenizes the expanded beam to obtain a homogenized beam. The relay module receives the homogenized beam and adjusts the beam angle and size of the homogenized beam to obtain a shaped beam. The focal length of the relay module is determined by the spot size of the exit surface of the beam homogenizer module and the aperture angle of the digital micromirror device. The digital micromirror device receives the shaped beam and controls the reflection direction of the shaped beam to form a target image projected onto the printing area.

[0036] Thus, compared to traditional DLP 3D printing optical engines, this application uses an ultraviolet laser light source and a combination of a beam expander module, a beam homogenizer module, and a relay module. The relay module adjusts the beam angle and size according to the spot size of the beam exiting the beam homogenizer module and the aperture angle of the digital micromirror device, generating a shaped beam that meets the requirements of the digital micromirror device. This makes the optical path simpler and more efficient, reduces the number of lens components, and optimizes the optical path layout while ensuring the overall performance of the 3D printing optical engine. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0038] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the system structure provided in Embodiment 1 of the 3D printing optical engine system of this application;

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the beam expansion module structure provided in Embodiment 1 of the 3D printing optical engine system of this application;

[0041] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the first example system structure provided in Embodiment 1 of the 3D printing optical engine system of this application;

[0042] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the second example system structure provided in Embodiment 1 of the 3D printing optical engine system of this application;

[0043] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another system structure provided in Embodiment 2 of the 3D printing optical engine system of this application;

[0044] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the heat dissipation module structure provided in Embodiment 2 of the 3D printing optical engine system of this application.

[0045] Explanation of the reference numerals in Figures 1, 5, and 6:

[0046] The purpose, features, and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0047] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0048] To better understand the technical solution of this application, a detailed description will be provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0049] In recent years, the market size of 3D printing technology has continued to expand and develop. DLP 3D printing technology has been widely used due to its high printing accuracy, high speed and high surface finish of the formed objects.

[0050] However, the internal structure of DLP 3D printing optical engines relies on a large number of lens assemblies. The optical path layout composed of a large number of lens assemblies is relatively complex. This characteristic directly increases the structural volume of the optical engine, and at the same time leads to an increase in the production cost, processing complexity and maintenance cost of 3D printing optical engines, which is not conducive to the further popularization and application of 3D printing optical engines.

[0051] In summary, optimizing the optical path layout while ensuring the overall performance of the 3D printing optical engine has become a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved in this field.

[0052] The main solution of this application embodiment is as follows: As shown in Figure 1, a 3D printing optical engine system 10 is provided. The 3D printing optical engine system 10 includes an ultraviolet laser source 01, a beam expander module 02, a beam homogenizer module 03, a relay module 04, and a digital micromirror device 05 arranged sequentially along the optical path. The beam expander module 02 is used to receive the ultraviolet beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser source 01 and expand the ultraviolet beam to obtain an expanded beam. The beam homogenizer module 03 is used to receive the expanded beam and homogenize the expanded beam to obtain a homogenized beam. The relay module 04 is used to receive the homogenized beam and adjust the beam angle and size of the homogenized beam to obtain a shaped beam. The digital micromirror device 05 is used to receive the shaped beam and control the reflection direction of the shaped beam to form a target image projected onto the printing area.

[0053] Compared to traditional DLP 3D printing optical engines, this application uses an ultraviolet laser light source and a combination of a beam expander module, a beam homogenizer module, and a relay module 04. The relay module 04 adjusts the angle and size of the beam according to the spot size of the beam exiting the beam homogenizer module and the aperture angle of the digital micromirror device 05, generating a shaped beam that meets the requirements of the digital micromirror device 05. This makes the optical path simpler and more efficient, reduces the number of lens components, and optimizes the optical path layout while ensuring the overall performance of the 3D printing optical engine.

[0054] Based on this, this application provides a 3D printing optical engine system 10. Referring to FIG1, FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the system structure of the first embodiment of the 3D printing optical engine system 10 of this application.

[0055] In this embodiment, the 3D printing optical engine system 10 includes: an ultraviolet laser source 01, a beam expander 02, a light homogenizer 03, a relay module 04, and a digital micromirror device 05 arranged sequentially along the optical path;

[0056] In this embodiment, the 3D printing optomechanical system 10 includes an ultraviolet laser source 01, a beam expander 02, a beam homogenizer 03, a relay module 04, and a digital micromirror device 05 arranged sequentially along the optical path. It utilizes the principle of photopolymerization to solidify the material layer by layer by controlling the projection path and intensity of the beam, thereby constructing a three-dimensional structure.

[0057] It is worth mentioning that 3D printing is a manufacturing technology that uses a light beam to rapidly solidify liquid materials into 3D objects. The key to its optical design lies in providing a uniform and efficient illumination system to ensure print quality. In this embodiment, an ultraviolet laser source 01 is used as the light source. The laser source has a small spot size and a small angle, which can be approximated as a parallel beam, resulting in a small optical spread. The optical spread U at the light source in the illumination optics can be calculated using the following formula:

[0058] U = π * n² * sin²(θ) * A;

[0059] Where n is the refractive index of the medium, A is the luminous area, and θ is the luminous angle.

[0060] For a Lambert LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source with a 1mm emitting surface diameter, its optical extension U = 2.4649. However, for an ultraviolet laser light source with a 1mm emitting surface diameter, its divergence angle is approximately 5°, and its calculated optical extension is approximately 0.02, far less than that of the LED light source. This means that, with the same digital micromirror device (model 05), using a laser light source can achieve extremely high geometric efficiency, typically greater than 80%, resulting in higher light energy utilization.

[0061] The F-number of an optical system is the ratio of the system's equivalent focal length to its entrance pupil diameter, as shown in the following formula:

[0062] F# = f / D; where F# refers to the F-number of the optical system, f is the equivalent focal length, and D is the entrance pupil diameter.

[0063] For DLP lighting systems, the formula can be rewritten as:

[0064] F# = 1 / 2sinu;

[0065] Where u is the beam divergence angle.

