3D Shaping Nozzle Suction Cleaning to Prevent Material Reattachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing three-dimensional shaping devices face the issue of waste material from cleaning members adhering to nozzles, which can contaminate the shaping process.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional shaping device with a nozzle, discharging control mechanism, suction-feeding unit, and control unit that controls the supply and suction of shaping material, allowing for a cleaning process that separates excess material from the nozzle during the shaping process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cleaning members (flicker plate or brush) are used to clean the nozzle, then the nozzle is cleaned, but waste material from the cleaning member attaches to the nozzle again

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle cleanlinessVSAvoidwaste material contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful cleaning members (flicker plate and brush) from the system and replaces them with a suction-feeding unit that uses airflow to remove waste material. This eliminates the source of contamination while maintaining the cleaning function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces air as an intermediary substance to transfer waste material from the nozzle to the collection container. The suction-feeding unit creates airflow that carries waste material away, avoiding direct contact between cleaning members and the nozzle that would generate contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If cleaning members are used to clean the nozzle, then cleaning is achieved, but the complexity of the cleaning mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes complex mechanical cleaning components (flicker plate, brush, and associated driving mechanisms) and replaces them with a simplified airflow-based suction system. This reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical cleaning system with a pneumatic system. Instead of using mechanical contact through flicker plates or brushes, the system uses controlled airflow generated by the suction-feeding unit to remove waste material, thereby reducing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the discharging control mechanism stops supplying shaping material, then cleaning can be performed, but the productivity of the shaping device decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning process qualityVSAvoidshaping operation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables continuous operation by allowing the suction-feeding unit to remove waste material from the nozzle during or between shaping operations without requiring complete cessation of material supply. The airflow-based cleaning can occur continuously or periodically without interrupting the overall shaping process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The suction-feeding unit performs preliminary cleaning actions by continuously or periodically removing waste material buildup from the nozzle before it accumulates to problematic levels. This preventive cleaning approach reduces the need for extended cleaning interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Effectively prevents waste material from reattaching to the nozzle, ensuring clean and consistent shaping operations by efficiently managing the shaping material flow and cleaning process.

Implementation Method 1

a suction-feeding unit configured to perform a suction manipulation and a feeding manipulation, the suction manipulation being a manipulation of sucking the shaping material within the flow path into a branch flow path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a discharging control mechanism provided in a flow path through which the shaping material flows, and configured to vary a degree of opening of the flow path to control a supply amount of the shaping material to the nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250332791A1Three-dimensional shaping device

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A three-dimensional shaping device includes a nozzle configured to eject a shaping material, a discharging control mechanism provided in a flow path and configured to vary a degree of opening of the flow path, a suction-feeding unit configured to perform a suction and feeding manipulations, the suction manipulation being a manipulation of sucking the shaping material within the flow path into a branch flow path coupled to the flow path between the discharging control mechanism and the ejection port, the feeding manipulation being a manipulation of feeding, to the flow path, the shaping material sucked into the branch flow path, and a control unit configured to control the discharging control mechanism to stop supplying the shaping material, and to perform a cleaning process. During the cleaning process, the suction manipulation is performed, to emit at least a portion of the shaping material within the nozzle, to a non-shaping region.