3D Printer Drive Unit Thermal Isolation via Flexible Heat Resistant Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
In three-dimensional shaping devices, thermal influence from heated air in the chamber can affect the drive units, leading to inaccuracies in shaping due to thermal expansion and contraction of shaft members, compromising the precision of the shaped articles.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional shaping device is designed with a chamber that includes a heating unit, a base with a shaping surface, a discharge unit for shaping materials, and tubular heat-resistant members that create a separation space for the drive units, preventing thermal influence and maintaining shaping accuracy by using a cooling mechanism and temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the base and drive unit are coupled through a slit in the chamber wall, then the drive unit can be positioned outside the heating chamber for easier access, but heated air leaks through the slit and causes thermal expansion of shaft members affecting shaping accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible heat-resistant member is introduced as an intermediary component between the heating chamber and the drive unit. This member extends through the slit opening, allowing the drive unit to remain accessible outside the chamber while blocking heated air from reaching the shaft member. The flexible nature of this intermediary component allows it to accommodate the vertical movement of the base without compromising the seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-resistant member is designed with flexible properties, enabling it to extend and contract as the base moves vertically during the shaping process. This flexibility maintains the sealing function throughout the operation cycle while allowing the drive unit to remain positioned outside the heating chamber for ease of access and maintenance.
2Temperature
If the drive unit is positioned outside the heating chamber, then thermal influence on the drive unit is reduced, but the coupling mechanism through the slit creates thermal leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible heat-resistant member serves as a thermal barrier intermediary, positioned at the slit opening where the base is coupled to the drive unit. This intermediary blocks the direct path of heated air from the chamber to the drive unit, preventing thermal leakage while allowing mechanical coupling and movement transmission.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a rigid seal is used at the slit opening to prevent thermal leakage, then thermal influence is blocked, but the seal cannot accommodate the vertical movement of the base
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-resistant member is specifically designed with flexible properties, allowing it to dynamically adapt its length as the base moves vertically during operation. This flexibility enables the member to maintain an effective seal against thermal leakage while simultaneously accommodating the full range of motion of the base without requiring a rigid structure.
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 effectively prevents thermal strain on drive units, enhancing the accuracy and precision of three-dimensional shaped articles by isolating the drive units from heated air and maintaining controlled temperature conditions within the separation space.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit configured to heat the shaping space
Implementation Method 2
a tubular first heat resistant member that is disposed between a peripheral part of a first opening formed in a partition wall of the chamber and the base, configured to extend and contract in the second direction in accordance with a movement of the base in the second direction
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional shaping device includes a chamber that has a shaping space; a heating unit configured to heat the shaping space; a base that has a shaping surface exposed to the shaping space; a discharge unit configured to discharge a shaping material toward the shaping surface while moving in a first direction in the shaping space heated by the heating unit and shape a three-dimensional shaped article; a first drive unit configured to move the base in a second direction crossing the first direction; and a tubular first heat resistant member that is disposed between a peripheral part of a first opening formed in a partition wall of the chamber and the base, configured to extend and contract in the second direction in accordance with a movement of the base in the second direction, and defines a separation space separated from the shaping space, in which at least a part of the first drive unit is disposed in the separation space.