Capillary Liquid Module for Bioprinter Frosting and Heat Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bioprinters face issues with frosting and poor heat transfer efficiency due to moisture infiltration, leading to operational abnormalities and contamination during low-temperature bioprinting, and air-filled gaps result in reduced heat transfer efficiency at room temperature, necessitating manual intervention that prolongs printing time and risks product contamination.
Innovation Solution
A capillary-based functional liquid releasing module that integrates into additive manufacturing machines to release antifreeze or heat transfer liquids into micro assembly slots or gaps, utilizing capillary action to improve thermal efficiency and reduce friction, without affecting the machine's original functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual antifreeze injection is performed to prevent frosting, then frosting prevention is improved, but printing time is prolonged and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect frosting conditions and automatically triggers the antifreeze injection mechanism, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The machine serves itself by monitoring its own state and performing necessary maintenance actions during printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor temperature and humidity conditions in the printing chamber, providing feedback to the control system. When frosting conditions are detected, the feedback loop activates the antifreeze injection, creating a closed-loop control system that responds dynamically to environmental changes.
2Use of energy by moving object
If manual heat transfer fluid injection is performed to improve heat transfer efficiency, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but printing time is prolonged and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors heat transfer efficiency through temperature sensors and triggers heat transfer fluid injection when efficiency degradation is detected, eliminating manual intervention and maintaining continuous printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system ensures continuous heat transfer optimization by constantly monitoring thermal conditions and injecting fluid as needed, rather than requiring periodic manual interruptions. This maintains uninterrupted printing while sustaining optimal heat transfer efficiency.
3Reliability
If manual intervention is performed to address temperature-related issues, then operational abnormalities are resolved, but product contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects and resolves operational abnormalities through integrated sensors and control mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual opening of the printing chamber and associated contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces automated control systems and sealed injection mechanisms as intermediaries between the operator and the printing environment, allowing temperature issue resolution without direct human intervention that could cause contamination.
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 module effectively prevents frosting, enhances energy transfer efficiency, and reduces operational interruptions by automatically addressing temperature-related issues, improving the overall performance and reducing the risk of contamination during bioprinting.
Implementation Method 1
a capillary releasing channel including an inlet and an outlet, configured on the first flat additive manufacturing assembly component, and having a slope and a width less than 1 mm to drive the functional liquid flowing by a gravity or a capillary force
Implementation Method 2
Because the air is a good thermal insulation medium, the addition of an antifreeze improves the efficiency of energy transfer
Implementation Method 3
During low temperature operation, it releases, for example but not limited to, an antifreeze to a tiny gap or an assembly seam of the machine. In addition to removing frost, it can also replace the air contained in the gap
Implementation Method 4
During room temperature operation, it releases, for example but not limited to, a lubricating liquid to a tiny gap or an assembly seam of the machine. In addition to effectively reducing frictional resistance, it can also replace the air contained in the gap
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an exchangeable additive manufacturing machine system. The system includes a manufacturing spindle; a thermal conducting module configured to include a working well in a center portion, wherein the manufacturing spindle is configured to rotate in the working well and the manufacturing spindle and the working well defines a manufacturing region; and a capillary based functional liquid releasing module configured on the thermal conducting module to release a functional liquid to one of a first gap, a second gap and a third gap included between the thermal conducting module and the manufacturing platform.