3D Printer Peltier Print Bed for Rapid Heating and Cooling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heated print beds in additive manufacturing face challenges in maintaining stable and accurate temperature control, particularly with materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion, leading to potential warping and safety hazards due to slow cooling and unattended hot surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A print bed utilizing Peltier elements with heatsinks and fans for efficient temperature regulation, allowing for rapid heating and cooling by switching polarity, and arranging Peltier elements in a tessellation pattern to accommodate varying thermal expansion, along with fans to dissipate heat and prevent buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional heating elements (PCB or film heaters) are used, then the structure is simple, but the temperature control accuracy and responsiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical heating elements (PCB heaters or film heaters) with Peltier elements, which are solid-state thermoelectric devices. This substitution enables precise temperature control through electrical polarity switching while maintaining structural integration, resolving the contradiction between control accuracy and structural simplicity.
2Speed
If conventional heating elements are used, then the device is simple, but the cooling speed is slow and safety hazards occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional unidirectional heating approach by implementing bidirectional temperature control through Peltier elements. By switching the electrical polarity, the system can rapidly transition from heating to cooling mode, enabling fast cooling speeds that prevent heat accumulation and eliminate safety hazards associated with unattended hot surfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If single temperature control is used, then the system is simple, but materials with different thermal expansion coefficients cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the print bed into multiple zones, each equipped with independent Peltier elements controlled by separate temperature controllers. This allows different regions of the print bed to maintain different temperatures, accommodating materials with different thermal expansion coefficients and preventing warping while managing system complexity through modular control.
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 precise, responsive, and stable temperature control, preventing warping and safety hazards by quickly adjusting temperatures and maintaining a stable environment for diverse materials, facilitating higher operating temperatures and safer operation.
Implementation Method 1
The print bed comprises at least one Peltier element. Each Peltier element has opposite first and a second surfaces. The at least one Peltier element is arranged to have each respective first surface facing a print surface of the print bed.
Implementation Method 2
The at least one heatsink is thermally connected to the Peltier element and arranged to transfer heat generated by the at least one Peltier element and dissipate the transferred heat away from the at least one Peltier element.
Implementation Method 3
The at least one fan is arranged to transport gas heated by the at least one Peltier element away from the at least one Peltier element.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a print bed (1) for regulating a temperature of the print bed (1). The print bed (1) comprises at least one Peltier element (2), each Peltier element having opposite first and a second surfaces (3a, 3b). The print bed (1) further comprises at least one heatsink (4). The at least one Peltier element (2) is arranged to have each respective first surface (3a) facing a print surface (5) of the print bed (1). The at least one heatsink (4) is thermally connected to the Peltier element (2) and arranged to transfer heat generated by the at least one Peltier element (2) and dissipate the transferred heat away from the at least one Peltier element (2). The present disclosure further relates to corresponding 3D-printers, methods, computer programs and modules.