[0066] According to the principle of conservation of optical spread, a smaller optical spread at the light source allows for a reduction in the divergence angle ν of the beam illuminating the 05 surface of the digital micromirror device during illumination architecture design, thereby increasing its F-number. An increase in the optomechanical F-number typically means improved optomechanical contrast and uniformity, while also reducing aberrations in imaging, minimizing image blurring caused by beam diffraction, and ultimately improving image quality.

[0067] Therefore, this embodiment uses an ultraviolet laser light source 01, which has a smaller divergence angle and less optical spread. It offers the following performance advantages: First, it effectively improves the energy utilization rate of the light source and reduces heat generation in the optical path; second, the laser light source itself has high brightness, meaning higher image brightness can be achieved in the optical engine; third, using a laser light source in the optical engine design can also effectively improve image contrast and reduce stray light, which is more beneficial to the final product printing effect; fourth, laser light source components generate less heat and have a longer lifespan compared to LEDs.

[0068] The beam expander module 02 is used to receive the ultraviolet beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser source 01 and expand the ultraviolet beam to obtain an expanded beam.

[0069] In this embodiment, the beam expansion module 02 receives the ultraviolet beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser source 01 and performs beam expansion processing on it. Beam expansion refers to increasing the diameter of the beam while keeping the divergence angle of the beam unchanged or slightly reduced, thereby increasing the coverage area of ​​the beam and the uniformity of energy distribution.

[0070] The beam homogenization module 03 is used to receive the expanded beam and homogenize the expanded beam to obtain a homogenized beam.

[0071] In this embodiment, the light-uniforming module 03 receives the beam processed by the beam-expanding module 02, i.e., the expanded beam, and performs further light-uniforming processing on it. Light-uniforming refers to uniformizing the intensity distribution of the beam to ensure that the material can be uniformly illuminated and cured during the printing process.

[0072] The relay module 04 is used to receive the uniform light beam and adjust the beam angle and size of the uniform light beam to obtain a shaped beam. The focal length of the relay module 04 is determined by the spot size of the exit surface of the uniform light module 03 and the aperture angle of the digital micromirror device 05.

[0073] In this embodiment, the relay module 04 receives the light beam processed by the light equalization module 03, i.e., the light equalization beam, and adjusts the beam angle and size of the light equalization beam to fine-tune the shape, direction and / or intensity of the beam according to specific printing requirements, so as to ensure that the beam can be accurately projected onto the designated printing area.

[0074] The focal length of the relay module 04 is determined by the size of the light spot on the exit surface of the homogenizing module 03 and the aperture angle of the digital micromirror device 05. Specifically, the focal length of the relay module 04 is f = D / 2tanu, where D represents the size of the light spot on the exit surface of the homogenizing module, reflecting the diameter of the homogenizing beam when it leaves the homogenizing module 03, and u represents the aperture angle of the digital micromirror device 05, which determines the maximum angular range of the beam that the DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) can receive.

[0075] In practical applications, once the spot size D of the light-uniforming module 03 and the aperture angle u of the digital micromirror device 05 are determined, the focal length f required by the relay module 04 is calculated, thereby ensuring that the shaping beam can be accurately projected onto the DMD to form a clear and accurate target image, thus ensuring the stability and reliability of the 3D printing optomechanical system 10 in various application scenarios.

[0076] The digital micromirror device 05 is used to receive the shaping beam and control the reflection direction of the shaping beam to form a target image projected onto the printing area.

[0077] In this embodiment, the DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) is the control element in the 3D printing optical engine system 10. In the 3D printing optical engine system 10, the DMD 05 is composed of millions of tiny mirrors, and each mirror can be independently controlled in terms of its on / off state and tilt angle.

[0078] When the shaping beam shines on the digital micromirror device 05, the reflection direction of the beam can be controlled by adjusting the state of each mirror on the device, thereby achieving precise projection of the target image. During the 3D printing process, the digital micromirror device 05 adjusts the state of each mirror in real time according to the printing data, projecting the beam to the correct position in the printing area to form the desired three-dimensional structure.

[0079] In one feasible embodiment, the beam expander module 02 includes a negative lens and a positive lens arranged sequentially along the optical path, and the distance between the negative lens and the positive lens is determined by the focal length of the negative lens and the focal length of the positive lens.

[0080] A negative lens is used to receive the ultraviolet beam emitted by an ultraviolet laser source and to diverge the ultraviolet beam to obtain an intermediate expanded beam.

[0081] A positive lens is used to converge an intermediate beam of expanded light to obtain an expanded beam. The diffusion factor of the expanded beam is determined by the focal lengths of the negative lens and the positive lens.

[0082] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the negative lens first receives the ultraviolet beam from the ultraviolet laser source and diverges the ultraviolet beam to form an intermediate expanded beam; then, the positive lens converges the intermediate expanded beam to obtain the expanded beam.

[0083] In this process, the distance between the negative lens and the positive lens, as well as the diffusion factor of the expanded beam, are determined by the focal length of the negative lens and the focal length of the positive lens. Specifically, the distance between the negative lens and the positive lens is d = F1 + F2, and the diffusion factor of the expanded beam is M = -F1 / F2, where F1 represents the focal length of the negative lens and F2 represents the focal length of the positive lens.

[0084] Thus, by combining the optical characteristics of the negative and positive lenses, the beam expander module 02 achieves efficient beam expansion of the ultraviolet beam. At the same time, by precisely controlling the spacing between the negative and positive lenses and the diffusion factor of the expanded beam, it ensures that the beam maintains the optimal transmission state when passing through the beam expander module 02, thereby achieving an efficient and stable beam expansion effect and providing a stable and reliable beam source for the 3D printing optomechanical system.

[0085] In another feasible embodiment, the beam expanding module 02 is a diffuser, which is a flat-top diffuser or a Gaussian diffuser.

[0086] The diffuser is used to receive the ultraviolet beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser source and expand the ultraviolet beam to obtain an expanded beam. The diffusion factor of the expanded beam is determined by the diffusion angle of the diffuser, the distance between the diffuser and the homogenizing module, and the incident light spot size of the diffuser.

