3D Drawing Pen Finger Sensor and Modular Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional 3D drawing pens face issues such as shaking during operation, mechanical button damage, waterproofing problems, limited nozzle configurations, and cumbersome design, which affect user control and precision in creating 3D objects.

Innovation Solution

A 3D drawing arrangement with a finger detector-controlled filament moving system, a smooth sleeve design for aesthetic appeal, and detachable nozzle assemblies, allowing for precise control and easy assembly with various sleeve sizes and patterns, enhancing waterproofing and user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mechanical buttons are provided on the outer surface of the housing for controlling the motor, then the device is easy to operate, but the buttons are easy to damage after frequent use and affect waterproofing performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebutton controlVSAvoidbutton durability and waterproofing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical buttons with a touch-sensitive control system. The housing surface includes a touch sensor that detects finger contact to control motor operations, eliminating the need for mechanical buttons that protrude from the housing. This substitution maintains ease of operation while improving waterproofing performance and button durability, as the touch sensor can be integrated flush with the housing surface without requiring gaps for button movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the housing is designed as a fixed supporting structure for motor, gear train and heating element, then the assembly is stable, but the housing cannot be replaced or detached for different designs and patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing stabilityVSAvoidhousing replaceability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the housing into modular components that can be detached and replaced. The housing is designed with separable sections allowing different housing parts with various patterns and sizes to be interchangeably assembled with the same motor, gear train, and heating element assembly. This segmentation maintains operational stability while enabling versatility for different design requirements and user preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the housing is designed to fit different user groups (children and adults) with different sizes, then the device is adaptable to different users, but different housings require different production lines from the beginning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing size adaptationVSAvoidproduction line complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a modular housing system where the supporting structure is separated from the outer housing shell. This allows a single standardized internal assembly to be used across different housing sizes, with only the outer shell varying. Consequently, one production line can assemble the universal internal components, and different sized housings can be attached in later steps, eliminating the need for completely separate production lines for different user groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If the nozzle assembly is fixed to the housing, then the structure is simple, but the user cannot use different nozzle configurations for different drawing patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle assembly structureVSAvoidnozzle configuration options

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed nozzle assembly into a dynamic, interchangeable component. The nozzle assembly is designed to be detachably coupled to the housing, allowing users to remove and replace nozzles with different configurations according to drawing requirements. This dynamic design maintains simple assembly when a single nozzle is used while providing versatility when multiple nozzle types are needed for different drawing patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution prevents shaking, extends the life of the device, improves waterproofing, and allows for customizable nozzle configurations, enabling precise and efficient creation of 3D objects with various designs and sizes.

Implementation Method 1

the heating element 6 is able to melt the feed stock 8 to provide a melted material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

the finger detector detects a presence of a finger of a user which is aligned with the finger detector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection detection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20240100764A13D Drawing Arrangement

Publication Date: 2024.03.28 WEI HONGHUI

AI summary

A 3D drawing arrangement includes a sleeve, a gripping handle, a feeding passage, a heater, a filament moving system, and a controller which includes a control circuit and a finger detector electrically connected to the control circuit, wherein when the finger detector detects a presence of a finger of a user which is aligned with the finger detector, the control circuit starts operation of the filament moving system to feed a filament to the heater along the feeding passage, so that the filament is heated and melted by the heater to produce the melted material flow.