3D Printed Objects With Interconnected Cavities For Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional manufacturing techniques find it difficult and costly to produce complex geometry components with internal cavities and position-dependent material properties, often requiring multiple steps and monolithic materials.
Innovation Solution
Three-dimensional printing methods that create objects with interconnected cavities and passages, allowing for varying material properties by controlling fluid flow through these cavities, which can be used for damping, actuation, and pressure sensing, and can be customized with different fluids, viscosities, and valve systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional manufacturing techniques are used to produce complex geometry components with internal cavities, then manufacturing precision and reliability are maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the material properties within different regions of the component. By controlling the infill density and cavity distribution locally, the component achieves position-dependent material properties without requiring complex assembly of multiple parts. This allows complex geometries to be manufactured as single integrated structures with spatially varying characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the internal structure into multiple cavities and passages that can be independently designed and controlled. This segmentation allows the complex geometry to be built up layer by layer through additive manufacturing, with each layer contributing to the overall complex structure. The segmented cavity system enables sophisticated internal geometries that would be difficult to achieve with conventional manufacturing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple material properties are desired in different areas of an object, then adaptability is improved, but conventional manufacturing requires multiple steps and techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple material property requirements into a single additive manufacturing process. By controlling infill patterns, cavity distributions, and passage configurations within one printing operation, the component achieves multiple material properties (such as varying stiffness, density, and damping characteristics) without requiring separate manufacturing steps for each property zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying printing parameters (infill density, layer height, heating parameters) across different regions of the component. This allows the same additive manufacturing process to produce areas with different material properties by simply changing the digital model parameters for each region, eliminating the need for multiple manufacturing techniques.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform material is used throughout an object, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability and functional versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating spatially varying infill patterns and cavity distributions within the component. Different regions have different infill densities and cavity configurations, providing position-dependent material properties such as varying stiffness, strength, and damping characteristics, all while using the same base material and single manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite-like structures by combining the solid printed material with void spaces (cavities and passages) in specific configurations. This effective composite structure provides enhanced functional capabilities including damping, actuation, and pressure sensing, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a single additive manufacturing process using uniform base material.
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
Enables the efficient and cost-effective production of complex geometry components with customizable material properties, providing damping, actuation, and pressure sensing functions, and allowing for self-healing and deformation control.
Implementation Method 1
These cavities may be fully closed or partially closed. In some embodiments a plurality of printed cavities may be partially open and interconnected with other printed cavities through a series of apertures or connecting channels to enable the flow of a gas or liquid there between.
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of printed cavities may be partially open and interconnected with other printed cavities through a series of apertures or connecting channels to enable the flow of a gas or liquid there between
Implementation Method 3
the fluid can be pressurized to flow from a first cavity portion to an adjacent cavity portion
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a system and method for producing a 3D printed object that includes printing a plurality of cavities (110) within or interior to the object (1) and providing a plurality of passages (120) between the cavities so that at least a portion of the printed cavities are in fluid communication with each other. A fluid such as a gas or liquid (2) is then provided to fill a portion of the printed cavities, thereby providing a structure that is capable of damping impacts thereto.