[0087] In this embodiment, the diffusion module can be a diffusion sheet, which can be a flat-top diffusion sheet or a Gaussian diffusion sheet. The flat-top diffusion sheet produces more uniform light spot energy, while the Gaussian diffusion sheet has a lower manufacturing cost. The appropriate type can be selected based on the requirements of the actual application scenario.

[0088] The diffuser is used to receive the ultraviolet beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser source and expand the ultraviolet beam to obtain an expanded beam. The diffusion factor of the expanded beam is determined by the diffusion angle of the diffuser, the distance between the diffuser and the homogenizing module, and the incident spot size of the diffuser. Specifically, the diffusion factor of the expanded beam M = (2Dtanα + A) / A, where α represents the diffusion angle of the diffuser, D represents the distance between the diffuser and the homogenizing module, and A represents the incident spot size of the diffuser.

[0089] Furthermore, in one feasible embodiment, the relay module 04 includes a first lens and a second lens, wherein the first lens and the second lens are glass spherical lenses;

[0090] The first lens is used to receive the uniform light beam and perform preliminary beam shaping on the uniform light beam to obtain the intermediate shaped beam.

[0091] In this embodiment, the relay module 04 includes a first lens and a second lens, both of which are designed with glass spherical lenses.

[0092] The first lens is used to receive the homogenized beam processed by the homogenizing module 03. After receiving the homogenized beam, the first lens performs preliminary beam shaping processing on the beam to adjust the divergence angle and spot shape of the beam so that it is closer to the target shape. After the preliminary beam shaping processing of the first lens, an intermediate shaped beam is obtained, which is a beam that has been initially adjusted.

[0093] The second lens is used to perform fine beam shaping on the intermediate shaping beam to obtain the shaped beam.

[0094] The second lens receives the light beam processed by the first lens, i.e., the intermediate shaped beam, and performs fine shaping on the intermediate shaped beam to achieve higher precision control over the beam. Under the action of the second lens, the spot shape, size, and divergence angle of the intermediate shaped beam are further shaped to obtain the shaped beam.

[0095] Furthermore, in one feasible embodiment, the relay module 04 can be equipped with only one lens. The lens's function is to adjust parameters such as the divergence angle and spot shape of the received beam to obtain a shaped beam that better meets printing requirements. Reducing the number of lenses achieves the advantages of lower cost and smaller structural size.

[0096] Furthermore, in one feasible embodiment, the relay module 04 also includes a prism;

[0097] The prism is used to receive the shaped beam and reflect it to the digital micromirror device 05.

[0098] In this embodiment, the relay module 04 further includes a prism disposed between the second lens and the digital micromirror device 05. The prism is used to receive the beam processed by the relay module 04, i.e., the shaped beam, and project the shaped beam onto the digital micromirror device 05. Then, under the control of the digital micromirror device 05, the beam is guided to the printing area to form the desired target image.

[0099] It should be noted that the prism in this embodiment can specifically be a TIR (Total Internal Reflection) prism. This TIR prism is made of optical glass and consists of two triangular prisms, with a cross-section typically being an isosceles right triangle. Its core working principle is based on the phenomenon of total internal reflection, that is, when light travels from an optically denser medium to an optically less dense medium, and the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle for total internal reflection, the light will be completely reflected at the interface and will not refract into the other medium. In the 3D printing optomechanical system 10, this TIR prism can change the light path, improve light energy utilization, and provide a uniform light distribution. It can also achieve functions such as light deflection or focusing.

[0100] In addition, in one feasible embodiment, the 3D printing optical engine system 10 also includes a deflection device disposed in the beam propagation path for deflecting the beam.

[0101] In this embodiment, the 3D printing optical engine system 10 also includes a turning device, which is disposed in the beam propagation path and is used to turn the beam, that is, change the transmission direction of the beam, so that the 3D printing optical engine system 10 can be laid out more compactly, while adapting to the spatial layout requirements of different 3D printing equipment, and avoiding unnecessary loss of the beam during transmission, thus ensuring printing accuracy and efficiency.

[0102] Furthermore, in one feasible embodiment, the 3D printing optical engine system 10 also includes a projection lens;

[0103] A projection lens is used to project the target image formed by the digital micromirror device 05 onto the printing area.

[0104] In this embodiment, the 3D printing optical engine system 10 further includes a projection lens, which is used to project the target image formed on the digital micromirror device 05 onto the printing area.

[0105] Specifically, the digital micromirror device 05 can quickly switch the on / off state of the lenses through a tiny array of lenses according to a preset pattern or structure, thereby forming a target image on the surface of the digital micromirror device 05. The projection lens then magnifies the target image and projects it clearly onto the printing material, achieving high-precision 3D printing.

[0106] By adjusting the focal length of the projection lens and correcting aberrations, the system can achieve precise control over the printing area, thereby printing complex and detailed 3D structures.

[0107] Furthermore, in one feasible embodiment, the light-diffusing module 03 is a compound eye structure.

[0108] In this embodiment, the uniform light module 03 of the 3D printing optical engine system 10 adopts a compound eye structure. The compound eye structure is a special optical element designed to mimic the eye of an insect. It consists of multiple small lenses or mirrors and can achieve uniform distribution and focusing of the light beam.

[0109] In the 3D printing optical engine system 10, the uniform light module 03 ensures that the light beam has uniform intensity and distribution before being projected onto the digital micromirror device 05. Through the special design of the compound eye structure, the light beam can be effectively dispersed and refocused, thereby eliminating the problems of light spot and light intensity non-uniformity, ensuring the stability and consistency of the printing process, and thus improving the printing quality.

