3D Modeling Head Unit Chromatic Achromatic Liquid Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-dimensional modeling apparatuses using inkjet techniques face limitations in expressing neutral colors by area gradation, leading to lower apparent resolution due to the inability to handle multiple colors per layer effectively.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus that uses a head unit to discharge achromatic and chromatic liquids into unit grilles, allowing for precise control of color intensity and uniformity, enabling finer color gradation and increased color expression per unit area by filling the spatial volume of each unit grille with a combination of chromatic and achromatic liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If only one color is expressed for each layer, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the apparent resolution deteriorates to be lower than the actual modeling resolution when expressing neutral color by area gradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color expression into multiple independent color layers within each modeling layer. Instead of using a single color per layer, the system divides the color space into multiple chromatic liquids (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow) and combines them in various proportions to express different colors and neutral tones, thereby improving apparent resolution while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different unit grilles within the same layer to have different color compositions based on their specific position and function. Each unit grille can be filled with different combinations of chromatic and achromatic liquids to achieve the desired color intensity and neutral tone, enabling precise local color control that improves overall apparent resolution
2Loss of information
If chromatic liquids are discharged into unit grilles to express color, then color intensity can be expressed, but the spatial volume of unit grilles is not filled, leading to non-uniform volumes across different unit grilles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges chromatic liquids with achromatic liquids within each unit grille to achieve both color expression and volume uniformity. When chromatic liquids are discharged to express color intensity, achromatic liquids are simultaneously or subsequently discharged to fill the remaining spatial volume, ensuring that all unit grilles have uniform total volumes while maintaining the desired color characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of liquid discharge by dynamically adjusting the proportions and sequences of chromatic and achromatic liquids based on the specific color requirements of each unit grille. The control unit calculates the optimal combination of liquids to discharge, changing the discharge parameters (volume, sequence, composition) to simultaneously achieve color intensity expression and volume uniformity across all unit grilles
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of chromatic liquids are discharged into unit grilles to increase color expression, then more colors can be expressed per unit area, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the head unit with multiple discharge nozzles that can handle different types of chromatic and achromatic liquids. Each nozzle is designed to be multi-functional, capable of discharging different liquid types by controlling the discharge timing and sequence. This universal design allows the system to express multiple colors while avoiding excessive device complexity through standardized nozzle structures and centralized control
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional modeling apparatus is provided with a head unit for modeling an object by discharging a liquid into each unit grille that is defined in accordance with modeling resolutions of a cross section body in an X direction and a Y direction and a lamination interval in a Z direction, and a control unit for controlling the head unit. In the case where one or more types of the chromatic liquids are discharged into the unit grille by controlling the head unit and the spatial volume of the unit grille is not filled with the one or more types of chromatic liquids, the control unit causes the achromatic liquid to be discharged into the unit grille in addition to the one or more types of chromatic liquids so as to fill the spatial volume of the unit grille with both the chromatic liquids and the achromatic liquid.