3D Modeling Head Light Heating for Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-dimensional modeling devices using fused deposition modeling face challenges in maintaining precise temperature control for thermoplastic resins with different melting points, as external environmental temperatures can affect the melting areas, requiring long nozzle spacings and increasing modeling time.
Innovation Solution
The three-dimensional modeling head incorporates a heat insulating member with a sealed space, a light emitter, and a light absorbing member to focus and absorb light, generating heat within a sealed environment, allowing for precise temperature control of thermoplastic resins without external temperature influence, thereby reducing the need for long nozzle spacings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If heating rods are provided for each thermoplastic resin to control temperature individually, then temperature control precision is improved, but the melting area temperature is affected by external environment
Solution Approach 1:
A light-absorbing member is introduced as an intermediary between the light emitter and the thermoplastic resin. This member absorbs light energy and converts it to thermal energy, serving as a mediator that heats the resin without direct contact with external environment fluctuations. The light-absorbing member acts as a thermal buffer that isolates the melting process from external temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional heating rod (mechanical/thermal contact heating system) with a light-based heating system. Light emitters directed at light-absorbing members provide non-contact heating, eliminating thermal conduction paths that would otherwise transmit external environment temperatures to the melting area. This substitution of heating mechanism isolates the process from environmental interference.
2Stability of the object's composition
If long nozzle spacings are used to reduce external temperature influence, then temperature stability is improved, but modeling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-absorbing member serves as a thermal intermediary that creates a localized heating zone isolated from external environment. This allows nozzles to be positioned closer together without compromising temperature stability, as each nozzle's melting area is protected by its own light-absorbing member from environmental temperature fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating parameter from conductive heating (heating rods) to radiative heating (light emission). This parameter change enables precise spatial control of heat delivery, allowing multiple nozzles to operate in close proximity with independent temperature control through targeted light delivery to each light-absorbing member.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple kinds of thermoplastic resins with different melting points are ejected, then material versatility is improved, but temperature control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitter and light-absorbing member combination serves as a universal heating system that can accommodate multiple thermoplastic resins with different melting points. By adjusting the light intensity or duration, the same heating mechanism can precisely control temperatures for various materials without requiring different heating hardware, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining material versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses variable light parameters (intensity, duration, wavelength) to control the heating of different thermoplastic resins. This parameter-based control allows a single heating system to handle multiple materials with different melting points by simply changing operational parameters rather than physically reconfiguring the heating system, thereby reducing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables accurate temperature control of thermoplastic resins, shortening the distance between nozzles and reducing the time required for modeling, while minimizing the impact of external temperatures on the melting process.
Implementation Method 1
a light absorbing member which absorbs light and is provided in contact with at least part of the cylindrical member in the sealed space and in an area of the sealed space containing a focusing position on which at least part of light emitted by the light emitter and reflected by the wall surface is focused
Implementation Method 2
a heat insulating member having a sealed space therein with a curved wall surface that reflects light
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a three-dimensional modeling head includes a heat insulating member, a light emitter, a cylindrical member, and a light absorbing member. The heat insulating member has a sealed space therein with a curved wall surface that reflects light. The light emitter emits light and has at least a light emitting face provided in the sealed space. The cylindrical member is placed to extend through the heat insulating member via the sealed space and is long in a first direction in which thermoplastic resin is ejected. The light absorbing member adsorbs light and is provided in contact with at least part of the cylindrical member in the sealed space and in an area of the sealed space containing a focusing position on which at least part of light emitted by the light emitter and reflected by the wall surface is focused.