[0110] For example, to aid in understanding the 3D printing optical engine system 10 in the above embodiments, two feasible system diagrams are provided below for illustration, specifically:

[0111] In the first example, please refer to Figure 3, specifically:

[0112] The UV-laser beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser source 01 enters the beam expander module 02, which consists of a negative lens C1 and a positive lens C2, enlarging the beam size to cover more compound eye units and thus achieving higher brightness uniformity in the optical engine. The beam is then homogenized by the compound eye (i.e., the homogenizing module 03) and exits sequentially through C3 (i.e., the first lens), a reflector (i.e., a deflection device), C4 (i.e., the second lens), and a TIR (Total Internal Reflection) prism before entering the effective area of ​​the DMD. The integrating lenses C3 and C4, along with the TIR prism, constitute the relay module 04. For the DMD chip, the incident light must meet certain angular distribution requirements, and the TIR prism must have specific incident and exit angles to ensure total internal reflection of the incident light and prevent total internal reflection of the exiting light. The critical angle for total internal reflection can be calculated using the following formula:

[0113] θc = arcsin(1 / n);

[0114] Where n is the refractive index of the prism material;

[0115] In this example, it should be noted that a reflector can be added between lenses C3 and C4 to redirect the optical path, thereby reducing the overall size of the structure. The beam spot after the relay system is adapted to the effective area size of the DMD, and the beam enters the lens after being reflected by the DMD micromirrors, ultimately forming an image on the receiving surface.

[0116] In the second example, please refer to Figure 4 for details:

[0117] The UV-laser beam emitted by the UV laser source 01 enters the beam expander module 02, which consists of diffusers. After passing through the diffusers, the beam angle is amplified. After transmission over a certain distance, the beam spot size is enlarged and enters the compound eye (i.e., the beam homogenizing module 03). The beam spot size after amplification by the diffusers increases with the transmission distance and the diffusion angle. It is important to note that the diffusion angle cannot be increased indefinitely to avoid exceeding the angle range that the compound eye can accommodate, resulting in energy loss. In practical applications, these two parameters can be adjusted and optimized according to performance, size, and other specifications. After being homogenized by the compound eye, the beam sequentially passes through C3 (i.e., the first lens), a reflector (i.e., the deflection device), C4 (i.e., the second lens), and a TIR prism before entering the effective area of ​​the DMD. The beam is then reflected by the DMD micromirrors and enters the lens, where it is imaged on the receiving surface.

[0118] Based on the first embodiment of this application, in the second embodiment of this application, the same or similar content as the first embodiment can be referred to the above description, and will not be repeated hereafter.

[0119] Heat dissipation is a crucial issue that cannot be ignored in 3D printing optical engine systems. Poor heat dissipation can affect the power stability of the optical engine and thus the printing results. Current heat dissipation solutions in 3D printing optical engine systems mainly rely on fan cooling and heat sink cooling.

[0120] However, while these heat dissipation solutions alleviate the heat problem to some extent, they often fail to achieve the best balance between the printing quality of the optical engine and power consumption.

[0121] In this embodiment, the 3D printing optical engine system 10 also includes a heat dissipation module 06. The heat dissipation module 06 includes a control unit 1, a temperature detection unit 2, a fan 3, a TEC heat sink 4, and a vapor chamber VC unit 5. The vapor chamber VC unit 5 is located close to the ultraviolet laser source 01, and the side of the vapor chamber VC unit 5 away from the ultraviolet laser source 01 is close to the TEC heat sink 4 and / or the fan 3. The vapor chamber VC unit 5 is used to exchange heat with the ultraviolet laser source 01. The temperature detection unit 2 is configured to detect the light source temperature value of the ultraviolet laser source 01. The control unit 1 is configured to switch the operating state of at least one of the TEC heat sink 4 and the fan 3 based on the light source temperature value.

[0122] This embodiment controls the TEC heat sink 4 and fan 3 to operate in different states under different light source temperatures, enabling rapid heat dissipation of the ultraviolet laser light source 01. This avoids performance issues caused by excessive heat in the ultraviolet laser light source 01, such as poor power stability of the emitted ultraviolet light, which in turn affects the printing effect of the 3D printing optical engine system 10. Simultaneously, the intelligent heat dissipation control mechanism of this embodiment also avoids excessive power consumption. While controlling heat dissipation, it effectively reduces the operating power consumption of the 3D printing optical engine system 10, improving its endurance. It effectively achieves the ability to dynamically adjust the heat dissipation strategy based on the current light source temperature information, achieving the optimal balance between optical engine printing effect and power consumption. This solves the problem in related technologies where heat dissipation methods cannot simultaneously achieve both endurance and printing effect of the 3D printing optical engine system 10.

[0123] To better understand the technical solution of this application, a detailed description will be provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0124] Please refer to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the 3D printing optical engine system 10 in this embodiment, and Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the heat dissipation module 06 in this embodiment.

[0125] The 3D printing optical engine system 10 also includes a heat dissipation module 06, which includes a control unit 1, a temperature detection unit 2, a fan 3, a TEC heat sink 4, and a vapor chamber VC unit 5.

[0126] The heat spreader VC unit 5 is positioned close to the ultraviolet laser source 01, and the side of the heat spreader VC unit 5 away from the ultraviolet laser source 01 is close to the TEC heat sink 4 and / or fan 3. The heat spreader VC unit 5 is used to exchange heat with the ultraviolet laser source 01.

[0127] Temperature detection unit 2 is set to detect the temperature value of the ultraviolet laser source 01;

[0128] Control unit 1 is configured to switch the operating status of at least one of the TEC heatsink 4 and fan 3 based on the light source temperature value.

[0129] In this embodiment, the temperature detection module 2 refers to the sensor and related circuits located on the side of the ultraviolet laser source 01 away from the light path propagation, used to monitor and record the temperature changes of the ultraviolet laser source 01 in real time. Its main function is to provide the control unit 1 with accurate light source temperature data, that is, the light source temperature value of the ultraviolet laser source 01, so that the control unit 1 can make appropriate heat dissipation strategy adjustments according to the actual temperature of the ultraviolet laser source 01, and switch the operating state of each heat dissipation unit in the heat dissipation module 06 responsible for heat dissipation, thereby achieving different levels of heat dissipation effect and achieving a balance between heat dissipation power consumption and heat dissipation effect (that is, heat dissipation power consumption and printing effect).

[0130] In the heat dissipation module 06, the vapor chamber VC unit 5, responsible for heat dissipation, is a highly efficient heat transfer element. It typically consists of a sealed cavity filled with a small amount of working fluid (such as water, alcohol, or coolant). When one side of the vapor chamber VC unit 5 is heated, the fluid inside evaporates and condenses on the other side, effectively transferring heat from the heat source to the cold end. Fan 3 refers to the heat dissipation unit that uses a fan to dissipate heat. It typically includes one or more fans and a heat sink. The airflow generated by the fan carries heat away from the heat sink, achieving a cooling effect. TEC radiator 4 is a heat dissipation unit based on the thermoelectric effect (also known as the Peltier effect). It can control the direction and magnitude of the current to cool or heat one end, thus achieving heat dissipation.

[0131] In this embodiment, in order to adapt to the space constraints and power consumption requirements of the optical engine, the TEC heat sink 4 can adopt a high-efficiency motor drive method and integrate intelligent control function, so as to automatically adjust the working intensity according to the actual heat dissipation needs, saving power resources while ensuring heat dissipation effect.

[0132] Specifically, the TEC heatsink 4 is a cooling device based on the thermoelectric effect, which can directly convert electrical energy into cooling energy. The TEC heatsink 4 can be installed near the vapor chamber VC unit 1, either through direct contact or by connecting it with a thermally conductive material (such as thermal paste or thermal grease), to achieve efficient heat transfer and thus reduce the temperature of the ultraviolet laser source 01. In the TEC heatsink 4, heat transfer can be achieved by controlling the direction of the current, thereby achieving a cooling effect. Furthermore, the TEC heatsink 4 is small in size and weight, making it suitable for use in space-constrained optomechanical equipment.

[0133] Therefore, by adopting the TEC heat sink 4, the temperature of the ultraviolet laser source 01 in the 3D printing optical engine system 10 can be effectively controlled, and the power stability of the emitted ultraviolet light is significantly improved, thereby improving the printing accuracy. At the same time, since the TEC heat sink 4 has the characteristics of efficient heat dissipation and precise temperature control, it can also extend the service life of the ultraviolet laser source 01 and reduce the maintenance cost of the optical engine.

[0134] It should also be noted that in this embodiment, the control unit 1 is the central control unit in the heat dissipation module 06 responsible for balancing heat dissipation power consumption and heat dissipation effect. Based on the light source temperature value of the ultraviolet laser light source 01 uploaded by the temperature detection module 2, the control unit 1 switches the operating state of at least one of the fan 3 and TEC heat sink 4 to achieve different levels of heat dissipation effect, and strives to balance heat dissipation power consumption and heat dissipation effect. Under the premise of ensuring that the heat dissipation effect of the optical engine does not affect the printing effect, the heat dissipation power consumption is reduced as much as possible and the battery life is extended.

[0135] It is worth mentioning that in this embodiment, both fan 3 and TEC heatsink 4 have multiple operating states, and the heat dissipation effect and power consumption vary in different operating states. Based on the light source temperature value detected by temperature detection module 2, control unit 1 selects the operating state combination with the lowest power consumption from the various operating state combinations of fan 3 and TEC heatsink 4, which meets the current heat dissipation requirements without affecting the optical engine printing effect. Based on this operating state combination, control unit 1 switches the operating state of at least one of fan 3 and TEC heatsink 4, thereby achieving a balance between power consumption and heat dissipation effect (i.e., battery life and printing effect).

[0136] In this embodiment, the vapor chamber VC unit 5 is positioned close to the ultraviolet laser light source 01 to facilitate heat exchange between the vapor chamber VC unit 5 and the ultraviolet laser light source 01. This allows for rapid heat dissipation from the ultraviolet laser light source 01, protecting it from high-temperature damage and preventing localized overheating that could affect printing quality. One end of the vapor chamber VC unit 5 is also positioned close to the TEC heatsink 4 and / or fan 3 to accelerate heat dissipation. Specifically, in one embodiment, one end of the vapor chamber VC unit 5 is positioned close to the TEC heatsink 4. In another embodiment, one end of the vapor chamber VC unit 5 is positioned close to the fan 3. In yet another embodiment, one end of the vapor chamber VC unit 5 is positioned close to both the TEC heatsink 4 and the fan 3.

[0137] This embodiment controls the TEC heat sink 4 and fan 3 to operate in different states under different light source temperatures, thereby enabling rapid heat dissipation of the ultraviolet laser light source 01 and avoiding performance problems caused by excessive heat generation of the ultraviolet laser light source 01. Furthermore, the intelligent heat dissipation control mechanism of this embodiment also avoids excessive power consumption. While controlling heat dissipation, it also effectively reduces the operating power consumption of the 3D printing optical engine system 10, improves the battery life of the 3D printing optical engine system 10, and effectively achieves the ability to dynamically adjust the heat dissipation strategy based on the current light source temperature information, achieving the optimal balance between optical engine printing effect and power consumption. This solves the problem in related technologies where heat dissipation methods cannot simultaneously achieve both the battery life and printing effect of the 3D printing optical engine system 10.

[0138] In one feasible embodiment, fan 3 has at least two speed settings, TEC heatsink 4 has at least two temperature control settings, and control unit 1 is used for:

[0139] Obtain the temperature value of the light source;

[0140] In this embodiment, it should be noted that the speed setting refers to different rotational speed settings of the fan 3, and the temperature control setting refers to different temperature settings of the TEC heatsink 4. Generally, a higher setting means a higher speed or a lower temperature setting, which can provide better heat dissipation, but will also consume more power.

[0141] This embodiment collects the temperature value of the ultraviolet laser source 01 and analyzes its current temperature state to determine the appropriate speed and temperature control settings for the fan 3 and TEC heat sink 4. This ensures effective heat dissipation of the optical engine while sacrificing its runtime, thus guaranteeing printing quality and achieving a balance between performance and power consumption.

[0142] Based on a convergent heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model, a target combination heat dissipation strategy matching the light source temperature value is predicted. The target combination heat dissipation strategy includes a target speed setting and a target temperature control setting.

[0143] It should be noted that the heat dissipation strategy refers to a set of rules or methods for effectively controlling the temperature of the ultraviolet laser source 01 under specific conditions. It generally includes the selection of heat dissipation method, how to adjust the speed of fan 3 and / or TEC heatsink 4, and the running time of fan 3 and / or TEC heatsink 4 at the corresponding adjustment speed.

[0144] In this embodiment, the combined heat dissipation strategy refers to a set of rules or methods for effectively controlling the temperature of the ultraviolet laser light source 01 at a specific temperature using multiple heat dissipation methods (at least including fan 3 heat dissipation and TEC heat sink 4 heat dissipation). This includes the settings of each heat dissipation unit in the combination, such as the fan speed setting and the temperature control setting of the TEC heat sink 4. The target combined heat dissipation strategy is specifically designed for the ultraviolet laser light source 01 at the current temperature. It aims to achieve optimal heat dissipation with minimal power consumption by rationally configuring the settings of fan 3 and TEC heat sink 4, thus balancing the printing effect and battery life of the optical engine. This achieves the best balance between performance and power consumption, solving the problem in related technologies where heat dissipation methods struggle to balance device battery life and printing effect. The target combined heat dissipation strategy includes a target fan speed setting and a target temperature control setting. The target fan speed setting is the fan speed setting most suitable for the current light source temperature under the combined heat dissipation method of at least fan 3 and TEC heat sink 4. Similarly, the target temperature control setting is the TEC heat sink 4 temperature control setting most suitable for the current light source temperature under the combined heat dissipation method of at least fan 3 and TEC heat sink 4.

[0145] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the convergent heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model is a model trained by a machine learning algorithm. It can predict the most suitable combination of heat dissipation strategies for the current situation based on the light source temperature value, that is, the target combination of heat dissipation strategies.

[0146] It is worth mentioning that, depending on the samples and labels used during training, the converged heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model can directly output the target combined heat dissipation strategy, or it can output an intermediate parameter information, and then match the corresponding combined heat dissipation strategy as the target combined heat dissipation strategy based on the intermediate parameter information.

[0147] Understandably, as the cooling module's speed setting (including the fan speed setting of fan 3 and / or the temperature control setting of the TEC cooler 4) increases, the improvement in cooling performance is generally less than the increase in power consumption. That is, at lower speeds, cooling module 06 dissipates 10 units of heat for every 10 units of energy consumed, while as the speed setting increases, cooling module 06 needs to consume 1, 12, or even 15 units of energy to dissipate 10 units of heat. Taking fan 3 as an example, assuming the airflow generated by fan 3 is proportional to the heat dissipated, as the fan speed setting increases, the airflow generated by fan 3 per unit time increases with the speed, but this increase is not linear. According to fluid dynamics principles, air resistance increases with the square of velocity, meaning that as the speed increases, the rate of increase in airflow per unit time gradually slows down, and the rate of increase in heat dissipation by fan 3 per unit time gradually slows down. Simultaneously, as the fan speed setting increases, the energy consumed by fan 3 per unit time increases with the speed, but this increase is also not linear. Generally, energy consumption is proportional to the cube of the fan speed. This means that as the fan speed increases, the rate at which the energy consumption of fan 3 increases per unit time will gradually accelerate. Therefore, as the fan speed increases, the increase in energy consumption of fan 3 will gradually exceed the increase in heat dissipation. Similarly, the TEC cooler 4 also exhibits a situation where, as the temperature control level increases, the increase in energy consumption gradually exceeds the increase in heat dissipation.

[0148] In traditional thermal management, while increasing the power level of the heat dissipation module 06 improves the cooling effect, it also leads to a greater increase in power consumption (i.e., energy consumption per unit time). In other words, the cooling efficiency of the heat dissipation module 06 decreases as the power level increases. However, this embodiment addresses the issue of the disproportionate energy consumption and cooling effect of the heat dissipation module 06 by using a pre-trained convergent heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model to predict the most suitable combined heat dissipation strategy at the current light source temperature. This allows for low-power combined cooling using different heat dissipation modules 06, achieving a better balance between cooling performance and minimizing power consumption. This surpasses the cooling effect achieved by individual heat dissipation units in related technologies, which typically require high power consumption. Ultimately, this optimizes power consumption and extends battery life while maintaining the printing quality of the optical engine.

[0149] In this embodiment, the convergent heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model can predict the most suitable target combination heat dissipation strategy for the current light source temperature in real time based on the current light source temperature information. This allows for real-time adjustment of the power levels of each heat dissipation unit (in this embodiment, the heat dissipation units include fan 3 and TEC heatsink 4) to adapt to constantly changing usage environments. This ensures that the optical engine maintains good heat dissipation performance under any circumstances. Even under high load conditions, optimizing the combined heat dissipation strategy can avoid excessive power consumption, achieving a heat dissipation effect similar to or even better than that of a single heat dissipation unit (e.g., the optical engine using only a single fan 3 or only a single TEC heatsink 4) at a lower total power consumption. In this way, even when higher heat dissipation performance is required, the optical engine's battery life will not be significantly affected, thus extending its endurance. This allows the optical engine to find the optimal synergy between different heat dissipation methods, achieving the best balance between overall performance and power consumption.

[0150] The fan 3 is controlled to run according to the target speed setting, and the TEC heatsink 4 is controlled to run according to the target temperature setting.

[0151] In this embodiment, after predicting the target combination heat dissipation strategy that matches the current light source temperature information, the target combination heat dissipation strategy is executed. The fan 3 is controlled to run at the target speed level in the target combination heat dissipation strategy, and the TEC heat sink 4 is controlled to run at the target temperature control level in the target combination heat dissipation strategy. By combining the heat dissipation of different heat dissipation modules 06, a heat dissipation effect similar to or even better than that of a single heat dissipation module 06 at a lower total power consumption is achieved. While ensuring the optical engine printing effect, energy is saved as much as possible and the battery life is extended.

[0152] In this embodiment, the convergent heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model can automatically infer and judge the current heat generation of the terminal based on the current light source temperature information of the optical engine, predict the target combination heat dissipation strategy matching the current light source temperature information, and determine an optimal fan speed and temperature control level based on the currently learned data, thereby intelligently selecting the fan speed of 3 and the temperature setting of TEC heatsink 4 for the current scenario. This embodiment, through the convergent heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model, predicts which combination heat dissipation strategy is more suitable for the optical engine under the current light source temperature information, thereby more intelligently controlling the fan speed of 3 and the temperature control level of TEC heatsink 4, ensuring heat dissipation for the optical engine while reducing unnecessary power consumption waste.

[0153] In one feasible embodiment, the control unit 1 is further configured to:

[0154] The light source temperature value is input into the converged heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model to obtain the intermediate parameter information output by the heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model.

[0155] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the intermediate parameter information refers to the information used in the output of the heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model to be further converted into the target combined heat dissipation strategy. Depending on different training methods and model designs, the intermediate parameter information can have different forms and meanings.

[0156] For example, in a heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model training method that uses light source temperature as a sample and score as a label, the intermediate parameter information can refer to the score value. In a heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model training method that uses light source temperature as a sample and heat generated by the optical engine per unit time as a label, the intermediate parameter information can refer to the heat generated by the optical engine per unit time.

[0157] Based on the preset parameter mapping relationship, the speed gear and temperature control gear mapped by the intermediate parameter information can be obtained by querying.

[0158] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the parameter mapping relationship is the mapping relationship between intermediate parameter information and speed gear and temperature control gear. Each intermediate parameter information corresponds to a speed gear and a temperature control gear.

[0159] In this embodiment, during the training phase of the heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model, a mapping relationship between each intermediate parameter and its corresponding speed setting and temperature control setting is pre-constructed as a parameter mapping relationship. Thus, after the heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model outputs intermediate parameter information, the mapping relationship can be directly queried to obtain the mapped speed setting and temperature control setting.

[0160] Based on the speed and temperature control levels mapped from the intermediate parameter information, a target combined heat dissipation strategy matching the light source temperature value is determined. The target combined heat dissipation strategy refers to the combined heat dissipation strategy with the lowest heat dissipation power consumption when the operating performance of the ultraviolet laser light source 01 reaches the preset performance standard.

[0161] In this embodiment, after querying and obtaining the speed and temperature control levels mapped by the intermediate parameter information, the speed level is directly used as the target speed level and the temperature control level is used as the target temperature control level. Thus, the target speed level and the target temperature control level can be directly used as the target combined heat dissipation strategy to match the current light source temperature information. The duration for which fan 3 runs at the target speed level and the duration for which TEC heatsink 4 runs at the target temperature control level can be further set to obtain a more detailed and comprehensive combined heat dissipation strategy as the target combined heat dissipation strategy to match the current light source temperature information.

[0162] In one feasible embodiment, when the light source temperature value is greater than a first preset value and less than or equal to a second preset value, the control unit 1 controls the fan 3 to run at the target speed level.

[0163] The second preset value is greater than the first preset value.

[0164] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first preset value and the second preset value are two different temperature thresholds used to define the activation conditions of different heat dissipation strategies (such as fan 3 heat dissipation and TEC radiator 4 heat dissipation), and the heat exchanger VC unit 5 always remains in operation.

[0165] In this embodiment, the first heat dissipation strategy is to control the fan 3 to run at the target speed when the heat dissipation plate VC unit 5 is still not enough to dissipate the generated heat in time, that is, when the light source temperature value is greater than the first preset value and less than or equal to the second preset value. This allows the fan 3 to actively participate in heat dissipation, conduct away the accumulated heat with the lowest power consumption, avoid heat accumulation in the optical engine, and ensure that the ultraviolet laser light source 01 will not affect the performance due to overheating, thereby achieving the best balance between heat dissipation power consumption and heat dissipation effect.

[0166] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the fan 3 has at least one speed setting, and different speed settings correspond to different heat dissipation power consumption and heat dissipation effects. In this embodiment, when the optical engine is cooled by the heat dissipation plate VC unit 5 and the fan 3, a target speed setting can be selected from the selectable speed settings of the fan 3 based on the light source temperature value detected by the temperature detection module 2. This ensures that the heat dissipation requirements are met and the performance of the optical engine is not affected, thereby minimizing the heat dissipation power consumption and extending the optical engine's runtime as much as possible.

[0167] In one feasible embodiment, when the light source temperature value is greater than a second preset value and less than or equal to a third preset value, the control unit 1 controls the TEC heat sink 4 to operate at the target temperature regulation level.

[0168] The third preset value is greater than the second preset value.

[0169] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the third preset value is a temperature threshold that is different from the first preset value and the second preset value, and is used together with the first preset value and the second preset value to define the activation conditions of different heat dissipation strategies.

[0170] In this embodiment, the second heat dissipation strategy is to activate the heat sink 4 while activating the heat exchanger VC unit 5.

[0171] In this embodiment, when the first heat dissipation strategy is insufficient to dissipate the heat generated by the optical engine in a timely manner, i.e. when the light source temperature value is greater than the second preset value and less than or equal to the third preset value, the second heat dissipation strategy simultaneously activates the heat dissipation plate VC unit 5 and the TEC heat sink 4, so that the TEC heat sink 4 actively participates in heat dissipation, conducts the heat accumulated in the optical engine with the lowest power consumption, avoids the accumulation of heat in the optical engine, and ensures that the ultraviolet laser light source 01 will not affect its performance due to overheating, thereby achieving the best balance between heat dissipation power consumption and heat dissipation effect.

[0172] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the TEC heat sink 4 has at least one temperature control setting, and different temperature control settings correspond to different heat dissipation power consumption and heat dissipation effects. When dissipating heat from the optical engine using this second heat dissipation strategy, this embodiment can select one of the selectable temperature control settings of the TEC heat sink 4 as the target temperature control setting based on the light source temperature value detected by the temperature detection module 2. This ensures that the heat dissipation requirements are met and the printing effect of the optical engine is not affected, while minimizing heat dissipation power consumption and extending the optical engine's runtime as much as possible.

[0173] In one feasible embodiment, when the light source temperature value is greater than a third preset value, the control unit 1 controls the fan 3 to run at the target speed level and controls the TEC heatsink 4 to run at the target temperature control level.

[0174] In this embodiment, when the temperature data detected by the temperature detection module 2 exceeds the third preset value, that is, when the light source temperature value is greater than the third preset value, it indicates that the light source temperature value has exceeded the upper temperature limit and is in a state of severe overheating. At this time, it is necessary to implement the third heat dissipation strategy as an emergency measure, dissipating power consumption and cooling the optical engine as quickly as possible to control the temperature of the optical engine as soon as possible. That is, the control unit 1 controls the operation of the heat dissipation plate VC unit 5, controls the TEC heat sink 4 to operate at the target temperature control level, and controls the fan 3 to operate at the target speed level, thereby activating all heat dissipation units in the heat dissipation module 06, and using the highest temperature control level among the selectable temperature control levels of the TEC heat sink 4 as the target temperature control level, and the highest speed level among the selectable speed levels of the fan 3 as the target speed level, dissipating power consumption and cooling the optical engine to ensure that the temperature of the optical engine can be controlled as soon as possible.

[0175] This example demonstrates how to monitor and respond to the light source temperature in real time, flexibly adjust the heat dissipation strategy based on actual temperature changes, and gradually increase the heat dissipation intensity according to different temperature thresholds. This ensures efficient heat dissipation while minimizing unnecessary energy waste, effectively preventing hardware damage or performance degradation caused by overheating. Consequently, it improves the printing effect of the optical engine, reduces frequency throttling or stuttering caused by overheating, and ensures that the optical engine maintains the optimal operating temperature in various application scenarios. This provides users with a smoother application experience, achieving the best balance between heat dissipation power consumption and heat dissipation effect, and significantly improving the stability and reliability of the optical engine.

[0176] This application also proposes a 3D printing device, which includes the 3D printing optical engine system described in the above embodiments. Specifically, the 3D printing device can be a DLP 3D printer.

[0177] The above are only some embodiments of this application and do not limit the patent scope of this application. All equivalent structural transformations made under the technical concept of this application and using the content of this application specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included in the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A 3D printing optical engine system, characterized in that, The 3D printing optical-mechanical system includes an ultraviolet laser source, a beam expander module, a beam homogenizer module, a relay module, and a digital micromirror device arranged sequentially along the optical path. The beam expanding module is used to receive the ultraviolet beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser source and expand the ultraviolet beam to obtain an expanded beam. The beam homogenizing module is used to receive the beam expander and homogenize the beam expander to obtain a homogenized beam. The relay module is used to receive the uniform light beam and adjust the beam angle and size of the uniform light beam to obtain a shaped beam. The focal length of the relay module is determined by the spot size of the exit surface of the uniform light module and the aperture angle of the digital micromirror device. The digital micromirror device is used to receive the shaping beam and control the reflection direction of the shaping beam to form a target image projected onto the printing area.

2. The 3D printing optical engine system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The 3D printing optical engine system also includes a heat dissipation module, which includes a control unit, a temperature detection unit, a fan, a TEC heat sink, and a vapor chamber VC unit. The heat spreader VC unit is located close to the ultraviolet laser source, and the side of the heat spreader VC unit away from the ultraviolet laser source is close to the TEC heat sink and / or the fan. The heat spreader VC unit is used to exchange heat with the ultraviolet laser source. The temperature detection unit is configured to detect the temperature value of the ultraviolet laser source. The control unit is configured to switch the operating state of at least one of the TEC heatsink and the fan based on the temperature value of the light source.

3. The 3D printing optical engine system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The fan has at least two speed settings, the TEC heatsink has at least two temperature control settings, and the control unit is used for: Obtain the temperature value of the light source; Based on a convergent heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model, a target combined heat dissipation strategy matching the light source temperature value is predicted, wherein the target combined heat dissipation strategy includes a target speed setting and a target temperature control setting. The fan is controlled to operate according to the target speed setting, and the TEC heatsink is controlled to operate according to the target temperature setting.

4. The 3D printing optical engine system as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The control unit is also used for: The light source temperature value is input into the converged heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model to obtain the intermediate parameter information output by the heat dissipation strategy prediction AI model. Based on the preset parameter mapping relationship, the speed gear and temperature control gear mapped by the intermediate parameter information are obtained by querying. Based on the speed and temperature control levels mapped by the intermediate parameter information, a target combined heat dissipation strategy matching the temperature value of the light source is determined. The target combined heat dissipation strategy refers to the combined heat dissipation strategy with the lowest heat dissipation power consumption when the operating performance of the ultraviolet laser light source reaches the preset performance standard.

5. The 3D printing optical engine system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, When the light source temperature value is greater than a first preset value and less than or equal to a second preset value, the control unit controls the fan to run at the target speed. Wherein, the second preset value is greater than the first preset value.

6. The 3D printing optical engine system as described in claim 5, characterized in that, When the light source temperature value is greater than the second preset value and less than or equal to the third preset value, the control unit controls the TEC heat sink to operate at the target temperature regulation level; The third preset value is greater than the second preset value.

7. The 3D printing optical engine system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, When the light source temperature value is greater than the third preset value, the control unit controls the fan to run at the target speed level and controls the TEC heatsink to run at the target temperature control level.

8. The 3D printing optical engine system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The beam expander module includes a negative lens and a positive lens arranged sequentially along the optical path. The distance between the negative lens and the positive lens is determined by the focal length of the negative lens and the focal length of the positive lens. The negative lens is used to receive the ultraviolet beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser source and to diverge the ultraviolet beam to obtain an intermediate expanded beam. The positive lens is used to converge the intermediate beam expander to obtain a beam expander, wherein the diffusion factor of the beam expander is determined by the focal length of the negative lens and the focal length of the positive lens.

9. The 3D printing optical engine system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The beam expanding module is a diffuser, which is a flat-top diffuser or a Gaussian diffuser. The diffuser is used to receive the ultraviolet beam emitted by the ultraviolet laser source and expand the ultraviolet beam to obtain an expanded beam. The diffusion factor of the expanded beam is determined by the diffusion angle of the diffuser, the distance between the diffuser and the homogenizing module, and the incident light spot size of the diffuser.

10. A 3D printing device, characterized in that, The 3D printing equipment includes a 3D printing optical engine system as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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